33-475: University Air Squadrons are training units under the command of No. 6 Flying Training School RAF of the Royal Air Force and their main role is to attract students into careers as RAF officers. Primarily its goal is achieved through offering basic flying training, force development and adventure training to undergraduate students at British universities. These units exist to provide a taste of life in
66-510: A Cadetship, are commissioned into the RAF in the rank of Pilot Officer, and are offered a salary. Following graduation Cadets are promoted to Flying Officer while their medical training continues, prior to commencing Initial Officer Training . On the run-up to World War II the squadrons were an important source of pilots for the RAF during the Battle of Britain . Cadets who were already members of
99-785: A limited number week-long Summer Vacation Attachment (SVA) at another RAF base, where they are seconded to an active regular RAF unit to learn more about their role. In accordance with the ground training syllabus, there are opportunities for Officer Cadets to participate in APDT. There are frequent squadron expeditions in areas within the UK and overseas in Europe as well as Peru, Canada and Mongolia. Expeditions can include all manner of adventurous training, such as mountain biking, parachuting, alpine sports, rock climbing, abseiling, white water rafting, coasteering, gorge walking and canoeing. In accordance with
132-417: A week during the university terms) which usually entails a guest speaker presenting on an aspect of the RAF or the military to develop service knowledge; and a two-week period of continuous training in the summer. Most squadrons however also offer camps at Easter, Christmas, and September for Officer Cadets to undertake intensive blocs of sport, flying and adventure training. Additionally, students are offered
165-452: Is expected to reach solo standard before the end of their second year on the squadron. This has become one of the criteria for granting a student member a third year of membership. For those Officer Cadets who finish the Core syllabus with time remaining on the squadron, an advanced syllabus has recently been introduced consisting of Aerobatics, Formation Flying and Low Level Navigation. There
198-491: Is no specific time requirement as with the core syllabus, as progress in the advanced phase is made at a rate by which the student pilot is able to achieve the desired results. Beyond flying, UASs follow a loose Ground Training syllabus. Although squadrons generally do not follow the syllabus as a training plan, the majority of subjects are covered at some point through the students' academic year. These can include attending Adventure Training expeditions, both overseas and within
231-638: The AOC Training Units with Personnel and Training Command its controlling formation. Prior to 1 April 2006 Training Group held British Government agency status, operating as the Training Group Defence Agency ( TGDA ). Upon the loss of its agency status, the formation became known simply as Training Group. The Group had seven areas of responsibility: The current creation of No. 22 Group was established on 30 October 2006, once again as No. 22 (Training) Group. This creation
264-665: The British Armed Forces ; namely the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy , and the British Army . Although No. 22 Group was due to be formed on 1 April 1918, the same day as the Royal Air Force was established, it was not activated until 1 July 1918 ; 106 years ago ( 1918-07-01 ) , in the RAF's North-Western Area. It was activated at RAF East Fortune , but moved its headquarters to
297-571: The Royal Air Force (RAF), falling under the responsibility of Deputy Commander-in-Chief (Personnel) in Air Command . Its previous title up until 2018 was No. 22 (Training) Group . The group is responsible for RAF training policy and controlling the Royal Air Force College and the RAF's training stations . As such, it is the direct successor to Training Group . 22 Group provides training to all three service branches of
330-599: The RAFVR were called up for active service in the middle of studying for their degrees. Most UAS training is a cut-down version of EFT and focuses on training the student to various levels of solo standard. Successful completion of the Core Syllabus qualifies the student pilot for the award of the Preliminary Flying Badge (PFB), or 'Budgie Wings' as they are sometimes called. However, each student
363-487: The Service and to give experience to their members in preparation for taking up a career as an officer in one of the RAF's many branches. Members are expected to attend training nights, usually on a weekly basis, as well as attending several annual training camps. The flying syllabus of 56 sorties follows Elementary Flying Training (EFT). The flying training is supplemented with ground training and adventure training, both in
