Air Cadets grounded?
The fire cover required for the Tutor is complete arse at present. DFRMO require RFF Category 2 when the CAA require RFF Category Special for the same aircraft (effectively what the VGS do at present). The really arse thing about it is that a civil registered Grob 115E could land at a RAF airfield and only need Special when if the same aircraft, now called a Grob Tutor TMk1, lands it needs Category 2. Same for a civvy Chipmunk vs a BBMF Chipmunk, etc..etc..
Utter madness for what is supposedly a risk based decision.
Anyway, it'll all be different when I'm in charge!
LJ
Utter madness for what is supposedly a risk based decision.
Anyway, it'll all be different when I'm in charge!
LJ
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Buckley Boy,
On scale of Impeccable to "Curveball", how reliable and well-placed is your source? Put another way, how much of your own money would you be willing to bet on your info being gen?
Instinctively, I have to admit, it seems plausible given the complete absence of any meaningful word from 2 FTS. He did, however, email the VGS OCs on Monday to announce that he's sending his proposals to CAS this week... he hopes.
On scale of Impeccable to "Curveball", how reliable and well-placed is your source? Put another way, how much of your own money would you be willing to bet on your info being gen?
Instinctively, I have to admit, it seems plausible given the complete absence of any meaningful word from 2 FTS. He did, however, email the VGS OCs on Monday to announce that he's sending his proposals to CAS this week... he hopes.
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Spin Doctoring
I'd put some serious money on BB's info - they're now adopting HMG standards in spin
- Allow some leakage
- Sit back and read reaction
- Assess reaction
- Await some other bad news to bury particular bad news
- Construct closing passages to convey some upbeat spin i.e., "2016 will see Air Cadets flying at VGS's again " - even if it's only a shadow of former organisation
- Job done - time for tea and medals, relax until next crisis
Freda Checks
Yes you're quite right, these are only rumours and of course the VGS staff can just wait for some comms from official sources. What was I thinking
Lots of other very good points made by people, like me, that are sad to see this wonderful organisation in such dire straits. Just one last point and it is this: I hope someone can remind the senior Officers, that will decide the future of the VGSs, that the "V" in VGS stands for volunteer. There is a limit to their patience and the young VGS staff who are highly unlikely to read this forum, will probably just drift away.
BBK
Yes you're quite right, these are only rumours and of course the VGS staff can just wait for some comms from official sources. What was I thinking
Lots of other very good points made by people, like me, that are sad to see this wonderful organisation in such dire straits. Just one last point and it is this: I hope someone can remind the senior Officers, that will decide the future of the VGSs, that the "V" in VGS stands for volunteer. There is a limit to their patience and the young VGS staff who are highly unlikely to read this forum, will probably just drift away.
BBK
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Taken from comment on AirCadetCentral -
"Dear Guys
You may be aware we have 2 Viking ac at RAF Syerston , recovered by SS and we flew the first air test on Friday; I expect the second air test today or tomorrow. We continue to be in negotiations with Babcock to finalise delivery rates of the Viking fleet.
We have 4 Vigilant ac at RAF Syerston, 2 are longish sick with GRP repairs. A fifth is expected in Jan . SERCO have sent an ac to Marshalls to trial an alternative recovery line.
Staffing is still in hand with the laydown paper and powered /unpowered mix of ac. I am hopeful it will go to CAS this week? I am still uncertain if we will have the results before Xmas. Be assured we will follow the decision with a robust engagement campaign.
I will update you further if/when any changes
Regards
JM
Comdt 2 FTS"
So we will wait and see; and wait, and wait, and wait
"Dear Guys
You may be aware we have 2 Viking ac at RAF Syerston , recovered by SS and we flew the first air test on Friday; I expect the second air test today or tomorrow. We continue to be in negotiations with Babcock to finalise delivery rates of the Viking fleet.
We have 4 Vigilant ac at RAF Syerston, 2 are longish sick with GRP repairs. A fifth is expected in Jan . SERCO have sent an ac to Marshalls to trial an alternative recovery line.
Staffing is still in hand with the laydown paper and powered /unpowered mix of ac. I am hopeful it will go to CAS this week? I am still uncertain if we will have the results before Xmas. Be assured we will follow the decision with a robust engagement campaign.
I will update you further if/when any changes
Regards
JM
Comdt 2 FTS"
So we will wait and see; and wait, and wait, and wait
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MPs?
If the basing plan is anything like what's suggested, I'd imagine the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Ni might like to know. I know First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, is the President of his local squadron.
If the basing plan is anything like what's suggested, I'd imagine the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Ni might like to know. I know First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, is the President of his local squadron.
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Quote "at RAF Syerston, 2 are longish sick with GRP repairs"
What on earth do they mean by this ? Have they got a GRP ICU there ? Probably taken a while to source another Halford's Glass Fibre repair kit !
Expertise
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Cats, A&C
Marshalls now own Slingsby. No-one builds capability any more - they buy it (growth by acquisition rather than organically).
So although it says sent to Marshalls it does not necessarily mean Cambridge..............
Arc
Marshalls now own Slingsby. No-one builds capability any more - they buy it (growth by acquisition rather than organically).
So although it says sent to Marshalls it does not necessarily mean Cambridge..............
Arc
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ROBUST ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGN
So 20 months after a grounding we have two Vikings for 'Air Test'. (WOW)
This may impress the CAS but nobody else will be fooled.
How did the ATC get saddled with such expensive incompetence that has allowed a 'problem' to escalate into a full blown disaster.
I always thought the whole point of 'management' was to lead by example and 'progress' an organisation in the most suitable manner.
There is no way this level of mismanagement should be allowed any input into the future structure of the organisation.
This may impress the CAS but nobody else will be fooled.
How did the ATC get saddled with such expensive incompetence that has allowed a 'problem' to escalate into a full blown disaster.
I always thought the whole point of 'management' was to lead by example and 'progress' an organisation in the most suitable manner.
There is no way this level of mismanagement should be allowed any input into the future structure of the organisation.
I still read the situation that they never had any intention of letting the VGS's fly again fairly quickly,If only the Brits were as clever at keeping things working as they are at closing things down -over the years I have seen this many times - the Air Cadet gliding fiasco certainly bears some of the classic hallmarks !
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SERCO & Marshals, the composite dream team !
Just how long have these people been trying to repair these aircraft ? Certainly long enough to file one out of the solid ! Perhaps I should not joke as may be that is what they are trying to do.
Meanwhile the Babcock consortium have two aircraft flying and been at the problem less than a quarter of the time ! ( that's quite quick when you have to deal with the MoD and all the hangers on )
Meanwhile the Babcock consortium have two aircraft flying and been at the problem less than a quarter of the time ! ( that's quite quick when you have to deal with the MoD and all the hangers on )
