Gloster Meteor
Last updated: 2026-04-21
The Gloster Meteor was the RAF's first operational jet fighter and the only Allied jet aircraft to see combat in WWII, used against V-1 flying bombs over southern England in 1944. It is a workhorse of European EASA general-aviation training fleets, used at both DTO and ATO operators for hour-building and rating progression. undefined
What is the Gloster Meteor used for in flight training?
The Meteor required entirely new training for RAF pilots accustomed to Merlin-powered piston fighters. Its twin Rolls-Royce Welland turbojets introduced pilots to jet throttle response, higher cruise speeds, and endurance limitations unfamiliar from propeller operations. The Meteor's successful service demonstrated that jet combat aircraft were operationally viable, enabling the RAF to develop the jet pilot training infrastructure that evolved into modern military fast-jet syllabi. Preserved Meteors at the RAF Museum Cosford provide the closest accessible examples.