1 Canadian Forces Flying Training School

While the lineage of 1 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (1 CFFTS; French: 1re École de pilotage des Forces canadiennes) can be traced back through previous similarly named Canadian military pilot flying schools, such as No. 1 Service Flying Training School and 1 Flying Training School, the unit located at CFB Winnipeg and currently bearing the name does not participate in pilot training whatsoever.

History of Advanced Pilot Training in the RCAF/CAF

Although military pilot training in Canada dates back to the early years of the 20th century,[1] the modern RCAF/CAF pilot training organization got its start in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) with the formation of Service Flying Training Schools one of which, No. 1 Service Flying Training School (No. 1 SFTS)[2] at Camp Borden, Ontario, specialized in advanced pilot training and eventually evolved into 1 Canadian Forces Flying Training School in 1965.[3] Under this system pilot candidates could expect to advance from 3 CFFTS to 2 CFFTS, then finish at 1 CFFTS, mimicking the RAF pilot training philosophy adopted by the RCAF of three separate stages of pilot training – elementary, intermediate and advanced.[4]

1 (Flying Training School) FTS was formed on the 16th of September, 1945 at Centralia, Ontario, as a pilot training school which, on July 11, 1952, started training pilots using the deHavilland Chipmunk aircraft.[5] The school trained Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pilots until the school disbanded on March 6, 1957.[6]

1 FTS was reactivated on 31 Aug 1965.[7] On 23 Jul 1970 it combined with the Flight Instructor School (FIS) to become 1 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (1 CFFTS) with the role of advanced pilot training.[7] On 9 Nov 1970, 1 CFFTS flying instructors converted to the CF-5 tactical fighter trainer and on July 22 1 CFFTS moved to Cold Lake, Alberta. Advanced pilot training became a post-wings course, and on 10 Sep 1977 1 CFFTS was renamed 419 (Tactical) Fighter Training Squadron.[8][9]

Advanced Pilot Training today

419 (Tactical) Fighter Training Squadron is carrying on 1 CFFTS’ historic role of advanced pilot training for future fighter pilots.

Current use of the name 1 CFFTS

On 26 June 2009, the Canadian Forces Air Navigation School adopted the name of 1 CFFTS. 1 CFFTS currently trains Air Combat Systems Officers (previously called Navigators) and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators. In the past, other aircrew trades used the number 1 in their school names, but these school names were distinguished by their particular trade, i.e. No. 1 Air Observer School and No. 1 Air Navigation School.[10] Pilot training schools were distinguished by the use of the word “Flying” in the school’s name.[11] The present use of the word "Flying" in 1 CFFTS's name is a break with this tradition.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force Volume I, Canadian Airmen and the First World War, S.F. Wise, University of Toronto Press, 1981, p. 76
  2. ↑ The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force Volume II, The Creation of a National Air Force, W.A.B Douglas, University of Toronto Press, 1986, p. 237
  3. ↑ Best in the West R.F. Holman, PrintWest, Regina,1995, p. 218-221
  4. ↑ Best in the West, R.F. Holman, PrintWest, Regina,1995 p. 40
  5. ↑ Best in the West, R.F. Holman, PrintWest, Regina,1995, p. 218
  6. ↑ Best in the West, R.F. Holman, PrintWest, Regina,1995, p. 220
  7. 1 2 Best in the West, R.F. Holman, PrintWest, Regina,1995, p. 221
  8. ↑ Actual wording is: “Reformed as 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron 10 Sep 1977, from 1 Canadian Forces Flying Training School”, The Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces Volume 4 – Operational Flying Squadrons, A-AD-267-000/AF-004 2000-04-05
  9. ↑ CFOO/OOFC 2.15.4 10 Septembre/septembre 1977, file/dossier 1901-2595 (DMCO)
  10. ↑ The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force Volume II, The Creation of a National Air Force, W.A.B Douglas, University of Toronto Press, 1986, p. 236, 237 (charts)
  11. ↑ The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force Volume II, The Creation of a National Air Force, W.A.B Douglas, University of Toronto Press, 1986, p. 234

External links

Official website

Coordinates: 49°53′20″N 097°14′05″W / 49.88889°N 97.23472°W / 49.88889; -97.23472

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