It's all in the Times today, May 11th., so plenty of opportunity to shed a little light and add learned comment
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/n...ears-pc607tbdl
By David Brown, Chief News Correspondent May 11 2018, 12:00am, The Times - Full article below except for incorrectly captioned photo of ZH268 - Stock photo, so probably stock caption too ? - Quote "The Vigilants, which are used to train future military and civilian pilots, will remain in service until October next year"
The RAF has ordered the immediate grounding of a fleet of gliders that has been used to train thousands of pilots.Training units were given a day’s notice that all flights in Vigilant T1 motor gliders must halt at 4pm on Sunday. The aircraft are expected to be scrapped amid reports of safety concerns.The Vigilants have been flown by the air force for almost 30 years and have been used to train future military and civilian pilots. The Duchess of Cambridge piloted a Vigilant training simulator during a visit to an RAF airfield in February last year.The ageing Vigilant, manufactured by the German company Grob Aircraft, was being gradually replaced but had been due to remain in service until October next year.All air cadet gliders had been grounded in April 2014 following concerns about the airworthiness of the fleet.Flights resumed in 2016 but 14 of 26 volunteer glider squadrons were disbanded, with surviving units expanded. The Vigilant was still being used by cadets at RAF Woodvale in Merseyside and RAF Topcliffe in North Yorkshire with instructors trained at RAF Syerston in Nottinghamshire.Flight Lieutenant Aaron O’Roarty, of the 645 Volunteer Gliding Service based at RAF Topcliffe, announced the sudden decision to ground the fleet.He wrote on Facebook: “We always knew the Vigilant was nearing the end of her service but we expected this would not be as soon as it has been. There will be many a tear shed following her retirement and it’s an aircraft you had a passion and love for.”The final flight took to the air at 3.37pm with Squadron Leader Stephen Hughes accompanying Cadet Edward Goulding from 610 (City of Chester) unit. Squadron Leader Hughes said: “We all understand the reasons, but can’t help but feel it’s a shame it is being removed from service early.”RAF Topcliffe will return to flying Viking T1 gliders currently used by nine other training squadrons.
LFH
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