Air Cadets grounded?
Cows. Since the Free State was formed, it depends which foot you kick with! My in-laws would have kicked me for saying it, my parents for not saying it. As mum (Commanding Officer) is the only one left, I bow to her 92 years.
Point being, I suspect said gentleman didn't have a word with himself.
Point being, I suspect said gentleman didn't have a word with himself.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: 75' from the runway edge and 150' from the threshold
Age: 74
Posts: 247
Received 30 Likes
on
12 Posts
Holiday Cottages
Tuc, Cows, I believe that the people of Donegal were enraged when Carson took Armagh into Northern Ireland instead of them. Shame really, it would have looked neater on the map and at least the people in NI wouldn't have to travel north to be in "The South" to get to their pretty week-end cottages on the Atlantic coast.
Now, as to what this has to do with aviation, I would remind our readers that Churchill had to threaten DeValera with the seizure of the Irish Atlantic ports (as agreed by treaty) in order to get them to agree to "The Donegal Corridor" for aircraft transiting westerly out of "The North" and into "The South" and onward into the Atlantic to hunt down the submarines which almost brought the UK to its knees. (That should start something methinks) No, I can't afford a hat, nor a coat, but I'll go
Now, as to what this has to do with aviation, I would remind our readers that Churchill had to threaten DeValera with the seizure of the Irish Atlantic ports (as agreed by treaty) in order to get them to agree to "The Donegal Corridor" for aircraft transiting westerly out of "The North" and into "The South" and onward into the Atlantic to hunt down the submarines which almost brought the UK to its knees. (That should start something methinks) No, I can't afford a hat, nor a coat, but I'll go
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Hotel Gypsy
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tuc/ACW, I think we have similar view of the NI 'flux'. Mrs Cows, a left-footer from Co. Down, spent some significant time in full-time service wearing RAF blue. But of course ask most people if that sort if thing happened, especially during the troubles, and they wouldn't believe you. She is of the view (rightly so, I'm told 
) that it won't be too many lifetimes before the whole lot is handed back to the South; the South protesting greatly about have to take back the eejits from the North, complete with their rapidly breeding Polish Catholic voting contingent.
Anyway, back to the ACO, it is such a disgrace that there is no ACO provided flying in NI and I'm not personally holding my breath for the mythical AEF.
) that it won't be too many lifetimes before the whole lot is handed back to the South; the South protesting greatly about have to take back the eejits from the North, complete with their rapidly breeding Polish Catholic voting contingent.Anyway, back to the ACO, it is such a disgrace that there is no ACO provided flying in NI and I'm not personally holding my breath for the mythical AEF.
622
As I help you on with your coat
There has been a 3 year "pause" in Cadet gliding with the whole Viking fleet grounded. Seeing one airborne might suggest the young people in the ATC might get the chance to go flying once more.
As I help you on with your coat
There has been a 3 year "pause" in Cadet gliding with the whole Viking fleet grounded. Seeing one airborne might suggest the young people in the ATC might get the chance to go flying once more.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Somewhere in England
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The question is.......
How many ? and more importantly how many will be rolled out eventually out of the original fleet ? - and how many Silver Wings awarded to Cadets thus far since the pause??
And what is the Out of Service date ?
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ulster
Age: 64
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Blue Wings, PTT and one flight, whoopy-doo , one of my ones has just been awarded her second set, one for gliding (one launch at Kirknewton ) one for Tutor and can wear both, devalued all the previous awards. I was getting six cadets flown in Vigi every six weeks or less when 664 was on the go.
Actually had eight cadets flown this summer, three at Leuchars (another six were over but the weather didn't play), three at Aldergrove when the UAS had aircraft over and two in Puma at Topcliffe.
Actually had eight cadets flown this summer, three at Leuchars (another six were over but the weather didn't play), three at Aldergrove when the UAS had aircraft over and two in Puma at Topcliffe.
The Army manages to do it!!
.....and in another universe!!
Seems that the gliding enthusiasts at Wyvern have managed something the Air Cadet Organisation has failed to do for some three years now - getting the youngsters in the air.
Well done Army Gliding Club (Wyvern) you deserve a round of applause.
Over three days in August, Army Gliding Club (Wyvern) had the opportunity to provide experience gliding sessions to 67 members of the Somerset Army Cadet Force – one of the many activities they undertook in the Salisbury Plain area as part of their annual Summer Camp. Ranging in ages from 14 to 18, all Cadets were introduced to gliding and flying a glider under the control of a qualified Instructor from the club. All had two flights, with a number gaining soaring flights. 107 winch launches delivered over 16 hours of flying, and to judge from expressions on returning to the ground, all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Wyvern is a military sports club and the opportunity to make gliding available and build ties with the potential soldiers of the future was invaluable to both the club and the Cadets.
Well done Army Gliding Club (Wyvern) you deserve a round of applause.
A couple of months ago some of our more senior cadets went gliding with one of the local gliding clubs. We thought it might be the start of something good, until, a few days later, a tablet of stone from on high stopped all cadet gliding with non-service schools. I don't know why (no reason given to we minions) although the rumour mill as started. Possible problem with a school way up north has lead to everyone getting stopped.
