Until we are back in the Sqn, I can’t liaise with cadets about time off school requirements for AEF & in order to look at the Bronze Wings aspects, I need to liaise with other staff about suggested nominees (although I have some firm ideas) - & also check with the potential nominees before 29 Dec, that they are available for the Jan cse.
You can only advertise to squadrons what is given to the wing when you receive it, and have to make returns by the deadline date provided.
What is one to do? Hand spaces back as some squadrons won’t respond? Plenty still will…
It’s not a case of one staff member being super keen, it’s more about them being willing to do the sift during their break so squadrons that can respond don’t miss out.
This is a “higher up” issue - either plan ahead so that the poor Wg Av O doesn’t get lumbered, or, set realistic deadlines based on known holiday period. It’s not as if the Xmas / New Yr break wasn’t advertised in good time.
At least the AEF date will allow a reasonable amount of time for nominated cadets to ask school for the time off - not like the previous allocation, notified in school holidays but with the flying date only a few days into the return to school!
The onus should not be on CFAVs to pick up the pieces.
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But allocations can only be given against what is available, totally dependant on the AEF, which is probably outside of their control as well 
Upwards comms, it’s not rocket science:
Dear OC6FTS - please will you ask all the AEFs to allocate Jan / Feb 2025 slots in good time (NLT than say 13 Dec); RAFAC ain’t playing 21 Dec 2024 - 05 Jan 2025, so we’ve got to sort all our planning outside of the Xmas / NY break. Thanks in advance for your forward planning, it’s not as if we don’t have a break like this every year.
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asked Dep WAvO about ACPNTS 3 weeks ago and have still got nothing back.
either he’s bad at using his email or he fell down the wormhole that is trying to find out if it still exists
Love an optimiat! 
On the basis that AEFs are being used for ACPS for the foreseeable future (& of course, only 40 per yr), I very much doubt that we see see ACPNTS for a very long time - if at all.
Another reason to have flying opportunities outside RAFAC. @Cab
ACPNTS still exists it’s just that RAFAC have stopped selecting cadets for the course. RAFAC and the RAvOs decided they would rather have the flying hours for ACPNTS allocated to AEF flying.
1x ACPNTS= 28 AEF slots.
it’s working well then 
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Applications are open for the ACPS 2025 scheme.
“The ACPS course is a residential course undertaken by 6FTS using the Grob Tutor aircraft at one of the nominated University Air Squadron/Air Experience Flight units around the country using their qualified flying instructors. The course is designed to get you to solo standard in around 13 hours of dual instruction.”
Please see eligibility (17 yrs old or older to apply) / complete the MS form - BY 24 JAN 2025:
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New IBN 013/25, ACPS applications open again, for ACPS Apr 2026.
Seen on C&E soshial meeja before Sharepoint!
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Dont get me started on this RAvOs only have 2 weeks after the applicstion windows close to submit names to HQ.
Thats a crazy timeframe to complete Wing and Region selections
HQ RAFAC must have had some insight for this sooner - it’s less than 4 weeks for cadets to submit their applications.
From what I can see, the basic criteria haven’t changed from previous requirements So (a) - why the long lead time for selection for something that isn’t until Apr 2026 (for known numbers?) & (b), why can’t this be a rolling process? There could be cadets who will be in the required age band but who won’t get their GCSE results (for the required subjects / grades, might have taken them late / needed re-sits, etc) until Aug 2025 - this current application date cut-off will discriminate against them.
I appreciate that there are other factors (AEF staffing, etc), but this is a 10 month lead time for known planning criteria - a “heads up” message - “We are waiting to confirm all criteria, but will be issuing a formal calling notice for ACPS in 4 week’s time - CFAVs / staff might like to look at the previous application details (below) to give preliminary guidance for any proposed applications.”
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this is a very good point.
RIAT has been running for 20 years and while the criteria/eligibility has changed a little over that time, there is often 5-8 months notice each year via the calling notice with series of deadlines all leading to application and selection ~3 months prior to the event.
that is a camp which has been 500-1200 personnel. while i accept there is little selection process in the main (there are some allocated roles to consider) this is managed readily by the volunteer(s).
I therefore agree with @MikeJenvey that a deadline in June for an event starting not before April, is far fetched at best…
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It would also be better to split this into 2 - 3 application tranches which would take into account a better time frame for cadets to have progressed a bit more through the blue / bronze / silver aviation packages & would also bring in GCSE results announced in Aug.
Or if the squadron wants to be ahead of the scheme, as this happens every year, set a date in the calendar way ahead any deadline (say March) and push for possible candidates so they are ready for when the official notification hits the inbox.
And this whole time I thought they were a myth
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Until the date / age eligibility is set in stone, not quite so easy.
I’ve already done a pre-filter based on the main criteria, namely age. We will only have 3 cadets who will be 18 by 20 Apr 2026; I suspect that most sqns will have (at best) 2 - 3 cadets, especially based on recruitment post-Covid & the new aging out protocols.
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