Training Aircraft
Griffin HT1
The Griffin HT1 is used as an advanced flying-training helicopter at the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) at RAF Shawbury and the Search and Rescue Training Unit (SARTU) at RAF Valley. In addition to pilot training, the Griffin is used for crewman training: a very important and integral part of multi-crew operations – especially useful for procedural instrument-flying training and practicing complex emergency-handling techniques. The Griffin is also used in its HAR2 form by No 84 Squadron on SAR duties in Cyprus. With a cruising speed of 120kt (138mph) and an endurance of almost 3 hours, which makes it ideally suited for advanced helicopter training, the Griffin HT1 is ideally suited for Multi-Engine Advanced Rotary Wing training. The syllabus includes general-handling flying, underslungload carrying, night-vision goggle training, procedural instrument flying, formation flying, low-flying navigation and an introduction to tactical employment, including operations from confined areas Taken from Royal Air Force Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017 |
Hawk T1
The Hawk T1 version is currently used at RAF Valley for fast-jet pilot advanced training with No 208(R) Squadron although this role will increasingly migrate to IV(R) Sqn and the Hawk T2 in the future. The Hawk T1 is also operated by the RAF Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, and 100 Sqn. While the Hawk T1 is used primarily in the advanced flying-training role, it is equipped to an operational standard and is capable of undertaking a war role. The T1 has two underwing pylons cleared to carry AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. The cannon can be fired at the same time as any of the pylon-mounted weapons are selected for release or firing. Aiming facilities for the aircraft’s attack modes are provided by an integrated strike and interception system, while a Vinten video recording system is used to record the weapon sighting Taken from Royal Air Force Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017 |
Hawk T2
The Hawk T2 is a fully aerobatic, low wing, transonic, 2-seat training aircraft with mission avionics that are representative of front-line aircraft. The Hawk T2 is used to train selected personnel to meet the Fast Jet Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) input standards. The aircraft’s ‘glass cockpit’ avionics suite provides a realistic advanced fast jet training platform which, as part of the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS), meets current and future OCU input standards. It allows trainees to be immersed in the more complex tactical environments by ‘downloading’ training from the OCUs. The Hawk T2 has a data link that gives the pilot synthetic radar for intercept training. The aircraft also has a sensor simulation capability to allow realistic Electronic Warfare (EW) training against Surface-to-Air-Missile (SAM) systems. In addition to significant changes made to the profile of the nose, the tail section has been modified to incorporate side-mounted, unit-root fins forward of the tailplane; a fairing for a Radar Warning Receiver has been added to the fin; and the tailcone has been redesigned to allow a brake parachute to be fitted Taken from Royal Air Force Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017 |
King Air B200
The Beech King Air B200 is a twin-engine turboprop monoplane, used as an advanced, multi-engine pilot trainer by No 45(R) Squadron, which is part of No 3 Flying Training School based at RAF Cranwell. The King Air course is split into basic and advanced phases. In the basic phase, students learn essential multi-engine techniques such as general handling, asymmetric flying, emergency handling and radio-aids navigation, and consolidate the multi-crew skills acquired on the Multi-Engine Lead-In course. In the advanced phase, the emphasis shifts towards developing captaincy, crew resource management, and managing the King Air’s advanced avionics systems. Students learn advanced skills such as formation flying, low-level flying and airways navigation, and are expected to plan and manage composite missions involving several aircraft. On completion of the course students are awarded their coveted pilots’ wings, and then undertake conversion to their front-line aircraft type at an Operational Conversion Unit Taken from Royal Air Force (adapted) Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017 |
Tucano T1
