Royal Air Force Linton on Ouse

RAF Linton-on-Ouse opened in 1937 and has been used as a Bomber, Transport and Fighter Station. Since 1957 the role of the Station has been that of flying training and it is currently one of the busiest airfields in the RAF.

In its training role, Linton on Ouse has operated the Piston Provost, Vampire Mks 5, 9, T Mk 11, and the Jet Provost, and is now equipped with the Tucano T Mk1. No 1 Flying Training School, operates 55 Tucanos at Linton-on-Ouse, providing Basic Fast Jet Training (BFJT) and Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) training.

The Station is home to four Squadrons: 72(R), 207(R), 76(R) and Central Flying School (Tucano) Sqn.

72(R) Sqn and 207(R) Sqn train student pilots in preparation for Advanced Flying Training which is conducted at RAF Valley on the Hawk aircraft. Upon completion of the 130 hour BFJT course at Linton-on-Ouse, the students are presented with the coveted RAF Pilot Brevet ("wings").

76(R) Sqn forms the second of the first 3 modules of WSO training. The aim of these modules is to assess the ability and suitability of the student WSOs for specialist training for a variety of roles on fast-jet and multi-engine aircraft.

CFS (T) Sqn trains qualified flying instructors (QFIs) for employment at Linton-on-Ouse. The Sqn also monitors the standard of flying and instruction of the large instructional staff on the Station.

To maintain historic links and promote ethos, some of the aircraft are painted in the markings of the 3 numbered squadrons. Several also bear the names of aircraft that flew, on their respective squadrons, during the Second World War.

Also flying at Linton is No 642 Volunteer Gliding School, equipped with Vigilant T1s.

Crown Copyright ©