31 EFTS- Elementary Flying Training School (RAF)

An Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) gave a trainee 50 hours of basic flying instruction on a simple trainer like the De Havilland Tiger Moth, Fleet Finch, or Fairchild Cornell over 8 weeks.Elementary schools were operated by civilian flying clubs under contract to the RCAF and most of the instructors were civilians. For example, No. 12 EFTS Goderich was run by the Kitchener-Waterloo Flying Club and the County of Huron Flying Club.The next step for a pilot was the Service Flying Training School.

NO31 EFTS RAF Dewinton

For More Information on RCAF Station DeWinton see here

Royal Canadian Air Force RCAF.info - RCAF Station DeWinton AB

Royal Canadian Air Force RCAF.info - Relief Landing Field Gladys AB

Royal Canadian Air Force RCAF.info - Relief Landing Field Shepard AB

Museum Bomber Command Museum of Canada

Museum Vintage Wings - Ghosts of Southern Alberta

No. 31 Elementary Flying Training School was formed on 18 June 1941 and was located at De Winton, Alberta. No. 31 EFTS was originally under the control of the RAF as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan within No. 4 Training Command. The Toronto Flying Club also known as the Malton Flying Training School Limited, took over operations from the RAF on 13 July 1942. No. 31 EFTS was to have been disbanded on 25 August 1944 but under Organization Order No. 407, dated 13 July 1944, the date was amended to 25 September 1944.

Project 44 BCATP

unvetted Source Project 44 BCATP

YouTube YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy


Unit Accident Records: 31 EFTS 31 Elementary Flying Training School RAF (188)


Unit Casualtues: 31 EFTS 31 Elementary Flying Training School RAF (22)

1941-September-02
Killed in Flying Accident
Moth, Tiger I 4247
Regina, Saskatchewan
1941-September-04
Killed in Flying Accident
Moth, Tiger I 5112
Mundare, Alberta
1942-September-06
Killed in Flying Accident
Stearman (Kaydet) FJ847
1942-September-06
Killed in Flying Accident
Stearman (Kaydet) FJ847
1942-October-05
Killed in Flying Accident
Stearman (Kaydet) FJ809
1942-October-25
Killed in Flying Accident
Moth, Tiger I 4072
De Winton, Alberta
1942-December-08
Killed in Flying Accident
Moth, Tiger I 5826
Ashford, Middlesex UK
1942-December-08
Killed in Flying Accident
Moth, Tiger I 4200
1943-July-13
Killed in Flying Accident
Cornell Cornell III 14449
1943-July-13
Killed in Flying Accident
Cornell Cornell III 14449
1943-September-01
Killed in Flying Accident
Cornell Cornell III 15026
1943-September-01
Killed in Flying Accident
Cornell Cornell III 15026
1943-October-25
Killed in Flying Accident
Cornell Cornell III 14436
1943-December-28
Killed in Flying Accident
Cornell Cornell III 15025
1943-December-28
Killed in Flying Accident
Cornell Cornell III 15025
1944-May-13
Killed in Flying Accident
Cornell Mk. I FH863
1944-June-02
Killed in Flying Accident
Cornell Mk. I FJ689
1944-June-02
Killed in Flying Accident
Cornell Mk. I FJ689