Shaft 109
I agree, the organisation will be far stronger after.
As I understand it all airframes were deemed non-airworthy for a number of reasons. I also understand that it took over 9 months to get all the processes, previous repairs and current rectification procedures assured to return ONE aircraft back to flight. However, now that most of the work has been done it is now much simpler for the rest. But if you take the fleet of 60-odd Vigis then even if its 1 month per airframe then it would take a further 17 months to return a Vigi to each VGS using them!
Also, 'quantity has a quality all of its own' so having just one on a VGS would mean that you would have no spare aircraft. Personally, I think it woould make sense to pool the aircraft between, say, 3x VGS whilst they all get current again. I think 2FTS are looking at something similar by planning to put a bunch of aircraft at 3-4 locations and then bringing the instructors back up to speed. Once that's done then they will bring the individual VGSs back on line. That's also going to take time and also pretty rubbish if you're last on the list!
As others have said - I expect another 12-18 months before things are back to where they were before. The best news seems to be that things are moving forward and that the pace of recovery is likely to quicken from now on (one hopes!).
For the Cadets there is AEF, flying scholarships at Dundee and also gliding scholarships with the RAFGSA. So whilst there is no-where near the same opportunities to fly as there was, there are still some opportunities. However, if my teenage child, as a RAF dependant, wanted some flying experience I would seriously look at the RAF Gliding & Soaring Assoc, RAF Flying Clubs' Assoc and RAF Microlight Assoc for further opportunity over the Air Cadets right now - it might cost a few bob, but its far cheaper than the local civvy club option. A trial lesson with those would probably work out around £30-£100 depending on time and what is flown (gliding being the cheapest option).
http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafgliding/
http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafflyingclubs/
http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafmicrolight/
LJ