Deliver Solution

We deliver frontline 
aircrew for UKMFTS

Our Mission is to deliver a world-class military flying training system

Deliver at a glance

Ascent Flight Training has been delivering training solutions for military aircrew since 2008 through the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS)

This public-private partnership has recapitalised and modernised aircrew training for all three UK military services.

Through our unique combination of synthetic flight training devices, full flight simulators, classroom teaching and live flying, we design, develop and deliver a modern and efficient training system that creates the next generation of military aircrew for frontline missions.

NFTE accredited

Our sites at RAF Cranwell and RAF Shawbury are NFTE accredited. That means military aircrew from across the globe can benefit from Ascent’s world-class training solutions, generating mission-ready teams, through our unique blend of live and synthetic training.

Read the RAF Shawbury report here +
Read the RAF Cranwell report here +

Training Service Provider for UKMFTS

As Training Service Provider for UKMFTS, we work closely with our Shareholders Lockheed Martin and Babcock International and global suppliers Affinity, Airbus, Draken, CAE, Kier, Embraer, Textron, GROB and Textron

Our state-of-the-art facilities

We have built new infrastructure at our training sites, including new training school buildings, which accommodate state-of-the-art flight simulators and modern classroom teaching facilities and IT resources.

Want to know more about how we can tailor our training solutions to your needs?

Contact us today

Our sites

Bristol Training Hub

220 Bristol Business Park | The Close | Bristol | BS16 1FJ

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+441454 771614
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Our Training Hub headquarters hosts our Bristol-based admin, courseware developers and training support employees – part of the 420+ strong team that we employ across the UK.

RNAS Culdrose

RNAS Culdrose | Helston | Cornwall | TR12 7RH

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RNAS Culdrose, just outside Helston on the Lizard Peninsula, is the largest helicopter base in Europe, with some 75 aircraft and 3,000 personnel. It is the biggest single-site employer in Cornwall, pumping £100m into the local economy every year.

Rear Crew Training is conducted on a specially adapted Textron King Air 350ER Avenger, equipped with a Tactical Mission Trainer Suite that is replicated on the ground as part of a ground based training environment.

Courses cover observer training, sensor operator training in addition to flying training.

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Aircraft

4 x King Air 350ER

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Training

Rear Crew

RAF Cranwell

RAF Cranwell, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 8HB

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Our RAF Cranwell team is responsible for Fixed Wing (FW), Elementary, Multi-Engine and Rear Crew Training across RAF Cranwell and Barkston Heath in Lincolnshire. All FW trainees undertake a common groundschool phase before progressing to their Elementary Flying Training on the Grob 120 TP Prefect T1.

Those destined for multi-engine aircraft, such as A400M Atlas, then undergo Multi-Engine Pilot Training on the Embraer Phenom T1. Those trainees selected for the Fast Jet stream undertake a further course on the Prefect T1 to prepare them for their next stage on the Textron Texan T1 at RAF Valley.

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Aircraft

5 x Phenom T1 23 x Prefect T1

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Training

Fixed Wing, Elementary, Multi-Engine, Rear Crew

RAF Valley

RAF Valley | Holyhead | Anglesey | LL65 3NY

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Located on Anglesey, North Wales, RAF Valley is the home of Fast Jet Phase 4 Training. It is the most complex of all of Ascent’s training sites, and operates three different aircraft types across three separate UKMFTS programmes.

The Moran Building delivers BAE Hawk T2 Groundschool and Flight Simulator Training. Textron Texan T1 courses provide basic Fast Jet Training.

RAF Valley is also home to the Maritime Unit, delivering specialist training as part of the Rotary Wing Training conducted at RAF Shawbury, flying Airbus H145 helicopters in a tri-service environment.

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Aircraft

28 x Hawk T2 14 x Texan T1 4 x H145

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Training

Fixed Wing, Fast Jet, Maritime

RAF Shawbury

RAF Shawbury  | Shrewsbury  | Shropshire  | SY4 4DZ

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In the course of of a typical year, around 1,000 trainees from across UK Defence and international partners go through helicopter training at RAF Shawbury.

Basic Rotary Wing Training, including all aspects of helicopter crew training for all three military services, is provided using Airbus H135 & H145 helicopters and ground based training equipment.

The Duke of Cambridge School building houses state-of-the-art classroom facilities, synthetics and operations support.

Mountain training may be operated out of RAF Valley.

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Aircraft

29 x H135 3 x H145

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Training

Rotary Wing

RAF Barkston Heath

RAF Barkston Heath, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG32 3FH

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RAF Barkston Heath provides additional training capacity for the Grob 120 TP Prefect T1.

ACC Middle Wallop

AAC Middle Wallop, Stockbridge, Hants SO20 8DY

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Army Air Corp Pilots, Support Helicopter Pilots and Rear Crew from the RAF and Royal Navy receive advanced tactical training at AAC Middle Wallop.

At Ascent, our values are rooted in respect – for our employees, our partners and our customers