SPACE CADETS
JM really does not get it does he. The Air Cadets is/was about 'hands on' flying and the ability to enthuse youth about being part of an organisation that gave you an entry into a world not available to others.
He glibly talks about 'Aerospace' as if it was some new feature of aviation (not just a part of it).Drones and so called 'synthetics' are available in the local supermarket for pocket money, and you do not have to be in a uniformed organisation to own and use one. As for spaceflight; well that does not replace the basic facet of Piloting, and surprise surprise even with automatics a knowledge of basic flying skills is still relevant unless you are a passenger.
I will not have history being rewritten that fails to acknowledge the amazing experience of youth being able to pilot a machine solo with all the added long term benefits of decision making,and team work that are needed even more in todays world of indecision and box ticking. I am all for looking ahead and accepting there will always be change, but you do not ignore the facts of history and discard something that is proven to provide an amazing experience that will stay with you for ever and provided something that the todays youth needs more than ever.