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| Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 April 1936–present |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Allegiance | King Charles III |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Type | Volunteer Reserve |
| Website | Royal Air Force Reserves |
| Insignia | |
| RAF Ensign |  |
The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) was established in 1936 to support the preparedness of the U.K. Royal Air Force in the event of another war. The Air Ministry intended it to form a supplement to the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF), the active reserve for the RAF, by providing an additional non-active reserve. However during the Second World War the high demand for aircrew absorbed all available RAuxAF personnel and led the RAFVR to quickly become the main pathway of aircrew entry into the RAF. It was initially composed of civilians recruited from neighbourhood reserve flying schools, run by civilian contractors with largely RAF-trained flying instructors as well as other instructors in related air war functions, such as observers and wireless operators.
After the war, and with the end of conscription in the early 1960s, the RAFVR considerably reduced in size and most functions were absorbed into the RAuxAF. The RAFVR now forms the working elements of the University Air Squadrons and the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme. It has a secondary function of managing groupings of Royal Air Force reservists for the management and operation of the RAF's Volunteer Gliding Squadrons and Air Experience Flights of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.