First Pilot Wings Awarded to MFTS Graduates

On 11^th October 2019, AOC 22 Gp AVM Warren James presented the first four MFTS Multi-Engine Pilot Training (MEPT) graduates with their coveted flying brevets or ‘wings’.

The first four MEPT graduates progressed to Phenom after successfully completing the Elementary Flying Training stage of MFTS, where over 6 months they flew the Grob 120TP Prefect for some 60 hours. They went on to complete 50 hours of live flying and 70 hours of simulator flying on Phenom over a further 6 months, with numerous flying examination checkpoints culminating in a challenging Final Handling Test covering a wide range of the many new skills they have acquired.

These are the first students to have entered MFTS as ab initio pilots and go on to achieve their pilot wings. Reflecting on their MEPT course one of the students said “the Phenom was a fantastic aircraft to train on and we all learned so much about flying from a ME perspective, in particular how to operate effectively as a crew in the cockpit. I am very privileged to have been part of such an amazing group of people and I wish everybody the best in future.”

The students were delighted to have been selected to fly the P8 Poseidon, C130J Hercules, Bae 146 and A400M Atlas respectively. Looking towards a bright future on the C130J fleet a student said  “I feel that the flying on Prefect and Phenom has prepared me really well for my future in tactical air transport on the C130, where I’m really looking forward to flying in one of the most challenging roles the Royal Air Force has to offer.”

Gp Capt Euge Moriarty, Comdt No 3FTS said ‘This graduation marks another significant milestone for MFTS.  These four brand-new RAF pilots are the first to have completed their flying training end-to-end within the new training system.  They have seen and experienced, first-hand, the benefits of modern training aircraft which more closely reflect the front-line requirement and the supporting synthetics and superb infrastructure which MFTS has brought.  They now move forward to their respective front-line aircraft well prepared for the next stage of their training to become front-line pilots”.

Mr Brian Braid the RAFC Cranwell Ascent General Manager said “To witness the first students who have earned their RAF Wings entirely within the new UKMFTS construct is a significant event. They will better understand the challenges they will face in modern operations and will be well trained to adapt and overcome those challenges using the skills they have learned in the course of their flying training. With the 4 graduates all going to different multi-engine front line fleets, I wish them every success for their future flying”.

Graduates of No 3 Flying Training School were presented with their flying brevets and course awards by the Reviewing Officer, Air Vice-Marshal Warren “Bunny” James Air Officer Commanding No 22 Training Group at a ceremony held in the Royal AIr Force College.
Photo by: Gordon Elias
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