Colonel-in-chief is a ceremonial position in a military regiment . It is in common use in several Commonwealth armies, where it is held by the regiment's patron , usually a member of the royal family.
41-702: The Defence Helicopter Flying School ( DHFS ) was a military flying school based at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire , England . The school, established in 1997, was a tri-service organisation and trained helicopter aircrews for all three British armed forces . It initially used the Eurocopter Squirrel HT1 and Bell Griffin HT1 helicopters, which were retained despite the introduction of the Airbus Juno HT1 and Airbus Jupiter HT1 . The school
82-400: A captain-general instead of a colonel-in-chief, but the posts are essentially the same. The position of colonel-in-chief is distinct from the other ceremonial regimental posts of colonel of the regiment and honorary colonel , which are usually retired military officers or public figures with ties to the regiment. Colonels-in-chief are appointed at the invitation of the regiment. While it
123-719: A Jupiter were delivered to Shawbury on 3 April 2017. Deliveries continue throughout 2017 and early 2018, with the final Juno arriving on 24 May 2018. With the new aircraft achieving full training capability, Squirrel and Griffin operations ceased on 1 April 2018 and the aircraft returned to civilian use. Other changes included the DHFS becoming a sub-unit of the Shawbury station headquarters, rather than an independent lodger unit, which it had been since in creation in 1997. Two wings were created, 2 Maritime Air Wing (2 MAW) and No. 9 Regiment. The School of Aerospace Battle Management, part of
164-420: A ceremony at RAF Shawbury. The ceremony included a flypast of four Griffin and eight Squirrel helicopters in a number '10' formation. In the first ten years, 2,885 students passed through the school and its Squirrel fleet accumulated over 250,000 flying hours. In 2012, the initial 15-year contract with FBS (later FB Heliservices) came to an end. A new £193m four-year contract with two possible one year extensions,
205-468: A colonel-in-chief. Historically a colonel-in-chief was the ceremonial head of a regiment , usually a member of a European country's royal family. The practice extends at least back to 1740 in Prussia when Frederick II held that position ( German : Regimentschef ) in the newly created Garde du Corps , an elite heavy cavalry regiment. By the late 19th century the designation could be given to
246-614: A mix of military and civilian personnel. The DHFS used grass airfields at Ternhill and Chetwynd for helicopter training, both located in Shropshire. UK military rotary training continues under No.1 Flying Training School. Prior to being renamed in February 2020, the DHFS had the following structure. 52°47′31″N 2°39′54″W / 52.792°N 2.665°W / 52.792; -2.665 RAF Shawbury Royal Air Force Shawbury, otherwise known as RAF Shawbury ,
287-691: A non-flying replica Horsa glider for museum display. The station's physical recreation training centre, named the Jubilee Hall Sports and Fitness Centre to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II , was opened by Prince Michael of Kent on 24 April 2012. In April 2016 the Central Air Traffic Control School (CATCS) was renamed the School of Air Operations Control (SAOC) and came under the control of
328-627: Is a Royal Air Force station near the village of Shawbury in Shropshire in the West Midlands of England. The station at Shawbury was first used for military flying training in 1917 by the Royal Flying Corps . No. 29 (Training) Wing formed on 1 September 1917 with three training squadrons, No. 10 Squadron, No. 29 (Australian) (Training) Squadron and No. 67 Squadron. Several different types of aircraft were operated which caused difficulties with training and maintenance. Two of
369-411: Is due for retirement. The first two Juno and a Jupiter were delivered to Shawbury on 3 April 2017. Deliveries continue throughout 2017 and early 2018, with the final Juno arriving on 24 May 2018. With the new aircraft achieving full training capability, Squirrel and Griffin operations ceasing on 1 April 2018 and the aircraft returned to their owners. Other changes include the DHFS becoming a sub-unit of
410-665: Is expected to train 286 students per annum. Four classes per annum year go through Shawbury on six-month Basic Rotary courses, two with 705 NAS and two with No. 660 Squadron AAC. During the initial course students are taught basic rotary-wing skills and emergency handling, including engine-off landings, leading to a first solo flight and a handling check. Students then develop their basic skills into more applied techniques such as non-procedural instrument flying, basic night flying, low-level and formation flying, mountain flying in Snowdonia and an introduction to winching for FAA students, in
