Limited Tech Expertise
Engines
If you trawl back in the thread i think there have been many posts alluding to the lamentable 'Tech Back up' from both Syerston and the 'system' that was supposed to support them.
The problem is a lack of hands on tech experience in the system as apart from the idea that understanding the paperwork and regulations is actually providing maintenance to a satisfactory standard. To be fair the fleet is not exactly falling apart or has given the operators (The VGS) much grief therefore it seems that although the sharp end was not 100% they were actually providing satisfactory service but were not part of a system that had any idea of what was required.
When the RAF got involved with this new technology (Glass gliders/SLMG) they did in fact have some in house expertise within the RAF GSA which itself operated in conjunction with the BGA.
The expertise on tech matters with gliding is still with the BGA (operating to EASA standards) therefore the RAF should stop trying to 'militarise' something simple but operate to the best standards in current practice. Ultimately the buck stops with the CLIENT (MOD/RAF) who for many reasons has failed to ensure that a satisfactory system actually existed to satisfy their own requirements.What i do not understand is why Syerston as the full time staffed centre of ATC gliding was not 'alerted' to the current situation long before a grounding was required.