Can anyone shed light on this continuing sorry affair?
As an aside, earlier in the year we had our AEF (Tutor) flying transferred to 7 AEF at Cranwell. The difference between them and the previous outfit was amazing. I can't speak highly enough of No 7, the y were great! Long may we continue to fly with them. The cadets were highly impressed with the opportunity to stop in four different McDonalds on the way home.....
Can anyone shed light on this continuing sorry affair?
As an aside, earlier in the year we had our AEF (Tutor) flying transferred to 7 AEF at Cranwell. The difference between them and the previous outfit was amazing. I can't speak highly enough of No 7, the y were great! Long may we continue to fly with them. The cadets were highly impressed with the opportunity to stop in four different McDonalds on the way home.....
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
.....and in another universe!!
Seems that the gliding enthusiasts at Wyvern have managed something the Air Cadet Organisation has failed to do for some three years now - getting the youngsters in the air.
Well done Army Gliding Club (Wyvern) you deserve a round of applause.
Seems that the gliding enthusiasts at Wyvern have managed something the Air Cadet Organisation has failed to do for some three years now - getting the youngsters in the air.
Well done Army Gliding Club (Wyvern) you deserve a round of applause.
Bob ward, suggest that your enterprising cadets may have fallen foul of ACTO35. Think a certain individual who may be located at a certain Notts base may know more than I however.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Somewhere in England
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Agreed - but despite what they did, I can understand why the RAF forbids any formalised training or organised activity within any civilian club.Notwithstanding all of the above, and the fact that there is a trace of some activity going on in the extremely limited VGS operation, I think that it is an abysmal and shocking fact that they ( HQ Air Cadets and RAF) are kidding themselves that all is well. Reality is that it's an absolute trace element of what was previously the normal VGS productivity.
Wings for one sortie - PTT training - its an absolute sham.
Agreed - but despite what they did, I can understand why the RAF forbids any formalised training or organised activity within any civilian club.Notwithstanding all of the above, and the fact that there is a trace of some activity going on in the extremely limited VGS operation, I think that it is an abysmal and shocking fact that they ( HQ Air Cadets and RAF) are kidding themselves that all is well. Reality is that it's an absolute trace element of what was previously the normal VGS productivity.
Wings for one sortie - PTT training - its an absolute sham.
This was using Cyclone AX3 microlights. Later we re-equipped with Chevvron 2-32c's as HQAC didn't like Rotax 2 -stroke engines, and the club was then paid to provide Microlight Flying Scholarships. I think about 19 of these were completed when the funding was abruptly 'pulled'; I was never told why this happened.
Had Rob's enterprising 'vision' been continued, maybe cadet flying wouldn't now be in the state that it is now.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is no room for 'Informal' or 'Private Enterprise' in the ACO Chevvron............. anything which is cheap, efficient and good fun (i.e. that puts the official offering 'in the shade' or makes it look 'expensive' or 'inefficient') is doomed to die an early death..................
Arc
Arc
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Somewhere in England
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Back in the '90s, the enterprising OC of 2409 (RAF Halton) Sqdn ATC got HQAC to approve a special 'blood chit' to be signed by cadets' parents to allow AEF by approved pilots in civil registered microlights. I was one of the approved pilots (there were I think 4 VRT Officers and and 2 civilians approved) and Rob (the OC) had to send monthly returns to HQAC telling them how many hours we had flown with and without cadets.
This was using Cyclone AX3 microlights. Later we re-equipped with Chevvron 2-32c's as HQAC didn't like Rotax 2 -stroke engines, and the club was then paid to provide Microlight Flying Scholarships. I think about 19 of these were completed when the funding was abruptly 'pulled'; I was never told why this happened.
Had Rob's enterprising 'vision' been continued, maybe cadet flying wouldn't now be in the state that it is now.
This was using Cyclone AX3 microlights. Later we re-equipped with Chevvron 2-32c's as HQAC didn't like Rotax 2 -stroke engines, and the club was then paid to provide Microlight Flying Scholarships. I think about 19 of these were completed when the funding was abruptly 'pulled'; I was never told why this happened.
Had Rob's enterprising 'vision' been continued, maybe cadet flying wouldn't now be in the state that it is now.
A noble effort Chevvron, and initiative etc overflowing, and no doubt some young Cadets did benefit, BUT...............as we all know, there must be standards set, monitoring, and above all adequate insurance cover in place. It only requires one incident or fatality to take down such schemes and that's probably where a risk averse HQAC brought matters to a close. Superficially, it appears killjoy, but in overall terms, and whilst it had no fatals, it was probably a good call for overall flight safety reasons. I'd much prefer to see the return of full scale RAF operated VGS operations with the range of full and adequate training in terms of both numbers and quality and extent of training, rather than the extremely limited "dishing out of a coloured badge for one launch" - a bit like stickers handed out in A & E to kids having a stitch put in or an injection.