Air Cadets grounded?
No Cambee Kenley does not need a fence on its 'historic' peri-track.
This thread is about ATC Gliding (and its future). Kenley has played a huge part in that for decades, and we wish it to continue for the future.
Unfortunately the decisions are coming from the same (pit of despair) that caused the 'pause'. Kenley is above such incompetence and deserves a far better chance to properly serve the Air Cadets for years to come.
Simple really; Kenley is either an airfield or not. If so (which it is) then the decisions should be based on preserving it as a flying field utilising the space to every advantage.
Even the historic element is not served by an out of character structure on its peri-trac (all part of its scheduled area).
Completely mad decisions made by those out of touch with both its historic element, and good practice for a flying operation.
This thread is about ATC Gliding (and its future). Kenley has played a huge part in that for decades, and we wish it to continue for the future.
Unfortunately the decisions are coming from the same (pit of despair) that caused the 'pause'. Kenley is above such incompetence and deserves a far better chance to properly serve the Air Cadets for years to come.
Simple really; Kenley is either an airfield or not. If so (which it is) then the decisions should be based on preserving it as a flying field utilising the space to every advantage.
Even the historic element is not served by an out of character structure on its peri-trac (all part of its scheduled area).
Completely mad decisions made by those out of touch with both its historic element, and good practice for a flying operation.
Cats The question is the positioning of the fence. No one is saying that the public should be allowed to wander without some sort of 'reference point'.
The point in question is the fence should be away (on the non airfield side) of the peri-track giving more 'space' for operations and emergencies.
As it is intended to allow the public access at non flying times I do not see any point in reducing the flying area even more when flying is in progress, as the public can wander around the peri-track and see it in its original state.
The other important issue is the structure would alter the original character of the scheduled area that bears no relationship to its original use and purpose.
Kenley is important from both an Air Cadets and a historic point, and a structure on the peri-track in no advantage to either.
Half the problem is those involved in making the decisions do not operate from the location, and are used to large airfields without 'issues'. letter on its way to Croydon Council reminding them of the historic importance of this scheduled area and pointing out that the proposal is not beneficial to both aviation safety or a historically valuable site.
The point in question is the fence should be away (on the non airfield side) of the peri-track giving more 'space' for operations and emergencies.
As it is intended to allow the public access at non flying times I do not see any point in reducing the flying area even more when flying is in progress, as the public can wander around the peri-track and see it in its original state.
The other important issue is the structure would alter the original character of the scheduled area that bears no relationship to its original use and purpose.
Kenley is important from both an Air Cadets and a historic point, and a structure on the peri-track in no advantage to either.
Half the problem is those involved in making the decisions do not operate from the location, and are used to large airfields without 'issues'. letter on its way to Croydon Council reminding them of the historic importance of this scheduled area and pointing out that the proposal is not beneficial to both aviation safety or a historically valuable site.
Last edited by POBJOY; 9th Feb 2018 at 18:16.
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Half the problem is those involved in making the decisions do not operate from the location, and are used to large airfields without 'issues'. letter on its way to Croydon Council reminding them of the historic importance of this scheduled area and pointing out that the proposal it not beneficial to both aviation safety or a historically valuable site.
IIRC, when the knackered old wood and canvas hangar at KY finally gave up the ghost due to an exceptionally heavy snowfall it was perfectly obvious to anyone with half a brain why it had happened.
And yet the CO still got a phone call from someone 'on high' asking why it had happened and what he had done about it on the day..
"I wasn't here Sir and only learned about the collapse after the event"
Well why weren't you there?
Because I was at work Sir..
Yes, so you were in your office at KY
No Sir, I was at work.....
Etc etc
Last edited by cargosales; 9th Feb 2018 at 17:55. Reason: gramma
I Think JM and his ilk are actually quite jealous of the hard facts that before all of this 'over control' of everything took hold the 'Schools' were sending hundreds of Cadets solo without any real issues. The fact is the expertise was at the coal face and the results stand the test of time and scrutiny. Frelon knows Kenley as well as I do, and also knows how the spirit of the location was an important part of the experience for the Cadets, and the benefit the Air Cadet organisation has/had from its existence. With the ongoing lack of locations and knowing the system will never be as it was, it is even more important for the surviving airfields like Kenley to be 'guarded' for future generations, AND THE BEST POSSIBLE AVIATION FACILITY PROVIDED FOR SAFE OPERATIONS. Flying must come first and everything else revolve around it. There is plenty of time & room at Kenley for the public to experience this unique time warp that still provides an aviation facility. There is no point in having a scheduled historic area if you do not think carefully about how you protect it without destroying more of its original surviving infrastructure.
A fence ON a peri-track is ridiculous and achieves nothing, it needs to be on the common where it belongs,and always was.
A fence ON a peri-track is ridiculous and achieves nothing, it needs to be on the common where it belongs,and always was.
Sorry guys, I am bored with this thread: Are the Air cadets still grounded as of 10 Feb 2018? I was lucky enough to go solo as a 17 year old Cadet at RAF Locking in 1983, so am not trying to being rude. Just asking...
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I agree. this Kenley business should have its own thread. Not a tear was shed when the historic airfield at Meir which assembled Liberators during WW2 (also the home of an ATC squadron) was taken over by developers and covered in houses. I learnt to fly there.
The last Tweet (none since!) by JM on 11 Mar 2016 said..
So you can see how hard they have been working to get those gliders back with Air Cadets in them!
The good news is that
Glider Recovery published 2fts priorities 1. Man manage personnel on VGSs standing down 2. Recover safe resilient cadet gliding ASAP Com2fts
The good news is that
Initiative to increase successful PTT output this year.
I explained that Wing Routine Orders required mains power off when the building was unoccupied.
'How often is that?' came the question. 'Every wednesday evening until friday evening, then after friday parade it's normally off until the following wednesday'.
They had no idea we only used the building (normally) twice a week.
Never got the illuminated signs either.
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I have the sad duty of reporting the death of enigmaviation this morning. A first class friend and tireless worker for the air cadet movement. He will be missed. RIP Ian.
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May I add my sincere condolences. I swapped PM's with Enigma on a number of occasions, and he was always informative, helpful and friendly. As well as highly knowledgable. He clearly loved his work with air cadets.
Sorely missed.
Engines
Sorely missed.
Engines
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Please reconsider your comment.
I never met the chap nor even exchanged messages with him on here but when it's a 'member of the (extended) family who by all accounts was a top bloke and gave countless hours to the Air Cadets then it has every right to be on this thread.....
Nuff said
CS
I never met the chap nor even exchanged messages with him on here but when it's a 'member of the (extended) family who by all accounts was a top bloke and gave countless hours to the Air Cadets then it has every right to be on this thread.....
Nuff said
CS
Cats, that is stooping so low, even lower than your previous negative postings about Air Cadet gliding. As you have said before, you know nothing about Air Cadet gliding and what it's instructors have given to the youth of today!
Thanks Enigma for your many years support. RIP.
Thanks Enigma for your many years support. RIP.