On 21st September 2005, it was announced by Defence Minister Don Touhig that there is to be a major shake-up in the way that RAF Elementary Flying Training (EFT) is organised. Currently, all University Air Squadrons (UASs) are 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 flying units, and all RAF EFT is to be carried out at three bases – RAF Church Fenton, RAF Cranwell and RAF Wyton. These three bases will each be home to a squadron of No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School, with Church Fenton being the home of No. 3 Sqn of 1 EFTS.
Changes for the station will be minimal, with little, if any, increase in flying activity. There is the possibility of more aircraft arriving at some point in the future, although nothing has been decided yet. For more information, see the Yorkshire UAS page.