Central Flying School
|
Central Flying School CFS |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 12 May 1912 – present |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Type | Training |
| Role | RAF flying training |
| Size | 100 personnel |
| Garrison/HQ |
RAF Upavon, Wiltshire England 1912–46 |
| Nickname(s) | RAF CFS |
| Motto(s) | Imprimis Praecepta (Latin: Our teaching is everlasting) |
| Commanders | |
| Commandant | Group Captain Jamie Hunter |
RAF Upavon, Wiltshire England 1912–46
RAF Little Rissington, Gloucestershire England 1946–1976
RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire England 1983–95
The Central Flying School (CFS) is the Royal Air Force's primary institution for the training of military flying instructors. Established in 1912 it is the longest existing flying training school.
It was established at Upavon Aerodrome, near Upavon, Wiltshire on 12 May 1912. It was later based at RAF Little Rissington, from 1946 to 1976. The CFS's first commandant was Captain Godfrey Paine RN. It has been responsible for instructor training since 1920, with pilot training being delegated to the Flying Training Schools.
When the Red Arrows, the RAF's sole aerobatic team was formed by amalgamation of other teams, the responsibility was transferred to the CFS from Fighter Command. The Red Arrows moved to RAF Scampton in 1983 when the CFS was moved there and out in 1995– though the Red Arrows returned in 2000.
The section started using de Havilland Chipmunk T.10 and Scottish Aviation Bulldog T.1.
In 2000 the Grob Tutor T.1 replaced the Scottish Aviation Bulldog as the initial trainer operated by the unit.
During the 1950s the CFS was equipped with the Gloster Meteor. During 1976 the Hawker Siddeley Gnat T.1s were based at RAF Valley however during 1977 these were replaced as the CFS main advanced jet trainer by the Hawker Siddeley Hawk T.1.
From 1993 the Short Tucano took the place of the BAC Jet Provost.
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Wikipedia