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All Flying Training Schools in existence were redesignated Service Flying Training Schools on 3 Sep 1939. In 1942 those SFTSs still extant in Britain were again redesignated as Advanced Flying Units (Pilots). Those schools reformed before 1947 reverted to the title SFTS but in April/May 1947 the title FTS was adopted again. Periods shown include those during which the designation SFTS was used but not the designation (P) AFU.
For details of Commanding Officers click on the symbol OCs under the FTS number.
| 'Ab Initio'/Basic Pilot Trainers | Advanced Pilot Trainers | Aircrew Trainers
No 1 Flying Training SchoolFormed at Netheravon on 23 December 1919 from the Netheravon Flying School, within No 7 Group It flew Avro 504Ks, Ns Sopwith Snipes DH9As and Bristol F2Bs. It was responsible for the training of Royal Naval officers for secondment to the Fleet Air Arm until 15 February 1928, when this role was transferred to RAF Training Base at Leuchars. No 1 FTS disbanded on 1 February 1931.
It was reformed by renaming RAF Base Leuchars on 1 April 1935, continuing its previous role of training RN officers for the FAA. In August 1938 it returned to Netheravon and on 1 September 1939 was renamed No 1 Service Flying Training School. It disbanded again on 7 March 1942 when Netheravon was allocated to No 30 Wing, Army Co-operation Command.
It did not reappear until World War Two when No 17 SFTS at Spitalgate was redesignated No 1 FTS, but eight months later, on 25 February 1948, it disbanded yet again. It once again reformed, this time at Oakington, on 1 December 1950, moving to Moreton-in-Marsh on 31 October 1951. At the same time Prentices replaced the Harvards but disbandment came again on 20 April 1955.
However, less then two weeks later, on 1 May 1955 No 22 FTS at Syerston was redesignated No 1 FTS. Equipped with Chipmunks, Provosts and Vampires, it moved to Linton-on-Ouse on 18 November 1957, where it remains to the present day (2004). In 1961 it received the Jet Provost and these were operated until replaced by Tucanos. The School squadrons adopted the identities of No 72 (Reserve) and No 207 (Reserve) Squadrons in July 2002.
No 2 Flying Training School 26/4/20 - 15/12/331/10/34 - 14/3/42
23/7/47 - 1/5/52
1/3/53 - 2/12/74
31/3/76 - 30/3/97
No 3 Flying Training School
26/4/20 - 1/3/42
17/12/45 - 31/5/58
15/9/61 - 26/4/84
1/2/89 -
Formed
at Abu Suier in Egypt on 1 April 1921 to train pilots, primarily for squadrons
based in the Middle East. Until 1935, it operated Avro 504s but when
responsibility for ab initio training in the UK was given to civilian
schools, 4 FTS was re-organised and re-equipped. The course length was
reduced to six months from nine and Tutors replaced the Avros, although the last
one did not leave until April 1936. Audaxes and Atlases also replaced
older types, such as the DH9 and Bristol F2b in the advanced training
role. In October 1938 a Navigation Flight was added to the school,
equipped with Ansons.
Two days before war was declared in Europe, 4 FTS ceased operations and moved to Habbaniya in Iraq. In February 1940, the name of the school was changed to No 4 Service Flying Training School and its role was effectively that of advanced training for personnel who had already received their elementary training in the UK or elsewhere. After the outbreak of war, it became increasing difficult to get such trainees from the UK and the school had to find them from such sources as Rhodesia, India and Malta. At around this time the school was also tasked with training observers and air gunners for the Middle East. But as the training systems in Rhodesia and South Africa built up during 1940 and 1941, it became obvious the the need for a school at Habbaniya was no longer valid and 4 FTS closed on 1 July 1941. From late April to June 1941, the school had operated its aircraft in an offensive role when a German inspired insurrection took place by Iraqi forces, which became known as the Battle of Habbaniya.
The school reformed at Heany in Southern Rhodesian on February 1947 as part of the Air Training Wing, Southern Rhodesia to train pilots and navigators at both ab initio and advanced levels. By January 1948, it had been found unwieldy to train both pilots and navigators, so the Ansons and navigator training were transferred to No 3 FTS at Thornhill and the Tiger Moths and Harvards of No 5 FTS from Thornhill, arrived at Heany. In 1951, the Tiger Moths were replaced by Chipmunks and from 1949 trainees also received officer training pending selection for commissions at the end of the flying training. This was further modified in November 1950 when all trainees who passed the initial training were commissioned and therefore completed their flying training as Acting Pilot Officers on Probation, the first such group arriving in May 1951. The closure of The Rhodesian Air Training Group meant the end of No 4 FTS, which disbanded on 26 January 1954.
