DEFTS
 

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

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

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!)

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:

DEFTS FIC Course
 

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.

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-instruc...ations-uk.html

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.

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

Fair enough, I stand, humbly, corrected.

Enjoy the course!

:oh:

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!

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.

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.

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

Changing to grobs?

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

...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

'member...
 

...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.

260 vs 160HP
 

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.

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.

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!

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

FB11

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