RAF Central Flying School

RAF Central Flying School
source
Unit name	Central Flying School
Dates	1912–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Flying training establishment
Role	Advanced pilot instruction
Garrison	RAF Cranwell
Motto	"Aim to Teach"

RAF Central Flying School

The Central Flying School is the Royal Air Force establishment responsible for the training of flying instructors, the development of flying standards and the creation of advanced aircraft handling doctrine. It has influenced Royal Air Force training policy, produced display teams, and contributed personnel to conflicts such as the First World War, the Second World War, and operations over the Falkland Islands. The school has ties to institutions such as the Air Ministry, Ministry of Defence, and NATO aviation exercises including Operation Overlord-era planning and Cold War readiness.

History

The CFS traces origins to early aviation institutions emerging after the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service precedents, adapting lessons from the Battle of Britain and interwar developments involving the Air Council and the Imperial Defence College. In the 1920s and 1930s it worked alongside factories such as de Havilland, Avro, and Supermarine to codify handling techniques used in the Battle of France and the North African Campaign. During the Second World War the school expanded training to meet demands from theatres including the Burma Campaign and Mediterranean Theatre, cooperating with the Fleet Air Arm and Commonwealth air forces from Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force. Postwar reorganisation under the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence saw CFS integrate jet-era instruction with input from programmes like V bomber development and early NATO pilot exchanges. The Cold War era brought standardisation with NATO allies such as the United States Air Force and Royal Netherlands Air Force, while recent decades involved restructuring alongside the Joint Helicopter Command and training transformations linked to the Eurofighter Typhoon introduction.

Organisation and Role

CFS operates as a central authority for instructor standards within the Royal Air Force, interfacing with commands including No. 22 Group RAF, RAF Flying Training School, and operational units such as No. 1 Flying Training School RAF. The establishment liaises with civilian organisations like Civil Aviation Authority during curriculum accreditation and collaborates with NATO structures exemplified by Allied Air Command and exercises run from bases including RAF Scampton and RAF Valley. Its role encompasses instructor selection, syllabus validation, evaluation of aircrew from services such as the British Army and Royal Navy, and deployment of instructional cadres to joint programmes like the Empire Test Pilots' School and multinational exchange schemes with the United States Navy.

Training Syllabus and Aircraft

The syllabus has evolved from basic biplane handling taught in aircraft like the Avro 504 and Sopwith Camel to modern jet and rotary training using types including the Hawker Hunter, BAe Hawk, and rotary platforms such as the Westland Wessex and AgustaWestland Apache. Contemporary courses cover advanced aerobatics, formation flying, instrument flying, and combat manoeuvring drawing on doctrine from the Air Warfare Centre and research by organisations like the Royal Aeronautical Society. Training integrates simulators developed with defence contractors such as CAE and Babcock International, and incorporates standards referenced in manuals produced by the Air Standards Board and allied institutions during multinational events including Red Flag and Tiger Meet.

Notable Alumni and Instructors

CFS alumni include senior figures who later served in leadership roles within the Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the Indian Air Force. Instructors and graduates have gone on to command squadrons involved in the Korean War, the Suez Crisis, and operations over Iraq and Afghanistan (2001–2021). Several former instructors became display pilots for teams such as the Red Arrows and contributed to trials at establishments like the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment and the Ministry of Defence Flight Training. Distinguished individuals associated with CFS later served in posts at institutions including the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom and NATO headquarters like SHAPE.

Bases and Facilities

The school has been based at multiple locations, historically including Upavon Aerodrome, RAF Little Rissington, and RAF Tern Hill, before consolidating much activity at RAF Cranwell and operating detachments at RAF Leeming and RAF Shawbury. Facilities encompass purpose-built flying training runways, instrument flying centres, and ground schools sharing infrastructure with establishments such as the Central Flying School Library and the Air Historical Branch. Support is provided by units including No. XXV Squadron RAF and maintenance organisations like Defense Equipment and Support.

Traditions and Insignia

CFS traditions reflect historic RAF ceremonial practice linked to events like the Trooping the Colour and formation aerobatic heritage seen in teams such as the Black Arrows. Its insignia and flying pin designs draw on symbols used across RAF heraldry, referencing earlier badges associated with the Royal Flying Corps and featuring mottoes preserved in regimental museums such as the RAF Museum. Ceremonies include instructor graduations and awards connected to honours such as the Air Force Cross and appointments within orders like the Order of the British Empire.

Category:Royal Air Force units and formations Category:Military training establishments of the United Kingdom