I'm there I think and I really appreciate everyone's help in getting me here. I think I've got this working BUT, there's always a but, when I change all the skill values in group properties, save, and exit, then restart CLoD, go into FMB, load my new saved mission, left click on the aircraft and go into properties, the pilot setting is on average and all the skill values are in the middle, like I never customized. Does this just happen if you open the properties. I'm a bit paranoid that the changes I'm making aren't sticking.

Thanks X 5!!!