LJ

There are of course 'problems' and 'problems'.
Many 'problems' nowadays do not mean that an aircraft is dangerous or unairworthy - just that there may be slight anomalies with log cards or documentation.
I can understand a civvy maintenance organisation being confronted by problems if they are perhaps encountering a 'BMAR' or similar for the first time,it would probably have been quicker and cheaper to order a new fleet of gliders than undertake this long winded fiasco !

Just about everyone who has come into contact with this fiasco must have reached the same conclusion within a very short space of time.

Different budget?

Not sure about quicker - how many gliders are involved? The lead time on a new K21 is 6 months or more. Not sure about cheaper either, depends a lot on the exchange rate, but at present £70k or thereabouts.

It would have been more certain though. But had that happened would they would have been happy with a standard glider & instrument fit?

"But had that happened would they would have been happy with a standard glider & instrument fit?"

I very much doubt it. Indeed, I'd have been more surprised if the various parties involved some how didn't manage to increase the price and empty weight while simultaneously reducing the max cockpit weight, increasing the min cockpit weight and lowering the Vne.

DaveUnwin, that's exactly what I thought.

I agree cats5 but the cost of this 'pause' must be fairly high and i also understand aw ditors comment about budgets - I am still reaping the 'benefits' of operating older aircraft of a very low mod standard - but of course these costs are 'hidden' rather than being upfront !

I believe that the ASK-21 was the prefered glider for the Air Cadets many years back but the Schleicher factory couldn't produce them fast enough to enough volume - step forwrd Herr Grob and his Acro!

So there was little chance of getting a complete set of K21s even by now - and I doubt that 2FTS expected their 'pause' to have lasted this long anyway!

Hindsight is a wonderful thing! :ok:

Even if they'd bought K-21s, there's no way the RAF could have resisted 'improving' them. After all, what does the manufacturer know?

Perish the thought of having DIRCM turrets fitted to the aft fuselage!

Leon Jab

The full story regarding the K21 is on this thread............


http://www.pprune.org/aviation-histo...pre-glass.html

Arc

Page 11

A few more flown at Syerston this week.

https://www.facebook.com/1207Maldon

Those look like motorgliders, not gliders.

Full marks for that one:D Grob Vigilant T.1s ,sixty five of which used by seventeen VGSs that make up the self launching part of the Cadet gliding fleet and have all "paused " as well :ugh:

The main problem with AEF manning is getting some of the volunteers to come in and fly! That said, the AEF near me has just launched its 3679th cadet this year just now..!

When I had the pleasure to serve as an AEF volunteer pilot, weekends were the most convenient for me and the cadets. Of course, no one in command would think of moving the AEF from RAF Wyton to a base where weekend cadet flying was not supported. Doooh!!! Some of the volunteers have to work during the week!

Duplo, take it you mean Cranditz based not Wyton/Wittering?
Only cadets who are currently flying from Wittering is any on Annual Camp locally plus CCF when term time starts. Not sure when Air Traffic is going to be sorted at Wittering, any on here know please?

Seen this today:

"Until now, HQ and supporting personnel of 2 FTS have been dispersed at a variety of locations, including RAFC Cranwell, RAF Syerston and RAF Linton-on-Ouse, due to lack of accommodation; however, a formal HQ has now been constructed to encompass all 2 FTS HQ personnel. Therefore, the new 2 FTS HQ has been stood up at RAF Syerston as of the 1 Sep 15."

So no Air Cadet gliding activity but a shiney new HQ - that's priorities for you! Maybe spending money on some new gliders or maintenance facilities first? :ugh:

LJ

Yes priorities LJ

Perhaps they could change the header on their facebook page which reads...

Or Not

rgds LR

AL 1. Before "delivers" insert "might sometime". Delete "s" from "delivers".
Hat, coat.............