Air Experience Flight

An Air Experience Flight (AEF) is a training unit of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch) whose main purpose is to give introductory flying experience to cadets from the Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force. As of 2010^[update], twelve AEFs are active.

The AEFs, numbered from 1 to 13, were formed across the United Kingdom in 1958, all but two forming on the same day, 8 September. All were equipped with the Chipmunk T.10 trainer. An exception was No. 5 AEF, which also operated a single Beagle Husky (XW635) from 1969 to 1989.

In the mid-1990s they were merged with co-located University Air Squadrons (UASs), the Chipmunks being replaced by the existing UAS Scottish Aviation Bulldog T.1s. No. 13 AEF at RAF Aldergrove was disbanded in 1996. In 1999, the Grob Tutor T.1 began to replace the Bulldog.

On 10 March 2016, Mr Julian Brazier (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)) announced the return of 13 AEF and a new 14 AEF.

Chipmunk T.10 in RAF colours

Bulldog T.1 in RAF colours

10 AEF Grob Tutor and hangar at RAF Woodvale.

No. 8 Air Experience Flight Grob Tutor in flight

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