Another thought. Why bother with the winch launch fleet at all. There are less and less stations willing to accept a Winch Operation (FOD risk, cables etc). Why not just standardise on one type (Motorglider) and put them out on detachments to local airfields for weekends so that units don't have to travel too far for BGT and AEG ??
- Sites such as Kenley don't allow power flying.
- Gliding allows cadets to hear and feel what the air is doing around the airframe without the distraction of an engine.
- Pushing gliders around keeps cadets warm and busy when not flying.
- A winch is a lot cheaper to operate and maintain than an aero engine. Fuel cost per launch is typically less than £0.50