Not saying that lack of flying
hasn't turned off some cadets, just saying it's not the
only reason for falling numbers
Agree. It's wrong (if utterly predictable from some parties) to lay all the blame for falling cadet numbers at the door of the AEF/VGS issues.
Would it really have been that hard to arrange extra visits to willing civvie gliding clubs, or, laid [sic] on extra jollies in Chinook, Merlin, Puma, Herc etc?
Hate to break it to you but all the aircraft types you mention (and most others) have been somewhat busy in recent years. But if you feel that wars, upgrade programmes, manning crises and the like shouldn't stand in the way of providing AEF in operational types, please contact the Stn Cdr at the relevant base to make your point. And do share the reply.