45 Squadron
45(R) Sqn
Not all Royal Air Force aircrew trainees are destined to fly fast jets. The training course that leads to the pilot's seat of a Tornado is very different to the one that leads to a Hercules.
Pilots destined to fly multi-engine aircraft are selected at the elementary stage of flying training. They then progress to 45(R) Squadron where they initially complete a short course on the Grob Tutor aircraft. After this, they train on the Beechcraft King Air B200 and the B200GT. This course introduces all the complexities of multi-engined flying, including asymmetric thrust in single engine operations.
As well as training new RAF trainees, the Squadron also trains a number of new Army trainees who are destined to fly fixed wing aircraft for the Army. Students also include more experienced pilots who have come from helicopter and fast jet backgrounds, who complete a shorter course. After completing their course, students can expect to go on to a front-line Operational Conversion Unit where they will learn to fly one of the following multi-engined aircraft:
