Indie,
No doubt you're right, though don't forget all those bl00dy helicopters...11 based at Valley at the last count plus the frequent visiting ones...yes the helos generally stay LL but ATC still need to keep an eye on everyone (or at least they think they do!). As you say, the instrument pattern would truly be a nightmare with no alternatives nearby for the Tucano or RW folks (NB SARTU and 203 Sqn both teach IF, it's not just SCT where being broken off at 1300' on every GCA still gets the required tick!
). As for the tiny Hawk 128 order, yes I agree, and note with angst that not a single replacement helo trainer has yet been ordered...eek!
Well we have just had the new MFTS hangar open, which does make Valley's future look less secure than it did
. Or should I say the new SARTU hangar