Yeovil - RNR Air Branch

Military experience

Born in 1959 on the Wirral, Commander Steve Cheyne joined the Royal Navy on a Medium Career Commission, after completing an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and graduating from Britannia Royal Navy College in 1983. He was then last Commando Wessex pilot trained by the RN.

After his flying training, Steve joined 845 Naval Air Squadron for the first of three consecutive tours, initially on the Wessex Mk5 then on the Seaking Mk4. During this time he served as the principle NVG Instructor, Helicopter Warfare Officer and finally as Flight Commander with responsibility for Special Forces Operations.

In 1991, Steve became the rotary wing experimental test pilot at the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) Bedford, after graduating from No.29 Rotary Course at The Empire Test Pilots’ School. While serving on the Aerospace Research Squadron, Steve completed fast-jet and multi-engine fixed wing conversions and carried out experimental research on both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. He also specialised in testing Soviet aircraft.

When RAE Bedford closed in 1994, Steve returned to Boscombe Down, serving on the Experimental Flying Sqaudron. Then in 1995, he was appointed to the US Naval Aviation Test and Evaluation Centre at Patuxent River Maryland, where he spent three years instructing on the US Naval Test Pilots’ School, eventually becoming the Chief Instructor. During his time as a test pilot, Steve flew over different 150 aircraft types.

Returning from the United States in 1998, he was appointed M Flight Commander, the Commanding Officer of the Maritime Counter Terrorist Unit. His duties included working with the Australian SAS as they prepared for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

On leaving the Royal Navy, Steve joined the RNR Air Branch. While serving with 846 Naval Air Squadron, he organised and led the Royal Flypast for the RNR 100 celebrations. He was also the project pilot for the development and introduction of the hybrid Seaking Mk6 Commando aircraft.

On promotion to Commander, Steve became Staff Officer (Reserves) Commando Helicopter Force, and then Head of the Air Branch in January 2009. Married to Anne, Steve has three children and lives in Somerset. Steve is a Boeing 747 pilot with British Airways. His interests include classic cars and motor sport.