The Ministry of Defence has released a tender notice for the provision of pilot cadet training as part of the Air Cadet Pilot Scholarship Scheme (ACPS).
The scheme, aimed at Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) aged 18 to 19 years, comprises members from Community Air Training Corps Squadrons and the Combined Cadet Force (RAF).
The objective of the scheme, according to the tender notice, is to provide ground instruction and Single Engine Piston (SEP) aircraft flying training. The tender indicates that the aim is to “safely provide SEP flying training to Solo Flying Standard for selected Air Cadets in pursuit of the primary objective of the RAFAC.”
This will result in either a successful solo flight, or a ‘Ghosted’ solo flight in cases where medical or other restrictions apply.
According to the tender notice, courses must include 12 hours of flying instruction, ground schooling, and 13 nights’ accommodation and meals for a maximum of 150 students per year. Emphasising the overall goal of the programme, the notice stipulates that it is “essential that each student should finish training with a renewed enthusiasm for aviation.”
Service providers are expected to foster a corporate spirit among students, emphasising teamwork as well as personal achievement. During poor weather conditions, providers should ensure students are “usefully, productively and appropriately occupied.”
The contract, valued between £0-£2M, spans three years, from the estimated delivery date of 22 October 2023. Potential suppliers have until 11:00 on 9 August 2023 to submit their tenders.
The Ministry has expressed the intention to re-tender the contract in the future, indicating potential further opportunities for service providers in this field.
How many times has this been pointed out on here. “The outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022 saw ‘the game changed’ for the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoon Force, massively increasing its flight hours and the level of support needed to maintain operations. Speaking at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) show at Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford in Gloucestershire, Jez Milne, UK Typhoon Support Delivery director, BAE Systems – Air, said that Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine in 2022 saw an enormous effort from industry to sustain the increased demand being placed on the RAF’s Typhoon… Read more »
What has this got to do with Air Cadet training?
Posted in the wrong 🧵in error. What’s your take on it?
A few circuits in a Chipmunk now seem like a lifetime ago !
Remember that, RAF Valley. Many years ago when I was a cadet ,also in a glider, loved it.
Both my Sons were apart of their Schools CCF cadre ok they went too Boarding School , as it stands do state schools have CCF ? If not then it seems that the pool for RAF pilots would be seen as elitist coming from a privileged schooling background by some people who wish too erode the way we do things in Britain
I often wonder about the CCF. My school had RAF and Army dets.
Thanks Daniele, the old Hms Kent DLG was alongside Whale Island and was primarily used by Schools with a CCF cadre some of the Lads having too serve on her would often scoff at them for being entitled little gits when In reality they tòo could of sent their kids to boarding school under the king George V fund for Sailors as I did
From memory I’m pretty sure the main RN CCF Centre is still on Whale Island, next to where HMS Bristol was and where Leach Bldg is.
Yeah it’s still there at the sailing centre after the old girl Bristol my old ship decommissioned last year the last Falklands ship she’s still alongside the pontoon looking really forlorn and tacky
Oh, I’d assumed she’d long been towed away.
She was there in June the missus took a trip round the harbour sent a photo too some of my old shipmates they weren’t too happy to see the state of a fine 1 of a kind lady
I wonder if the cadets will procure the Swift next.
Any update on the situation?