RAF Cranwell

Last updated

RAF Cranwell
Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg
Near Cranwell, Lincolnshire in England
Graduates front of College Hall.jpg
RAF Cranwell badge.png
Alitum Altrix
(Latin for 'Nurture the Winged') [1]
Lincolnshire UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
RAF Cranwell
Shown within Lincolnshire
Coordinates 53°01′49″N000°29′00″W / 53.03028°N 0.48333°W / 53.03028; -0.48333
TypeTraining station
Area700 hectares (1,700 acres) [2]
Site information
Owner Ministry of Defence
Operator Royal Air Force
Controlled by No. 22 Group (Training)
ConditionOperational
Website Official website
Site history
Built1916 (1916)
In use1916–1918 (Royal Naval Air Service)
1918 – present (Royal Air Force)
Garrison information
Current
commander
Group Captain Tina Jessup
OccupantsSee Based units section for full list.
Airfield information
Identifiers ICAO: EGYD, WMO: 03379
Elevation67.7 metres (222 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
09/272,082 metres (6,831 ft)  asphalt/concrete
01/191,462 metres (4,797 ft) asphalt/concrete
08N/26N761 metres (2,497 ft) grass
08S/26S761 metres (2,497 ft) grass
Source: UK MIL AIP Cranwell [3]

Royal Air Force Cranwell or more simply RAF Cranwell( ICAO : EGYD) is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England, close to the village of Cranwell, near Sleaford. Among other functions, it is home to the Royal Air Force College (RAFC), which trains the RAF's new officers and aircrew. The motto, Altium Altrix, meaning "Nurture the highest" appears above the main doors of the Officers Mess. [4] Since January 2023, RAF Cranwell has been commanded by Group Captain Tina Jessup. [5]

Contents

History

The history of military aviation at Cranwell goes back to November 1915, [6] when the Admiralty requisitioned 2,500 acres (10 km2) of land from the Marquess of Bristol's estate. [6] On 1 April 1916, the "Royal Naval Air Service Training Establishment, Cranwell" was officially born. [6]

In 1917 a dedicated railway station was established for the RNAS establishment on a new single track branch line from Sleaford, the train being known as The Cranwell Flyer. [7]

With the establishment of the Royal Air Force as an independent service in 1918, the RNAS Training Establishment became RAF Cranwell. [8] The Royal Air Force College Cranwell was formed on 1 November 1919 as the RAF (Cadet) College. [9]

Role and operations

Royal Air Force College

Cranwell is home to the Royal Air Force College (RAFC), which overseas all RAF phase 1 Training. The RAF Officer Training Academy (RAFOTA) is the sub organisation of the RAFC which trains the RAFs new officers on a 24-week Modular Initial Officer Training Course (MIOTC), after which they are dispersed to their Phase II training for specific branch instruction. [10] It is thus the RAF equivalent of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst or the Britannia Royal Naval College. [11]

RAF Recruitment

The station is home to the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre (OASC), where all applicants to the RAF as officers or non-commissioned aircrew, are put through a rigorous selection process. [12]

Headquarters Central Flying School

HQ CFS has been located at RAF Cranwell since 1995 when it moved from RAF Scampton. The Central Flying School currently trains all RAF QFI flying instructors. [13]

No. 3 Flying Training School

Cranwell is home to the headquarters of No. 3 Flying Training School (No. 3 FTS). The school provides elementary flying training for fixed wing and multi-engine student pilots from the RAF and Fleet Air Arm through No. 57 (Reserve) Squadron and No. 703 Naval Air Squadron. The UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) operates the Grob Prefect T1 in this role. Although nominally based at Cranwell, elementary training largely takes place at nearby RAF Barkston Heath. [14] After elementary training, aircrews streamed to fly multi-engine aircraft and rear-seat roles are trained by No. 45(R) Squadron, which operate five Embraer Phenom 100. [15]

On 16 January 2018, the Skyes Building was opened at Cranwell by Air Marshal Sean Reynolds, the Deputy Commander Capability and Senior Responsible Owner of the UKMFTS. The building acts as a UKMFTS operational support building and is used to train new RAF pilots. It was named after Air-Vice Marshal Sir Frederick Hugh Sykes, a British military officer and politician who served during the First World War. [16]

Air Cadets

Since the mid-1990s, Cranwell has been home to Headquarters, Air Cadets, and the Air Cadet Organisation's Adult Training Facility. [17]

Based units

An Embraer Phenom 100, operated by No. 45 Squadron's based at RAF Cranwell 45 (R) Squadron, Embraer Phenom 100 MOD 45164824.jpg
An Embraer Phenom 100, operated by No. 45 Squadron's based at RAF Cranwell

