Dont the Americans have Civvie Helo pilots as Army Reserve Helo Pilots/crew.
They must manage to get through all that hard stuff like, FAC training, Daring low level manouvers and the GEMS that make the military Pilots so Great!
Mate its like everything get a joker who can fly a Helicopter and TRAIN him/her to fight with it. That is how you guys all learned.
I think there is room in the TA for Civilian Helo pilots who can be trained to use the machine as a weapons/command and control platform.
Not really having a go here, I just think if the guys can be trained then why not give it a go. Might help with this pilot shortage we are always hearing about.
Just my opinion