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#1732775803588396-530: The Station Hotel, Stirling . The next month, on 8 August 1918, it received the designation 'Operations', or possibly 'Marine Operational', making its full title No. 22 (Operations) Group , or possibly No. 22 (Marine Operational) Group . It controlled No. 78 Wing RAF , and stations at Auldbar , Chathill ( airship station), Dundee, East Fortune, Kirkwall / Orkney, Longside (airship station), Luce Bay, RAF Machrihanish , Peterhead, and Strathberg. With
429-556: The Tutor T.1. The task of 6 FTS is also to ensure continual recruitment of UAS cadets into the Royal Air Force proper; those who do not join will have a better appreciation for the military, which they will take forward into their careers. RAF Cosford Colerne Airfield RAF Wittering RAF Cranwell Leuchars Station Glasgow Airport RAF Woodvale RAF Leeming RAF Benson MoD Boscombe Down MOD St Athan Aldergrove Flying Station With
462-500: The UASs more suitable for Officer Cadets pursuing careers in the military other than aircrew. However, the emphasis and priority remain on flying as the core function of each UAS. In 2003 it was estimated that 60% of pilots recruited into the Royal Air Force came through the UAS system. UAS Officer Cadets are required to participate in a minimum amount of training (typically one training night
495-546: The UK and abroad. UASs are part of the RAF Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR). Many are parents to Air Experience Flights (AEF) which provide experience of flying to Air Cadets . Most students hold the rank of Officer Cadet. Some, usually four/five students a year may obtain commissions in the RAF Volunteer Reserve, in the rank of Acting Pilot Officer . Medicine and dentistry students, on obtaining
528-565: The UK, learning drill, undertaking a fieldcraft exercise such as the recent 'STRIKE' exercises run from RAFC Cranwell , understanding the principles of air power and developing leadership skills. Air Power Force Development Experiences are also undertaken to encourage an understanding of air power in both a historical and contemporary context. As the UAS continues to move beyond its former role of providing Elementary Flying Training to RAF Direct Entry students and UAS Students, more and more ground training opportunities are becoming available, making
561-491: The form of wingtip tanks due to the extra fuel burn at low level. This part of the school was known as the Low Level and Air Defence Training Squadron (LLADTS). Scottish Aviation Bulldogs were added from January 1976 with Short Tucanos joining later. During the 1960s and 1970s all the RAF's Colleges and Flying Training Schools had their own Jet Provost aerobatics team. One of the less known and publicised display teams
594-507: The ground training syllabus, there are many opportunities for Officer Cadets to participate in inter-UAS sports competitions. The UASs hold annual sporting competitions such as; No. 6 Flying Training School RAF No. 6 Flying Training School RAF is a Flying Training School (FTS) within No. 22 (Training) Group of the Royal Air Force that delivers flying training to University Air Squadrons and Air Experience Flights . The school
627-513: The group comprised 26 Squadron at RAF Catterick ; RAF Hawkinge with 2 Squadron ; RAF Odiham and No. 50 (Army Cooperation) Wing , with 4 , 13 , and 53 Squadrons ; RAF Old Sarum with the School of Army Co-operation and 16 and No. 59 Squadron RAFs ; and group headquarters and No. 1 Anti-Aircraft Cooperation Unit at South Farnborough. On 24 June 1940, No. 22 Group was once again raised to command status and later that year, on 1 December,
660-507: The new command was expanded to become RAF Army Cooperation Command . On 1 August 1943, the group was re-established as No. 22 (Training) Group in Technical Training Command , responsible for all training in ground trades , from electronics to cooking. The group continued in its training function for nearly thirty years, until it was disbanded 31 January 1972. Training Group ( TG ) was formed on 1 April 1994 from
693-478: The post First World War Royal Air Force force reductions, No. 22 Group was disbanded on 30 May 1919 ; 105 years ago ( 1919-05-30 ) . The next creation of No. 22 Group came on 12 April 1926 ; 98 years ago ( 1926-04-12 ) , when the group was re-formed from No 7 Group within Inland Area. The group's designation was No. 22 (Army Co-operation) Group , and its headquarters
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#1732775803588726-682: The reduction in the gliding fleet for Air Cadets of the Air Training Corps (ATC) and the RAF section of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced in 2016 they intend to create two additional AEFs; No. 13 and No. 14, the latter is penned to be based in Northern Ireland. No. 22 Group RAF No. 22 Group Royal Air Force ( 22 Gp ) is one of six groups currently active in
