Air Cadets grounded?
Petition
Hi Sunbeam What it needs is a 20ft x 50ft banner going past Parliament with an image of a Viking snapped in two and the message THE AIR CADET FLEET IS BUST !! That will get the media on the case big time. PP
£1,000 for the banner, A time ex pilot, a good lawyer to get him out of jail !!!
If it is flown past Cranwell then we just need the banner.
£1,000 for the banner, A time ex pilot, a good lawyer to get him out of jail !!!
If it is flown past Cranwell then we just need the banner.
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ARC
Just a quick word as to the grounding, haven't read the whole thread but i believe i can shed some light onto why they were grounded. Due to the H-C enquiry all military aircraft powered and non powered were required to have a certificate of airworthiness (ARC). Due to this being completely new to the military it required a huge amount of work to achieve this. The military in their wisdom sub contracted a lot of the work out to a civilian company to do the work, unfortunately money was an issue as usual and everything had to prioritised, hence front line aircraft were top of the pile and gliders were at the bottom. Now the front line kit has all but been sorted the gliders are now coming into view again, moves are afoot to have them all inspected and ARC's issued. Once this has been done then everything should be rosy again......should?!?
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I hope you guys fix this mess ASAP, my wife tells me its making me very grumpy every morning after I read the latest F-----up from the bozos who have managed to destroy what was once a well run operation using VOLENTEERS, not a bunch of totally incompetent Blimps! As one who owes everything to the ATC {Military pilot, airline pilot, ag pilot, company owner and corporate pilot along with vintage aircraft owner} I just cant believe the total mess created by this mob. Were I a bit younger and allowed to work in the UK we would come over and do what we did in Canada, that is maintain/fly/fix a fleet of thirty aircraft with only one bent aircraft in 26 years, it aint rocket science folks, just common sense and motivation. There, now I feel much better!
Last edited by clunckdriver; 17th May 2016 at 13:50.
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Pobjoy, if I did the Mods would ban me for life! What bothers me most is that the UK has a reputation and a history of well run volunteer organisations and trusts, how come they have been pushed aside with such disastrous results? Time to house clean methinks!
Complete C........F......
Clunk we are now the victim of a huge CF that has even affected the simple operation of gliders.
It is the classic 'could not run a sweet shop giving away free sweets' scenario and yet the top end is stuffed full of complete non-doers,and no hopers.
All they are capable of is Yuk Speak as Uncle Roger used to say in Flight.
Well they have finally driven a very long nail into this coffin of what was excellence.The simple truth is in the great scheme of things the Air Cadets are now so small and low profile no one will notice what we have lost.
Sad to say it has become a home for pension top ups and post filling rather than a bastion of leadership by example. The real loss is the VGS set up that kept the basic operation going against an increasing load of bull ****.
Deeply sorry it has come to this and that so many youngsters will miss the experience we had and valued. As there are NO VOTES for anyone in this do not expect any real searching questions as to how and why. Cranwell and Syerston (even before 2 FTS) have been seen to be negligent in their overseeing of this great organisation, and yet the gravy train rolls on 'through' the buffers with no end in sight. I hope the Scouts pick up some of the pieces and expand their operation. As to those paid staff that have let this happen shame on you letting this situation develop.
It is the classic 'could not run a sweet shop giving away free sweets' scenario and yet the top end is stuffed full of complete non-doers,and no hopers.
All they are capable of is Yuk Speak as Uncle Roger used to say in Flight.
Well they have finally driven a very long nail into this coffin of what was excellence.The simple truth is in the great scheme of things the Air Cadets are now so small and low profile no one will notice what we have lost.
Sad to say it has become a home for pension top ups and post filling rather than a bastion of leadership by example. The real loss is the VGS set up that kept the basic operation going against an increasing load of bull ****.
Deeply sorry it has come to this and that so many youngsters will miss the experience we had and valued. As there are NO VOTES for anyone in this do not expect any real searching questions as to how and why. Cranwell and Syerston (even before 2 FTS) have been seen to be negligent in their overseeing of this great organisation, and yet the gravy train rolls on 'through' the buffers with no end in sight. I hope the Scouts pick up some of the pieces and expand their operation. As to those paid staff that have let this happen shame on you letting this situation develop.
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Whilst gliding is a hot subject at present, it is only a part of the 'greater' ACO. Yes, there are many cadets who have not flown throughout their cadet career, but there are many more areas that little Johnnie/Jane can participate. Some will say that flying is an issue, but that is only with 5AEF, some will question shooting is an issue, but not really.
Was there this much verbal bashing of the CoC in previous reductions in gliding, or any other area, in the past. I doubt it.
