Central Flying School

Central Flying School. Established in 1912 at Upavon on Salisbury Plain, it is the world's oldest military flying training school. Founded by the Royal Flying Corps, its primary mission has been to train flight instructors and standardize flying training doctrine across the British Armed Forces. The school has been pivotal in developing aviation techniques and producing generations of elite pilots for the Royal Air Force and allied nations.

History

The school was formed by a directive from the War Office following the pioneering work of early aviators and the recommendations of the Haldane Reforms. Its first commandant was Captain Godfrey Paine of the Royal Navy. During the First World War, it was instrumental in rapidly expanding pilot training for the Western Front, with many graduates serving in squadrons like No. 56 Squadron RAF. It moved to RAF Wittering in the 1920s and later to Little Rissington after the Second World War, where it oversaw the Jet Provost era. A significant merger occurred in 1995 when it combined with the RAF College Flying Wing at RAF Cranwell, its current home. Its history is commemorated at the RAF Museum London and the Fleet Air Arm Museum.

Role and function

The core function is to produce qualified flying instructors for the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy (Fleet Air Arm), and the British Army (Army Air Corps). It sets the central standard for all military flying training in the United Kingdom through the Standardisation flight. The school runs the prestigious Central Flying School Tutors display team and is responsible for evaluating and implementing new training syllabi. It also hosts international students from NATO and Commonwealth air forces, such as the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Aircraft

Throughout its history, the school has operated a vast array of training aircraft. Early types included the Avro 504 and the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2. Between the wars, it used the Avro Tutor and the Hawker Hart. Post-Second World War, it introduced the de Havilland Tiger Moth and later the Percival Provost. The jet age saw the adoption of the BAC Jet Provost and the Scottish Aviation Bulldog. Modern training has been conducted on the Grob Tutor and the Embraer Phenom 100. It currently operates the Prefect T1 and will transition to the Texan T1 as part of the UK Military Flying Training System.

Locations

The school was originally established at RAF Upavon on the Salisbury Plain training area. In 1926, it relocated to RAF Wittering near Stamford. After the Second World War, it moved to RAF Little Rissington in the Cotswolds, a key base during the Cold War. Since the 1995 merger, its permanent home has been RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, sharing the station with the Royal Air Force College. Temporary detachments and training have also occurred at RAF Barkston Heath and RAF Syerston.

Notable personnel

Many distinguished aviators have served as commandants, including Air Vice-Marshal Sir John Tremayne Babington and Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Rosier. Renowned First World War ace Major Lanoe Hawker was an early graduate and instructor. Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John Salmond oversaw its early development. Legendary test pilot Captain Eric Brown received instruction there. Famed aviator and author Nevil Shute served as a junior officer during the First World War. More recently, Red Arrows pilots and Battle of Britain veterans like Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader have strong associations with its training ethos.