The following notable flying and non-flying units are based at RAF Cranwell. [18]

Royal Air Force

Civilian

Future

The RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine, which consists of three wings: Aviation Medicine Wing, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Wing, and Support Wing, will re-locate from RAF Henlow to RAF Cranwell by 2026. The equipment being relocated includes: "aircraft cockpit rigs; hypobaric chambers, which simulate the effect of high altitude on the body; hypoxia training rigs; and helmet-testing gear." [19]

The Recruit Training Squadron, which delivers the Basic Recruit Training Course (Phase 1) to all Royal Air Force recruits, is planned to relocate from RAF Halton, which is due to close in 2027, to RAF Cranwell in December 2025. [20]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Air Force</span> Air and space force of the United Kingdom

The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by merging the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Following the Allied victory over the Central Powers in 1918, the RAF emerged as the largest air force in the world at the time. Since its formation, the RAF has played a significant role in British military history. In particular, during the Second World War, the RAF established air superiority over Hermann Göring's Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain, and led the allied strategic bombing effort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Training Corps</span> British volunteer youth organisation, primarily focussing on military aviation

The Air Training Corps (ATC) is a British volunteer youth organisation of the United Kingdom; aligned to, and fostering the knowledge and learning of military values, primarily focussing on military aviation. Part of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC), the ATC is sponsored by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the wider Ministry of Defence (MoD). The majority of Air Training Corps staff are volunteers, though some staff are paid for full-time work; including Commandant Air Cadets, who is a Royal Air Force officer as part of a Full Term Reserve Service commitment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Barkston Heath</span> Royal Air Force station near Grantham, Lincolnshire, England

Royal Air Force Barkston Heath or RAF Barkston Heath is a Royal Air Force Relief Landing Ground under the command of RAF Cranwell near Grantham, Lincolnshire, England.

An Air Experience Flight (AEF) is a training unit of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve whose main purpose is to give introductory flying experience to cadets from the Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force. As of 2019, thirteen AEFs are active.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grob G 115</span> German trainer aircraft

The Grob G 115 is a general aviation fixed-wing aircraft, primarily used for flight training. It is built in Germany by Grob Aircraft. The E variant with a 3-blade variable pitch propeller is in service with the Finnish Air Force, the Royal Navy and Army Air Corps for Flying Grading and in the Royal Air Force as part of No. 6 Flying Training School which provides flying to both University Air Squadrons and Air Experience Flights to Cadets of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets. As of 2020, the Tutor is still being used by the RAF for some Elementary Flying Training (3FTS) but is due to be phased out in favour of its replacement, the more advanced Prefect T1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acting pilot officer</span>

Acting pilot officer is the lowest commissioned grade in the Royal Air Force. Acting pilot officer is not an actual military rank, therefore acting pilot officers are regraded to pilot officer instead of receiving a promotion. Unlike other RAF ranks which officers may hold in an acting capacity, acting pilot officer is maintained as a separate grade. The grade normally denotes an officer who has recently been commissioned and joined as a non-graduate direct entrant.

The officer ranks of the Royal Air Force, as they are today, were introduced in 1919. Prior to that Army ranks were used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Flying School</span> British Royal Air Force pilot school

The Central Flying School (CFS) is the Royal Air Force's primary institution for the training of military flying instructors. Established in 1912 at the Upavon Aerodrome, it is the longest existing flying training school. The school was based at RAF Little Rissington from 1946 to 1976. Its motto is Imprimis Praecepta, Latin for "The Teaching is Everlasting".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MOD Boscombe Down</span>

MoD Boscombe Down(ICAO: EGDM) is the home of a military aircraft testing site, on the south-eastern outskirts of the town of Amesbury, Wiltshire, England. The site is managed by QinetiQ, the private defence company created as part of the breakup of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) in 2001 by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volunteer Gliding Squadron</span>

A Volunteer Gliding Squadron (VGS) is an aircraft squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF) which provides flying training in glider aircraft for Royal Air Force Air Cadets. All current operational Volunteer Gliding Squadrons operate a sole type of aircraft, the Grob G103A Twin II Acro, a conventional winch-launched tandem-seat sailplane known by its British military designation, Viking T1.

