Fonds 76/309 - 1 Canadian Forces Flying Training School, Detachment Cold Lake fonds

The 1 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (CFFTS), detachment Cold Lake, is the site of fighter pilot training in Canada. Although the lineage of 1 CFFTS can be traced back to the early years of the twentieth century, it was formally created on the 23 July, 1970, following the union of 1 Flying Training School and the Flight Instructor School. Originally located in Gimli, Manitoba, the flying school relocated to Cold Lake, Alberta in November 1970. Based on Royal Air Force (RAF) training practices, the 1 CFFTS is responsible for advanced tactical fighter pilot training. Before being admitted, candidates would first have to complete elementary (3 CFFTS) and intermediate (2 CFFTS) pilot training. In 1975, following the introduction of CF-5 tactical fighters, the 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron reformed at Cold Lake, where it remains, despite a five year absence in the late 1990s due to the retirement of the CF-5 fighters.