Air Cadets grounded?
Gentleman Aviator
Sounds good ATFQ.
I understand that - for some reason - Ministerial announcements are always on Thursdays.
And remember; whatever it is, it's been with Minister since before Christmas!
I understand that - for some reason - Ministerial announcements are always on Thursdays.
And remember; whatever it is, it's been with Minister since before Christmas!
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The Skylaunch can safely be towed by a large car, including up & down the motorways. Once ours had settled down it's been very reliable, and we do far more launches than the ATC would have done as weather permitting, we fly 7 days a week 12 months a year.
Rumours are brewing from some that an announcement will be made here quite soon: Written statements - UK Parliament
I wonder if the VGS OCs will be given the courtesy and told in advance of the announcement? Expectation is as before, good news for some and not so good for some others (which is supposedly tied to future basing decisions as I understand it, like the Hullavington selll off).
The B Word
I wonder if the VGS OCs will be given the courtesy and told in advance of the announcement? Expectation is as before, good news for some and not so good for some others (which is supposedly tied to future basing decisions as I understand it, like the Hullavington selll off).
The B Word
Gentleman Aviator
I wonder if the VGS OCs will be given the courtesy and told in advance of the announcement?
In theory - although obviously not in practice - it would be seen in the same light as telling Budget plans in advance ........
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So to take a guess we will get details of the future of air cadet flying and the start of the tendering process for the contract to support the operation.
By now the MoD will know what is holding up the recovery program and who is failing to deliver the goods in terms of producing servisable airframes, old contracts will have been reviewed and the holes that allow contractors prevarication ( usually because they are clueless ) will be plugged.
I see a bright future for the technical side of air cadet flying ( not just gliding ) but this can't be fully delivered untill new contracts are in place a the end of the year.
I would like to see those responsible for this mess taken to court for failing to produce the goods but think that poorly written contracts written years back are likely to let them slip off the hook.
By now the MoD will know what is holding up the recovery program and who is failing to deliver the goods in terms of producing servisable airframes, old contracts will have been reviewed and the holes that allow contractors prevarication ( usually because they are clueless ) will be plugged.
I see a bright future for the technical side of air cadet flying ( not just gliding ) but this can't be fully delivered untill new contracts are in place a the end of the year.
I would like to see those responsible for this mess taken to court for failing to produce the goods but think that poorly written contracts written years back are likely to let them slip off the hook.
Last edited by A and C; 9th Mar 2016 at 08:42.
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Rumours are brewing from some that an announcement will be made here quite soon: Written statements - UK Parliament
I wonder if the VGS OCs will be given the courtesy and told in advance of the announcement? Expectation is as before, good news for some and not so good for some others (which is supposedly tied to future basing decisions as I understand it, like the Hullavington selll off).
The B Word
I wonder if the VGS OCs will be given the courtesy and told in advance of the announcement? Expectation is as before, good news for some and not so good for some others (which is supposedly tied to future basing decisions as I understand it, like the Hullavington selll off).
The B Word
I had fun introducing him to Comdt AC a couple of weeks back, not that it's really her fault.
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According to some impeccably-placed sources who will be in the bar of a certain ivy-covered, red-brick officer's mess just outside Sleaford tonight, it will finally be tomorrow when the verdict will be passed to the VGS OCs. Town Hall meetings set up for sqn staff for the following couple of weeks.
Best of luck, everyone!
Best of luck, everyone!
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Rumour has it that the babcocks consortium with the "expert glider fixers". See post 1551. Have still only produced 3 Vikings as nearly a year has passed. Looks like they appear to be suffering in the same way as the current MO
I had fun introducing him to Comdt AC a couple of weeks back, not that it's really her fault.
Where does the buck stop, or has that gone out of fashion?
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I am less interested now in Glider repair - it is what it is (a Cluster ****)
Now I am interested in the future of the schools and the future basing strategy - the people side of things...............
