EPNER was created in 1946 with just two aircraft: a Caudron 690 trainer and a Dewoitine 520 fighter. In the following months, the school was able to access such diverse types as a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, a Junkers Ju 88, and a Stampe S.V.4, from the Centre d'Essais en Vol (Flight Test Centre), created two years before the EPNER. The college received its initial jet aircraft, a Gloster Meteor Ft, in 1951, with a variety of types rapidly following. The first helicopter flights took place in 1952 with a US-built Bell 47. Four years later, the EPNER's 14-strong fleet featured a Sud-Ouest S.0.30P, three Meteor T7s, one Meteor NF11, two SNCAC NC.701 Martinets, three Dassault Mystere IVs, a Hawker Hurricane, a Stampe S.V.4 and a CM.170 Fouga Magister. By 1962 the school was still flying old aircraft and the staff were desperately looking for modern and afterburner-equipped combat machines.
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