Actually Flying Solo
B Word.
That's the point; on AEF you went for ride. On a gliding course you actually were 'TAUGHT' to fly a glider to solo standard (not to mention the ground handling) and then got to do 3 of them with a BGA cert at the end. After that you could solo again on an advanced course and if keen join the staff. The experience of flying on your own and then being able to drive a service vehicle on an airfield (before you could even have prov civ licence) was an incredible situation that was even more incredible by the lack of 'issues' it caused. We integrated with the parent station and learnt values that were both life changing and prepared us for future life, even if we did not realise it at the time. Being given such responsibility at an early stage was accepted with the knowledge that you did not risk letting others down by abusing the system (or at least getting caught).My first inkling that the system was loosing the plot was the introduction of 'headsets', followed by safety goggles (as used in metalwork classes) and the last straw when the NAFFI closed.