Air Cadets grounded?
Grob Disposal SCANDAL
Grob disposal, just another scandal to finish off the original scandal. The Cadets machines were in practice 'given away' on the basis that some can be sold to fund a very expensive 'upgrade' for (what benefit) !!!!
Easy to see who did well out of it (follow the money)
Of course the Cadets are the 'lost cause' together with the destruction of a fine training organisation that was the best value ever for a basic introduction to hands on flying.
This is what happens when you have complete clots in charge of a public purse, its not their money or business, and contractors run circles around a system staffed by complete non tech office staff. SCANDAL SCANDAL SCANDAL, and a sad end to the best ab initio TRAINING FACILITY in the world (END OF). Yes that is what is was, a VOLUNTEER TRAINING FACILITY for youngsters that delivered the goods, did it well, and was let down by the 'full time paid staff' that had absolutely no idea what they destroyed.
Easy to see who did well out of it (follow the money)
Of course the Cadets are the 'lost cause' together with the destruction of a fine training organisation that was the best value ever for a basic introduction to hands on flying.
This is what happens when you have complete clots in charge of a public purse, its not their money or business, and contractors run circles around a system staffed by complete non tech office staff. SCANDAL SCANDAL SCANDAL, and a sad end to the best ab initio TRAINING FACILITY in the world (END OF). Yes that is what is was, a VOLUNTEER TRAINING FACILITY for youngsters that delivered the goods, did it well, and was let down by the 'full time paid staff' that had absolutely no idea what they destroyed.
Perhaps AOC 22 Gp would like to establish an AEF at Chivenor to replace the VGS that was sadly shut down as part of the Grob fiasco.
Chivenor has lots of hangarage, no airspace issues (class G for miles in every direction) and a chuffing great runway the RM only use for vehicles - and there would be no shortage of volunteers to fly there either.
Chivenor has lots of hangarage, no airspace issues (class G for miles in every direction) and a chuffing great runway the RM only use for vehicles - and there would be no shortage of volunteers to fly there either.
Buying your way out of a SCANDAL
There was an article about it in one of the flying magazines a while ago. I must admit it gave me very mixed feelings.
I was delighted to see that the aircraft are in fact "recoverable" and that they will be used in an excellent cause. Aerobility is a great organisation. I do have a few doubts about how robust they will be in their new role though.
This delight though was probably overcome by sadness and anger that the air cadet gliding organisation was decimated because apparently these aircraft were "not recoverable". I find it amazing that a charity (with a large grant from the government to help them) is able to acomplish this whilst all the resources of the MOD/RAF/ATC were not.
Perhaps we should nominate Mike Miller-Smith to be the next Chief of the Air Staff. (He could be deputy as apparently there is now a vacancy!)
I was delighted to see that the aircraft are in fact "recoverable" and that they will be used in an excellent cause. Aerobility is a great organisation. I do have a few doubts about how robust they will be in their new role though.
This delight though was probably overcome by sadness and anger that the air cadet gliding organisation was decimated because apparently these aircraft were "not recoverable". I find it amazing that a charity (with a large grant from the government to help them) is able to acomplish this whilst all the resources of the MOD/RAF/ATC were not.
Perhaps we should nominate Mike Miller-Smith to be the next Chief of the Air Staff. (He could be deputy as apparently there is now a vacancy!)
Answer, Issue false information out into the public domain, and then 'proclaim' a fantastic solution has been found to a problem (that did not exist ) by spending even more public money that
A :- Does not actually remedy anything other than reputation, B :- Destroys a huge economical 'volunteer' facility for all youth, C :- 'Gives' a public asset away and spends even more money for a business opportunity to third parties with no advantage to the National youth organisation that had its capability destroyed.
Are we surprised at the outcome, of course not, why would a Government organisation that could not even keep a fleet of Gliders serviceable be capable of delivering a fit for purpose solution to complete internal incompetence.
Originally Posted by [email protected]
Perhaps AOC 22 Gp would like to establish an AEF at Chivenor to replace the VGS that was sadly shut down as part of the Grob fiasco.
Chivenor has lots of hangarage, no airspace issues (class G for miles in every direction) and a chuffing great runway the RM only use for vehicles - and there would be no shortage of volunteers to fly there either.
Chivenor has lots of hangarage, no airspace issues (class G for miles in every direction) and a chuffing great runway the RM only use for vehicles - and there would be no shortage of volunteers to fly there either.
By the way, whatever happened to the additional AEF that was announced as being stood up when the original downsizing and rationalising was announced?
