#1766 1 FTS Juno HT1 print
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1766 - ZM505, June HT1, 1 FTS, RAF Shawbury.
The first Royal Air Force Flying School was formed at Netheravon on 29 July 1919. Originally christened the Netheravon School of Flying, the unit was renamed No. 1 Flying Training School on 23 December 1919. It remained at the station until its disbandment on 1 February 1931. Reformed at RAF Leuchars on 1 April 1935, No. 1 FTS trained Naval and RAF pilots. It was soon moved to Netheravon again where, at the outbreak of World War II, it was renamed No. 1 Service Flying Training School. In 1942 the school closed but a unit known as No. 1 Service Flying Training School (India) continued training pilots until 1945 at Ambala. No. 1 FTS proper was reformed at Spitalgate in June 1947 but disbanded in February 1948. It reappeared again at Oakington in December 1950 as a refresher unit. In October 1951, No. 1 FTS moved to Moreton-in-Marsh and then to Syerston in April 1955, where initial flying training for the Fleet Air Arm was provided, re-establishing the connection with the Royal Navy. In October 1957, No. 1 FTS moved to Linton-on-Ouse equipped with Vampire and Chipmunk aircraft, with the first Jet Provost arriving the following year. The Naval pilots were then joined for advanced training by RAF and overseas air force officers who had already gained their “wings”. The last Naval fixed wing course graduated in 1969 but basic flying training for RAF pilots continued at Linton-on-Ouse on the Jet Provost 3 and T5. In mid-1984, No. 1 FTS ssumed responsibility for the elementary flying training of all Royal Navy pilots and basic flying training for Royal Navy Sea Harrier pilots. The first Tucano arrived at No. 1 FTS in 1992 and the type had completely replaced the Jet Provost by June 1993. Additionally, in 1993, No. 1 FTS took over the RAF’s elementary flying training task and formed the Joint Elementary Flying Training Squadron at Topcliffe. This unit was transferred to Barkston Heath in 1994 to become the Joint Elementary Flying Training School and ceased to be the responsibility of No. 1 FTS. In mid-1997, No. 1 FTS assumed the mantle of Basic Fast Jet Training and trained only those RAF and Naval pilots who had been previously selected for this role. On 25 October 2019, the Tucano was withdrawn from RAF service and No. 1 FTS ceased to exist once more. On 28 February 2020, No. 1 FTS reformed again and took over the role of the Defence Helicopter Flying School. Based at Shawbury, the unit is responsible for training aircrew for the Royal Navy, British Army and the Royal Air Force.