Taffer,

Last I heard the trial of Obs going through JEFTS is proving v successful - but they must achieve FJ selection or return to O School. The big issue for the future is mental capacity rather than pure stick skills when flying aircraft where the most likely control response is "Computer says no!" - Is this not what happened with Typhoon at RIAT this year.

Sarmonkey,

There are plenty of ex-Obs fying for BA etc. They tend to be v good at CRM etc unlike single seat jet jockeys who have never heard of CRM.

My amusement came from the rash and fictitious statement that the airlines are 'increasingly interested'. The airlines are interested in you, but only after you've gone and self-funded your license, and hours-built on fixed-wing, by which time you'll be eligible for a low-earning job on turbo-props, unless you fancy shelling out 20 grand for a type rating. Yes, I know all about the CRM and the airmanship that hundreds of happy hours of obs-ing provided - and they're worth nothing. You'll have an edge over the wet-behind -the-ears newbie, but he'll have the edge of lower expectations and a longer working life.

Sorry, subject change mode and rant mode now disengaged.

And, BTW, I've sat in both seats.