Defence Helicopter Flying School

The Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) is based at RAF Shawbury. An independent unit within the Station, it's task is to provide basic single-engine helicopter training for the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and some overseas countries. Additional conversion and refresher courses are also provided for qualified aircrew.

On completion of the single-engine phase, the DHFS also provides advanced twin-engine helicopter training for RAF and some RN aircrew, plus other special courses for the three Services.

This website is intended to provide an insight into the role and structure of the DHFS. Should you require it, please contact us for further information.

About DHFS

The DHFS provides basic helicopter training for pilots of the three Services and Foreign and Commonwealth countries. The School also provides advanced and multi-engine training for RAF and some RN aircrew and other special courses for the three Services. The concept of a DHFS was born during the Defence Cost Study of 1994. This led to the selection of a single site for basic helicopter training using contractor-owned aircraft and a proportion of civilian (ex-military) flying instructors.

The School formed on 1 April 1997, and was formally opened 9 days later by the Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir John Willis KCB CBE RAF. On 27 May the first course comprising 2 RN, 5 Army and 3 RAF students arrived and after 3 weeks academic studies started their helicopter training on 16 June 1997. The School trains approximately 450 students a year, including ab initio pilots and crewmen as well as postgraduate students.

The Squirrel HT1 (Euro copter AS350BB) and the Griffin HT1 (Bell 412 EP) helicopters used by the School are maintained by the contractor, FB Heliservices Ltd, who also provide 40% of the flying instructors. The DHFS comprises a Headquarters and 5 training squadrons. Students carry out their academic training on the Ground Training School before starting basic flying training one of two Single Engine Rotary Wing Squadrons; designated 705 Naval Air Squadron and 660 Squadron AAC commanded by a RN Lieutenant Commander and an Army Major respectively. RAF students and some RN students progress to the Multi Engine Advanced Rotary Wing Squadron designated Sixty (R) Squadron RAF and commanded by a RAF squadron leader. Students are detached from their RAF Shawbury based squadrons for periods to the DHFS Search and Rescue Training Unit (SARTU), which is located at RAF Valley in North Wales, to carry out training in advanced techniques in this more challenging environment. In addition SARTU provides training courses for personnel of the Search and Rescue force.

Command of the DHFS is rotational, as are the posts of Chief Instructor and Deputy Chief Instructor. In addition the instructional staff on the training squadrons come from all three Services. This arrangement ensures that the DHFS provides instruction, compatible to all three Services, to achieve its aim of producing high quality helicopter pilots and crewmen for the Armed Services of the United Kingdom.