Arc
Now I am interested in the future of the schools and the future basing strategy - the people side of things...............
Arc
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A&C, your post 1725.
In employment, there is, as far as I am aware, a thing called the Master - Servant relationship where, AFAIK, the Master can responsible for the actions of the Servant. Therefore, where the servant sanctioned servicing without oversight or lost ("Lost" Latin for shredded, in this context) paperwork, it is possible that the Master can be prosecuted for not ensuring that the servant has carried out his duties in accordance with the Masters instructions.
(I shall now duck into my air raid shelter which is an exact copy of the one at Bruggen ATC before the REs condemned and destroyed it, and wait for incoming from the legal beagles).
A342
In employment, there is, as far as I am aware, a thing called the Master - Servant relationship where, AFAIK, the Master can responsible for the actions of the Servant. Therefore, where the servant sanctioned servicing without oversight or lost ("Lost" Latin for shredded, in this context) paperwork, it is possible that the Master can be prosecuted for not ensuring that the servant has carried out his duties in accordance with the Masters instructions.
(I shall now duck into my air raid shelter which is an exact copy of the one at Bruggen ATC before the REs condemned and destroyed it, and wait for incoming from the legal beagles).
A342
Written Ministerial Statement
From:
Written statements - UK Parliament
Made by: Mr Julian Brazier (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) )
Written statements - UK Parliament
Made by: Mr Julian Brazier (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) )
In April 2014 all Air Cadet Organisation gliding was paused due to airworthiness concerns with the Grob Viking conventional glider and Grob Vigilant motorglider fleets utilised by the Air Cadet Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGS).
Substantial operational, technical and commercial negotiations with a range of aerospace leaders in this field have failed to find a value for money approach to successfully repair and recover all 146 gliders. Consequently a comprehensive Air Cadet Organisation review has proposed restructuring this activity. It has been decided that the best value for money solution is to recover at least 73 Vikings, a reduced Vigilant fleet of up to 15 aircraft, combined with an uplift to Grob Tutor fixed wing Air Experience Flights (AEFs).
The reduced glider fleet will be operated by significantly fewer, but larger, VGS, which will have a regional focus and be better integrated with synthetic training and increased AEF locations. The number of Grob Tutor aircraft beyond 2017 for AEF/ University Air Squadron (UAS) use will go from 45 to 70 airframes, enabling the enlargement of existing AEFs and the formation of two new AEFs. Regional VGS hubs, which have the facility to provide overnight accommodation, will be also created across the UK.
The Volunteer Gliding Squadrons that are due to be disbanded are: 611 Squadron currently based at RAF Honington, 612 Squadron currently based Dalton Barracks (Abingdon), 613 Squadron currently based at RAF Halton, 616 Squadron currently based at RAF Henlow, 618 Squadron currently based at RAF Odiham, 624 Squadron currently based at RMB Chivenor, 633 Squadron currently based at RAF Cosford, 634 Squadron currently based at MOD St Athan, 635 Squadron currently based at RAF Topcliffe, 636 Squadron currently based at Swansea Airport, 642 Squadron currently based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, 662 Squadron currently based at RMB Arbroath, 663 Squadron currently based at Kinloss Barracks and 664 Squadron currently based at Newtownards.
The Volunteer Gliding Squadrons that are due to be retained are the Central Gliding School and 644 Squadron currently based at RAF Syerston, 614 Squadron currently based at MDP Wethersfield, 615 Squadron currently based at RAF Kenley, 622 Squadron currently based at Trenchard Lines Upavon, 626 Squadron currently based at RNAS Predannack, 631 Squadron currently based at RAF Woodvale, 632 Squadron currently based at RAF Ternhill, 637 Squadron currently based at RAF Little Rissington, 661 Squadron currently based at RAF Kirknewton and 645 Squadron currently based at Topcliffe (from October 2019). 621 Squadron currently based at Hullavington will be retained at RNAS Merryfield.
