Air Cadets grounded?

[Shaft109]

'So, has there been any effect whatsoever on RAF recruiting between 2014 and now?'

No, but that's not the whole point of the organisation these days.

[POBJOY]

ATC and recruiting

Originally Posted by pr00ne

So, has there been any effect whatsoever on RAF recruiting between 2014 and now?

IT has not been the main reason for the organisation for many years, however no Cadets will have been impressed by the lack of a facility that was such a potential highlight of being a member. There is still an enormous interest in aviation and many of those with an 'interest' do so by flying models and nowadays drones. When I speak to youngsters engaged in these activities I always ask if they have considered the Air Cadets as an option !!! Sadly in many of the cases they actually had been along to a unit but were soon to realise it lacked a real connection with aviation, and hence they drifted off to engage with an activity that could do so. In a couple of cases it also prompted the decision NOT to look at the service for a future.
Judging by the current run of TV adverts for the RAF, and RAF reserves we can only assume there are no queues at the centres so something is not working.
To be fair the Cadet operation of the 60s-70s was a very hands on and well led organisation, plus not festooned with sheds loads of paperwork. Those involved were frequently former service and indeed so were the civilian instructors. All youth organisations now have to contend with mountains of paperwork and endless 'checks' therefore it is no wonder that they struggle to attract adult staff. The organisations that do not loose sight of their reason to exist, and have quality LEADERSHIP are the ones that still thrive.

[mattandmoosdad]

Hi all, first time poster here and apologies, no connection to military aviation other than a keen interest in such things.

My son has his first induction evening with our local ATC squadron tomorrow. He's aviation mad, devoured the contents of their website and has talked of nothing since we got the date for his first evening.

I've partly read through this thread (it's huge and may have missed relevant posts) with interest but left wondering: are there any airframes left within the ATC for opportunities for flying and/or gliding and despite what has been going on with the air experience side of things (and I can't pretend to fully understand) is the organisation still worth being part of for an aviation enthused youngster?

Regards MAMD

[Glider111]

Easy answer, yes.

More complex answer:

The organisation has always been about more than flying and gliding and is about developing young people. Like anything it depends on individual personnel running squadrons but for the low cost of annual subs it is well worth at least trying and letting your son see if he enjoys it.

On the flying and gliding side, flying is broadly back to as it was for now with the Tutor repaired and still doing its job. Gliding is continuing to rebuild but gets better by the day. Is never likely to be back to the pre pause rate of gliding which is a shame but is something no one can do anything about without a lot of money.

So basically the air cadets are not grounded, the real title of the thread should reflect people’s understandable frustration with the chain of events that led to a smaller but still excellent cadet gliding organisation.

[boswell bear]

Originally Posted by mattandmoosdad

Hi all, first time poster here and apologies, no connection to military aviation other than a keen interest in such things.

My son has his first induction evening with our local ATC squadron tomorrow. He's aviation mad, devoured the contents of their website and has talked of nothing since we got the date for his first evening.

I've partly read through this thread (it's huge and may have missed relevant posts) with interest but left wondering: are there any airframes left within the ATC for opportunities for flying and/or gliding and despite what has been going on with the air experience side of things (and I can't pretend to fully understand) is the organisation still worth being part of for an aviation enthused youngster?

Regards MAMD

Hi

Yes there are still AEF Squadrons flying Tutors and VGS flying Viking gliders and deliver Part Task Training (Simulators) the gliding side is much reduced but in theory there are more aircraft to come back online.

Also yes the organisation is still worth being part of for an aviation enthused youngster.

[bobward]

lMatt etc
I joined the ATC as a cadet in 1965. I left in 2018, after having 'done' 40+ years as an instructor, including 25 in uniform.
It was he best thing I ever did (apart from marrying Mrs W of course). I learned a lot, and used it when I started work.
Because the Corps is open to anyone, the mix of character types is huge: cadets have to earn to get on with each other,
and how to take, and eventually give, orders.

I'm sure I would have been hard pressed to have had the modest success I had in the day job without all the stuff I learned in the ACO.
There will be a certain amount of BS and waffle in your son's early days as a cadet. Stick with it as it will get better and then see how far you can go.

Good luck and enjoy the ride!

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by bobward

lMatt etc
I joined the ATC as a cadet in 1965. I left in 2018, after having 'done' 40+ years as an instructor, including 25 in uniform.
It was he best thing I ever did (apart from marrying Mrs W of course). I learned a lot, and used it when I started work.
Because the Corps is open to anyone, the mix of character types is huge: cadets have to earn to get on with each other,
and how to take, and eventually give, orders.

