If CAS is unable to offer more than 20K without the agreement of the other service chiefs then the Defence Board collectively needs to act. Just in the last two months, in my swamp, there have been over half a dozen OF 2,3,4 PVRs across the specialised trades needed to fly, maintain and control our aircraft. By early next year I know of three other PVRs which will be submitted. How many more good people need to press the 'seven clicks to freedom' before the system responds with intent and resource?

I know of a few cases where the Manning 'retention measures' have backfired and driven away guys who were minded to stay. All of them had changed types to bring experience and instructional qualifications to the gaining fleet.

Having marked-time during a delayed conversion and frontline work-up they are now being asked to waive their option points in order to 'accept' another RoS for the privilege of moving to the other seat. All of them are saying no and are trying to stick to the original RoS imposed on them for the OCU. Most of them have not done a single day of service without being shackled with a restrictive RoS. Indeed, being flexible enough to move types, roles and instructional duties just gets people penalised when compared to those who do just one OCU and then stay put.

The net result is the frontline gasping for the experience they need whilst a cadre of guys hold firm to their original deferred option points having been mis-sold an RoS.

There is a world wide shortage of pilots in the civil world. Go for it !

Read most of the posts in the R&N thread and they are treated like slaves with poor pay and lousy work conditions.


Or do most pilots (military and civil) just like complaining ?

No we're not. But yes we do.