However, it was not long before No 4 FTS was reformed when No 205 Advanced Flying School (AFS) at Middleton St-George, was re-designated on 1 June 1954. The school now trained National Service pilots in jet flying, but from January 1955, it received Vampire T Mk 11s and took on the role of advanced training of pilots who had already qualified for their 'Wings' on the (piston) Provost. The school also operated the single seat Vampire FB Mk 5 in the ground attack training role. In 1956 the school moved to Worksop, where it absorbed No 211 FTS, taking on their Meteors for 18 months before reverting to an all Vampire unit. The school disbanded again on 9 June 1958.
When 4 FTS closed in 1958, its role was transferred to No 7 FTS at Valley, but on 15 August 1960, 7 FTS was renumbered as No 4 FTS. At this time the school also took on the role of training multi engined pilots using the Varsity, but in 1962, this role was transferred to No 5 FTS at Oakington. In November 1962 the school took deliver of its first Folland Gnat and by August 1963, these had completely replaced the Vampires. The school now concentrated on the advanced training of fast jet pilots up to 'Wings' standard, following their basic fling training on the Jet Provost. In 1964, the school operated a five Gnat aerobatic team called the 'Yellow Jacks', which led to the creation the following year of the 'Red Arrows' at the Central Flying School.
In 1967, Hunters were received, equipping No 3 Squadron and the two types continued to train pilots until 1976. In that year the first Hawk arrived to begin replacing the Gnat, although it was November 1979 before the final Gnat course graduated. The first Hawk course began in July 1977 and the aircraft continue in the same role to the present day. In 1992 the the squadrons of 4 FTS were allocated defunct RAF squadron numbers. Initially No 19 Squadron training instructors, No 74, initial training and No 208, advanced and weapons training. With the disbandment of No 74 Squadron, its role was taken on by No 19 and this is the current situation (2005).
No 5 Flying Training School
Formed on 26 April 1920 at Shotwick, near Chester, it was one of the RAF’s main flying training units between World War One and World War Two. It eventually moved to Ternhill between 16 November and 17 December 1940. It operated the full range of RAF training aircraft including Avro 504 Ks, Bristol Fighters, Atlases, Siskins, Tutors, Harts, Oxfords and Masters. In June 1940 it lost the twin engined training role and it was redesignated No 5 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit on 1 April 1942.
It subsequently reformed from 23 April 1947 until 4 January 1948 at Thornhill as part of the Rhodesian Air Training Group and again from 22 January 1951 until 30 December 1953. It reformed for the last time on 1 June 1954 from No 206 Advanced Flying School at Oakington. It was equipped with Vampires and Meteors to covert pilots onto jets but in 1962 it converted to the training of multi-engined pilots on the Varsity. These were replaced by Jetstreams in 1974 and the school disbanded on 31 December of that year.
No 6 Flying Training School
26/4/20 - 1/4/221/4/35 - 1/4/42
17/12/45 - 30/6/68
1/5/70 - 31/3/96
During the move from Grantham to Manston (1920-21), it was not listed in the Air Force Lists.
No 7 Flying Training School
2/12/35 - ?/8/4021/12/44 - 14/4/54
1/6/54 - 15/8/60
13/3/62 - 30/11/66
2/4/79 - 30/9/94
Formed on 1 January 1936 at Montrose in No 23 Group, it was transferred to No 21 Group on 1 January 1939 and was renamed No 8 Service Flying Training School on 3 September 1939. It was equipped with Harts and Oxfords for both single and multi-engined training but on 24 June 1940 it re-classified as a single-engined (Group 1) school. It disbanded into No 2 Flying Instructors School on 25 March 1942 and its role was taken over by No 41 SFTS.
It was reformed at Dalcross in No 23 Group on 1 May 1951 as a result of the expansion brought about by the Korean War, equipped with Oxfords. A month later, on 1 June, it was renamed No 8 Advanced Flying School and in October 1952 was operating 64 Oxfords, I Tiger Moth and 5 Chipmunks. It disbanded on 1 December 1953.
Its final incarnation began on 1 June 1954 when No 203 Advanced Flying School at Driffield was redesignated. Equipped with Meteors initially, Provosts and Vampires were added later, before it moved to Swinderby on 22 August 1955. The school disbanded on 19 March 1964.
No 9 Flying Training School 2/3/36 - 14/2/421/12/51 - 1/5/54
1/7/54 - 16/2/55
No 10 Flying Training School 1/1/36 - 1/11/40
15/1/52 - 14/4/54
1/6/54 - 1/7/54
No 11 Flying Training School
Formed on 1 October 1935 at Wittering in No 23 Group, it was equipped with Harts, Furies and Audaxes. Ansons and Oxfords were added later and on 16 May 1938, it moved to Shawbury and was renamed No 11 Service Flying Training School on 3 September 1939. In June 1940 it was re-classified as a Group II school and concentrated on multi-engine training. It was disbanded by being redesignated No 11 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit on 14 March 1942.
