Back to "old school"...when it didn't exist and didn't matter.I've heard trickles of info about IFS being discontinued as a Navy program....I don't think it will exist in the next FY.
Plus, I'd imagine it dampens the shock of taking a guy/gal who has never flown before and putting them in the cockpit of a military aircraft.
Deputy Commodore of TW5 made the comment that CNATRA was tired of debating over IFS funding every year and decided to give it a permanant spot and end the yearly haggling over scrapping the program. Apparantly the program is going to be around for a while.IFS has been eyed as a "nice to have, but we could live without it" budget item for several years. I'm not in the CNATRA budget gossip loop anymore, but I'm sure that's still the case. Personally, I think it gives great value for the money, both to catch the guys who just want to wear a flight suit and won't put in the brain-sweat required, and to give the studs a taste of flying and decide whether it's for them before they get too far down the road.