re: #139 Anymouse 🌹

That, and slashing training hours for Naval Aviators works directly for our adversaries. How convenient for Russia.

As a, uh, former Army Aviator, I can endorse the truth of this. All through the Cold War, superior training, based on more flying hours, was a crucial factor in western air superiority. This has to be kept up continuously to provide the edge in proficiency. This is why flying officers who have been temporarily transferred to desk jobs are encouraged (through flight pay) to keep up a minimal number of flying hours. It is also why many bases have extra aircraft around.
I have a lot of hours in Hueys but I could not fly one now, even without the various frailties of age. I might eventually pick it up again, but it would take a lot of time and expense, as well as the services of a qualified instructor.