Reader comments - 29-1-14

Bushranger 71

Well; virtually across the whole military aviation spectrum, pilots need a minimum of about 25 hours per month to stay modestly proficient in their role. Flight simulators are not an offset and although beneficial in some respects, and especially for conversion, periodic training and checking; they are not an adequate substitute for hands on pole time.
Through a whole raft of blunderous hardware acquisitions since about Year 2000, the ADF is getting deeper into the mire with operating costs escalating exponentially which will inevitably constrain available flying hours.
Prima facie, Australia's economic prognosis for the next decade or so is looking gloomier, so it seems inevitable that all 3 of the ADF arms will have to be rationalized, obviously dispensing with some very costly and least useful hardware. The sooner this reality is acknowledged the better for maintaining an adequate state of military preparedness for front line units.