No, the wording is very carefully different. What we can’t do, is buy a membership from a BGA site and buy a set number of launches/minutes, then award them to a cadet. What we can do, it seems, is work out how much that might cost and give a cadet a cheque to do with it what they wish wink wink, nudge nudge.
Not just suggested, it was in progress. I was one of the drivers to include gliding in ACTO35 (as well as tidying up the inappropriate admin requirements ), & also assisted the then Reg Av O when consideration was being given to pre-approve some BGA facilities (youth centres) to streamline the ACTO35 approval process. We visited Cambridge Gliding Centre to discuss resources, logistics, the whole palaver. All very productive.
Howver, this concept died a very quick death - think it was pending the overall “larger” review.
You mean 2 FPS (Flying Prevention School) decided it might erode their power and actually allow some gliding to take place?
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So you could issue your cadets X money and point them in the direction of a few suitable places?
Or award a grant and refund the cost upon presentation of a receipt from their chosen gliding club that demonstrates the award’s purpose has been fulfilled?
Sounds pretty good.
Behind the scenes work could take place to perhaps provide a good package to cadets who enquire, provided they were genuinely responsible, with parents, for choosing what they did in private.
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I don’t think this is what is being said. The first option of giving money could be done, if they then choose to use that to fund themselves gliding then fine. I don’t think we can specifically pay for them to do the gliding which we would be if we’re reimbursing them on presentation of an appropriate invoice.
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Yay!..just been given my first gliding slots since July 2023. I’ve now only to decide which of the 60 cadets will get the 2 slots!
Interesting to see again we are promoting the Air League scholarships (as we should be), but reminding people they would take part as private individuals.
Having your cake and eating it springs to mind.
One of the discussion points when I met up with the Air League CEO recently… Great to have a formal connection - but how to use it???
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Not sure how else AOC 22 can do it - if we promote them actively but have no safety oversight, what happens if something goes wrong? Whereas if we promote them but say ‘obviously we don’t run this, so we can’t tell you if it’s safe - at your own risk’ that’s a sensible approach?
I know you’d think the Air League would be different but it’s not, really, any more than HCAP.
Surely, if we are that worried about private providers and their safety records we shouldn’t be advertising it at all is my point. We can’t use BGA clubs for this reason, so how come we’re allowed to promote these air league scholarships to cadets? Please note I’m not for one minute suggesting the Air League are unsafe, or that we shouldnt want to get cadets airborne, but the inconsistency of the approach to the two things confuses me.
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They set out MoIs, standards & suitable duty of care protocols with the providers. I’ve got copies. They seem very sensible / appropriate.
All RAFAC / AOC 22 Gp @Cab would have to do is check for comparable standards & perhaps add on a couple of RAFAC requirements (but hopefully not as restrictive as drone flying!). Use a suitable agreement letter (as was done for ACTO35) saying that external providers are being used.
Done deal…
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