Central Flying School

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.

History
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.

Helicopter training
Helicopter instruction began in 1955 on the Westland Dragonfly and Bristol Sycamore at RAF South Cerney in Gloucestershire. It moved to RAF Ternhill in August 1961. From 1966, the Westland-built Sioux helicopter began service, lasting until 1973, when replaced with the Aérospatiale Gazelle, much more reminiscent of modern-day helicopters. In 1997 the Gazelle was replaced by the Squirrel (Eurocopter AS350), and the Griffin (Bell 412) is also used. RAF Shawbury was used as the helicopter training school from 1977, becoming a separate organisation from 1997.

Aircraft


During the 1950s the CFS was equipped with the Gloster Meteor. In 1977 the Gnat was replaced by the Hawk.

From 1993 the Tucano took the place of the BAC Jet Provost, and in 2000 the Tutor replaced the Bulldog as the initial trainer operated by the unit.

Training
All fixed-wing training begins with the No.1 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS), which flies the Grob Tutor. Army and Navy pilots start at the Defence Elementary Flying Training School (DEFTS) at RAF Barkston Heath where they fly the Slingsby T-67 Firefly. From Cranwell, training begins on the Tucano at RAF Linton-on-Ouse (1 FTS).

Helicopter pilots progress to RAF Shawbury, home of the Defence Helicopter Flying School.

Flight instructors are awarded the Qualified Flying Instructor qualification.

Commandants
Ranks given are the highest rank the officer in command held during his tenure.

1912 to 1919

 * 19 June 1912 Captain G M Paine RN
 * 15 November 1915 Lieutenant-Colonel D le G Pitcher
 * 1916 Colonel C J Burke
 * 18 June 1916 Lieutenant-Colonel A C H MacLean
 * 1917 Lieutenant-Colonel A J L Scott

1919 to 1920 (as Commandant, Flying Instructors' School)

 * 17 January 1919 Lieutenant-Colonel P H L Playfair
 * 7 April 1919 Lieutenant-Colonel (later Wing Commander) C D Breese

1920 to 1944

 * 3 May 1920 Wing Commander Norman MacEwen
 * 1922 Air Commodore Edward Masterman
 * 1 January 1923 Group Captain Felton Holt
 * 22 April 1925 Group Captain Wilfrid Freeman
 * 24 January 1927 Group Captain (later Air Commodore) C S Burnett
 * 17 December 1928 Wing Commander (later Group Captain) J E A Baldwin
 * 19 January 1932 Group Captain Paul Maltby
 * July 1935 Wing Commander (later Group Captain) Harry George Smart
 * 14 December 1936 Group Captain James Robb
 * 17 March 1940 Group Captain Harold Down
 * 1944 Claude Vincent

1946 to present

 * 1951 Anthony Selway
 * 1961 Hugh Connolly
 * 1963 H A C Bird-Wilson
 * 1968 Ivor Broom
 * 1970 Freddie Hazlewood
 * 1974 John Severne
 * 1983 John Kemball
 * 2007 Group Captain Nick Seward
 * 2009 Group Captain Simon Blake

Assistant Commandants

 * 1912 Lieutenant Colonel Henry Cook
 * 23 September 1913 Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Trenchard
 * 7 August 1914 Major, later Lieutenant Colonel, Tom Webb-Bowen
 * 6 March 1915 Lieutenant Colonel D Le G Pitcher

Notable former instructors

 * Air Marshal Sir Richard Atcherley (1925–28)
 * Air Marshal Sir Lawrence Pendred (1924–30)
 * Air Chief Marshal Sir James Robb (1927–30)
 * Air Chief Marshal Sir Rex Roe (1953–55)
 * Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John Salmond (1912)
 * Air Marshal Sir Anthony Selway (1932–34)
 * Air Vice-Marshal Sir Tom Webb-Bowen (1912–15)