Public Servant Lifestyle

Free flying opportunities are available from a new Royal Naval Air Squadron, to boost recruitment of pilots and observers needed to fly the aircraft that will operate from the Navy's future carriers.

727 Naval Air Squadron was commissioned at Plymouth City Airport and will offer free opportunities for young men and women to obtain flying experience and gain assessment as potential aviators.

Announcing the formation of the Squadron, Armed Forces minister, Adam Ingram said: "The two big carriers we are building, and the exciting new aircraft that will operate from them, (including the Merlin helicopter and potentially the Joint Strike Fighter), will require many more aircrew for the Royal Navy, which selects only the best. It is an exciting and rewarding job with a real purpose - being part of a force for good."

727 Squadron is based on the Royal Navy's Flying Training Flight, which has operated at Plymouth for many years, grading cadets from Britannia Royal Naval College as potential aircrew and providing air experience for other naval personnel. In its new form it will operate a scheme which allows young people aged between 16 and 23 to apply through Armed Forces careers offices for a Special Flying Award, enabling them to attend a two week summer course at Plymouth.

The course will provide around 12 hours flying instruction as well as familiarisation visits to ships and naval establishments. Another part of the scheme enables young men and women to go gliding at a Royal Naval Air Station for two weeks, with the possibility of going solo if they are good enough.

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