Originally Posted by [email protected]
Perhaps AOC 22 Gp would like to establish an AEF at Chivenor to replace the VGS that was sadly shut down as part of the Grob fiasco.
Chivenor has lots of hangarage, no airspace issues (class G for miles in every direction) and a chuffing great runway the RM only use for vehicles - and there would be no shortage of volunteers to fly there either.
Chivenor has lots of hangarage, no airspace issues (class G for miles in every direction) and a chuffing great runway the RM only use for vehicles - and there would be no shortage of volunteers to fly there either.
I think you'll find that that hangarage, along with the associated dispersals, has been rather heavily repurposed by the two resident Regiments!
The important vehicles are all in a purpose built environmentally controlled building.
There is plenty of space for an AEF.
Chivenor
Whilst I would agree that Chiv 'was' / could be an ideal VGS site it is a remote location that under current circumstances would be difficult to both staff and attract suitable Cadet numbers.
The same situation as Predannack that is a perfect location for 'use' but even more remote than Chiv.
The 'customer' situation for any VGS has been made worse by Covid, and the lack of adult staff across many organisations. It may be that they will have to offer their 'air element' to other youth organisations that would benefit from the use of 'public equipment'.
I have always thought that Gliding is an excellent way for youth to 'develop' and the unique way it can unlock both confidence and decision making at a time when many are tied to screens and box ticking is still as valid today as it ever was. Perhaps it is time for someone to look outside the box and make the VGS facility a truly national youth facility, therefore getting maximum use from equipment and locations which it plainly does not achieve at present.
The same situation as Predannack that is a perfect location for 'use' but even more remote than Chiv.
The 'customer' situation for any VGS has been made worse by Covid, and the lack of adult staff across many organisations. It may be that they will have to offer their 'air element' to other youth organisations that would benefit from the use of 'public equipment'.
I have always thought that Gliding is an excellent way for youth to 'develop' and the unique way it can unlock both confidence and decision making at a time when many are tied to screens and box ticking is still as valid today as it ever was. Perhaps it is time for someone to look outside the box and make the VGS facility a truly national youth facility, therefore getting maximum use from equipment and locations which it plainly does not achieve at present.
Originally Posted by [email protected]
Not the VGS stuff. The lovely new hangars that were built the last time Chivenor was reopened have been taken over by the logistics Regt as has the 22 Sqn Hangar and dispersal.
The important vehicles are all in a purpose built environmentally controlled building.
There is plenty of space for an AEF.
The important vehicles are all in a purpose built environmentally controlled building.
There is plenty of space for an AEF.
Is there going to be a new AEF anywhere? As promised by the minister at the time of the AEF/VGS announcement?
When the current system is unable to serve the existing organisation it's too much to ask them - with no increase in assets - to serve every other youth organisations out there.
I think you'll find that those "lovely new hangars" were in fact the very same hangars that were built there in 1940, and the very same ones that I saw and experienced when I was there with 229 OCU.
Having just had a look on Google earth, am pretty sure that those are the standard wartime T2 and B1 hangars that were there when I went through in the late sixties. Maybe repainted, re clad, new floors and re-equipped throughout, but they are still 1940 vintage T2 and B1 wartime temporary hangars.
Precisely.
Apparently Aylesbury Vale District Council are happy with all the vast area available on the camp area and haven't yet considered the airfield so why can't the airfield be retained as an 'MOD Airfield' same as Little Rissington.
Apparently Aylesbury Vale District Council are happy with all the vast area available on the camp area and haven't yet considered the airfield so why can't the airfield be retained as an 'MOD Airfield' same as Little Rissington.
Last edited by chevvron; 21st Mar 2022 at 15:21.
Out of The Box!!!
It stopped working years ago, and has just floundered around 'rudder less' with no leadership, and now no staff.
The Grob disposal scandal was just another scandal added to the ongoing list of wasted public assets, and MOD tech incompetence.
When I suggest opening it up to all, that includes alternative organisations to the RAF who are plainly incapable of original thought or current ability to do it themselves.
It is not Covid to blame, but the hapless individuals who were paid to oversee the Cadet organisation at high level, and who betrayed the Volunteers who had never let the Cadets down.
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
As a matter of interest, where can I find the civil registration list of ex Air Cadets Grob 109s?
Any truth in the duty rumour that the Tutors have been grounded again?
All I can find is a facebook post from 7 AEF saying, "Unfortunately due to Tutor unavailability all flying this weekend has been cancelled at Cranwell. Please do not travel."
All I can find is a facebook post from 7 AEF saying, "Unfortunately due to Tutor unavailability all flying this weekend has been cancelled at Cranwell. Please do not travel."