Air Cadets grounded?
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I for one am appalled at the way the Air Cadets have been let down by those in charge at the top; but despite this the organisation still has a shed load of brand new winches and a quantity of 'refurbished' Vikings. Apart from anything else 2FTS will still want to keep themselves employed, and in the case of Kenley which serves the largest catchment area of all they have been provided with a brand new HQ on what is a secure site. The Vigilants have been killed off due to the lack of will to engage with the engine issue of being on extension, and despite an LAA based project to sort this out it no doubt suited those who wanted to 'bury the dead' for the patient to stay dead. The Vikings have now been effectively given an extra life, so with Kenley (615), (and soon 626) getting new facilities I think there must be a 10 year future at least. This is enough time to look at, and organise replacement equipment if the budget and will exists.
Either way although we will not see the organisation 'as it was' it at least still gives an 'AIR' element to those Cadets who aspire to train to solo standard.
Either way although we will not see the organisation 'as it was' it at least still gives an 'AIR' element to those Cadets who aspire to train to solo standard.
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BGA are talking of recommending putting perspex glass between two seat cockpits. Plus alternatives such as two way radios in the one aircraft. ME THINKS THE VIRUS WILL FIND WAYS INTO THE GAPS. Try again.
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[QUOTE=POBJOY;10696786]
Just read the above. No hope I am afraid. The people dealing with the Air Cadets at RAF and MOD level are at the bottom of the barrel. Muck any churns out muck. They dont want to be in the job they have. So they demonstrate to their superiors they have made savings and so they move on up the ranks/grades. Long may their fall be !!!
Pobjoy,
I have tried to keep out of this debate for years. As an ex-ATC cadet who went solo in a T31 in 1953 and then joined the RAF as a pilot because of the influence of the ATC (and my desire) I am saddened to see the way things have gone! I am not out of touch, having been a CI at my local ATC squadron until a couple of years ago, and having flown gliders and various powered aircraft all my working life. I feel that the Air Training Corps (or Cadets, RAF Section?!) have lost their main reason for being! However, having followed this thread (and your first class explantions) I do sense that all is not lost with the people who really matter! Please keep up the good work!
Bill, Indeed I to am furious at the needless waste of resources, and loss of a valuable experience to a huge number of Cadets who have been badly let down.
However we have a new boss at 2 FTS who must be given the chance to see the organisation gets 'enabled' to rise again even though we know it not be to the same level. The two new return to flying operations both have a chance to help this situation. 615 Kenley is in a prime location for Cadet Squadrons to access, and I know that it will rise to the occasion because both 615 and Kenley have a history of survival, delivering the goods, and the will to provide an excellent service.
626 at Predannack is a remote location but has a fantastic site with lots of space. Staffing may well be an issue there, but if 2 FTS are allowed to think outside of the box and utilise outside temporary help then this could be a great summer camp location with perhaps some staff coming down to run continuous courses, in the same way Halesland operated. Once Cadets see the gliding opportunities coming online it will be an excellent chance for them to get stuck in and help out with staffing and then the process can build again. This is what the organisation needs, hands on association with aircraft you can actually help to handle and get to fly, that's what the Air Cadets should be about for those who are keen. A bit of a 'hill' to climb, but better than letting it go without a fight. Venture Adventure, and B...... the twitter and facebook brigade. Regards Pobjoy.
I have tried to keep out of this debate for years. As an ex-ATC cadet who went solo in a T31 in 1953 and then joined the RAF as a pilot because of the influence of the ATC (and my desire) I am saddened to see the way things have gone! I am not out of touch, having been a CI at my local ATC squadron until a couple of years ago, and having flown gliders and various powered aircraft all my working life. I feel that the Air Training Corps (or Cadets, RAF Section?!) have lost their main reason for being! However, having followed this thread (and your first class explantions) I do sense that all is not lost with the people who really matter! Please keep up the good work!
Bill, Indeed I to am furious at the needless waste of resources, and loss of a valuable experience to a huge number of Cadets who have been badly let down.
However we have a new boss at 2 FTS who must be given the chance to see the organisation gets 'enabled' to rise again even though we know it not be to the same level. The two new return to flying operations both have a chance to help this situation. 615 Kenley is in a prime location for Cadet Squadrons to access, and I know that it will rise to the occasion because both 615 and Kenley have a history of survival, delivering the goods, and the will to provide an excellent service.
