The Future of Air Cadet Gliding

[XA310]

The Volunteer Gliding Squadrons that are due to be disbanded are: 611 Squadron currently based at RAF Honington, 612 Squadron currently based Dalton Barracks (Abingdon), 613 Squadron currently based at RAF Halton, 616 Squadron currently based at RAF Henlow, 618 Squadron currently based at RAF Odiham, 624 Squadron currently based at RMB Chivenor, 633 Squadron currently based at RAF Cosford, 634 Squadron currently based at MOD St Athan, 635 Squadron currently based at RAF Topcliffe, 636 Squadron currently based at Swansea Airport, 642 Squadron currently based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, 662 Squadron currently based at RMB Arbroath, 663 Squadron currently based at Kinloss Barracks and 664 Squadron currently based at Newtownards.

The Volunteer Gliding Squadrons that are due to be retained are the Central Gliding School and 644 Squadron currently based at RAF Syerston, 614 Squadron currently based at MDP Wethersfield, 615 Squadron currently based at RAF Kenley, 622 Squadron currently based at Trenchard Lines Upavon, 626 Squadron currently based at RNAS Predannack, 631 Squadron currently based at RAF Woodvale, 632 Squadron currently based at RAF Ternhill, 637 Squadron currently based at RAF Little Rissington, 661 Squadron currently based at RAF Kirknewton and 645 Squadron currently based at Topcliffe (from October 2019). 621 Squadron currently based at Hullavington will be retained at RNAS Merryfield.

[thommg]

It all came from a Ministerial Statement by Julian Brazier, Minister for Defence Procurement, earlier today.

It includes:

In April 2014 all Air Cadet Organisation gliding was paused due to airworthiness concerns with the Grob Viking conventional glider and Grob Vigilant motorglider fleets utilised by the Air Cadet Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGS). Substantial operational, technical and commercial negotiations with a range of aerospace leaders in this field have failed to find a value for money approach to successfully repair and recover all 146 gliders.

Consequently a comprehensive Air Cadet Organisation review has proposed restructuring this activity. It has been decided that the best value for money solution is to recover at least 73 Vikings, a reduced Vigilant fleet of up to 15 aircraft, combined with an uplift to Grob Tutor fixed wing Air Experience Flights (AEFs). The reduced glider fleet will be operated by significantly fewer, but larger, VGS, which will have a regional focus and be better integrated with synthetic training and increased AEF locations.

The number of Grob Tutor aircraft beyond 2017 for AEF/ Univers ity Air Squadron (UAS) use will go from 45 to 70 airframes, enabling the enlargement of existing AEFs and the formation of two new AEFs. Regional VGS hubs, which have the facility to provide overnight accommodation, will be also created across the UK.

There's also a line about increased use of "glider simulators" which sound a bit rubbish to me

I see BBC Wales have a report running here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-35777707

[reaper493]

Ever since Middleton was appointed OC we all new it was doomed. He was the regional commandant for North region air cadets, and he did a good job at wrecking that too. The next regional commandant stated his first job was to put all the things right that Middleton had done wrong, and let cadets get back to doing what cadets do Such a shame that another ACO core activity is being reduced, a sign of the times I guess.

[deerhunter]

Sad news,

My grandson is hoping to join the cadets very soon. I just hope he will have as much fun as I did. Although I wasn't in the air cadets
I was in the Sea cadets, being the first ever from my unit to get the naval airman badge at RNAS Arbroath (HMS Condor) at the tender age of 13.

I'll never forget that first time in a glider, and being allowed to take the controls of a Chipmunk, and not forgetting the rock buns and tea from the NAAFI wagon

Better than any simulator, or computer game !

[Sparts99]

I had no idea this was going on. How can a simulator get across the sensation of a winch launch ? that acceleration, near vertical climb (that's how it felt to me the first time), and the silence and weightless feeling after the clunk of cable release. Such a shame that the opportunities for experiencing this at next to no cost will be denied to younger people.

[Nighthawke]

... near vertical climb (that's how it felt to me the first time), and the silence and weightless feeling after the clunk of cable release.

I remember it as a terrifying gut-wrench and holding the sides of the Kirby Cadet rear cockpit for dear life! So much so that I declined my second and third launches

Went on to go solo by "cheating" in the Venture. Did try winch launch many years later but still hated that "drop" post cable release.

I know flying is not the be-all and end-all of being in the Corps but it is surely one of the big attractions. I sincerely hope that this will not deter many youngsters from joining and, in my opinion, giving themselves a head-start to adult life.