Pilot Training

Whether they will be flying a Joint Strike Fighter off the future Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers or be a Commando pilot dropping off Royal Marines ashore, all Navy pilots must reach the front-line trained for single pilot operations.  This requirement means that they have to hit a level of skill earlier than they would elsewhere.  But simply being able to ‘pole’ an aircraft is no longer enough in the modern era of complex mission and weapon systems.  Navy pilots are integral to the war-fighting abilities of their aircraft and as such need many of the skills of an observer.

The first step to becoming a pilot is to pass the Flying Aptitude Tests at RAF Cranwell and the Admiralty Interview Board.  After this it’s 10 months of Initial Officer Training at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.

Flying training starts with a three week Flying Grading package at 727 Sqn.  This is designed to assess potential to pass the demanding training ahead.  Once they have passed this they are allocated a place on an Elementary Flying Training (EFT) course at 703 Sqn at RAF Barkston Heath.  However, before they start there are a couple of professional courses to do to begin the development of being a Naval Aviator, such as learning to be a fire-fighter at sea or to repair battle damage on a ship.

Once EFT is complete trainees are streamed to either helicopters or fast jets.  Fast Jet pilots join their RAF counterparts and go onto the Tucano for Basic Fast Jet training at Linton-on-Ouse.  Thereafter, it’s to RAF Valley in Anglesey to fly the Hawk before arriving at their Operational Conversion Unit (OCU).   For helicopter pilots it’s off to 705 NAS at RAF Shawbury before you get to the OCU.