Whilst gliding is not happening, many areas/activities are being delivered across the ACO, and long may it continue. The issue is here and it is not an easy win or go away quickly. Going on about 'what if' and complaining about the CoC is not going to help.
Was there this much verbal bashing of the CoC in previous reductions in gliding, or any other area, in the past. I doubt it.
Whilst gliding is not happening, many areas/activities are being delivered across the ACO, and long may it continue. The issue is here and it is not an easy win or go away quickly. Going on about 'what if' and complaining about the CoC is not going to help.
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Pegasus old chap,
Agreed it is but a part of the whole activity spectrum, but the key clue lies in the first word of the organisation ACO - i.e., "AIR". If they want to major on filling customer's shopping bags in Supermarkets, Sport and cookery then remove the word "AIR" from ACO, give them an apron and a pair of plimsolls.....................
With regard to your comment about previous reductions in Gliding - I can't remember any in my 40 years - if anything they were the halcyon years of new aircraft, new all sorts. The hooo haaa now and the > 500,000 hits on this web site are the result of an extraordinary cock up in dealing with maintaining a relatively simple aircraft fleet, whether it be the RAF or their MoD appointed sub contractors. One thing for sure is that whether it was direct labour or indirect who failed in their duties, the overall Supervisory responsibility for the current farce remains with the RAF Officers at ALL levels who have failed to supervise the Eng function - largely I suspect as the RAF were metal centric and lacking expertise in GRP aircraft.
There's not even a guarantee that the current plan will deliver and yet despite that risk, considerable sums of mine and your taxpayer cash has been spent on building residential facilities at so called "Centres" - some of which have no guaranteed future and one or two with no decent Wx - well at least they can have a Cotswolds short break without any flying - mind you based on the current number of serviceable A/C, ( last heard of as 10 of which 3 have had to go back) , there's a good chance that it could be a long time before too many Cadet backsides get off the ground. £22M spent thus far, and not a lot to show except new buildings here and there.
Never mind, a new incumbent of the office of 2 FTS in 2017 may have a new plan, but meantime the Commandant kept her backside in the air recently wing walking on a Stearman. Probably the sole flying for the ACO 75th Anniversary year !
Agreed it is but a part of the whole activity spectrum, but the key clue lies in the first word of the organisation ACO - i.e., "AIR". If they want to major on filling customer's shopping bags in Supermarkets, Sport and cookery then remove the word "AIR" from ACO, give them an apron and a pair of plimsolls.....................
With regard to your comment about previous reductions in Gliding - I can't remember any in my 40 years - if anything they were the halcyon years of new aircraft, new all sorts. The hooo haaa now and the > 500,000 hits on this web site are the result of an extraordinary cock up in dealing with maintaining a relatively simple aircraft fleet, whether it be the RAF or their MoD appointed sub contractors. One thing for sure is that whether it was direct labour or indirect who failed in their duties, the overall Supervisory responsibility for the current farce remains with the RAF Officers at ALL levels who have failed to supervise the Eng function - largely I suspect as the RAF were metal centric and lacking expertise in GRP aircraft.
There's not even a guarantee that the current plan will deliver and yet despite that risk, considerable sums of mine and your taxpayer cash has been spent on building residential facilities at so called "Centres" - some of which have no guaranteed future and one or two with no decent Wx - well at least they can have a Cotswolds short break without any flying - mind you based on the current number of serviceable A/C, ( last heard of as 10 of which 3 have had to go back) , there's a good chance that it could be a long time before too many Cadet backsides get off the ground. £22M spent thus far, and not a lot to show except new buildings here and there.
Never mind, a new incumbent of the office of 2 FTS in 2017 may have a new plan, but meantime the Commandant kept her backside in the air recently wing walking on a Stearman. Probably the sole flying for the ACO 75th Anniversary year !
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As a former air cadet I too am saddened by the recent announcements detailing the gliding reductions. However, given the much pointed-out priority of cadet forces and the ever dwindling funding I am glad that the 'pension topper ups' managed to retain as much capability as they have - small mercies perhaps?
Peggy107 wrote
It is not so much what has happened to ACO 'gliding' - it is more the way that the whole sad affair has been conducted - I think many of us would have more respect for the Brass if they had been upfront about their plans to cut the Gliding Squadrons but instead they carried out their plans under the smokescreen of 'The Pause' and treated the VGS staff with complete disdain - with no respect for their years of service.
Trust is a 2 way thing - who is going to trust the present Brass in the future ?
Was there this much verbal bashing of the CoC in previous reductions in gliding, or any other area, in the past. I doubt it.
