News

At Affinity we believe we have the power to work for good in the communities we serve. We believe in supporting these communities. Each year we ask our employees to nominate a charity that means something to them and is close to their heart. At......

16 March, 2020 /

Under a landmark partnering programme with the MoD, Affinity Flying Services supplies and contracts to Ascent to support three fleets of aircraft within the Military Flying Training System. The UKMFTS is a modern, collaborative and streamlined flight training solution replacing separate fixed-wing and rotary training......

27 February, 2020 /

On the 4th February, Iain Chalmers, Affinity Managing Director lectured to the Royal Aeronautical Society MoD Boscombe Down branch. The lecture covered how Affinity supports the UK Military Flying Training System and how we are looking at developing engineers as they embark on their career......

04 February, 2020 /

RAF Valley reached a significant milestone in the delivery of military fast jet training recently with the first flight of a student pilot in the new Texan T1 aircraft. The Texan T1 is a tandem-seat turboprop aircraft, equipped with the latest digital glass cockpit and......

21 October, 2019 /

Sunday 22nd September saw the first ever Ride4JET commencing from RAF Cranwell. This 50/80 mile cycle challenge saw the riders tackle the country lanes of rural Lincolnshire, with the finish line back at RAF Cranwell. Hundreds of riders took part and helped raise vital funding......

01 October, 2019 /

TEXAN FLYING TRAINING STARTS AT RAF VALLEY Iain Chalmers, Managing Director at Affinity commented: “The arrival of students at RAF Valley to fly the Texan marks a major milestone in the UKMFTS fixed wing programme. We are delighted to be a part of such an......

23 September, 2019 /

Congratulations to Fg Off James Bell who on the 18th September became the 100th student to complete Elementary Flying Training on the Grob Prefect. The mixed-profile sortie consisted General Handling, Navigation and Instrument Flying around north Lincolnshire and the Trent valley, including a practice diversion......

19 September, 2019 /

We recently had the opportunity to host a group of graduates from our Join Venture partners KBR, at our Affinity Head Office based at RAF Cranwell. KBR partner with government and industry clients to provide purposeful and comprehensive solutions with an emphasis on efficiency and......

03 September, 2019 /

We recently had a fantastic opportunity to host a student from The Air League Engineering Scholarship at Affinity Flying Services, Cranwell. The scheme provides an annual programme of engineering scholarships offering one or two-week work placements with some of the UK’s leading aerospace companies or......

27 August, 2019 /

Few air show events can rival The Royal International Air Tattoo and this years did not disappoint. We had a busy three days and the sun eventually shone down us. Pictured below are some of the Affinity team and UKMFTS aircrew alongside the Embraer Phenom......

07 August, 2019 /

Over the last two months Affinity has teamed up with the Jon Egging Trust to offer a group of ten 17-year-old students from the JET Inspirational Outreach programme the opportunity to take part in a programme of Employability Workshops. The three lessons provided the students......

22 July, 2019 /

This year RAFC Cranwell will assist with the final selection element for the Flying Scholarships for Disabled People (FSDP). The scholarships were created in 1983 in memory of Gp Capt Sir Douglas Bader and it gives a once in a lifetime opportunity for disabled people......

27 March, 2019 /

  For 2019, Affinity have partnered with The Jon Egging Trust (JET) to help raise awareness of the charity and help raise vital funds. The charity aim to help young people achieve their true potential.  JET was set up in honour of Flt Lt Jon......

11 March, 2019 /

The first RAF Texan takes to the skies above RAF Valley – three years after commencing its delivery programme to the RAF, the Affinity team from Elbit Systems UK and KBR is proud to announce it is now operating three aircraft types from three RAF......

26 February, 2019 /

Affinity Flying Training Services Limited is delighted to announce that it has taken delivery of the 38th, and final, fixed wing aircraft to be purchased in support of the UK Military Flying Training System. The Texan T6C aircraft landed at RAF Valley on the 3rd......

03 December, 2018 /

Affinity are pleased to announce delivery of the fifth Embraer Phenom 100, which will be used to deliver Multi Engine Pilot Training as part of the future UK Military Flying Training System. The Phenom completed an 8,500nm journey from Embraer’s headquarters in Brazil to RAF......

29 January, 2018 /

A number of the Affinity team are supporting Movember this year by appearing clean-shaven on the 1st of November and cultivating their chosen moustache style until the 30th November, on which date a local winner – through mass opinion – shall be chosen. Most of......

31 October, 2017 /

Affinity Flying Training have taken delivery of another pair of Grob 120TP Prefects today, continuing the ramp up of aircraft delivery to the UK Military Flying Training System in partnership with Ascent Flight Training, the MODs appointed Training Service Partner. In preparation for students starting......

17 October, 2017 /

This afternoon Affinity’s third Embraer Phenom 100 arrived at RAF Cranwell right on schedule. The aircraft is the latest addition to the Multi Engine Pilot Training fleet that will be used by Ascent Flight Training to deliver the new UK Military Flying Training System across......

09 October, 2017 /

Affinity are delighted to take delivery of a further two Prefect aircraft this afternoon, continuing to build the fleet of Elementary Flying Training aircraft for Ascent Flight Training to deliver the UK Military Flying Training System. The Prefect fleet have already begun flying with Ascent,......

