No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School

85(R) Squadron

Number 1 Elementary Flying Training School

The new 3 Sqn / 1 EFTS sign proudly displayed on the 3 Hangar wall. © Ian Herbert

A famous squadron, which has close associations with RAF Church Fenton has recently returned to the station. No 3 Squadron, of 1 EFTS, recently became 85(Reserve) Squadron. 85 Squadron has been stationed at Church Fenton twice in the past, initially with Hurricanes during WW2, and latterly with Meteor NF12s and NF14s during the 1950s.

In line with RAF policy which sees squadron nameplates being given to training and reserve units, so as to keep squadron histories alive in today's ever-shrinking Air Force, it was decided it would be fitting for 3 Sqn, 1 EFTS to take on this nameplate.

History of 1 EFTS at Church Fenton

On 21st September 2005, it was announced by Defence Minister Don Touhig that there was to be a major shake-up in the way that RAF Elementary Flying Training (EFT) is organised. Until recently, all University Air Squadrons (UASs) were responsible for a share of the RAF's EFT requirement, training both University students during the course of their degree, and also Direct Entry (DE) student pilots.

From now on, however, University Air Squadrons are no longer responsible for RAF EFT, and all RAF EFT is nowcarried out at three bases - RAF Church Fenton, RAF Cranwell and RAF Wyton. These three bases are each home to a squadron of No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School, with Church Fenton being the home of No. 3 Sqn of 1 EFTS.

The new squadron is staffed by regular military QFIs, and all students are regular military students.

Changes for the station have been minimal, with only a little increase in flying activity. There are now 10 Tutor aircraft based on the station, which are shared with Yorkshire UAS and 9 AEF.

No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School operates the Grob Tutor T1. This aircraft is a largely composite basic trainer with a piston engine and a non-retractable tricycle undercarriage. The aircraft are owned and operated by VT Aerospace, with the RAF paying for hours flown and so avoiding the initial purchase and following maintenance costs throughout the life of the aircraft. The fact that the aircraft are privately owned means they are civil registered (G-XXXX) as opposed to military registered as the Bulldog aircraft that preceded them were.

Below can be seen some air-to-air photos of Tutors, kindly sent to me by Squadron Leader G. Pell, OC YUAS. Click to enlarge:

With many thanks to Squadron Leader Gordon Pell, Officer Commanding Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron, for his invaluable help when compiling this page.