Ben Trapnell

Ascent's new MD, Chloe Barker, this week joins the #UKMFTS team in a whistle-stop tour of our UK sites. The 4-day tour, alongside DE&S and 22 Grp UKMFTS heads, is a chance to experience and better understand the stresses and commitment demonstrated by colleagues and trainees.

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🌟 Celebrating Excellence! 🌟 We’re delighted to recognise Dave for his exceptional contribution and dedication to safety and quality. Through his proactive approach, Dave identified an improvement that enhances operational safety and proposed a modification that has been positively received by our wider industry partners. In his short time with Affinity, Dave has truly embodied our values—‘ taking safety personally,’ ‘getting things right the first time,’ and ‘becoming our best.’ His strategic thinking and commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement are making a real difference. 🏆 #ExcellenceInAction #Teamwork #EmployeeRecognition #DeliveringOnPromises

Following our announcement at #RIAT, we’ve conducted in-flight demonstrations of the @Red6ar Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality Systems on the @BAESystemsplc Hawk T2 aircraft. Read more about it here: raf.mod.uk/news/articles/… #UKMFTS @RoyalAirForce

The RAF has conducted flights using revolutionary augmented reality to see if it could be used to train future frontline fighter pilots. ✈️ Partnering with @BAESystemsplc & @red6ar four in-flight demonstrations evaluated the ATARS on a Hawk aircraft @RAF_Valley.

Our sites at #RAFCranwell and #RAFShawbury are now NFTE accredited! That means military aircrew from across the globe can benefit from Ascent's world-class training solutions, generating mission-ready teams, through our unique blend of live and synthetic training. #UKMFTS

Today we say a fond farewell to Group Captain Andy Baron as Commandant of No 1 Flying Training School and the Defence College of Air and Space Operations, as he hands over to Group Captain Mike Jordan. We wish Group Captain Baron all the best for his future appointments.

This week, Iain Chalmers, Managing Director and Ed Cash, Head of Compliance visited the @transportgovuk in London to speak with officials and highlight some of the key challenges felt by many businesses across the UK aviation industry in recent years. The meeting provided an invaluable opportunity to raise the voice of SMEs operating within this sector, particularly regarding the impact of current and future regulations on our ability to provide cost-effective services to our customers. Additionally, it allowed us to showcase Affinity’s positive contributions in nurturing talent and promoting STEM careers across our three UK sites. #SME #Aviationindustry

@TedderAcademy delivered Session 3 of RAF Strategic Leaders Development Programme. Topic: Decision Making. What factors impact our judgement and decision making? How do we sense make? Thanks our inspirational speakers, Jean Gomes, Matthew Gould and Dr Mark Batey.

Well, it's a wrap. Another NASC ends successfully. Lots of happy (and very tired) air cadets (and staff!). Thank you all, so much. A big shout out to the c.37 Qualified Aerospace Instructors who supported the camp this year. It was a super all-round effort. See you all in 2025!

A brilliant day at the @aircadets National Air and Space Camp @2ftsCamp. Amazing showcase for this outstanding organisation. Talent oozing from every Cadet and Volunteer!

We’re excited to announce that the Ministry of Defence are working in partnership with @BAESystemsAir and @Red6AR to trial revolutionary augmented reality technology in #UKMFTS Hawk T2 aircraft later this year. #RIAT24

The Tutor Display is back! After a successful visit yesterday from AOC 22 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Townsend, the Tutor Display Team has been awarded Public Display Authority (PDA) for the 2024 season. #noordinaryjob #whatwedo #raf #rafdisplay #royalairforce #tutordisplay

We bid farewell to Master Aircrew Timothy Thompson AFC from the @RoyAirForce as he leaves the service after 39 years of distinguished service. He was presented with a Head of Flying Training Commendation for his dedication to #UKMFTS Rotary Wing Air Safety over the last 5 years.

An excellent visit with the Fin Air Force. Their fully integrated, beyond visual range live-virtual constructed environment on their Hawk training fleet is genuinely innovative and impressive - food for thought. @RAF_Valley @RoyalAirForce @AscentFlight #ukmfts

Last month, 45 Squadron were delighted to host the Italian Air Transport Training School who were keen to understand how the RAF trains its Multi-Engine pilots. The visit provided an opportunity to share ideas and highlight the great work conducted by both organisations. #UKMFTS

On 2 Feb 24, Lt Col Evans and WO1 Pirie welcomed REME’s newest recruits to the Corps on behalf of Col REME. Having successfully completed basic training at 1ATR, they now move onto trade training at MOD Lyneham. Congratulations and welcome to the REME! @Official_REME @CO_1ATR

First conventional glider launched at RAF Woodvale for 72 years! Well done to Sqn Ldr Graham Delaney and the team from 632 VGS for getting gliding back off the ground at that location. Looking forward to safely launching some air Cadets skywards from there in due course.

⚡️United for a stronger RAF Sport!⚡️ The merger of @RAFCentralFund and RAF Sports Federation promises a brighter future for RAF Sport, a move that will enable all serving RAF personnel to develop their full potential through sport & physical activities. #RAFCentralFund #RAFSport

Today 700X Naval Air Squadron flew a VAMPIRE (@QinetiQ Banshee) UAV from Predannack Airfield in Cornwall. After passing through its assigned waypoints out to sea, it returned to Predannack after 30 minutes, deploying a parachute to land back on the airfield. Beyond use as air defence training target, it is envisaged that payloads including radar and cameras will be carried and could be used for Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA), Electronic Warfare (EW) and decoy purposes. It also has the potential for unconventional ASW ‘find’, for example, carrying a Magnetic Anomaly detector at 400 Knots it could cover a large area to identify submarine targets quickly.