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Glam Journal

What does RAF Cranwell do?

Author

William Burgess

Updated on March 10, 2026

What does RAF Cranwell do?

RAF College Cranwell is a thriving RAF Station in the heart of Lincolnshire with a long and distinguished history dating back to its foundations as a Royal Navy Training Establishment in 1916. It was the world’s first Air Academy and today, it continues to select and train the next generation of officers and aircrew.

What planes fly out of RAF Cranwell?

RAF Cranwell is located north-west of Sleaford in Lincolnshire, and is home to the Royal Air Force College (RAFC), which trains the RAF’s new officers. The base is home to 3 Flying Training School with the Phenom T1 & Prefect T1 aircraft, and also 6 Flying Training School with their Tutor T. 1 aircraft. The Prefect T.

Can you visit RAF Cranwell?

At the Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum you can discover the history of RAF Cranwell from its early days as a Royal Naval Air Service base to the current day. Visit the RAF website to learn more about the history of RAFC Cranwell. RAF Cranwell is part of the North Kesteven Airfield Trail.

How long is RAF Cranwell?

24-week
At present, most RAF officer cadets complete a 24-week course within the College’s Officer and Aircrew Cadet Training Unit (OACTU), Cranwell intakes usually take place at ten week intervals throughout the year.

How long is officer training at Cranwell?

Initial Officer Training (IOT) at Royal Air Force College (RAFC) Cranwell is the gateway to becoming an officer in the RAF. Training is conducted over 6 months and includes: Leadership & Teamwork.

Is RAF officer training hard?

At every RAF Initial Training course, there are a certain percentage of recruits who do not achieve the desired results and fail to graduate. Many of those who fail will end up re-taking RAF phase 1 training. Basic training is hard with 10 weeks of rigorous mental and physical stress.

What is the RAF equivalent of Sandhurst?

RAF Cranwell
RAF Cranwell is home to the Royal Air Force College (RAFC), which trains the RAF’s new officers, and is the RAF’s Central Flying School. It is the RAF equivalent of Sandhurst or the Britannia Royal Naval College, and is considered by some to be the spiritual home of the RAF.

What is the meaning of Cranwell?

English: habitational name from Cranwell in Lincolnshire, named from Old English cran ‘crane’, ‘heron’ + wella ‘spring’, ‘stream’.

Do the RAF teach you to fly?

Your specialist training begins with Elementary Flying Training, flying the Tutor or Prefect aircraft. You will then be streamed to fast jet; multi-engine or rotary (helicopter) flying training.

Can you fail RAF basic training?

Failure to Complete RAF Initial Training. At every RAF Initial Training course, there are a certain percentage of recruits who do not achieve the desired results and fail to graduate. Many of those who fail will end up re-taking RAF phase 1 training. But with the proper preparation, you can handle basic training.

Do RAF pilots carry guns?

British pilots do not always carry weapons but will if MPs vote for new bombing raids in Syria on Wednesday, an RAF source said. Britain will not be issuing machineguns, just the usual Glock or Browning pistol RAF pilots are trained to use.

Do you shower together in basic training?

In basic training, you take group showers. There’s no way out of communal showers. They’re required. Everyone in your barracks will enter the shower room assigned to your barracks when commanded.

What does OACTU stand for?

The Officer and Aircrew Cadet Training Unit (OACTU) consists of 4 cadet squadrons. A Squadron, is charged with training the short courses at OACTU for specialist recruits such as doctors, nurses and lawyers, Reserve Officers, commissioning Warrant Officers and direct entry Senior Non-Commissioned Officers.

What is RAF College Cranwell famous for?

THE STATION. RAF College Cranwell is a thriving RAF Station in the heart of Lincolnshire with a long and distinguished history dating back to its foundations as a Royal Navy Training Establishment in 1916. It was the world’s first Air Academy and today, it continues to select and train the next generation of officers and aircrew.

Where do Cranwell’s graduating officer cadets come from?

Omani officer cadet saluting British Prime Minister David Cameron. In addition to the many British officer cadets who have passed through Cranwell, graduating cadets have come from many countries around the world, including Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Trinidad and Tobago.

Why did Trenchard choose Cranwell for his Air Academy?

The establishment of an air academy, which would provide basic flying training, provide intellectual education and give a sense of purpose to the future leaders of the service was therefore a priority. Trenchard chose Cranwell as the College’s location because, as he told his biographer: