Originally Posted by
Capt Beaky
Followed with interest the discussion on root cause as well as the effect. Unfortunately, whilst the focus on air worthiness has consumed us, gnawing away in the background, the MoD has disposed of the real estate! Even if the money was found for a new ACO VGS fleet, sadly, many “almost perfect for air cadet training” regional airfields have been sold off.
Nonetheless, there remains opportunity for conventional air cadet gliding with new aiircraft to return. Given the Political will and a relatively small amount of funding. The U.K. coukd relaunch ACO Gliding within an ICAO recognised and compliant Next Generation U.K. Aviation Professionals programme....
Halton hasn't been disposed of - yet.
In my experience, the flooding which used to occur at Halton during the winter months (causing us to 'bolthole' to Bovingdon) would preclude it from being suitable for housing, especially as a large amount of the airfield has PSP or steel mesh tracking just below the surface.
Plus there is a 'need' for another airfield in the home counties (in addition to Kenley) suitable for Air Cadet gliding if it is ever re-organised; I understand cadets from Herts and Bucks Wing have to go to Wethersfield in Essex at the moment.
Course I suppose Northolt might be a possibility, especially as there will be no powered fixed wing traffic there for much of this year
