Fleet Air Arm helicopter pilot clocks up 3,000 flying hours

A Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter pilot based at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton has reached a major milestone in his flying career.

Lieutenant Commander Alex Sims has completed 3,000 flying hours across Wildcat and Lynx helicopters in the Royal Navy

His family, friends and personnel from 825 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) were on hand to surprise him as he touched down at RNAS Yeovilton.

His wife, Debbie, and 11 year old twin girls, Isabelle and Madeleine, greeted him with hugs as he returned from what he what he thought would be a routine day of tasking. 

Debbie, also a Lieutenant Commander, serves in the RNR (Royal Navy Reserves) at the Fighter Control School at Yeovilton.

She said, “I am immensely proud of all his achievements he is an amazing instructor, husband and Daddy to the twins. He has served on seven ships including HMS Iron Duke in 2009 when he was instrumental in supporting one of the largest drugs busts at the time.

“It’s been so difficult keeping this a secret but it’s worth it to see his surprise. I am very proud of him”

Alex is a QHI (Qualified Helicopter Instructor) with 825 NAS and provides training instructions for the Fleet Air Arm’s newest pilots on the very latest operational helicopter in the Royal Navy, Wildcat.

Congratulations Lt Cdr Alex Sims - here’s to the next 3,000 hours on Wildcat!