ShotOne said:
How does whether or not he was awarded his wings bear on this accident at all?
It doesn't (yet) - however, and without knocking his undoubted subsequent skillset, if he didn't gain his (permanent) wings (i.e. CR/6 mths on 1st sqn [or whatever the regs in force were for FJ sqns at the turn of the century]) he shouldn't be referred to as a 'military pilot' or 'former RAF pilot'. It's misleading. Before you know it we'll be referring to Prince Edward / Earl of Wessex as a former Royal Marine.....
Purely my viewpoint and no disrespect to the individual concerned. It appears to me to be poor media reporting (or media being misled).
At least it will be an independent inquiry and the 'truth will out' in a decent timeframe.