The UK government has disclosed the costs associated with training Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots and the current wait times for training slots in response to parliamentary questions from Conservative MP Mark Francois.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard provided details on the financial outlay required to train pilots up to Phase 2 Military Flying Training and the delays faced by trainees awaiting slots on frontline aircraft.
Training Costs
The latest available cost modelling, conducted in the 2021-22 financial year, found that the average cost of training an RAF pilot varied significantly by aircraft type. Pollard stated:
“The average cost of flying training for Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots in Financial Year 2021-22 was as follows: RAF Fast Jet: £5,362,085; RAF Multi Engine: £953,817; RAF Rotary Wing: £1,041,843.”
These figures include “pay, support costs and costs within the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) contract up to the point a trainee pilot commences training on a frontline aircraft as part of an Operational Conversion Unit.”
Despite the significant expenditure, Pollard confirmed that “there has been no requirement to update [the cost modelling] since 2021-22.” However, a review is expected as part of planning for the UK’s future military flying training system beyond 2033.
Wait Times for Training Slots
Francois also inquired about the wait times for RAF trainee pilots to begin training on Typhoons, F-35 Lightnings, and Hawk T2 jets. Pollard provided the following breakdown for the 2024-25 training year:
“The average wait time for a training slot for RAF trainee pilots has been: six weeks for Typhoon, 10 weeks for F-35 Lightning, and six weeks for Hawk T2.”
With the government set to review its military flying training system, the coming years may see changes in both the cost structure and the efficiency of pilot training.
I remember back in the 90’s the cost of training a tornado pilot was listed as £5 million. Shows the impact of modern flight simulators on cost.
I doubt this is a comparable cost.
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How much does it cost to train a Royal Air Force pilot?
By George Allison – March 14, 20251
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The UK government has disclosed the costs associated with training Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots and the current wait times for training slots in response to parliamentary questions from Conservative MP Mark Francois.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard provided details on the financial outlay required to train pilots up to Phase 2 Military Flying Training and the delays faced by trainees awaiting slots on frontline aircraft.
Training Costs
The latest available cost modelling, conducted in the 2021-22 financial year, found that the average cost of training an RAF pilot varied significantly by aircraft type. Pollard stated:
“The average cost of flying training for Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots in Financial Year 2021-22 was as follows: RAF Fast Jet: £5,362,085; RAF Multi Engine: £953,817; RAF Rotary Wing: £1,041,843.”
These figures include “pay, support costs and costs within the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) contract up to the point a trainee pilot commences training on a frontline aircraft as part of an Operational Conversion Unit.”
Despite the significant expenditure, Pollard confirmed that “there has been no requirement to update [the cost modelling] since 2021-22.” However, a review is expected as part of planning for the UK’s future military flying training system beyond 2033.”
The keg being the costs model and how amping up volume affects costs. It is almost certainly not linear.
Because we are training such a tiny number of pilots the costs are higher then they could have been…..
Sadly we don’t have enough serviceable T2 Hawks to do the job and the reliability issues are beyond what we can train pilots.
In our national interests this is deplorable. I don’t put this down to any government this is down to civil servants not knowing how military infrastructure works. Not listening to top defence strategies.
T2 Hawk is now B.E.R.
We need a new trainer procuring now sadly.
We could go South Korea now and in 2 to 3 years we could see replacement aircraft being delivered.. of the TA50 Trainer.
The 28 T2 Hawks soldiering on till the first batch has been delivered. I would have 2 bases RAF Valley and RAF Brawdy.
Build up Brawdy first then Valley.
This could could also replace the Red Arrows.
Order 60 TA50s split 22 at Each base.
Also 20 FA50s split 10 at each base
Leaving 12 for Red Arrows and 4 for Development
That is how our future air force and Navy pilots should be trained.
No 10 week waiting time and Tactical weapons training done before aircraft type training. This would give an extra 4 reserve squadrons if needed in close air support and ground attack.