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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.
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Dave joined the Royal Navy as a Sub-Lieutenant in 2006 and has flown the Sea King Mk4 on operations and exercises around the world, from Afghanistan to Africa. As well as time on Fixed Wing aircraft he has, as a Qualified Helicopter Instructor (QHI), taught at RAF Shawbury on the Squirrel, Juno and Jupiter helicopters.
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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. As of April 2018, 705 NAS trains pilots and aircrew from all three services under 2 Maritime Air Wing.
705 Flight first stands up in July 1936, and becomes a squadron three years later.
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.
The squadron reformed in 1945, and recommissioned in 1947 at RNAS Daedalus, flying the Sikorsky Hoverfly.
An instructor from 705 NAS carried out the first helicopter deck landing on a Royal Navy ship, HMS Vanguard.
The squadron moved to RNAS Culdrose in the late 1950s, flying the Westland Dragonfly, the Hiller HT1 and the Sikorsky S55.
The aircraft were replaced by the Westland Gazelle HT Mk2 in 1974.
In April 1997, 705 NAS was disbanded and reformed at RAF Shawbury as part of the Defence Helicopter Flying School.
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