DEFTS

[borthwick22]

Hello there

Could someone please tell me how to get in contact with DEFTS as I am interested in doing my FIC there. Problem is I have tried every number I can get my hands on and they all ring out!!

If someone knows an email adress or a number they have been successful with I would really appreciate the help.

Many Thanks

[212man]

http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcranwell/aboutus/defts.cfm

If you require any further information on Babcock's operations, please contact Capt T Wooltorton on tel: 01400 265000, fax: 01400 265213

I may be wrong (frequently am!) but I very much doubt that the DEFTS will run FI courses (the clue is the word 'Defence' in the title!)

[wobble2plank]

The clue is in the name and the location:

Defence Elementary Flying Training School at RAF Cranwell, officers training college.

I know the MOD budget is tight but I don't think they are running instructors courses yet, unless you have a few Harrier, Tornado or Mil Helicopter hours under your belt?

:ugh:

[Dendmar]

Contrary to the above posts, DEFTS does do a FIC Course and very good it is too. There was no reply to your calls yeserday as we did not return until today, after the Bank Holiday. Phone again and they should be able to help you.

[airborne_artist]

DEFTS is run under contract by Babcock and so long as they fulfil the contract then Babcock can run other activities on the site/using the aircraft. It's been mentioned before on here that it's a well-run course.

http://www.pprune.org/flying-instructors-examiners/335194-fi-rating-training-organisations-uk.html

[Sleeve Wing]

Yes, DEFTS do FIC training at Barkston Heath. Know a guy whose completed the course and he is in full agreement with Dendmar - a first class course - in good aeroplanes.

[Whopity]

Another clue lies in the aircraft: http://www.airshows.org.uk/2005/airshows/leuchars/photographs/sd_defts_1.jpg (http://www.airshows.org.uk/2005/airshows/leuchars/photographs/sd_defts_1.jpg)"
They have civil registrations, do not belong to the RAF, and can be used by the owners for other purposes!

[wobble2plank]

Fair enough, I stand, humbly, corrected.

Enjoy the course!

:oh:

[212man]

Ditto, another one of my 'frequently wrong' which I'm pleased to discover. Hope the phone number helps and enjoy the course - I'm sure it will be a good one!

[DB6]

I used to work for them (as JEFTS) and can tell you that the training is as good as you will get anywhere. Tim Wooltorton is an A1 QFI and you will learn along RAF CFS lines, on aircraft second to none in the role. OK I am biased, but it really is a good outfit. Highly recommended. If you have any aerobatic experience think about getting the 'no aerobatics' restriction removed while you are there.

[FB11]

Sadly, DEFTS has no capacity at the moment.

I was due to start on 28 July and they cancelled me due to taking on foreign students.

As a current military pilot based close by, I still wanted to do the course (that's what ELC is for, after all) so stated I would get back to them when I managed to find another 6-week hole in my schedule (ha ha)

Just received an e-mail from Tim stating that there are going to be no courses in the next few months and then the fleet changeover from Firefly to Grob(?) effectively stops FIC(R) at DEFTS for the forseeable future.

Bugger.

I might be spending the next 20+years of my spare time teaching in a C-152 or PA-28 but I'd have much preferred learning in a Firefly with an ex-mil instructor.

Ho hum, such is life as a small fish in a (lots of foreign money for the contractor) pond.

[DB6]

Firefly to GROB?!!! The buggers really did win WWII after all. Winston is doing 2700+ rpm in his grave as we speak.:{

[18greens]

Changing to grobs?

I wonder whats happening to the old fireflies. It would be good to see them filter into some schools.

[ColeTrickle]

...hope they do not go they way the US T3-A's went... :-(

U.S. Air Force destroies its entire fleet of 110 T-3A Firefly (http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/leadnews/USAirForce_T3SlingsbyFirefly_Salvage_Demolition_193219-1.html)

[Duchess_Driver]

...about 4-5 years ago there was another tranche of T67's released from a 'military' contract. They were all offered for auction and most went at a fairly reasonable price.

Went to view them at Cambridge.

[Vortex Thing]

The JEFTS T67Ms are 260Hp a very different animal from the T67Cs that were released in the old tranche. If only a civil school had the minerals to buy a few of those if they are coming on the market. Fantastic machines fonldy remembered from when I was on JEFTS.