The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) was established in 1936 to support the preparedness of the U.K. Royal Air Force in the event of another war. The Air Ministry intended it to form a supplement to the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF), the active reserve for the RAF, by providing an additional non-active reserve. However during the Second World War the high demand for aircrew absorbed all available RAuxAF personnel and led the RAFVR to quickly become the main pathway of aircrew entry into the RAF. It was initially composed of civilians recruited from neighbourhood reserve flying schools, run by civilian contractors with largely RAF-trained flying instructors as well as other instructors in related air war functions, such as observers and wireless operators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 22 Group RAF</span> Royal Air Force operations group

No. 22 Group Royal Air Force is one of six groups currently active in 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 the British Armed Forces; namely the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, and the British Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian Stewart (RAF officer)</span> British Royal Air Force officer

Air Commodore Ian Richard William Stewart is a retired British Royal Air Force officer. His last posting was as the United Kingdom National Military Representative at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. He was Commandant Air Cadets between 2008 and 2010, and Air Commodore, Royal Air Force Reserve from 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Air Force College Cranwell</span> Royal Air Force training and education academy

The Royal Air Force College (RAFC) is the Royal Air Force military academy which provides initial training to all RAF personnel who are preparing to become commissioned officers. The College also provides initial training to aircrew cadets and is responsible for all RAF recruiting along with officer and aircrew selection. Originally established as a naval aviation training centre during World War I, the College was established as the world's first air academy in 1919. During World War II, the College was closed and its facilities were used as a flying training school. Reopening after the War, the College absorbed the Royal Air Force Technical College in 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">703 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

703 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy was formed as a long-range catapult squadron on 3 March 1942 at RNAS Lee-on-Solent. During the Cold War, it was reformed as an experimental trials unit, and then as a helicopter training squadron. Since 2003, the squadron has formed the Royal Naval wing of the Defence Elementary Flying Training School at RAF Barkston Heath.

674 Squadron AAC is a unit of the British Army Air Corps. It conducts flying grading for potential army pilots as a part of the army flying training selection process. Pre-selected candidates are introduced to the flying training environment on a syllabus which includes basic flying exercises. Candidates' suitability for further training is assessed and graded and this information is used as a part of the overall selection criteria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UK Military Flying Training System</span> Military unit

The UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) takes UK armed forces aircrew from initial training through elementary, basic, and advanced flying training phases, preparing them for their arrival at their designated operational aircraft units. It is operated by Ascent Flight Training, a consortium of Lockheed Martin and Babcock International under a 25-year Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract for the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD), with oversight from the MoD. The airworthiness authority for each aircraft type, for example, is fulfilled by military and civilian staff within Defence Equipment and Support. Apart from the overall contract, the main elements of the system include fixed-wing elementary, multi-engine and fast-jet pilot training, rear crew training and rotary-wing (helicopter) training.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 2 Flying Training School RAF</span> Flying Training School of the Royal Air Force

No.2 Flying Training School is a Flying Training School (FTS) of the Royal Air Force (RAF). It is part of No. 22 (Training) Group that delivers glider flying training to the Royal Air Force Air Cadets. Its headquarters is located at RAF Syerston in Nottinghamshire and gliding takes places from several sites throughout the UK using the Grob Viking T1. The RAF Central Gliding School is also under its command.

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.

This is the structure of the Royal Air Force, as of October 2020.

References

Citations

  1. Pine, L.G. (1983). A dictionary of mottoes (1 ed.). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p.  9. ISBN   0-7100-9339-X.
  2. "Defence Estates Development Plan 2009 – Annex A". GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence. 3 July 2009. p. 18. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  3. "Cranwell AD 2 - EGYD - 1 - 1" (PDF). UK MIL AIP. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  4. "Ridges and Furrows" (PDF). p. 30. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  5. "Station Commander" . Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 Halpenny (1981), p.74
  7. A J Ludlam, The RAF Cranwell Railway, Oakwood Press, Headington, 1988, ISBN   0 85361 379 6
  8. Halpenny (1981), p.75
  9. Phillips-Evans, J. The Longcrofts: 500 Years of a British Family (Amazon, 2012)
  10. "Officer Training". RAF Recruitment. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  11. "OACTU". Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 14 March 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  12. "Questions to Secretary of State on move to RAF Cranwell from RAF Biggin Hill". Hansard. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  13. "Central Flying School". Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 20 March 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  14. "120TP Prefect". Royal Air Force (Beta). Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  15. "Royal Air Force". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  16. "Cutting-edge milestone for UKMFTS programme" (PDF). Desider. Ministry of Defence / Defence Equipment & Support. 115: 12. February 2018.
  17. "HQ Air Cadets". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  18. "RAF College Cranwell - Who's Based Here". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  19. Dunton, Jim (5 October 2021). "RAF readies £45m medicine centre plans for take-off". Building. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  20. "20220330 FOI2021 14852 15250 Response.pdf". www.whatdotheyknow.com. Retrieved 20 October 2023.

Bibliography