elementary flying training school raaf elementary flying training school royal_australian_air_force raaf pilot training unit operated world war elementary flying training schools employed raaf provide introductory flight instruction new pilots australia contribution empire air training scheme established january victoria initially included significant proportion civilian staff private aircraft mid year largely integrated military school disbanded aircraft staff having transferred history flying instruction royal_australian_air_force raaf underwent major changes following outbreak world war response vast increase number volunteers commencement australia participation empire air training scheme eats air_force pre war pilot training facility raaf station victoria supplanted elementary flying training schools service flying training schools provided week introductory flying course personnel graduated raaf initial training schools flying training undertaken stages involved weeks instruction including hours flying determine pilots passed grading process received weeks training including hours flying pilots successfully completed course posted australia canada stage instruction military elementary flying training school formed victoria january came control inaugural commanding officer squadron leader fighter ace credited victories world war established home private aviation clubs schools including royal victorian club airfield position hub civilian flight instruction victoria led base flying school raaf raised world war principle followed establishing south australia queensland mascot new south wales training courses conducted raaf instructors auspices eats civil organisations government contract training aircraft privately owned air cadets subject raaf discipline school training program directed initial intake sixteen students arrived january received weeks instruction finished march prior flying experience course accident free student intake arrived february school inaugural eats course commenced overall student numbers time reported staff totalled second eats course began july time civilian presence effectively absorbed military organisation privately owned aircraft taken raaf begun employing aircraft arrived march training accidents frequent particularly landings result fatalities known exploits flying doctor commissioned pilot raaf served instructor early king posted command new south wales december time reported having graduated pilots flying training courses run formation graduates fighter ace victories credit began operating ground based link trainer february school started flying recently introduced august type proved troublesome delaying training program september november detachment personnel utilised training facilities home inundated heavy rain instructors students transferred april school disbanded
No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF