So the UAS continued flying, and the AEF didn’t, what is the difference in risks then?
So they are not selling any then?
Take it elsewhere please.
Vigilants aren’t part of our VGS capacity therefore not relevant here and the sale has been discussed on other threads already.
I think (might be mis-remembering something) that because the other flying units are UAS, their members are part of the RAF and so as part of their training can be subjected to more risk than air cadets who are, fundamentally, civilian children.
Different risk factors for different runways i.e where to land if the engine fails?
Woodvale has runways with some higher risk factors (climb out over the sea or limited options) which makes those runways unsuitable for cadet flying.
Therefore, the UAS should be closed for the same reason then.
Past tense. And you’re arguing they should have been grounded, not closed.
And again, no. Different rules apply.
It’s the RAF’s trainset and they decide the rules. They have said it is not within the safe parameters for one group, but just within the safe parameters for a different group. End of.
And we have wandered violently from the point…
Has anyone seen this?
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I have 2 Cadets who have “C” Gliding badges after going solo at a local gliding club who have a fantastic junior section, one has part share in his own glider and flies as often as he can, he waxes lyrical on unit about aerobatics etc. When he visited the VGS he was informed that he would have to start from the beginning on the “Syllabus”, this is where the productivity falls down as the VGS’s are regulated so rigidly as to not accommodate the exception to the rule.
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It would appear to me that the introduction of a glider training syllabus more akin to the parent service’s aaproach to traning put the emphasis in the wrong place. Most of those who have experiened a glider launch describe it as life changing. At the extremes those who relish the opportunity to progress and hone their skills and those.you could not pay to go glider flying again. Surely the RAFAC would benefit fron getting as many cadets flying asap. A safety brief and go. The demand for further use of a scare resourse might then be better allicated but the USP of the organisation reestablished?
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Apologies for spelling; fat fingers small device.
What were you expecting the VGS to do let him sign out a viking and crack on?
Of course not. But maybe not put him through lesson one.
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My query is more like why “waste” a VGS slot on someone that has so much gliding experience?
I know we want everyone to get a fair shot at all the opportunities, and not be at a disadvantage because they could afford to fly privately… but surely that Blue Wings slot would be better used with a cadet with less experience, that doesn’t have any badges
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I was thinking that. As it would bring few advantages to the individual.
Also taking a parallel example, in the shooting world we’d not let someone skip the first few CLFs because they claimed to have done them before at a civvie club so it would be the same for aviation. They’d just move through it more quickly.
If someone rocked up at EFT or even to a UAS having gained a PPL, they don’t skip the early lessons. They might get through them faster than complete beginners, but they’re expected to learn everything from scratch the RAF way.
I don’t see gliding being different just because it’s cadets. Yes, start at lesson 1, but only take 2 minutes rather than 5.
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Except in the UAS/EFT you’re teaching them to fly. The VGS are not set up to do that. They are there to give air experience. I agree though that I wouldn’t have taken that cadet unless no one else wanted the slot
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The existence of a progressive training syllabus does suggest otherwise, though.
Except we as an organisation recognise Civvy gliding by giving a badge for it, in the same way that you get your band badge from prior experience.
Agree I wouldn’t have given them the slot though.
The lack of regular slots gives the lie to the PTS
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You’re wrong on that one. The VGS teach cadets to fly, a AEF does not. Every exercise a cadet is taught at a VGS is by people who are qualified to teach (unlike at an AEF). Everything is focused on progression through training, even the cadets first flight introduced stability, primary effects and other key factors.
But I agree, don’t send cadets with loads of flying on blue wings gliding. Let a cadet who’s not got the money to pay for it themselves or hasn’t had the opportunity have a go.