The confusion wrt 'wings' is not helped by the RAF changing the goalposts over the years. It was that the 4FTS course would conclude with wings and the 'student' would proceed to Brawdy or Chivenor for a Tactical Weapons Course also on the Hawk and then proceed to type (OCU).
All is now done in house at Valley; but certain squadrons have certain roles. My understanding is that 208 Sqn teaching is/was limited to handling the aircraft, not operating it.
To leave the service from 208 Sqn is strongly indicative of a student not attaining wings standard. Of course 'capacity' for a 'training risk' student can; and usually does grow with time. Failure of an RAF flying training course need not condemn anybody as unfit to fly for life.
The QFI who chopped Prince Andrew (Sea Harrier pilot desig) from the FJ pipeline was overheard as saying (upon hearing that Andrew had Sea King Captaincy) that it showed that if you throw enough money at someone you can turn them into an aircraft Captain.
Whatever the facts are; there is a widow and daughter missing a very special man. .... and I have often heard talk of the best aircraft, that they have the character of a sports car on a wet day; and must be treated as such - less they be unforgiving. Last weekend will long be remembered on the air show circuit for all the wrong reasons; and the lessons learnt will be little consolation to the loved ones left behind.