Trader.
Ok. I totally disagree.
I know that military flying has many obvious differences from civil flying in terms of relative importance of the skills required in flying. That said, nobody pretends that 50yr old fighter pilots will beat a 25yr old. That is not down to physical demands, it is just down to all round decline.
They have the experience and make good instructors but cannot compete with youth.
Name a historical figure/world leader who was great/influential when old. I can name 10 young.
Name a scientist who made great discoveries when old? I can name 10 young.
10000 airline hours mean nothing. Zip. Zero.
He might be great, but 10000hrs didn't make him great.
I'd take a TP captain who has flown a dodgy wreck around Africa or an ex military late 20's C130 pilot any day. THAT is experience.
Just to make sure nobody assumes that I think all military is great, no I don't.
In my generation in the Fleet Air Arm there were a couple of truly awful pilots. 20 yrs and 1000's of hours later they are still truly awful, but now truly awful with experience. Guess that means they are lucky!
