Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 April 2024 to Question 20584 on Air Force: Training, what the average cost was of training a Royal Air Force pilot to Phase 2 Military Flying Training in the each of the training years between 2018-19 and 2023-24.

The average cost of flying training per trainee is not currently compiled on an annual basis. The last time in-depth cost modelling conducted was in Financial Year 2021-22.

The average cost of flying training for Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots in Financial Year 2021-22 was as follows:

RAF Fast Jet: £5,362,085

RAF Multi Engine: £ 953,817

RAF Rotary Wing: £1,041,843

The above figures include pay, support costs and costs within the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) contract up to the point a trainee pilot commences training on a front line aircraft as part of an Operational Conversion Unit.