History
editAt the beginning of the Second World War the United Kingdom recognised that it it would need to train a large number of pilots. A number of flying and aircrew training schools were set up across the British Empire where pilots could be trained away from enemy interference. The British Flying Training Schools were set up in the United States of America from 1941 as a result of the Lend Leese Bill.
Locations
editSeven schools were opened. These were:
- 1 BFTS Terrell, Texas. 9 June 1941
- 2 BFTS Lancaster, California. 9 June 1941
- 3 BFTS Miami Oklahoma 16 June 1941
- 4 BFTS Mesa, Arizona. 16 June 1941
- 5 BFTS Clewiston, Florida. 17 July 1941
- 6 BFTS Ponca City, Oklahoma. 23 August 1941
- 7 BFTS Sweetwater, Texas. May 1942 but closed August 1942