As CM says, dilution is a significant factor. Decades ago it was still significant.

The V-Force nav radar specialization was manned almost exclusively by ex-Lincoln, ex-Canberra navs and with several tours. Almost overnight these specialists who had completed the NBS long course were replaced by short course first tourists. On our sqn the choice for radar leader fell on a first tour nav ex-accounts officer.

The same thing happened on my second sqn where, IIRC, there were only 2 of us not first tourists.

The same was true of copilots where the recruiting poster of the time was "You can be a flt lt and captain a V-bomber by age 23."

Then the pendulum swung and we had a sudden influx of 50 year olds to give a depth of experience. Of course that did n t work, 50 year old, married, 2 kids, do t hang around crew rooms talking to kids, nor do they get started at happy hour (unless they are well into the gravy). Drinks regularly a n d unwisely :)

Yes, but then they grow up. :E

Slightly off topic but possibly relevant to the theme of the thread?

Yesterday I attended a psychology seminar where the presenter commented that the RAF has a policy of not allowing pilots to use multi-screen displays below a certain age (24?). Apparently, using multiple-displays below this age may actually hinder the development of the ability to multi-task. As a consequence, the RAF restricts the use of such displays in it's younger (trainee?) pilots.

I'm not sure how this impacts in practice but it might indicate that age related ability to multi-task may be an important factor in flying ability. Is there any correlation between age and subsequent streaming - FJ, helo, multi? Do older or younger trainees display a variance in ability (albeit within the narrow age-selection criteria) and subsequent stream selection?

Wokka, now that should be a tread if its own.

I believe pre-uni studies may be more malleable with aptitude growth potential, with older entrants and grads, WYSIWYG.

If the RAF has a policy on this I've not been party to it despite working as an OCU instructor on a glass cockpit ac for most of the past decade. Then again by the time most of our 'young' pilots have completed their training interspersed with numerous lengthy holds they're pushing 30......

A Jaguar QFI once told me that you could tell which pilots went to the F3 after training - they were the ones assessed as "Aggressively below Average". :}

Wensleydale

:D:D:D

Yes, but then they grow up.


You can't be a fighter pilot and grow up - it's one or the other:ok:

Aggressively Below Average
 

Wensleydale.

Your QFI friend was just bitter. When I was a QFI's QFI, I could always tell an ex-jaguar mate; they were the ones who didn't have a clue about air combat and always ended up getting gunned ;-)

I watched it as the captain of a military helicopter and I certainly thought that about Kelly McGillis. :E

Simple really;

Fast jet pilot will be at the bar talking about being a fast jet pilot.

Multis pilot will be at the bar eating.

Rotary pilot won't be at the bar because he's pulled.

llamaman

:D:D:D:D:ok::E

Fixed it for you! ;)

"Multis pilot will be at the bar eating."

Times must have changed. In my day we ate in the air in order to concentrate on drinking when we got to the bar.

Munch munch

Personally I'll be in the best hotel in town with the pretty girls - does nobody else have standards or ambition these days?

I once read that the best pilots in the USN were sent to fly COD aircraft. That can't do much for fighter pilot egos!

Wokka, I'm not aware of any restriction on the use of multi displays. To be honest, I haven't seen anything about their influence on the development of our tender young charges either. You got any more on that policy there?

M2 - I've dropped an email to my colleague and hopefully I can put together a response in a day or so.

WF:ok: