ELEMENTARY FLYING TRAINING (EFT)

No 1 Elementary Flying Training School is responsible for the initial flying training of every pilot in the Royal Air Force. After graduation from Initial Officer Training, student pilots attend a 6-week long groundschool. This covers a wide range of subjects including aerodynamics, meteorology and the technical aspects of their training aircraft, the Grob Tutor. On completion of this module, they are allocated to one of the 3 elementary flying training squadrons at either RAF Cranwell, RAF Church Fenton or RAF Wyton.

Initially students learn the basic flying techniques, as most will never have flown before. After as little as 10hrs, the students complete their ‘first solo’ on the aircraft. From here they are trained in emergency handling, spinning, aerobatics and advanced turning. This culminates in an Intermediate Handling Test, where the students must show their raw skills are up to the level required for them to continue with the course.

In the second or ‘applied’ phase of the course, students are trained in the more advanced skills essential to a military pilot. This includes instrument flying, navigation (medium and low-level) and formation flying. The course includes numerous solo flights where the students can consolidate the skills gained, and build confidence as a pilot. The last hurdle is the Final Handling Test that can cover anything learned in the entire 60 hour course.

If successful, the students are streamed to fast-jet, multi-engine or rotary roles. Training continues within their streamed role, hopefully, eventually where they will earn the coveted RAF Pilot’s wings.