(Photo from FOI linked below, so although marked OS, has been released by MOD into public domain)
Some info there regarding hours. My understanding from reading this whole FOI is that this ACPS is essentially costing nothing, because they are not adding any resources, they are instead reallocating resources that already exist?
PDF Page 5, Para 2 Priorities. Our recommendation would be that 6 FTS continues to focus on increasing delivery of AEF flying for the 13—15-year-olds (recruitment);
Interesting that they seem to consider AEF as only for 13-15 year olds.
There is, thanks! Quite a focus in concentrating on the military side based on future career routes - high percentage of intakes for RAF trg seem to be ex-cadets.
Within the FOI quoted, there was a quoted exemption that was going to be investigated with the CAA; can’t remember if the final answer has materialised yet.
It did make me “chuckle” at the response that Cab got for linking “interesting aviation” AND “the RAF” as though the two factors were inextricably linked and inseparable.
I’m sure he must appreciate the number of former cadets that have progressed to careers within all manner of fields related to aviation - civil & military, following their career, however short or long lived within the RAFAC.
But if access to AEF opportunities is going to continue to be restricted, while emphasising the potential STEM / Cyber aspects of the RAF, then HQAC might as well change the name of the organisation (AGAIN) to simply RAF Cadets… and drop the second Air…
I have been asked by keen cadets on our sqn about other RAFAC flying / gliding scholarships.
We are waiting for a new facility - an Astra Ground School (AGS) to come on line (for our wg, at RAF Wittering).
I believe that Silver Gliding Scholarship selection process (SGS) will be different once the AGS is ready. As far as I’m aware, current application process is paused.
The route will be Blue Wings > Bronze Wings (with AGS - 2 day cse?) > paper sift for preference order > awarded a space.
I understand that AGS will be very involved for both ACPS & SGS.
Whilts it’s a structured route (how many changes I have seen so far in the last decade?), there will undoubtedly by a resource limit for how many cadets can attend AGS Bronze & onwards (ACPS considerations). The AEFs / VGS still still not be able to offer enough slots for all cadets, & especially those who won’t be able to attend AGS (or who are not selected after Bronze, etc).
As such, separate to any consideration for using CAA ATOs for ACPS, we still need to focus on getting approval for flights in non-Service aircraft.
Possibly an older interpretation however when I was a cadet in the early 2000’s, the idea was starting to be brought in then. That “AEF targeted” 13-15 year olds for 2 unofficial reasons
In line with typical age of 1st Class/Leading Cadet which the primary subjects focused on the syllabus were airmanship related
Most AEF operate mid-week only for RAFAC (ATC back then) and the likelihood is most 13-15 year olds aren’t taking exams such as GCSE’s or A-Levels so doesn’t affect taking them out for a day as much.
The idea was then between 15-17 your concentration would be on gliding with VGS and obtaining your gliding scholarship before if you were lucky enough going back to flying through either a bursary or Tayside etc.