It was established at the start of World War II as the Flying Instructors School and assumed its current name 1941.

Following the outbreak of World War II, the RNZAF established a Flying Instructors School (FIS) at Māngere near Auckland.

At the time of the move to Tauranga the FIS was renamed the Central Flying School (CFS).

[1] After the conclusion of World War II, the CFS was transferred to RNZAF Base Woodbourne near the South Island town of Blenheim.

[1] The CFS shared Aerospace Industries CT-4E Airtrainer aircraft with the Pilot Training Squadron, and ran five month long flying instructor courses.