We already have a proven (until APL 2014) system that had worked well for decades and managed to keep up with changes in legislation.
The system started off with staff 'Volunteer and paid' that worked well together and always had the CADETS interests at heart.
BUT ! The system also had sound leadership and the Gliding Centres knocked out Cadet A&B during the week.
The amount of SCT was minimal and so were the issues in the actual performance of the schools/squadrons.
The system was not 'broken' and only needed some 'fine tuning' as the equipment changed. Even those schools that went slmg did so without a major hiccup which was not surprising as if adding a VW engine to a glider was not that groundbreaking technology and gliding clubs had been there and were still doing it.
I think the centres lost sight of the increasing paperwork scenario and therefore were too slow to input a suggestion that required a staffing increase/ improvement (poss non flying) as per normal RAF practice,and should have backed up the VGS feedback that the system needed to be kept simple and/or be staffed to cope.
The next bit is what i find difficult to understand. The ATC had/has a full time staffed Gliding Centre that also was/is the hub for equipment and training.
How could anyone in charge of that operation not have the knowledge that 'flagged up' deficiencies in the basic airworthiness situation that went back years. RECOVERY from where we are is again hampered by a total lack of leadership and tech ability where it counts (at the top). If the ATC has to go back to a total winch launch operation for a speedy recovery so be it,The Vig's will sell like hot cakes and they can then decide what/if there is a requirement for a future SLMG. Long term a VIG+ operation for AE would be fine and anyway the 'Aero's' bit is overstated for initial flights,so can be handled by the current AE G115 fleet.
I look at the pictures of Syerston and see a typical Head Office situation where the reason for the whole operation (Cadets) has been lost in an empire building scenario backed up with mega increases in websites and
PR exercises that have FAILED to deliver the goods and also failed to back up the Schools that were so good at getting the job done.