He was indeed a bullying bell end. Although I gather that he once met his match, following which he wasn't
quite so free with his fists any longer.
Reputedly he would turn up unannounced during exercises and mingle to hear the moans and bitches from the lads - much to Stn Cdrs' consternation.
He came to Brawdy in 1976 and was taken flying in a Hunter 7. The other pilot was also a Yarpie. The Line Chief had scoured the squadrons to find a pair of suitable groundcrew to assist; as the pilots settled in to their bang seats, a grinning black face appeared at the top of each ladder to help strap them in.....
This was the apartheid era; however, both Yarps thought it was a good jape!
Back to the thread - whether it's the smaller need for aircrew recruits meaning that only the best prospects are selected or better instructors, but I gather that the success rate from first flight to front line is much higher than hitherto.