No. 2 Air Navigation School | |
---|---|
Country | Canada |
Branch | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Role | Air Navigation training |
Part of | RCAF Eastern Air Command No. 3 Training Command |
Garrison/HQ | RCAF Station Charlottetown |
No. 2 Air Navigation School was a navigation training school in No. 3 Training Command RCAF, of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan("BCATP"), flying Avro Anson's from RCAF Station Pennfield Ridge. [1] It was opened on 21 July 1941 and closed on 30 April 1942. A second school with the same number opened at RCAF Station Charlottetown on 21 February 1944 and closed on 7 July 1945. [2]
RCAF Eastern Air Command was the part of the Royal Canadian Air Force's Home War Establishment responsible for air operations on the Atlantic coast of Canada during the Second World War, including BCATP flight schools. Many of its assigned training schools conducted advanced flying courses including Service Flying Training (SFTS), Air Observer (AOS), Bombing and Gunnery (BGS), General Reconnaissance (ocean patrol) (GRS), Naval Aerial Gunnery (NAGS), Air Navigation (ANS) and Operational (OTU) training throughout the war. Together with some advanced aircraft types these units mainly flew older bomber and patrol aircraft that had been removed from active service. [1]
These schools were not part of the Order of Battle of RCAF Eastern Air Command. However, 3 Training Command aircraft were very active over the entire Eastern Command Area of Operations. They made an important contribution to the surveillance of the region as a force multiplier, providing extra eyes and ears. During the emergency known as the Battle of the St. Lawrence their role was very important and some units undertook combat patrols. [3]
The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), or Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS) often referred to as simply "The Plan", was a massive, joint military aircrew training program created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, during the Second World War. BCATP remains as one of the single largest aviation training programs in history and was responsible for training nearly half the pilots, navigators, bomb aimers, air gunners, wireless operators and flight engineers who served with the Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm (FAA), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) during the war.
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force (CAF). In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) when it was granted the royal title by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968. Prior attempts at forming an air force for Canada were the Canadian Aviation Corps that was attached to the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and a two-squadron Canadian Air Force that was attached to the Royal Air Force.
RCAF Station Kingston was a World War II air training station built in 1940 at Collins Bay near Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The station was originally built by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) for use by the Royal Air Force (RAF). Like other RAF schools in Canada, it was subject to RCAF administrative and operational control.
RCAF Station Saskatoon was a World War II British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) base operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). It was located North of the City of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
RCAF Station Fort Macleod was a World War II British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) flying training station. Administrative and operational control was the responsibility of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The old station is located south of Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada.
RCAF Station Mount Pleasant was a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) station in Mount Pleasant, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Two of its runways remain in use by members of the Experimental Aircraft Association.
RCAF Station Charlottetown was a Royal Canadian Air Force station located in Sherwood, Prince Edward Island. Today's Charlottetown Airport maintains a remnant of the airfield's runways near its general aviation terminal, however all buildings and most infrastructure have been removed.
RCAF Station Dafoe was a Second World War Royal Canadian Air Force station located near Dafoe, Saskatchewan, Canada. The station was home to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan's No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School. The school opened January 1941 and closed January 1945. Aircraft used include the Westland Lysander, Bristol Bolingbroke, Avro Anson, and Fairey Battle.
RCAF Station Fingal was a Second World War British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) air station located near Fingal, Ontario, Canada. It was operated and administered by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
The NATO Air Training Plan was an aircrew training program which ran from 1950–1958, authorized by NATO, and implemented by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The program trained pilots and navigators from NATO signatory countries with the purpose of improving NATO airpower in response to the perceived military threat in Europe from Soviet bloc countries.
CFB Rivers was a Royal Canadian Air Force base located 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of Rivers, Manitoba, Canada at the junction of Manitoba Highway 25 and Manitoba Provincial Road 259.
Eastern Air Command was the part of the Royal Canadian Air Force's Home War Establishment responsible for air operations on the Atlantic coast of Canada during the Second World War. It played a critical role in anti-submarine operations in Canadian and Newfoundland waters during the Battle of the Atlantic. Eastern Air Command also had several fighter squadrons and operational training units under its umbrella.
Royal Canadian Air Force Station Jarvis was a Second World War British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) station located near Jarvis, Ontario. The station was home to No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School and is usually known by that name. Bombing and Gunnery schools trained Air Gunners, Wireless Air Gunners, Air Observers, Air Bombers, and Navigator-Bomb Aimers. These airmen served as aircrew on bombers and maritime patrol aircraft.
No. 1 General Reconnaissance School RCAF was a flight training unit in 3 Training Command, of the Royal Canadian Air Force, flying Avro Ansons from RCAF Station Summerside, PEI.
No. 32 Air Navigation School RAF was a flight training squadron in 3 Training Command, of the Royal Canadian Air Force flying Avro Anson's from RCAF Station Charlottetown, PEI.
No. 9 Service Flying Training School (SFTS), Royal Canadian Air Force was a flight training school, located at RCAF Station Summerside, PEI, and later, RCAF Station Centralia, Ontario. It was part of No. 3 Training Command RCAF, carrying out British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) training operations.
No. 8 Service Flying Training School RCAF was a flight training squadron in 3 Training Command, of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), flying Avro Ansons from RCAF Station Moncton, New Brunswick. The school was opened 23 December 1940. The school was relocated to RCAF Station Weyburn, Saskatchewan on 24 January 1944 and was disbanded 30 June 1944.
No. 13 Service Flying Training School RCAF was a RAF flight training unit flying Avro Ansons from RCAF Station St Hubert, Quebec and later from RCAF Station North Battleford, Saskatchewan. It was part of No. 3 Training Command RCAF carrying out British Commonwealth Air Training Plan ("BCATP") operations.
Royal Canadian Air Force Station Dunnville was a Second World War British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) station located near Dunnville, Ontario. The station was home to No. 6 Service Flying Training School and is usually known by that name. Service Flying Training schools trained pilots, either single engine or multi-engine, and 6 SFTS was a single engine school. After graduation the new pilots were assigned various duties, which might be overseas in the Royal Air Force or an RCAF squadron; or in Canada as instructors or staff pilots in the BCATP, or for duty in RCAF Home Defence squadrons.
No. 3 Training Command RCAF was a training command of the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II established to administer the schools of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.