weather a factor in midair
As a retired gliding instructor, tug pilot, & IR, etc, the midair over Waddesdon
was unfortunately the coming together of a number of factors.
Sun very low in winter months. Almost impossible to spot other aircraft against the sun.
VFR weather rare in winter months. So when the fog lifts at last, or it finally stops raining, those training flights which have been waiting for a good day finally could be possible.
In uncontrolled airspace, local landmarks like stately homes become worth a view from the air.
As someone who learned to fly at Booker (gliders and fixed wing only)
helicopters were always a pain; one could not predict how they would behave...would they go up, down, backwards, whatever.
And as someone who has been trying to run the airfield at Shenington, helicopters have behaved VERY BADLY in that area. Like taking off from a village back garden, directly into the path of a K8 glider on approach. We would respect a heli that with prior permission did a proper lookout and approach AND DEPARTURE at the airfield, not somebody's back yard.
Just because he called on the radio and nobody answered, did not imply that no flying was taking place at the airfield.
Instructors in all types of aviation should persuade students to fly in weather when the instrument rating is used, that is valuable experience....and not only when it is VFR. Teach your students a bit of night flying, have a go with in IMC in the winter.
The first thing a glider student is taught is that lookout could save your life. Because gliders fly near each other in thermals, most gliders have excellent vis from the cockpit. Most power aircraft have restricted vis.
If there are more gadgets inside the cockpit, lookout will not necessarily get the attention it requires.