451-579: Is home to the School of Air Operations Control. No. 1 Flying Training School (No. 1 FTS) (formerly the Defence Helicopter Flying School ) provides basic helicopter pilot training for the RAF, Royal Navy and Army Air Corps (AAC), as well as foreign and commonwealth countries, using twenty-nine Airbus Juno HT1. No. 1 FTS comprises two main elements, 2 Maritime Air Wing (2 MAW) and No. 9 Regiment. 2 MAW includes No. 660 Squadron of
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#1732773211162492-674: Is operated by FB Heliservices, part of Cobham. Flying and notable non-flying units based at RAF Shawbury. No. 22 Group (Training) RAF It was announced by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in November 2016 that MOD staff currently based at 1300 Parkway in Bristol would be relocated to Shawbury by 2020. In January 2020, the RAF announced that four additional Jupiter HT1 and further simulator would be acquired for No.1 Flying Training School. The UKMFTS contract amendment worth £183 million
533-438: Is to create further rear crew training capacity. The additional aircraft and simulator are expected to be based at RAF Shawbury, where infrastructure will also be enhanced to accommodate extra students. Colonel-in-chief Some armed forces take a light-hearted approach to the position, appointing animals or characters as colonel-in-chief. The Norwegian Army , for example, appointed a king penguin named Sir Nils Olav as
574-532: Is traditional for a royal personage to hold the position, it is at the discretion of each regiment whom they invite. As of 2024 , most colonels-in-chief in the British Army are members of the British royal family . However, one foreign monarch holds the position: In the past non-royal persons have held, or been invited to hold, the post of colonel-in-chief. The Duke of Wellington was colonel-in-chief of
615-711: The Aerospatiale Gazelle and Westland Wessex in those roles respectively. No. 2 Flying Training School was disbanded in March 1997 so that in April 1997 the station could start providing training of helicopter pilots for all three of the UK's armed services, under the newly formed Defence Helicopter Flying School . Between 2001 and 2014 Shawbury was home to the Assault Glider Trust , a charity building
656-824: The Fleet Air Arm (FAA) operated the Gazelle HT.2 from RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall . The Army Air Corps (AAC) trained crews at ACC Middle Wallop in Hampshire . Frontline First: The Defence Costs Study , published by the Ministry of Defence in July 1994, recommended that UK military helicopter training be amalgamated into a new tri-service Defence Helicopter Flying School, to be based either at RAF Shawbury or Middle Wallop. The study also recommended an increase in
697-761: The UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS), a 25-year contract to provide fixed-wing elementary, basic, multi-engine and fast-jet pilot training, rear crew training and helicopter training to the UK military. Subsequently, as part of the Rotary Wing Training Programme, Ascent selected Airbus Helicopters to supply thirty-two helicopters to replace the DHFS Squirrel and Griffin aircraft. Airbus have provided twenty-nine H135 airframes, known as Juno HT1 and three H145 airframes, known as Jupiter HT1. Due to
738-413: The 15-year contract period. The Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) was established on 1 April 1997, with RAF Shawbury being selected as the new home of military helicopter training. The RAF's No. 60 Squadron disbanded at RAF Benson and the squadron number-plate was transferred to the RAF element of the DHFS. The squadron was joined at Shawbury by 705 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) and No. 660 Squadron of
779-735: The AAC and 705 Naval Air Squadron and provide basic helicopter flying training. No. 9 Regiment comprises No. 60 Squadron of the RAF and No. 670 Squadron of the AAC in the advanced helicopter flying training. No. 202 Squadron is also part of No. 1 FTS and operates the Airbus Jupiter HT1 at RAF Valley in Wales. Airbus provides and maintains the helicopters and Babcock and Lockheed Martin have contracts for infrastructure and ground Based Training Equipment. No. has 161 instructors, 102 of which are military and 59 which are civilian. The school
