So bad ?.........really ?
Without doubt the inital pause could have been handled better but with what the MAA discovered within the VGS fleet flying had to be stopped at once.
The assumption that it was just a case of getting the contractors to sort things out was the biggest mistake as was not identifying that these contractors used an intimate knowlage of the paperwork system to hide the fact that they did not have the technical knowlage, skills within the workforce and leadership to carry out the work.
When this became apparent the contractors where advised to consult a specialist glider repair company but they even failed to do this with any success.
Enter Babcock....... They have access to the skilled manpower ( all be it limited by industry size ) to fix the problem but they are held back by the current contractors who supply technical services but see Babock failing to deliver to be in their interest............ So enthusiastic support of the Viking recovery project is not on their agenda.
While firing the current contractors is a very tempting option it will stop the recovery program dead in the water, so far better to let the current contracts run until the end of the year, this will allow Babcock and their partners to get their ducks in a row while not attracting the penalty clauses and legal action that termination of a contract would undoubtedly bring.
In my view the Vigilant was in terms of cadet training poor value for money, I have little enthusiasm for a motor glider that did not ever have the motor turned off and kept one cadet busy while all his/her mates are hanging about in the crewroom. Far better all are working on glider launch and recovery.
This will bring clear division between gliding and powered flight and with more Tutor flying will I hope turn AEF into real flying instruction rather than a joyride.
The unfortunate bit is going to be the timescale, not untill the current contractors move on can ( for reasons outlined above ) speedy progress be made, I would expect the tendering for the new support and type certificate holder support to be announced very shortly and the winners of the contracts to be in post on 01 Jan 17. Until then a slow flow of servicable Vikings will continue and instructors be able to renew their ratings...... Who knows some cadets might get to fly.
Like most of those on this forum I see this whole farce as one of the RAF's darkest moments but from the RAF side it has largely been brought about by a lack of resources in money and manpower forcing people of goodwill to take their eye of the VGS ball while watching two or three front line balls, no doubt thinking "it's only a glider, how can they f^^* it up ?"
With the dent in the prestige of this debacle the RAF is determined to get the air cadet flying program back on track, they now have some very bright people working on the project and will get things on track but it will not happen overnight.