759-623: The school became the first flying unit at RAF Little Rissington in August 1938 with Hawker Audaxes , Hawker Furies , Hawker Harts and Avro Ansons . It was renamed to No. 6 Service Flying Training School on 3 September 1939 and North American Harvards joined. The School's Advanced Training Squadron used various airfields for armament training such as RAF Penrhos and RAF Warmwell . The School's Initial Training Squadron used RAF Kidlington , RAF Windrush , RAF Chipping Norton and RAF Hullavington . Airspeed Oxfords joined from November 1940 and
792-590: The school used RAF Akeman Street , RAF Southrop , RAF Chetwynd , RAF Sleap and RAF High Ercall . On 24 July 1961 the school moved out to RAF Acklington where the Hunting Aircraft Jet Provost T.3 was introduced and RAF Ouston was the satellite airfield.The school was renamed to No. 6 (Advanced) Flying School RAF during December 1966, it closed again on 30 June 1968. The School reformed on 1 May 1970 at RAF Finningley , within No. 23 Group RAF as an Air Navigation School (ANS). This
825-494: The unit was disbanded by being redesignated No. 6 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit RAF on 1 April 1942. The unit was formed at Little Rissington under 23 Group and used Ansons, Oxfords, Harvard and Blackburn Bothas . The unit used multiple airfields such as RAF Windrush , RAF Chipping Norton , RAF Akeman Street and RAF Moreton Valence as relief landing grounds along with RAF Honiley and RAF Chedworth for detachment locations. It became 6 SFTS on 17 December 1945. The unit
858-399: Was a renaming of Training Group which ceased to exist as No 22 Group was re-established. 22 Group is responsible for: The areas of responsibility are: The following military bases are directly controlled by No. 22 Group: The following aircraft squadrons are directly controlled by No. 22 Group: As of May 2023 , No. 22 Group is led by Air Vice-Marshal Ian Townsend , who
891-721: Was an amalgamation of the Hawker Siddeley Dominie T.1 s of No. 1 ANS from RAF Stradishall and the Vickers Varsities of No. 2 ANS from RAF Gaydon along with the Airmen Aircrew Initial Training School RAF . Low-level Weapons Systems Officer (formerly known in the RAF as 'Navigators') training took place on the Jet Provost from August 1970, eventually using the T.5B variant which had extra fuel capacity in
924-496: Was at South Farnborough . On 17 February 1936, No. 22 Group was transferred from the control of Inland Area to that of the Air Defence of Great Britain . Later that same year, on 1 May, the group was raised to command status. However, only just over two months later, on 14 July, the newly created command was reduced back to group status, becoming part of Fighter Command on the day of Fighter Command's creation. In 1938,
957-787: Was flown by 6 FTS. They flew a team for five seasons between 1962 and 1966 and it was unofficially christened the "Cocks O'the North". On 14 August 1993, the LLADTS made its final farewell to the Jet Provost in the navigation training role when four aircraft staged a "dying swan" formation over the airfield. 6 FTS also played host to the Multi-engine Training Squadron (METS) and was responsible for Operational Navigation training of all RAF multi-engine pilots, using twin-turboprop Handley Page Jetstream T1 aircraft. METS
990-455: Was formed by renaming No. 39 Training School RAF at RAF Spitalgate on 26 April 1920 under No. 3 Group RAF , using Avro 504 Ks and other aircraft until moving to RAF Manston on 21 September 1920 under control of the School of Technical Training RAF . The school was disbanded on 1 April 1922. The school was reformed on 1 April 1935 upon No. 23 Group RAF . After moving from RAF Netheravon ,
1023-623: Was granted the No. 45 (R) Squadron number plate in June 1992 before leaving 6 FTS and moving to 3 FTS at RAF Cranwell in October 1995. During April 1995, the Tucano Element moved to RAF Topcliffe . The school was disbanded on 31 March 1996 with the closure of RAF Finningley . No. 6 FTS Basic Navigation Wing (Wing created October 1992): No. 6 FTS Advanced Navigation Wing (Wing created October 1992): On 7 September 2015, 6 FTS
University Air Squadron - Misplaced Pages Continue
1056-738: Was reborn to command and manage the University Air Squadrons and their associated Air Experience Flights across the UK. This role was transferred from 3 FTS due to the implementation of the Military Flying Training System . The Elementary Flying Training (EFT) units in the Royal Air Force and the other services upgraded to the Grob Prefect T.1 in 2017, while the University Air Squadrons and Air Experience Flights will remain on
1089-462: Was reformed back to No. 6 SFTS at RAF Little Rissington on 17 December 1945 with Harvards, Ansons and Miles Magisters . From 30 April 1946, 6 FTS was based at RAF Ternhill equipped with North American Harvards and de Havilland Tiger Moths and unit was renamed back to 6 FTS on 14 May 1947. The school received Percival Prentices in late 1948; from July 1953 Percival Provost T.1 piston engine training aircraft replaced both types. During this period
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