OAP Its all been said (many times) and yes the real hands on flying for Cadets has been destroyed, and the fine organisation (and staff) cast to the wind.
With the current capability of the leadership there will be no improvement, and the poison chalice that is 2FTS has rebadged itself as some sort of educational experience that bears no resemblance to its original requirement.
Apart from the amazing experience in actually being part of a flying training system run by Cadets and ex Cadets there was the USP of GOING SOLO in machine within the same serial block of a V Bomber or Fighter. (we were of course the fretwork fighters).
Once the ATC got into the hands of non flyers it was doomed to become just another youth organisation that followed DOE,and Marches but with the added burden of a complicated service type set up that had become 'Non aviation Led'.
Look at the leadership and it tells you all you need to know; look at the Scouts and learn.
I have always said it was a privilege to be part of the organisation, and no where else could someone from an ordinary background get the chance to be so hands on with machinery and real aircraft. The complete joke that is the PTT says it all; youth needs to be 'out there' in the real world doing it, to show them that the 'hands on' experience is so much better (and team building) than sitting indoors in a plastic bath tub in a flying suit; going nowhere. Build some new Mk3's and get them popping off on their own after an hours flying (that's the standard to beat).UNBEATABLE.
Last edited by POBJOY; 3rd Nov 2018 at 07:31.