Air Cadets grounded?
Anyone got any idea of what this "imminent 5th MFTS base decision" is all about?
The jungle drums tell me that Linton may stay open after all. Not heard anything more than rumour though. So that should be Valley, Shawbury, Cranwell, Wittering and now Linton?
Leon,
That sounds reasonable, I assume that Barkston Heath is counted as a part of Cranwell and not as an additional site?
That sounds reasonable, I assume that Barkston Heath is counted as a part of Cranwell and not as an additional site?
I love how the Comdt 2FTS hopes the VGS community 'finds time to have some down time before we face the challenges 2017 may bring'.
I think 2 years and 8 months - and still rising - is enough 'down time' already!
I think 2 years and 8 months - and still rising - is enough 'down time' already!
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Somewhere in England
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A lot of the former VGS staff have already seen the light and found other things to fill their time ! Added to which a lot just cannot be bothered to re-cat including ALL ground exams, and Vigilant min of 17 hrs - god knows how many launches for Viking, thus the "pause" of 2 yrs 8 mths has caused a huge loss already. Add to that things like restrictions on hours per Vigilant A/C per month which cannot be exceeded and where if below max, no credit allowed over the minimum in following month unless authorised...........................and of course the eventual total demise of the Vigilant when time expired, as the original concept of engine refit and glass cockpit has been binned due to the costs of the present farce.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It would be interesting to know what the VGS Headcount was before the pause and what it is currently (including by Grade/Category). That would give an idea of how viable it will be to grow the organization back.
Of course there is no way that this information will be forthcoming..............
Arc
Of course there is no way that this information will be forthcoming..............
Arc
is the drifting away ( numbers down) of experienced VGS staff who will not be easily replaced
Quote:
I am told Gliders are now ready to fly from a technical point of view and the final paperwork issues are now being delt with before release for test flight.
Unquote:
Can we start a sweepstake on how long the 'final paperwork issues' will take to sort out, and at what cost.
I'll start with 1 year and £1M!
I am told Gliders are now ready to fly from a technical point of view and the final paperwork issues are now being delt with before release for test flight.
Unquote:
Can we start a sweepstake on how long the 'final paperwork issues' will take to sort out, and at what cost.
I'll start with 1 year and £1M!
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Somewhere in England
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Somewhere in England
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
End of year 3 - and the start of year 4, - and where are we now ?
Happy New Year to all our readers except any AIR Cadets, who, for another good while yet, may need to be GROUND Cadets.
Not long to go now to the 3rd anniversary of the famous " pause" - the longest pause in history, and where are we now ?
We did have some Vigilant A/C airborne in one location but now they're grounded with an engine issue, and we have one day a weekend Viking ops at Syerston. If they get a wriggle on, they may even get the Vigilant A/C sorted just in time to do the flypast to mark their withdrawal in 2019/20 !!
Staff continue to drift away, and many huge issues to resolve, not to mention re-training, working out how to fill the jobs that FSC's may not be allowed to do etc, but hey, they can play on a PTT !!
And of course with the contract for the sale of 28 Tutor's and slow progress on staff convex there, (plus of course the fact that the Tutor's history is not outstanding !), there's little chance that getting bottoms off the ground in huge numbers is a hope rather than a planned fact, not to mention the proposal to establish more AEF Units.
As a management audit, it doesn't look like the master plan is going to be a winner - in fact with £/$ exchange and pressure on Defence spending, I wonder when the Minister will call "time" ? Although being positive we could maybe use some of the new accommodation blocks for Cadet camps, - that is if their location doesn't close down before they can be used.
Only thing missing really was a few Gongs in the Honours list !
Not long to go now to the 3rd anniversary of the famous " pause" - the longest pause in history, and where are we now ?
We did have some Vigilant A/C airborne in one location but now they're grounded with an engine issue, and we have one day a weekend Viking ops at Syerston. If they get a wriggle on, they may even get the Vigilant A/C sorted just in time to do the flypast to mark their withdrawal in 2019/20 !!
Staff continue to drift away, and many huge issues to resolve, not to mention re-training, working out how to fill the jobs that FSC's may not be allowed to do etc, but hey, they can play on a PTT !!
And of course with the contract for the sale of 28 Tutor's and slow progress on staff convex there, (plus of course the fact that the Tutor's history is not outstanding !), there's little chance that getting bottoms off the ground in huge numbers is a hope rather than a planned fact, not to mention the proposal to establish more AEF Units.
As a management audit, it doesn't look like the master plan is going to be a winner - in fact with £/$ exchange and pressure on Defence spending, I wonder when the Minister will call "time" ? Although being positive we could maybe use some of the new accommodation blocks for Cadet camps, - that is if their location doesn't close down before they can be used.
Only thing missing really was a few Gongs in the Honours list !
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Somewhere in England
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Planning re-cat training - like massive no of hours required plus re doing all exams, thinking of new procedures and restrictions, doing some keep current flying on borrowed aircraft, - beyond that, don't know unless anyone has any firm ideas..............not exactly a career with longevity in mind or a gold watch at the end.