The AT brevet.
I was on a tour on the ill fated Nimrod AEW3 at Waddo back in the day when the AT was first proffered. I believe the theory went that unlike Crew Chiefs and Ground Engineers, who, in theory had no airborne function. These chaps would be needed to swap black boxes etc, on task. Giving them a flying duty. I remember that as most were "fairy" trades rumour abounded that they would be known as Flying Airborne Radar Technician ( Yes, FART. Would have looked good in the middle of that brevet). I believe that on return to normal ground duties, the brevet is retained by the qualified wearer. And rightly so. I've met several ex Pilots, as ATC officers replete with wings. As an aside, I can't remember how many Doppler F and C comps I've replaced in the air, amongst other bits of Nav and Comms Kit, no one ever offered me flying pay as a GE. Enough sour grapes.
Smudge
