705 Naval Air Squadron

The squadron, part of No.1 Flying Training School at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire, is where all RN, RAF and Army pilots are put through their paces learning basic helicopter flying techniques.

Role

Led by Lieutenant Commander Dave Forest, the veteran pilots of 705 Naval Air Squadron provide intensive helicopter flight training to would-be Royal Navy pilots – in fact, every helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy will have trained under their watchful eye.

The syllabus includes non-procedural instrument flying, basic night flying, low-level and formation flying, winching, and even mountain flying. Since April 2018, 705 NAS trains pilots and aircrew from all three services under 2 Maritime Air Wing.

Unit history

1936

Beginnings

705 Flight first stands up in July 1936, and becomes a squadron three years later.

1939

Second World War

The squadron protected troop convoys on the North America and West Indies Stations. It returned to RNAS Lee-on-the-Solent and disbanded in 1940.

1945

Reformed

The squadron reformed in 1945, and recommissioned in 1947 at RNAS Daedalus, flying the Sikorsky Hoverfly.

1947

First helicopter deck landing

An instructor from 705 NAS carried out the first helicopter deck landing on a Royal Navy ship, HMS Vanguard.

1950

Move to the South West

The squadron moved to RNAS Culdrose in the late 1950s, flying the Westland Dragonfly, the Hiller HT1 and the Sikorsky S55.

1974

Gazelle

The aircraft were replaced by the Westland Gazelle HT Mk2 in 1974.

1997

RAF Shawbury

In April 1997, 705 NAS was disbanded and reformed at RAF Shawbury as part of the Defence Helicopter Flying School.

Follow 705 Naval Air Squadron on X

@705_NAS

Join the Fleet Air Arm

Ready to soar? You could be supporting, working on - or even flying - some of the world’s most advanced aircraft.