by redesignation to No. 5 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit.
Second formation
The school was reformed from 23 April 1947 at
Rhodesian Air Training Group until 4 January 1948 when it was redesignated No. 3 Air Navigation School (3 ANS), specialising in training Navigators on Avro Ansons. Their other aircraft (Tiger Moths and Harvards) were sent to nearby No. 4 Flying Training School RAF at RAF Heany.[2]
Third formation
Reformed as a standard flying training school, again in Southern Rhodesia, flying Tiger Moths and
de Havilland Chipmunks on 22 January 1951. It would reabsorb 3 ANS on 28 September 1951 and stay at RAF Thornhill until disbanding on 30 December 1953.[2]
Fourth formation
1954–1974
No. 5 Flying Training School, (5 FTS), reformed at RAF Oakington (5 miles NW of Cambridge) on 1 June 1954. Its initial role was to convert trainee pilots to jets using De Havilland Vampire T.5 single seat jets and Vampire T.11 twin-seat jets. In March 1962 these types were exchanged for the Vickers Varsity T.1 twin piston-engine navigational trainers. The school took new graduates who had completed basic pilot training and provided further training in the handling of multi-engine aircraft as a precursor to posting onto Bomber or Transport squadrons/units. The Varsity remained in service with 5 FTS until early in 1974 when it was replaced in the role by the Scottish Aviation Jetstream T.1. 5 FTS was disbanded on 31 December 1974 when the need for training on piston engined aircraft reduced. The airfield was then closed, becoming a British Army barracks.