31 August, 2017 /

Affinity is pleased to announce that the second Phenom 100 aircraft has arrived in the UK this afternoon. The Phenom will be used for Multi-Engine Pilot Training as part of the UK Military Flying training System, which is managed by Ascent Flight Training in Partnership......

15 August, 2017 /

Affinity features on this edition’s cover of Flight International along with an article detailing the ramp up of aircraft and service provision as part of the UK Military Flying System. In a partnering approach, Affinity are providing the aircraft and servicing component to Ascent’s overall training service......

07 August, 2017 /

This morning marks the occasion for the first training flight in a UKMFTS aircraft! Aircraft ZM300, a Grob 120TP, lifted at 1018 (local) from RAF Barkston Heath, having been authorised by the Commandant of Number 3 Flying Training School and was piloted by Squadron Leader Balshaw of......

01 August, 2017 /

With so many distinguished guests joining us at the Affinity aircraft stand this weekend, it is one of the most exciting places to be at RIAT 2017. Of particular note, however, was the visit by Air Marshal Sean Reynolds CBE DFC RAF, who inspected each of the......

16 July, 2017 /

For the first time, Affinity have drawn together all three of their aircraft types in order to present them at the Royal International Airshow Tattoo 2017, held at RAF Fairford. The show is designed for the public to come along and celebrate all things aviation,......

12 July, 2017 /

Following an exciting week of transiting up through South America, Central America, Northern America, up and over the North Atlantic and down through Greenland, Iceland and Scotland, the first Embraer Phenom 100 is finally here! Supporting the UK Military Flying Training System, the aircraft has been......

10 July, 2017 /

Affinity’s first Embraer Phenom 100 aircraft is currently on route from the Embraer production facility in Brazil to its new home base in RAF Cranwell. The Multi-Engine Pilot Trainer will be used to deliver UKMFTS training to UK military pilots as part of their progression onto......

07 July, 2017 /

The final day held much anticipation for the team – it would be the longest day in the saddle, include the most climbing and would, of course, mark the end of the ride. Setting off from BRNC Dartmouth under fog and rain gave an ominous start......

30 May, 2017 /

With intense thunderstorms looming in the afternoon, the UKMFTS 600 team set off early in an attempt to beat the worst of the weather to BRNC Dartmouth. After skirting the edges of the Quantocks and crossing the Blackdown Hills, the route headed south into Devon......

28 May, 2017 /

Earlier this week the first fully built Beechcraft Texan T6-C for Affinity took to the skies on its maiden flight, complete in military livery . The aircraft undertook testing of all control surfaces and systems on board to ensure it is fit and ready for the demanding......

28 May, 2017 /

After 429 miles, it was time for an active recovery day in the saddle. Taking in the Mendips and crossing into Somerset, the UKMFTS 600 team made steady progress up Burrington Combe and down Cheddar Gorge on their fifth day. Having dealt with temperatures increasing......

27 May, 2017 /

Today’s ride continued the UKMFTS partnering journey South East, through the Cotswolds and into Bristol – the home of 22 Training Group. It was also the first day we were joined by a guest rider – Col Rich Mawer AAC from 22 Training Group. Another hot......

27 May, 2017 /

After an excellent welcome reception into RAF Cranwell yesterday by Affinity colleagues and the College Commandant, the group left behind the Grob 120TPs and Phenoms of Elementary Flying Training and Multi Engine Flying Training in high spirits but facing more high temperatures (mid to high 20’s) on......

26 May, 2017 /

Following on from a successful start yesterday, the UKMFTS 600 riders set off from RAF Shawbury this morning heading for the home of RAF flying – RAF Cranwell – a mere 120 miles away. With temperatures north of 20.C for the duration of the day,......

24 May, 2017 /

After months of planning, UKMFTS 600 successfully rolled out of a foggy RAF Valley this morning to mark the start of a 672 mile partnering journey between Affinity, Ascent and 22 Group. The bike ride is also in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund (our......

23 May, 2017 /

Affinity are delighted to have received a further two Grob 120TPs today – registrations coincidentally ending Romeo and Juliet! Excitingly, both made the trip from Grob headquarters in Bavaria, Germany direct to RAF Cranwell without any need to stop for fuel, and in fact landing with an......

16 May, 2017 /

This afternoon Affinity Flying Training Services took delivery of a further pair of Grob 120 TP’s, bringing the future Elementary Flying Training fleet up to 5 aircraft so far. With 18 more aircraft to arrive in this fleet alone, there is much more work to be done!......

07 March, 2017 /

This afternoon Affinity took successful delivery of their third Grob 120TP. The aircraft will join the two delivered in November last year to form the basis of the Elementary Flying Training fleet for UK Military Pilots. Flying out of RAF Cranwell and RAF Barkston Heath,......

02 March, 2017 /

Affinity are proud to announce that their first Embraer Phenom 100 is now complete and will be delivered to RAF Cranwell on schedule early this summer. The Phenom 100 fleet will support Multi-Engine Pilot Training to UK military pilots as part of the UK Military Flying Training System.......

21 February, 2017 /

Affinity have just taken delivery of their first pair in a fleet of six aircraft refuelling bowsers. This first pair will be used to refuel the Grob 120TP fleet as it delivers military flying training at RAF Barkston Heath and RAF Cranwell, commencing next year. The......

19 December, 2016 /