Central Flying School


The Central Flying School is the Royal Air Force's primary institution for the training of military flying instructors. Established in 1912, it is the longest existing flying training school. Its motto is Imprimis Praecepta which is Latin for "Our Teaching is Everlasting". It currently manages a series of training squadrons as well as the RAF Display Team.

History

It was established at Upavon Aerodrome, near Upavon, Wiltshire on 12 May 1912. It was later based at RAF Little Rissington, from 1946 to 1976. The CFS's first commandant was Captain Godfrey Paine RN. It has been responsible for instructor training since 1920, with pilot training being delegated to the Flying Training Schools.

Display teams

When the Red Arrows, the RAF's sole aerobatic team was formed by amalgamation of other teams, the responsibility was transferred to the CFS from Fighter Command.
The Red Arrows moved to RAF Scampton in 1983 when the CFS was moved there and out in 1995– though the Red Arrows returned in 2000.

Elementary flying training

The section started using de Havilland Chipmunk T.10 and Scottish Aviation Bulldog T.1.
In 2000 the Grob Tutor T.1 replaced the Scottish Aviation Bulldog as the initial trainer operated by the unit.

Fast jet training

During the 1950s the CFS was equipped with the Gloster Meteor. During 1976 the Hawker Siddeley Gnat T.1s were based at RAF Valley however during 1977 these were replaced as the CFS main advanced jet trainer by the Hawker Siddeley Hawk T.1.
From 1993 the Short Tucano took the place of the BAC Jet Provost.

Helicopter training

Helicopter instruction began in 1955 on the Westland Dragonfly and Bristol Sycamore at RAF South Cerney in Gloucestershire. It moved to RAF Ternhill in August 1961. From 1966, the Westland-built Sioux helicopter began service, lasting until 1973, when replaced with the Westland Gazelle HT.2s, much more reminiscent of modern-day helicopters. During the 1970s the Westland Whirlwind HAR.10s were also used and the School had a detachment at RAF Valley, Anglesey, Wales for SAR and mountain rescue training.
In 1997 the Gazelle HT.2's and HT.3's were replaced by the Squirrel, and the Griffin is also used. RAF Shawbury has been the home of the helicopter training school since 1977, becoming the Defence Helicopter Flying School in 1997. A satellite unit of the CFS is maintained at RAF Shawbury to train and develop helicopter instructors.

Current training squadrons

Under the new UK Military Flying Training System, provided by Ascent Flight Training, a consortium of Lockheed Martin and Babcock International, new aircraft will be procured for the pipeline:
UK military aircrew from all 3 services start their flying careers with elementary flying training:
Following EFT, aircrew students are streamed to either fast jet, rotary-wing or multi-engine pipelines.

Fast jet

Following Fast Jet training, successful students go on to the Typhoon or F-35 Lightning.

Multi-engine

Multi Engine students will go on to fly the C-17, Atlas, Hercules or Voyager transport aircraft or ISTAR assets like the Shadow, Sentry, Sentinel or Rivet Joint.

Rotary wing

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RAF rotary wing students stream onto the Chinook or the Puma HC.2.

Future system

Suitable pilots are trained as Qualified Flying Instructor on the Grob Tutor, Grob Prefect and Embraer Phenom at RAF College Cranwell. Texan and Hawk QFI's are trained by CFS personnel at RAF Valley. Helicopter instructors, both pilots and rearcrew, are trained at RAF Shawbury, home of No. 1 Flying Training School.
Flying instructors are awarded the Qualified Flying Instructor qualification for fixed-wing types. Helicopter instructors are referred to as Qualified Helicopter Instructors or Qualified Helicopter Crewman Instructors.

Commandants

Ranks given are the highest rank the officer in command held during his tenure.
1912 to 1919
1919 to 1920
1920 to 1944
1946 to present
Assistant Commandants