[quote=“the silverback” post=20922][quote]Full flying by all VGS at own base locations – Jan 16[/quote] :ohmy:
2FTS.[/quote]
Simply a joke. Yet more furious anger caused by this organisation.
[quote=“pEp” post=20924][quote=“the silverback” post=20922][quote]Full flying by all VGS at own base locations – Jan 16[/quote] :ohmy:
2FTS.[/quote]
Simply a joke. Yet more furious anger caused by this organisation.[/quote]
doesn’t mean there won’t be some full flying at some locations or a partial program at all locations well before that though?
That will make it nearly 2yrs to get a slack handful of stringbags back to full flying capability.
What an absolute joke.
Full details out as Announcent on Bader Sharepoint; but for those who don’t have access -
BRIEFING ON THE RECOVERY PLAN FOR AIR CADET GLIDING
As you are aware ACO gliding was paused in Apr 14 in order to address airworthiness concerns and a sample fleet of 5 Vigilant and 5 Viking aircraft are currently being ‘baselined’ at RAF Syerston. This work includes a full strip-down and a review of all available paperwork for each aircraft. Once this process is complete, it will provide the evidence on which to demonstrate the airworthiness of the 2 fleets and gliding can recommence
The plan for recovery to full flying after the engineering assurance work is complete comprises 4 parts:
a. All ACCGS staff instructors will regain currency on the Syerston Fleet between Nov and Dec 14
b. VGS staff will regain currency as determined by 2 FTS, initially at Syerston commencing Jan 15
c. VGS staff will carry out SCT and confirm instructional qualifications; initially at 4 Regional Centres (RCs)
d. VGS, once cleared by 2 FTS to operate from their base locations, will recommence cadet flying in stages – initially limited to Gliding Induction Courses before being cleared by CGS/CFS to instruct to solo standard.
In order to facilitate a prompt return to flying, operations will initially be restricted to VGS staffs flying at ACCGS, RAF Syerston, and the 4 RC; Topcliffe, Kirknewton, Hullavington and Little Rissington. During 2015 Wg affiliations to VGSs will be subject to temporary change. This is to ensure an equitable distribution of gliding across the ACO.
The key milestones for the recovery plan, using current assumptions, are:
a. ACCGS QGIs recurrent by Dec 14
b. First VGS staff recurrent by Jan 14 and cleared to fly for own instructor re-currency training
c. Limited cadet flying Gliding induction Courses only, no solo, by selected VGSs – Spring
d. Limited cadet flying Gliding induction Courses/ Gliding Scholarships by selected VGSs – Autumn 15
e Full flying by all VGS at own base locations – Jan 16
The recovery of ACO Gliding is an extremely complicated piece, which WILL be subject to amendment from external influences so we must remain measured and open to change. There is no ‘quick fix . My top priority is to minimise the risk to life to both cadets and staff. No cadets will be flown at a VGS until it has been cleared to operate by ACCGS and CFS during independent assessments and ownership of the Flying Recovery Programme remains with 2 FTS. Each ac will have undergone a rigorous inspection by engineers. Throughout this activity RAFGSA gliding scholarships will remain available for cadets. 2015 is a year for consolidation of the ACO gliding piece with the recovery being undertaken in a measured way. 2016 is the year for developing the ACO Aerospace Centre for Excellence, at RAF Syerston, with gliding taking a leading role. Follow progress on future aerospace activities on ” facebook.com/no2fts”
Original signed
J MIDDLETON
Gp Capt
OC 2 FTS
As someone who operates a fairly modern commercial jet aircraft, I am intrigued at the drawn-out timescale necessary to get comparatively simple aircraft back into the air.
It would be useful to have an insight into the precise requirements faced here:
On a complex, modern, commercial aircraft, there are normally mandatory engineering modifications or reviews, such as when an item has higher than normal fail rate issues, or there has been a design improvement. However, I cannot believe that there have been so many such requirements during the life so far for the (basic) Vigilants or Vikings. Of course, the strip-down & review will depend on the number of certified technicians; I don’t know this.
For the return to flying, the currency issues will have to be addressed - but again, without an accurate idea of number of pilots (or the complexity/timescale of planned refresher training), or the availability of suitable airframes, this is again difficult to understand.
I would have a quick guess that there are 55+ Vigilants & 100 Vikings; the Vigilants had modifications from the basic Grob, so probably no real exact comparative model elsewhere. However, the Viking is a basic 2 seat glider; would it be cost (& time effective) to lease an equivalent (or newer) model (10 airframes?) to allow the pure gliding aspects to be resumed quicker? At the very least, they could be used to get staff instructors back into currency much sooner.
[quote=“Gunner” post=20927]That will make it nearly 2yrs to get a slack handful of stringbags back to full flying capability.
What an absolute joke.[/quote]
The problem is reading the blurb, the people implimenting it haven’t got to explain it to youngsters eager and read to go.
Now put it up on the noticeboard where gliding details are put and leave it to the cadets to decide, as I can’t be bothered trying to explain it.
That’s good news Mike. Some Sqns have a fair number of cadets’ parents with English as a second language, and perhaps no PC or printer at home, which needs to be considered. That then tends to put the OC in the position of having to help interpret and complete the form with the parent(s) on a screen at the Sqn to get the cadet flying. I have discussed the form with a paramedic instructor who thought it was much too ‘technical’ for the average parent in places, so simplification would be good too. I do understand the need for a form to mitigate issues in the air, and in a possible parachute descent, but it has to be fit for purpose across a wide range of households.
News just in*
the ACO AV Med Form 1 has now been changed, and ACTOs eddited to follow suit.
to summarise
the form is valid for three months
introduction of a hard copy form (tick box rather than drop downs)
a comments box on the form for parents to add further details
tidying up of the form (including taking colour out)
confirmation TG forms are not required (in the ACTOs)
see ACO announcements for further details
They seem to have covered most of the aspects that I sent in - even to slightly “de-militiarise” the parental declaration. B)
“Unstable or brittle medIcal condition” is still a bit vague though!
Anyone know what the latest is with VGS getting back flying?
No change from my email of Sep 14.
No change from my email of Sep 14.[/quote]
You are John Middleton and I claim my £5.
No change from my email of Sep 14.[/quote]
You are John Middleton and I claim my £5.[/quote]
God no; no way would I do a job like that…
The Tutor replacement program is well under way. The MOD have opted for a pay-as-you-go funding model though. (£2 coins accepted)
Do we still need the medical form for that?