There is an even quicker answer...
The RAF has 7x Gliding Clubs with the RAFGSA, 14x Flying Clubs with the RAFFCA and 1x Microlight Club with the RAFMA. So that is 22x CAA approved recreational clubs on MOD property and funded in part via the RAF Sports Board.
Now that Introductory Flights are allowed by the CAA/EASA by qualified pilots on type without remuneration but the cost of the flight paid, then the Air Cadet Org could fly an awful lot of Cadets in very short order with very little effort - IF they dropped their ridiculous stance on the experience requirements:
The pilot holds at least a PPL and has a minimum of 500 hours flying experience, of which 300 hours, and at least 60 hours in the last 12 months, are as first pilot.
h. The flights are not to include any of the following:
(1) Stalling and spinning.
(2) Aerobatics (but see para 4).
(3) Low flying.
(4) Practice forced landings.
(5) Practice emergencies of any kind.
(6) Short landings.
RELAXATION OF CONDITIONS
3. A Regional Commandant or CCF Sect Cdr may, based on his knowledge of the pilot and aircraft, relax the criteria at 2g above to a minimum in one or all of the following criteria:
a. Total hours: 250.
b. Total First Pilot hours: 150.
c. Hours on type: 20.
d. Currency: 10 hours in past 3 months, and 3 landings in past month on the aircraft type in which the cadet is to fly.
4. Additionally, a Regional Commandant or CCF Sect Cdr may, based on his knowledge of the pilot and aircraft, permit aerobatics to be carried out provided that:
a. The pilot holds a current Aerobatic Certificate issued by the Aircraft Operators and Pilots Association (AOPA), or an equivalent approved authorisation.
b. Parachutes are worn.
c.All recoveries are completed not below 3,000 feet above ground level.
There is no way that the average VGS pilot has 500hrs total time and 300hrs as PIC and 60hrs in the last 12 months. So why this ridiculous requirement for a qulaified pilot, many with an ICAO standard licence?
It is over-controlling gold-plating idiocy like this that is killing the Air Cdet Organisation plus when the Govt is trying to expand the whole Cadet Forces in general. When you consider RAF based recreational/sporting flying clubs they are IDEAL in that they are assured by the CAA and suoervised on the military estate to their own requirements. If they don't like what they see they can stop it immediately. Plus, there is an untapped resource to help the Clubs with the VGS staff that are also unable to fly at present.
Beggars belief!
B Word