[DB6]

Nah, there were 260s in the last sale, no Cs as far as I know - JEFTS only ever had M160 and M260s, Truly outstanding machines - fully IFR kitted and fully aerobatic with the ability to carry full fuel and two grown chaps -and probably not too much to buy, however a bit thirsty to use as a club basic trainer. They will have been maintained to the highest levels and will be an excellent buy to those lucky enough to bag them.

[greeners]

FB11 et al - there ARE some civilian organisations that only take ex-military pilots for interesting and fun instruction, using military SOPs etc - pm me for details!

[FB11]

Greeners - thanks for the feedback, check your PM at you leisure.

FB11

[angelorange]

Try Netherthrope - They have an ex JEFTS Firefly and and ex DEFTS A2 QFI available!

[RAPA Pilot]

I'd like to thank Gary and Tim at JEFTS Barkston Heath for the gleaming Mercades sat in my driveway. Yep, I don't think I would be where I am today if it had'nt been for their expert guidance.
When the CPL examiner reluctantly signed me off he said the best thing you could do son is go and be an instructor. My flying was poor and I had NO confidence and I could have quit right there and then.
Someone gave me the number for JEFTS( divine intervention perhaps??)
I was a part time soldier many many years age so I had some idea of how the mil worked and they did exactly as I expected. They took my flying apart and rebuilt it in their image. It was the most amazing course and I left with my ability and confidance sky high. I finished there on the Thursday made a call on the Friday and started and an instructor on the Monday out of SOU and that was in 2002 when, like now, there were not to many jobs about, but it was the start of my career.

DB6
If I remember G-HONG and G-KONG were M200s but the M260s were absolutely brilliant for spin training and aeros and dog fighting and formation flying all of which I did on my standard FIs course. Exceptional.

I would love to go back now as a part time instructor perhaps at a UAS. Anyone any information?

RAPA....

[Fireboy]

I don't think you'll stand any chance of getting into a UAS as an instructor, all UAS/AEF pilots are serving Officers, full or reserve.

[Mickey Kaye]

Are you sure all the FI are ex military?

[Whopity]

THe M260s are also configured to be flown from the RH seat not the left!

[DB6]

RAPA, true about the M200s, I remembered after I had posted but was too lazy... They were the first ones to go I think, and were not used for the primary task but for civvy FI stuff etc.
When the RAF JEFTS squadron at Fenton closed a bunch of us (civvy) looked at joining the UASs. At that time (2003) you had to be either serving or FTRS. There was some talk of joining the reserves but it didn't come to anything; basically there were enough RAF instructors for the task, don't know if that has changed.
The M260s can be flown from either seat although the instruments are on the right and it is flown solo from that seat. Both seats have LH throttle/RH stick configuration.

[CirrusF]

I have heard that DEFTS occasionally recruit non-QSP civilian instructors. Can anybody confirm this?

[UAV689]

Hi All

has anyone completed this course recently? any idea how much they charge for the course, would be highly interested in doing my FI there when the time comes.

Regards

[vetflyer]

Are they replacing the Fireflies with Grobs ?

Just interested

ps Yes I believe they have employed civilian pilots who were not ex QFIs

[18greens]

The costs were on a par with other schools if not cheaper. The only real way to find out is to ask them. Can't recommend them highly enough.

Do it on the fireflies if you can, 260s , lots of go. I can't imagine the grobs being as sporty.

[pipertommy]

Who has the contract to supply civilian FI`s to DEFTS?

Thanks PT

[Speed Twelve]

Currently Babcock Defence Services 'run' DEFTS in its entirety, supplying air and groundcrew as well as aeroplanes. Serving Mil QFIs are in the minority nowadays, although a lot of the civilian FIs are ex-QFIs or QHIs, and the majority of the rest have some previous military experience of some sort, although this is not a prerequisite..

Any civilian FI employed to work at DEFTS is required to work-up to B2-equivalent standard followed by the usual ride with the CFS trappers before being let loose with students. Said civilian FIs are then supervised by DEFTS military standards as normal; they are to all intents and purposes 'QFIs'. The majority of DEFTS civ FIs eventually reach A2. The powers-that-be are very keen that military ethos is instilled and maintained through civ FIs as well as serving mil staff.