RP, not sure what your point is regarding GEJ's comments - he is accurate. RAF pilots were trained by civilians under JEFTS for some 10 years up till around 2003 and continued to be trained under MELIN (and from 2013 alongside 16Sqn) for 45(R) Sqn entry into the Multi Engined world to this day.
RN and AAC pilots have stayed with the system started in 1995 under JEFTS, through DEFTS (post RAF pullout from T67 at Chruch Fenton) and by 2009/2010 over to the G115e with very experienced civi and military QFIs under 3 FTS.
Historically:
From RAF Hendon records:
Inter-War flying training | Historical Periods | Taking flight | Exhibitions & Displays | Research | RAF Museum
"1914: RFC: With the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, it was clear that the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) would have to expand if it were to serve the Army in France and replace its own casualties. The Central Flying School (CFS) did not have the capacity to support this growth, so new training units were opened and civilian flying schools commandeered. "
"1936: The RAF Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) was formed. The RAFVR provided a reservoir of trained aircrew to support the regular and reserve squadrons. Pupil pilots learnt to fly at weekends at civilian-run flying schools and attended classes in the evenings for their ground based tuition.
To cope with the influx of personnel, from the mid 1930s onwards, all student pilots, except Cranwell cadets, received two months' elementary training at civil schools. The FTS course was also cut from nine months to six to increase the output of pilots. During this period the Schools were supplied with fast new monoplane aircraft, such as the Miles Magister and Link Trainers were introduced to help teach instrument flying.
By 1939, RAF flying training was better than ever before, but shortages of instructors, airfields and training aircraft meant too few pilots were being produced. Nevertheless, the training structure was almost in place to support the expansion of the RAF into the mass 'citizens' air force' needed to fight the coming war. "
As for the quality of these QFIs (many of whom have spent 20 years teaching military pilots) perhaps we should let CFS do the talking rather than making unquantifiable judgements:
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