Bristol, England 1, March 10 - Ascent Flight Training has delivered the first Flight Training Device (FTD) at RAF Valley as part of the Ground Based Training Environment (GBTE) element of its Advanced Jet Training (AJT) service contract. The AJT contract is part of the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) programme.

The FTD is the first of five key deliverables on the AJT Service contract and has been formally approved as Ready For Training Use. Ascent is working in partnership with the Ministry of Defence to deliver UKMFTS.

The FTD is representative of the Hawk T Mk 2 aircraft and was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training and Support in Orlando, Florida, USA.

It will provide an initial training capability to allow for early conversion of pilots to the Hawk T Mk 2 aircraft and also for syllabus development associated with the Training Service design and implementation.

The FTD has been installed and is operational at RAF Valley in a temporary location, pending the completion of the new Squadron and Training facility currently under construction and due to come on line towards the end of 2010. In parallel, the programme to complete the remaining Ground-Based Training Equipment, including Full Mission Simulators, further FTDs and other Part Task Trainers continues apace for delivery in 2011.

“Ascent and the MoD are committed to providing a complete overhaul and restructuring of the flying training regime through the UK Military Flying Training System,” said Sir Barry Thornton, Ascent’s Managing Director. “The delivery of the Flight Training Device represents an important milestone in the development and delivery of the high quality training service that MFTS will provide.”

Notes to Editors

Ascent Flight Training is the Ministry of Defence’s Training System Partner for the 25 year delivery of UKMFTS. UKMFTS will replace the present flying training arrangements for the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the Army Air Corps.  It will cater for the different training needs of all UK military air crew: from the training of fast-jet, rotary wing and multi-engine pilots, to rear crew.