I'm sure I would have been hard pressed to have had the modest success I had in the day job without all the stuff I learned in the ACO.
There will be a certain amount of BS and waffle in your son's early days as a cadet. Stick with it as it will get better and then see how far you can go.

Good luck and enjoy the ride!

Joined in '62 and was refused a continuance of service in '98 after 36 years service (commisioned in '79) at the age of 51 as I was spending too much time at the VGS and not enough at the squadron because the Sqdn Cdr who took the squadron over from me never gave me anything to do; well I was supposed to be WGLO after all! It wasn't until later that year I learned that WGLO had become an established Wing Staff post and not just 'co-opted' as I had been, a fact my Wg Cdr must have known when he 'sacked' me.
Maybe my getting invited to a Royal Garden Party at 'the Palace' and my Wg Cdr NOT beng invited had something to do with it!
Otherwise I echo bobwards statement.

[mattandmoosdad]

Chevvron, bobward, boswellbar and Glider111

Many thanks for your encouraging replies. It doesn't seem as bad as I first thought. I'm sure he'll love it and the ATC clearly offers so much more. I just didn't want him to be disappointed about the opportunities (or lack of) for flying.

Cheers all

MAMD

[muppetofthenorth]

Originally Posted by mattandmoosdad

Chevvron, bobward, boswellbar and Glider111

Many thanks for your encouraging replies. It doesn't seem as bad as I first thought. I'm sure he'll love it and the ATC clearly offers so much more. I just didn't want him to be disappointed about the opportunities (or lack of) for flying.

Cheers all

MAMD

Even when there was lots of it available, it wasn't as if they were going every week. If he's joining a big unit then those chances will be spread around.

The likelihood is, if he's dead keen and his school are agreeable to let him have the odd day off, he'll get 2-3 flying days a year... maybe 2 Tutor trips and a day or two at a glider unit. But a lot of that depends on where the sqn is and how available the staff are - remember, every single member of staff on that squadron he's joining is a volunteer and doing it in addition to their day job.

Coincidentally, we had our bi-annual open evening last night and the parents of all the potential newbies almost refused to believe we were volunteers and not full time paid staff...

[treadigraph]

Pobjoy tells me that thinks this would make an excellent Cadet A E machine. Tea to be served during flight and no parachute or helmet required. Still space to operate out of Croydon with a quick turn to avoid the flats !!!!




I was up on Kenley Aerodrome a couple of weeks ago and it was good to see the new 615 HQ building alongside the hangar - it seems to have gone up very quickly indeed. If I can, I'll pop up Sunday and see if there any signs of flying.

[POBJOY]

Treads This is Hanno in the M East to join 599 VGS. Chap on the left has just shown up from nowhere asking if they need any Staff Cadets !!! Nothing changes.
None of the old girls survived WW2 (many parked out in gales) not surprising, rather like 6 T21,s all out in a squall.
Hopefully this coming Easter should see some progress on the Gliding front assuming the C Virus keeps at bay.
Best Wishes to those who stayed with it and do the real Venture Adventure.

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by POBJOY

Treads This is Hanno in the M East to join 599 VGS. Chap on the left has just shown up from nowhere asking if they need any Staff Cadets !!! Nothing changes.
None of the old girls survived WW2 (many parked out in gales) not surprising, rather like 6 T21,s all out in a squall.
Hopefully this coming Easter should see some progress on the Gliding front assuming the C Virus keeps at bay.
Best Wishes to those who stayed with it and do the real Venture Adventure.

I think I read they were flown to Bristol Whitchurch (aka Hengrove Park) where most were destroyed by gales.

[ShyTorque]

Looks like Beagle in the pith helmet.

[lsh]

Are you taking the pith?!

lsh

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by lsh

Are you taking the pith?!

lsh

Yeth and he's only thixteen.

[Arclite01]

So has Corona Virus stopped the VGS again ??

Arc

[muppetofthenorth]

Originally Posted by Arclite01

So has Corona Virus stopped the VGS again ??
Arc

Stopped the entire ATC. All cadet "face to face activity" has been cancelled.

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by Arclite01

So has Corona Virus stopped the VGS again ??

Arc

I'm told the red arrows are 'pinching' the airspace over Syerston for a couple of days next week.

[teeteringhead]

The Head Girl has said all cancelled until end of May.

[WB627]

The Scout Association has done the same, so don't feel the ACO has been singled out for special treatment.