Display teams

In 1964 the Central Flying School at RAF Little Rissington became responsible for the provision of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team. This responsibility had previously been held by Fighter Command. The 'Red Pelicans' equipped with six Mk 4 Jet Provosts were given the honour of this role and became The 1964 RAF Premier Aerobatic Team. The team displayed in the UK, France, Belgium, Denmark, and Norway.

During 1964 RAF Valley formed a team of five Gnats named 'The Yellow Jacks". It was decided that the Gnat team would become the Premier Team for 1965. In preparation for the handover the Red Pelicans and the Yellowjacks performed combined displays at the 1964 Farnborough Airshow.

The Yellowjacks were repainted to the well known Red colour and in 1965 the team became, the now world famous, Red Arrows.

Elementary flying training

The Primary Flying Squadron moved from South Cerney to Church Fenton on 16 January 1967.^[3]

The squadron started using de Havilland Chipmunk T.10 and Scottish Aviation Bulldog T.1^[5] while Bulldog Squadron moved to Cranwell on 31 March 1995 and became part of No. 3 Flying Training School RAF.^[3] In 2000 the Grob Tutor T.1 replaced the Scottish Aviation Bulldog as the initial trainer operated by the squadron.

Fast jet training

The training started on 1 October 1955 at Kemble as the Type Flight evolving into the Type Squadron on 10 July 1957 with a:^[3]

• Hawker Hunter Flight at Kemble
• English Electric Canberra Flight at Little Rissington
• Gloster Meteor Flight at Little Rissington
• Communication Flight at Little Rissington

The Folland Gnat T.1 was added and initially used at Fairford before moving to Kemble, with the Jet Provost moving from Fairford to Aston Down from 1966. The Hawker Siddeley Hawk T.1 was added and became No. 19 (Reserve Squadron) RAF on 1 October 1994.^[3]

During 1976 the Folland Gnat T.1s were based at RAF Valley however during 1977 these were replaced as the CFS main advanced jet trainer by the Hawker Siddeley Hawk T.1. ^{[citation needed]}

From 1992 the Short Tucano T.1 took the place of the BAC Jet Provost.^[6] The Tucano Squadron moved to RAF Topcliffe on 24 April 1995.^[3]

The Refresher Flying Flight was formed during April 1984 at Church Fenton operating the Jet Provost and moved to Scampton during 1991 but was disbanded during 1992. The flight was re-established on 24 April 1995 within the Tucano Squadron at Topcliffe.^[6] The first Shorts Tucano was delivered to the CFS on 1 September 1988.^[7]

Helicopter training

Helicopter instruction began on 8 March 1954 at RAF Middle Wallop as the CFS Helicopter Flight. The flight used the Westland Dragonfly and Bristol Sycamore at RAF South Cerney in Gloucestershire from 18 June 1955 until 1 June 1957 when it moved to Little Rissington. It moved to RAF Tern Hill in August 1961. From 1966, the Westland-built Sioux helicopter began service, lasting until 1973, when replaced with the more modern Westland Gazelle HT.2s. During the 1970s the Westland Whirlwind HAR.10s were also used and the school had a detachment at RAF Valley, Anglesey, Wales for SAR and mountain rescue training.^[8]

During 1974 it consisted of:^[3] No. 1 Squadron with Gazelles No. 2 Squadron teaching Advanced Training No. 3 Squadron teaching SAR training at Valley

No. 2 Squadron was renamed to No. 2 (Advanced) Flying Training School RAF (2 AFTS) while at Tern Hill during February 1974 with Whirlwinds. On 29 September 1976 the Helicopter Flight and No. 2 AFTS joined to form No. 2 Flying Training School RAF at Shawbury with No. 3 Squadron at Valley becoming No. 2 SAR Training Squadron.^[3]

In 1997 the Gazelle HT.2's and HT.3's were replaced by the Eurocopter Squirrel HT.1 and the Bell Griffin HT.1. RAF Shawbury has been the home of the helicopter training school since 1977, becoming the Defence Helicopter Flying School in 1997. A satellite unit of the CFS is maintained at RAF Shawbury to train and develop helicopter instructors.^{[citation needed]}

The CFS also used other aircraft:

• Airspeed Oxford, Auster T.7, Avro 504K,^[9] Avro 504N, Avro Tutor, Bristol Bulldog TM,^[10] de Havilland Tiger Moth, de Havilland Mosquito T.3, de Havilland Vampire T.11,^[11] Gloster Grebe (DC), Hawker Tomtit, Hawker Hart Trainer, Hunting Percival Provost, Miles Magister I,^[12] Miles Master, North American Harvard, Percival Prentice T.1, Vickers Varsity T.1.^[13]

Fast jet

• Beechcraft T-6C Texan II – (RAF Valley)
  • 72 Squadron – Basic Fast Jet Training (BFJT)^[16]
• BAE Systems Hawk T.2 – (RAF Valley)
  • 4 Squadron – Advanced Fast Jet and Tactics Training

Following Fast Jet training, successful students go on to the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 or Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II.

Multi-engine

• Embraer Phenom T.1 – (RAF Cranwell)
  • No. 45 Squadron RAF – Multi-Engine training.^[17]

Multi Engine students will go on to fly the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, Airbus Atlas C.1 or Airbus Voyager KC.2/3 transport aircraft or ISTAR assets like the Beechcraft Shadow R.1 or Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint.

Rotary wing

No. 1 Flying Training School (replaced Defence Helicopter Flying School in 2020).

• Airbus Helicopters Juno HT.1 – (RAF Shawbury)
  • 660 Squadron Army Air Corps – Basic Rotary Training: 660 AAC and 705 NAS take alternate intakes from all three services^{[citation needed]}
  • 705 Naval Air Squadron^[18]
  • No. 60 Squadron – Advanced and Tactical rotary training^[19]
• Airbus Helicopters Jupiter HT.1 – (RAF Valley)
  • No. 202 Squadron – Advanced Helicopter training (Maritime and Mountain flying)^[20]

RAF rotary wing students stream onto the Boeing CH-47 Chinook HC.4/5/6/6A.

Future system

• Advanced Fast Jet Training: BAe Systems Hawk T.2, already in service at RAF Valley
  • 4 Squadron
  • 25 Squadron