The Tucano T1 is a modified version of the Brazilian Embraer EMB-312 Tucano aircraft, and is built under licence by Shorts of Belfast. The Tucano T1 is operated primarily from No 1 Flying Training School, at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, to provide basic fast jet flying training to RAF and RN student pilots. The aircraft handling is similar to that of a jet aircraft and it is fully aerobatic, thus providing an excellent platform for the training of fast-jet pilots in all aspects of military flying. It is used to develop students in a full range of skills, including general aircraft handling, formation flying and low-level navigation and, due to its comprehensive avionics and ice protection packages, it can be flown in all types of weather, by day and by night. The Tucano’s all-weather flying capability, plus its excellent endurance, allows a great measure of flexibility in the training role. Should weather conditions be poor at their home base, crews operating from RAF Linton-on-Ouse can fly low-level sorties to locations as far away as Wales or the north of Scotland Taken from Royal Air Force Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017 |
Tutor T1
The Grob 115E is known by the RAF as the Tutor. It is used for Elementary Flying Training by all 3 of the Armed Services. Additionally, 14 University Air Squadrons and 12 Air Experience Flights throughout the UK provide Air Experience Flying and Flying Instruction to university students and members of the Air Cadet Organisation. The Tutor can cruise at 130kt at sea level and climb to 5,000ft in 7 minutes. This performance, along with a modern instrument and avionics suite, including a Traffic Avoidance System, makes the Tutor an ideal aircraft for Elementary Flying Training Taken from Royal Air Force Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017 |
Squirrel HT1
The Squirrel HT1 is used by the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) at RAF Shawbury, in Shropshire, for Single Engine Basic Rotary Wing (SEBRW) training and Single Engine Advanced Rotary Wing (SEARW) training with No 660 and 705 Squadrons. The initial flying-training course, teaches basic rotary-wing skills and emergency handling, culminating in a first solo and a handling check prior to SEARW training. The SEARW phase of the course, is where basic skills are consolidated and developed into more applied techniques. The syllabus includes non-procedural instrument flying, basic night flying, low-level and formation flying, mountain flying and an introduction to winching for RN students. In addition to DHFS, the Squirrel HT1 is used by the Central Flying School (Helicopter) Squadron at RAF Shawbury for instructor training, and by 670 AAC Squadron, based at Middle Wallop, in Hampshire, for operational training Taken from Royal Air Force Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017 |
Vigilant T1
The Grob 109B motor glider, known by the RAF as the Vigilant T1, is used by the Air Cadet Organisation to give basic flying and gliding training to air cadets. The Vigilant is currently used by 17 Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGSs), located at various sites around the UK. Their role is to train air cadets in basic flying techniques and to enable them to reach a standard where they are able to fly solo. Courses available to the air cadets are the gliding induction course, the gliding scholarship course and the advanced gliding training course. The Vigilant T1 aircraft is also used at the RAF Central Gliding School, at Syerston, in Nottinghamshire, where it is used to train the VGS instructors Taken from Royal Air Force Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017 |
Viking T1
The Grob G103A Twin II Acro, known by the RAF as the Viking T1, is used by the Air Cadet Organisation to give basic gliding training to air cadets. The aircraft is currently used by 10 Volunteer Gliding Squadrons located at various sites around the UK. Their role is to train air cadets to a standard that will allow them to fly solo. The Viking is used for basic training, high-performance flying and simple aerobatic flying and is a cost-effective, modern glider, ideally suited to its training role with the Air Cadet Organisation. Courses available to the air cadets are the gliding induction course, the gliding scholarship course and the advanced gliding training course. The aircraft is also used at the RAF CentralGliding School, at Syerston, where it is used in the training of the VGS instructors. Taken from Royal Air Force Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2017 |
Aircraft |
Engines |
Thrust |
Max Speed |
Length |
Max Altitude |
Span |
Aircrew |
Griffin HT1 |
Two Pratt & Whitney PT6T-3D Turboshafts |
900shp each |
140kts |
17.11m |
20,000ft |
14.02m |
4 |
Hawk T |
R-R Turbomeca Adour Turbofan |
5,200lbs |
550kts |
11.9m |
48,000ft |
9.39m |
1 or 2 |
Hawk T2 |
R-R/Turbomeca Turbomeca Adour Mk.951 Turbofan |
6,500lbs |
555kts |
12.43m |
42,000ft |
9.94m |
1 or 2 |
King Air B200 |
Two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42 Turboprops |
850shp each |
259kts |
13.36m |
28,000ft |
16.61m |
2 |
Tucano T1 |
Garrett TPE331-12B Turboprop |
1,150shp |
300kts |
9.86m |
25,000ft |
11.28m |
2 |
Tutor T1 |
Textron Lycoming AE-360-B Piston Engine |
180hp |
185kts |
7.54m |
10,000ft |
10m |
2 |
Squirrel HT1 |
Ariel 1D1 gas-turbine engine |
625shp |
155kts |
12.94m |
16,000ft |
10.69m |
2 |
Vigilant T1 |
Grob 2500E1 horizontally opposed four cylinder air cooled |
95lbs |
130kts |
8.1m |
8,000ft |
17.4m |
2 |
Viking T1 |
N/A |
N/A |
119kts |
8.18m |
8,000ft |
17.50m |
2 |
© Air Cadet 101 - Harry Briggs