Whilst gliding is not happening, many areas/activities are being delivered across the ACO, and long may it continue. The issue is here and it is not an easy win or go away quickly. Going on about 'what if' and complaining about the CoC is not going to help.
Whilst gliding is not happening, many areas/activities are being delivered across the ACO, and long may it continue. The issue is here and it is not an easy win or go away quickly. Going on about 'what if' and complaining about the CoC is not going to help.
Trust is a 2 way thing - who is going to trust the present Brass in the future ?
PEG 107
Brave post 107 and I understand your viewpoint ,however whilst the current website and ads still run the ACO are misleading youngsters as to what is really available and quite frankly I do not think it will improve. if a Squadron can survive on its own merits** then that's great, but to give the idea that a meaningful amount of flying and or gliding is available is not being honest, and Cranwell should accept that and stop the hype.
The way that skilled capable volunteers have been treated is unforgivable and those at the top have to accept full responsibility for that.
The same goes for 2FTS Syerston which is just a name with no meaning now.
The whole debacle is shameful, and I do wonder where they will attract adult staff to try and run the organisation.
** Some Squadrons will be able to offer facilities that are attractive in their local area ,this will be down to the skill of a particular CO and the support of the staff, however the problem will be finding those people prepared to serve under a total lacklustre leadership at the top. OF Course for the pension pushers higher up the food chain recruitment will be easy.
The way that skilled capable volunteers have been treated is unforgivable and those at the top have to accept full responsibility for that.
The same goes for 2FTS Syerston which is just a name with no meaning now.
The whole debacle is shameful, and I do wonder where they will attract adult staff to try and run the organisation.
** Some Squadrons will be able to offer facilities that are attractive in their local area ,this will be down to the skill of a particular CO and the support of the staff, however the problem will be finding those people prepared to serve under a total lacklustre leadership at the top. OF Course for the pension pushers higher up the food chain recruitment will be easy.
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My wife tells me I'm still grumpy in the mornings over this mess, so having been married to the same gall for 53 years you guys really have to fix this problem, less you cause me to join the "Alimony Club" of ex pilots who meet every week in the local pub! On Monday {its a long weekend over here} I intend to fly my very old airplane to three airfields all within an hours flying, the intention is to sit and watch the ATC gliding going on at each one of these fields, Maybe I wont be so grumpy after this therapy! This will be taking place all over Canada, in spite of the vast distances that the gliders have to be aero towed to give every ATC unit an equal chance learning to fly, so why in a country which would fit inside one of our lakes cant it be done? How about just firing the dead wood at the top and have the private gliding clubs run it? After all, this worked pretty well during WW2 when most of the EFTS schools were run this way as part of the BCATP.
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Clunck ...
Perhaps a few pics might help as I'm sure this thread is still read by a 'wide' audience ... If you know what I mean
Suggested Working Title for your pics ...
'If our Canadian cousins can do it ... Why can't we'
Perhaps a few pics might help as I'm sure this thread is still read by a 'wide' audience ... If you know what I mean
Suggested Working Title for your pics ...
'If our Canadian cousins can do it ... Why can't we'
Someone's getting airborne ....
Nice bit of sideways work by the OC No 2 Overseas (Gibraltar) Squadron.
RAF CADETS TAKE FLIGHT ON-BOARD ROYAL NAVY HELICOPTER ? Gibraltar Chronicle
I don't suppose there's much gliding on the Rock.
LFH (onetime Sgt ATC.)
............................
RAF CADETS TAKE FLIGHT ON-BOARD ROYAL NAVY HELICOPTER ? Gibraltar Chronicle
I don't suppose there's much gliding on the Rock.
LFH (onetime Sgt ATC.)
............................
firing the dead wood
Clunk We thought about firing the dead wood but shooting now in question !!! Have a good outing with the Hornet.
LFH Is that a Leggo Lynx !!!
LFH Is that a Leggo Lynx !!!
Twin Drum Winch
Syerston has one,but they need a staff cadet to show them how to use it !!!!
Suggest the Air Scouts buy 10 of the old Munster VG (4 for bits) as a start to building themselves up.
Suggest we send a Viking over to China then they can build us 50 by Xmas 2016.
Suggest the Air Scouts buy 10 of the old Munster VG (4 for bits) as a start to building themselves up.
Suggest we send a Viking over to China then they can build us 50 by Xmas 2016.
Po'boy, you may not be too far from the truth, have you seen what people are doing with 3D printers these days? How long before someone realises a basic glider printed and assembled in kit-fashion would be quite a practical proposition?
Flug
Flug