As part of this process, a number of regional gliding hubs are to be created. We also expect that 2 new Air Experience Flights will be created, 13 AEF and 14 AEF. It is anticipated that 14 AEF will be located in Northern Ireland.
While work is undertaken to set up this new structure, the future locations of these Squadrons remains subject to the outcome of MOD estate rationalisation due to announce later this year. While it is likely that many Squadrons will remain at their current locations, we are working to ensure that, where this is not the case, flying opportunities will be made available to Cadet Units within their region and any new locations will be as geographically close to the existing locations as possible.
We recognise that this means that some uncertainty will remain for our cadets, but we are confident that this new structure will maximise flying opportunities for them.
As VGS are run by volunteer staffs, this will not result in any job losses, albeit volunteering options will be affected. The RAF is extremely grateful for the volunteers that support each VGS; without this support Air Cadet gliding would not be possible. Consequently we will develop a crossover plan which will enable many volunteer gliding instructors who become surplus on affected VGS to convert to Viking; transfer to a formally established ground cadre within a VGS; transfer their instructional skill sets into the units of the mainstream Air Cadet Organisation; or to retrain to fly the Grob Tutor in the expanded AEF construct.
The RAF remains committed to Air Cadet flying and will ultimately increase investment in the VGS and AEF sites which will remain to include the provision of residential accommodation for cadets and staff. This will enable those cadet units which have to travel greater distances to the VGS to undertake a residential weekend, with better associated force development and ground training opportunities alongside the gliding and flying. With the introduction of glider simulators, funded by the RAF Charitable Trust, the Air Cadet Organisation have developed a common syllabus for cadet flying which better integrates and allocates cadet flying opportunities between realistic synthetic flight simulation, glider flying and an uplift of AEF flights.
We will make a further statement when we can say more on basing.
Substantial operational, technical and commercial negotiations with a range of aerospace leaders in this field have failed to find a value for money approach to successfully repair and recover all 146 gliders. Consequently a comprehensive Air Cadet Organisation review has proposed restructuring this activity. It has been decided that the best value for money solution is to recover at least 73 Vikings, a reduced Vigilant fleet of up to 15 aircraft, combined with an uplift to Grob Tutor fixed wing Air Experience Flights (AEFs).
The reduced glider fleet will be operated by significantly fewer, but larger, VGS, which will have a regional focus and be better integrated with synthetic training and increased AEF locations. The number of Grob Tutor aircraft beyond 2017 for AEF/ University Air Squadron (UAS) use will go from 45 to 70 airframes, enabling the enlargement of existing AEFs and the formation of two new AEFs. Regional VGS hubs, which have the facility to provide overnight accommodation, will be also created across the UK.
The Volunteer Gliding Squadrons that are due to be disbanded are: 611 Squadron currently based at RAF Honington, 612 Squadron currently based Dalton Barracks (Abingdon), 613 Squadron currently based at RAF Halton, 616 Squadron currently based at RAF Henlow, 618 Squadron currently based at RAF Odiham, 624 Squadron currently based at RMB Chivenor, 633 Squadron currently based at RAF Cosford, 634 Squadron currently based at MOD St Athan, 635 Squadron currently based at RAF Topcliffe, 636 Squadron currently based at Swansea Airport, 642 Squadron currently based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, 662 Squadron currently based at RMB Arbroath, 663 Squadron currently based at Kinloss Barracks and 664 Squadron currently based at Newtownards.
The Volunteer Gliding Squadrons that are due to be retained are the Central Gliding School and 644 Squadron currently based at RAF Syerston, 614 Squadron currently based at MDP Wethersfield, 615 Squadron currently based at RAF Kenley, 622 Squadron currently based at Trenchard Lines Upavon, 626 Squadron currently based at RNAS Predannack, 631 Squadron currently based at RAF Woodvale, 632 Squadron currently based at RAF Ternhill, 637 Squadron currently based at RAF Little Rissington, 661 Squadron currently based at RAF Kirknewton and 645 Squadron currently based at Topcliffe (from October 2019). 621 Squadron currently based at Hullavington will be retained at RNAS Merryfield.
