No. 7 Flying Training School RAF

No. 7 Flying Training School RAF. It was a dedicated training unit of the Royal Air Force responsible for instructing pilots in advanced flying techniques. Established in the pre-war period, the school had three distinct periods of operation, adapting to the evolving needs of the RAF through different eras. Its final and longest incarnation was as a key provider of fast-jet training for decades, operating from its well-known base in North Wales.

History

The school was first formed on 1 April 1935 at RAF Peterborough, initially equipped with the Hawker Hart and Avro Tutor. This pre-war establishment was part of the RAF's expansion scheme, but it was disbanded at the outbreak of the Second World War on 3 September 1939, its personnel and aircraft absorbed into the operational training structure. It was reformed on 15 May 1947 at RAF Cottesmore within RAF Flying Training Command, tasked with training pilots on advanced piston-engine aircraft like the North American Harvard and de Havilland Mosquito. This post-war period lasted until 10 January 1955 when it was again disbanded. Its most significant chapter began on 1 September 1970 when it was re-established at RAF Valley in Anglesey, taking over the duties of the former No. 4 Flying Training School RAF. Here, it became synonymous with advanced and fast-jet training, initially using the Folland Gnat T.1 before transitioning to the BAE Hawk T.1 in the late 1970s. It operated continuously in this role for nearly 24 years, finally disbanding on 31 March 1994 as part of wider defence reforms following the end of the Cold War.

Aircraft operated

Throughout its service, the school operated a variety of training and advanced aircraft. In its first period, it used biplanes like the Hawker Hart and the Avro Tutor. During its post-war reformation, it transitioned to more powerful piston-engine types, notably the North American Harvard and the twin-engine de Havilland Mosquito T.3. Its final and most famous period saw it operate jet trainers, beginning with the Folland Gnat T.1, famed for its role with the Red Arrows. From 1979, it re-equipped with the BAE Hawk T.1, which became the cornerstone of advanced fast-jet training for the RAF and many allied air forces. The school also briefly operated the Jet Provost T.4 in a secondary role during the early 1970s.

Locations

The school was based at several Royal Air Force stations during its existence. It was first established at RAF Peterborough in Cambridgeshire in 1935. Following its post-war revival, it operated from RAF Cottesmore in Rutland, a base later used by RAF Strike Command for the Panavia Tornado. In 1952, it moved to RAF Valley on the island of Anglesey in North Wales, where it disbanded in 1955. When reformed in 1970, it returned to RAF Valley, which remained its permanent home. This station, under the auspices of No. 23 Group RAF, became one of the world's premier fast-jet training establishments, its runways overlooking the Irish Sea.

Role and operations

The school's primary role throughout its history was advanced flying training for Royal Air Force pilots. In its final and most prominent incarnation, it was responsible for the last stage of specialist flying training before pilots were streamed to operational conversion units for aircraft like the Panavia Tornado and BAE Harrier. The syllabus, under the oversight of RAF Central Flying School, included advanced formation flying, instrument flying, navigation, air combat manoeuvring, and low-level flying over the Welsh mountains. It worked in conjunction with No. 1 Flying Training School RAF at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and No. 6 Flying Training School RAF at RAF Finningley within the overall framework of RAF Training Group. Its operations were vital for sustaining the pilot pipeline for RAF Fighter Command and later RAF Strike Command.

Notable personnel

Several individuals who served with or were trained by the school achieved significant prominence. Notable instructors included Johnnie Johnson, the Royal Air Force's top Allied fighter ace of the Second World War, who served as its Chief Flying Instructor in the early 1950s. Distinguished graduates from its fast-jet training era include Tim Peake, who later became a European Space Agency astronaut and the first British astronaut for the International Space Station. Senior officers who commanded the school include Air Vice-Marshal Andrew Pulford, who later served as Deputy Commander of RAF Personnel and Training Command. The school also trained numerous pilots who went on to fly with the Red Arrows display team.

Category:Royal Air Force training schools Category:Military units and formations established in 1935 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1994