It reformed on 1 June 1954 at Swinderby from No 201 Advanced Flying School, which trained navigators on Varsities. It was disbanded into No 2 Air Navigation School on 7 June 1955.
Formed at Grantham (Spittlegate) on 1 December 1938 in No 23 Group, it became the first FTS to receive the North American Harvard, advanced trainer. On 3 September 1939, it was redesignated No 12 Service Flying Training School, by which time the Harvards had left to be replaced by Harts and Oxfords. On 10 October 1939, it was transferred to No 21 Group and by May 1940, its equipment consisted of Harts, Battles and Ansons. On 8 October 1940, it was reclassified as a Group II school concentrating on the training of twin engined pilots and by the following May its establishment had been standardised on Oxfords, however, on 1 April 1942, it was disbanded by being redesignated No 12 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit.It reformed on 1 June 1954 at Weston Zoyland from No 209 Advanced Flying School. It operated a Jet Conversion Course and No 3 All-Weather Jet Refresher Squadron, being equipped with Meteor T Mk 7s for these purposes. On 1 May 1955, the Jet Conversion Course moved to the RAF Flying College at Manby and No 3 AWJR Squadron transferred to RAF Strubby, with No 12 FTS disbanding on 24 June 1955.
No 13 Flying Training School
17/3/39 - 27/10/39
No 14 Flying Training School was formed on 1 April 1939 at Kinloss to train pilots on more advanced types following completion of an elementary flying course. For this purpose it was equipped with both Harvards and Oxfords and was tasked with training both single seat and multi-engine pilots. On the outbreak of war, it designation was changed to No 14 Service FTS.
In April 1940, the school moved out of Kinloss, which was required as an operational station and re-located to Cranfield and in August was re-classified as a Group II school, which specialised in training multi-engine pilots. By September 1940, it was equipped with 108 Oxfords and used a number of Relief Landing Grounds at Long Newnton (November - December 1940), Sibson (December 1940 - June 1941), Twinwood Farm (June - August 1941 and West Raynham (‘A’ Flight only, February - March 1941).
On 16 August 1941, the school moved to Lyneham in Wiltshire, using Long Newnton (August 1941 - January 1942 and Wanborough (August 1941 - January 1942) at RLGs. Another move took place on 19 January 1942, when the school re-located to Ossington, but seven days later it was redesignated No 14 (P) AFU (see below).
No 14 Advanced FTS reformed on 3 March 1952 at Holme-on-Spalding Moor, equipped with Oxfords and Prentices, using Elvington as an RLG from May 1952 but disbanded again on 31 January 1953.
No 15 Flying Training School
1/5/39 - 1/3/4223/2/52 - 12/5/52
No 16 Service Flying Training School
9/6/41 - 18/12/46
No 17 Service Flying Training School
20/3/44 - 18/6/47
No 19 Flying Training School
1/5/45 - 17/4/47
No 20 Flying Training School
3/4/45 - 23/7/47
No 20 Service Flying Training School
10/7/40 - ?/4/46Rhodesian Air Training Group
No 21Flying Training School
3/4/45 - 18/9/46
No 21 Service Flying Training School
8/10/40 - 18/5/45Rhodesian Air Training Group
No 22 Flying Training School
6/2/41 - 30/9/45*22/10/45 - 1/5/55
*Rhodesian Air Training Group
No 23 Service Flying Training School
2/6/41 - 30/9/45Rhodesian Air Training Group
No 31 Service Flying Training School
15/9/40 - 14/8/44Canada
No 32 Service Flying Training School
9/12/40 - 17/10/44Canada
No 33 Service Flying Training School
26/12/40 - 1/12/44Canada
No 34 Service Flying Training School
11/3/41 - 17/11/44Canada
No 35 Service Flying Training School
19/8/41 - 25/2/41Canada
No 36 Service Flying Training School
28/9/41 - 3/11/44Canada
No 37 Service Flying Training School
22/10//41 - 10/3/44Canada
No 38 Service Flying Training School
27/4/42 - 11/2/44Canada
No 39 Service Flying Training School
15/12/41 - 24/3/44Canada
No 41 Service Flying Training School
5/1/42 - 22/1/44Canada
No 207 Flying Training School
1/6/54 - 21/7/54Canada
No 211 Flying Training School
1/6/54 - 9/6/56Canada
1 (Polish) Flying Training School
28/11/40 - 9/6/41
1 (Indian) Service Flying Training School
1/11/40 - 1/4/46No's 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 FTS's were planned to be set up in France in 1940, but the German victory ended all such plans.
Formed xx xxx 2003 as a tri-service training unit to provide ab-initio training to member of all three services, prior to streaming onto either Fast-Jet, Multi-Engine or Helicopters. Although nominally based at RAF Cranwell, its flying element operates from nearby Barkston Heath.
Defence Helicopter Flying School
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RAF History Index