No. 1 Flying Training School (United Kingdom)

No. 1 Flying Training School (United Kingdom). No. 1 Flying Training School (1 FTS) is a premier Royal Air Force training establishment responsible for elementary and basic flying instruction for future RAF pilots and Royal Navy observers. With a lineage dating to the immediate post-World War I era, it has evolved through numerous aircraft types and locations to become the cornerstone of UK military flying training. The school is currently based at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire, operating as part of the UK Military Flying Training System.

History

The school was originally formed on 1 May 1919 at RAF Netheravon, inheriting the mantle of the Central Flying School's training wing, and was tasked with standardizing pilot instruction across the fledgling Royal Air Force. It moved to RAF Leuchars in 1920, where it trained pilots on aircraft like the Avro 504 before relocating to RAF Digby in 1926. During the interwar period, 1 FTS was instrumental in developing the training syllabus that would produce the pilots for the Battle of Britain. The school was disbanded in 1942 amidst the reorganization of World War II training, but was reformed post-war at RAF Spitalgate in 1947, flying the de Havilland Tiger Moth and later the Percival Prentice. It underwent several reforms and redesignations, including a period as the Central Flying School from 1953 to 1965, before being re-established in its current form at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in 1965, flying the Scottish Aviation Bulldog. A significant move occurred in 1995 when it transferred to RAF Cranwell to operate the Slingsby Firefly, before finally consolidating at RAF Shawbury in 2000.

Aircraft and operations

Throughout its history, the school has operated a wide array of training aircraft, beginning with biplanes like the Avro 504 and de Havilland Tiger Moth. Post-war, it introduced the Percival Prentice and the de Havilland Chipmunk for primary training. The jet age saw the introduction of the BAC Jet Provost at various points, while the 1960s and 70s featured the Scottish Aviation Bulldog. From the 1990s, the Slingsby Firefly became the primary elementary trainer. Since the early 2000s, its core aircraft has been the Eurocopter AS350 Squirrel helicopter for multi-engine pilot and rear crew training, and it now also operates the Prefect T1 (Grob G 120TP) for fixed-wing elementary flying training as part of the UK Military Flying Training System contract with Ascent Flight Training.

Notable personnel

Many distinguished aviators have served as instructors or students at the school. Notable former students include Douglas Bader, the legendary fighter pilot of the Battle of Britain, and Johnnie Johnson, the RAF's top World War II fighter ace. Renowned test pilot and author Nevil Shute served as an instructor during the 1920s. Senior officers who passed through include Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham, a former Chief of the Air Staff, and Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton. Former Red Arrows pilots and commanders, such as Squadron Leader Dickie Duckett, have also been part of its instructional staff.

Locations

The school has been based at numerous Royal Air Force stations across the UK. Its founding location was RAF Netheravon on Salisbury Plain. It spent significant periods at RAF Leuchars in Fife, RAF Digby in Lincolnshire, and RAF Spitalgate near Grantham. Other key postings include RAF Syerston, RAF Ternhill, and RAF Church Fenton. From 1965 to 1995, it was principally located at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire, before a five-year tenure at RAF Cranwell, the home of the RAF College Cranwell. Since 2000, its permanent home has been RAF Shawbury in Shropshire, where it is colocated with Defense Helicopter Flying School and No. 2 Flying Training School.

Role and training syllabus

1 FTS is responsible for the Elementary Flying Training phase for all UK military student pilots destined for fast-jet, multi-engine, and rotary-wing streams, as well as initial training for Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm observers. Its syllabus, delivered under the UK Military Flying Training System, focuses on core aviation fundamentals, including basic handling, instrument flying, navigation, and formation flying. Students progress from synthetic trainers to the Prefect T1 or Squirrel helicopter, undergoing rigorous assessment before selection for their specialized advanced training streams at establishments like RAF Valley or RAF Barkston Heath. The school also plays a key role in grading and selecting potential Red Arrows display pilots.

Category:Royal Air Force training schools Category:Flying training schools Category:Aviation in the United Kingdom