I’m not quite sure where those statistics are coming from. The original mention was of EFATOs being the “No. 1 risk to life”. The above quote seems to be limiting it to flying for cadets and as far as I know there have been three cadet deaths in recent times, all in Tutors and all the result of mid air collisions. EFATOs may happen, but they don’t seem to result in fatalities.
They could be the no. 1 risk to life in terms of ‘incidents where life was risked’ without resulting in fatalities. The fatality numbers are (thank God) so low as to be statistically insignificant.
Those saying powered ac and winch operations can’t be safely combined could usefully talk to the many places where they are - e.g. I recently flew into Lee-on-Solent aka Daedalus Airfield, where they were doing so quite happily. (And the air-ground operator turned out to be a VGS instructor and former ATC cadet, which made for an interesting chat in the tower when I popped up to pay.)
i am not saying it personally, I am simpy paraphrasing the review where the high and mighty in the Ivory Towers say it…
yes it can be done, yes it is done, but based on their words in their review some VGS site would be unsuitable…
let me make it easier for all why I have stood on the stance of conventional gliders isn’t a option for all…
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So why has the ACO just bought 25 winches?
sigh
for the Viking based VGSs
I am not saying that Vikings won’t be used, just that the above clearly states they cannot be 100% use throughout the VGS group
The latest from the horses mouth
Dear Guys
You may be aware we have 2 Viking ac at RAF Syerston , recovered by SS and we flew the first air test on Friday; I expect the second air test today or tomorrow. We continue to be in negotiations with Babcock to finalise delivery rates of the Viking fleet.
We have 4 Vigilant ac at RAF Syerston, 2 are longish sick with GRP repairs. A fifth is expected in Jan . SERCO have sent an ac to Marshalls to trial an alternative recovery line.
Staffing is still in hand with the laydown paper and powered /unpowered mix of ac. I am hopeful it will go to CAS this week? I am still uncertain if we will have the results before Xmas. Be assured we will follow the decision with a robust engagement campaign.
I will update you further if/when any changes
Regards
JM
Comdt 2 FTS
Interesting that they claim RAF Halton is unsuitable for Vikings when the RAFGSA operate out of the same airfield without any issues…
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They can’t see beyond of the end of their noses?
Have their own agenda and can’t be bothered to look / see what works / others do?
I was just about to mention Halton. The winch launched RAFGSA operation operates alongside the power runway without much trouble. Of course it may be that the Air Cadet Hierarchy does not consider that side by side operation is safe, which is interesting as the main user of the power runway (until the pause) was… 613 VGS with Vigilants.
Tell me about it, on my GS the bloody winch launch mob took off while we were in the circuit and had called finals. My instructor was less than amused!
A winch launch is hardly an issue to you if you’re on final’s then, is it.
A Vigilant has appeared at Marshalls of Cambridge…
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Quite fitting really…
[PICTURE IN BREACH OF AUP REMOVED]
How very mature…
Don’t the RAFGSA at Halton us tugs rather than winch launching?
They used to be winch launched, but that might have changed, it’s been a lot of years since we have had cause to go to a glider airfield!
the review i quote is from 2012…so quite possibly out of date
Why don’t you just all wait and see?
There & been a lot of waiting (& little or no “seeing”) over the extended “pause” so far…
Going on previous 2FTS performance, communication & a myriad of other aspects, a lot of CFAVs aren’t holding their breath.