626 at Predannack is a remote location but has a fantastic site with lots of space. Staffing may well be an issue there, but if 2 FTS are allowed to think outside of the box and utilise outside temporary help then this could be a great summer camp location with perhaps some staff coming down to run continuous courses, in the same way Halesland operated. Once Cadets see the gliding opportunities coming online it will be an excellent chance for them to get stuck in and help out with staffing and then the process can build again. This is what the organisation needs, hands on association with aircraft you can actually help to handle and get to fly, that's what the Air Cadets should be about for those who are keen. A bit of a 'hill' to climb, but better than letting it go without a fight. Venture Adventure, and B...... the twitter and facebook brigade. Regards Pobjoy.
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Speaking as someone in the organisation currently, I know I speak for many when I say we simply don't see that happening.
The RAF and the MoD hates the risk it exposes them to, and if they can reduce / remove that risk and cost, they will.
With certain other changes in the air cadets in the last couple of years it'll be a minor miracle if the entire organisation is still here in 15-20 years time.
The RAF and the MoD hates the risk it exposes them to, and if they can reduce / remove that risk and cost, they will.
With certain other changes in the air cadets in the last couple of years it'll be a minor miracle if the entire organisation is still here in 15-20 years time.
Cynical me BUT.... The RAF/Navy/Army could not mount another Falklands effort in the current climate. So not much chance of RAF Air Cadet Gliding getting any support.
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Are their any other countries in, say, NATO, that has a similar organisation as the RAF Air Cadets (or Army or Navy Cadets, for that matter?). My point being, that if there isn't, someone somewhere might just say 'well, they manage to recruit OK to their Armed Forces, why are we spending money on the Cadets?' 
Are their any other countries in, say, NATO, that has a similar organisation as the RAF Air Cadets (or Army or Navy Cadets, for that matter?). My point being, that if there isn't, someone somewhere might just say 'well, they manage to recruit OK to their Armed Forces, why are we spending money on the Cadets?'
https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/wha...adet-exchange/
Quite a few are NATO.
Ex 643
My grandson had his first glider flight at Syerston a few days before the lockdown happened. It's done its job....620 Squadron ATC now has an enthused member who is already considering an aircrew career....and thats all that matters
Are their any other countries in, say, NATO, that has a similar organisation as the RAF Air Cadets (or Army or Navy Cadets, for that matter?). My point being, that if there isn't, someone somewhere might just say 'well, they manage to recruit OK to their Armed Forces, why are we spending money on the Cadets?'
https://www.facebook.com/Royal-Belgi...5725326257507/
VX275: Do you know where 'Mrs Heppell' is at the moment; somebody on the 'other' forum asked after I mentioned I had pranged it.
Last edited by chevvron; 8th May 2020 at 11:20.
The last I heard of Mrs Hepple was that she was languishing in the RAF Museum's store at Stafford. She went to Stafford straight from RAF Saint Athan where she had been used on the last RAF wood workers course. She should be in good condition with no evidence of your mistreatment showing.
The Belgian Air Cadets Gliding Program is in a different league altogether - very selective and prospective candidates must have the academic ability that would be required to join either the Belgian Air Component or the airlines.
Selection for the 3-year program - around 50 slots a year for the entire country - is highly competitive and by interview held at the Belgian MOD.
For instance, 5 of the 6 F-16 pilots on this course in 2017 had previously been in the Belgian Air Cadets Gliding Program.
https://www.aviation24.be/military-a...d-f-16-pilots/
All flying is done at periodic camps a couple of times a year with pre-requisite academics to be passed first.
Global Air Power Media - Belgian Air Cadets
A few course videos here give a flavor of the equipment used and the type of cadet selected:
Selection for the 3-year program - around 50 slots a year for the entire country - is highly competitive and by interview held at the Belgian MOD.
For instance, 5 of the 6 F-16 pilots on this course in 2017 had previously been in the Belgian Air Cadets Gliding Program.
https://www.aviation24.be/military-a...d-f-16-pilots/
All flying is done at periodic camps a couple of times a year with pre-requisite academics to be passed first.
Global Air Power Media - Belgian Air Cadets
A few course videos here give a flavor of the equipment used and the type of cadet selected:
The Canadian Air Cadet gliding program has consistently allowed over 200 cadets a year to gain a full Canadian Glider Pilot license during a 6 week summer camp. For the rest of the year glider experience flights are flown on weekends, many by licensed cadet pilots.
Obviously everything is on hold right now, but a robust gliding program with cadets flying solo is not rocket science, it just needs leadership that supports putting the air in Air Cadets.
Obviously everything is on hold right now, but a robust gliding program with cadets flying solo is not rocket science, it just needs leadership that supports putting the air in Air Cadets.