As part of this process, a number of regional gliding hubs are to be created. We also expect that 2 new Air Experience Flights will be created, 13 AEF and 14 AEF. It is anticipated that 14 AEF will be located in Northern Ireland.
While work is undertaken to set up this new structure, the future locations of these Squadrons remains subject to the outcome of MOD estate rationalisation due to announce later this year. While it is likely that many Squadrons will remain at their current locations, we are working to ensure that, where this is not the case, flying opportunities will be made available to Cadet Units within their region and any new locations will be as geographically close to the existing locations as possible.
We recognise that this means that some uncertainty will remain for our cadets, but we are confident that this new structure will maximise flying opportunities for them.
As VGS are run by volunteer staffs, this will not result in any job losses, albeit volunteering options will be affected. The RAF is extremely grateful for the volunteers that support each VGS; without this support Air Cadet gliding would not be possible. Consequently we will develop a crossover plan which will enable many volunteer gliding instructors who become surplus on affected VGS to convert to Viking; transfer to a formally established ground cadre within a VGS; transfer their instructional skill sets into the units of the mainstream Air Cadet Organisation; or to retrain to fly the Grob Tutor in the expanded AEF construct.
The RAF remains committed to Air Cadet flying and will ultimately increase investment in the VGS and AEF sites which will remain to include the provision of residential accommodation for cadets and staff. This will enable those cadet units which have to travel greater distances to the VGS to undertake a residential weekend, with better associated force development and ground training opportunities alongside the gliding and flying. With the introduction of glider simulators, funded by the RAF Charitable Trust, the Air Cadet Organisation have developed a common syllabus for cadet flying which better integrates and allocates cadet flying opportunities between realistic synthetic flight simulation, glider flying and an uplift of AEF flights.
We will make a further statement when we can say more on basing.
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snip. sanctioned servicing without oversight or lost ("Lost" Latin for shredded, in this context) paperwork
On my VGS. The MOD policy is that aircraft documentation is to be disposed of Major + 6 months. Indeed short repetitive servicing may be disposed of when superceeded
On my VGS. The MOD policy is that aircraft documentation is to be disposed of Major + 6 months. Indeed short repetitive servicing may be disposed of when superceeded
Written Ministerial Statement
What is the future for those airfields where a VGS sqn is the only public funded user and does this clear the way for further sales of MOD real estate?
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Shocking.
Almost akin to the decimation of a Roman Legion.
Bad news if you are in the East of the UK.....................
Arc
Almost akin to the decimation of a Roman Legion.
Bad news if you are in the East of the UK.....................
Arc
Last edited by Arclite01; 10th Mar 2016 at 14:51.
Membury Planning Application
Absolutely shocking....
Now we have to wait two or more years before everything (or anything) is flying again!
http://planning.westberks.gov.uk/rpp...&index=1062933
....and that can only happen when the planning permission is granted and the hangars are built ready for use...
What a Cluster **** indeed!
Now we have to wait two or more years before everything (or anything) is flying again!
It should be welcomed that such expansion is required at Membury Airfield and that the increase of hangar space will accommodate the seventy gliders that require urgent
maintenance over the forthcoming years.
maintenance over the forthcoming years.
http://planning.westberks.gov.uk/rpp...&index=1062933
....and that can only happen when the planning permission is granted and the hangars are built ready for use...
What a Cluster **** indeed!
Last edited by Freda Checks; 10th Mar 2016 at 15:20. Reason: Speeling!!
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If that facility was for the urgent maintenance of the 70 gliders what is the maintenance facility at Syerston for ??
http://www.templemandesign.com/projects/raf-syerston/
Storage ??
Arc
http://www.templemandesign.com/projects/raf-syerston/
Storage ??
Arc