820-549: The Army Air Corps. The school was officially opened on 9 April 1997 by the then Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff , Air Chief Marshal Sir John Willis . Between 1997 and 2018, the DHFS comprised a headquarters and five squadrons in the following roles. All DHFS helicopters featured a black and yellow colour scheme. The Squirrels received codes reflecting the last two digits of their serial number , whereas each of
861-433: The DHFS Squirrel and Griffin aircraft. Airbus provided twenty-nine H135 airframes, known as Juno HT1 and three H145 airframes, known as Jupiter HT1. Due to the reduced requirement for search and rescue (SAR) training, following the privatisation of SAR provision, only three of the larger H145 aircraft are required, compared to the larger number of Griffins which were operated. The new fleet is entirely twin-engine, replacing
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#1732773211162902-749: The Defence College of Air and Space Operations, moved to Shawbury from RAF Boulmer in Northumberland in August 2019. DHFS was re-badged as No. 1 Flying Training School during February 2020 and continues to provide helicopter training the British armed forces. RAF Shawbury's mission statement is "To provide a safe, efficient, and effective airfield base environment; to enable and support, commanded, lodged and parented units; and to deliver wider Defence and RAF tasks as directed". The station
943-572: The Griffins of No. 60(R) Squadron had a single letter applied, which together spelt 'SIXTY RULE OK'. FB Heliservices, a subsidiary company set-up by FBS, commenced trading on 1 April 2001 and took responsibility for the provision of aircraft and services to the DHFS. In May 2007, the DHFS celebrated its 10th anniversary when the Prince of Wales , who is Colonel in Chief of the Army Air Corps, attended
984-789: The School of Fighter Control (SFC), it was located at RAF Boulmer from 1990 to 2019. Commanded by a Wing Commander, the School of Fighter Control was formed in 1946 and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II awarded the Unit its own badge in 1958, which includes a Torch and Pointer. The school's motto is 'Disce ut Dirigas' which freely translates to 'Learn in order that you may guide. Several RAF aircraft types are stored in long-term reserve at RAF Shawbury. These aircraft are stored in four specially de-humidified hangars at different states of readiness and can be brought back into active service if required. Other aircraft types which are no longer required for operational service are also stored pending their disposal. The unit
1025-567: The Shawbury station headquarters, rather than an independent lodger unit, which it has been since in creation in 1997. Two wings were created, 2 Maritime Air Wing (2 MAW) and No. 9 Regiment. In January 2020, the RAF announced that four additional Jupiter HT1 and further simulator would be acquired. The UKMFTS contract amendment worth £183 million is to create further rear crew training capacity. The additional aircraft and simulator were expected to be based at RAF Shawbury, where infrastructure will also be enhanced to accommodate extra students. The DHFS
1066-554: The Squirrel HT1/2 in military service) and eleven Bell 412 EP (known as the Griffin HT1), as well as helicopter engineering and support which were already being provided by FRA Serco under an existing contract. The helicopters were civilian owned but military registered and 40% of instructors were to be civilians. Compared to the existing training arrangements, the government expected the DHFS to provide £80m of savings over
1107-494: The advanced phase lasting 8 months. The RAF Central Flying School (Helicopter) Squadron provides Qualified Helicopter Instructor and Qualified Helicopter Crewman Instructor (QHI/QHCI) training for Juno and Jupiter . The unit trains crews from all three UK armed services as well as foreign air arms. The School of Aerospace Battle Management, part of the Defence College of Airspace Control, moved to Shawbury from RAF Boulmer in Northumberland in August 2019. Formerly called
1148-457: The children of royalty; there are pictures of the daughters of Russian Czar Nicholas II in the uniforms of their regiments. The German Kaiser Wilhelm II carried the title to an extreme, holding it in dozens of German and (by diplomatic courtesy) Austro-Hungarian (called Inhaber ), British, Russian, and Portuguese regiments. His mother, wife, son, and daughters were also full or deputy colonels-in-chief of various units. In modern usage,
1189-446: The colonel-in-chief of a regiment is its (usually royal) patron , who has a ceremonial role in the life of the regiment. They do not have any operational role, or the right to issue orders, but are kept informed of all important activities of the regiment and pay occasional visits to its units. The chief purpose of the colonel-in-chief is to maintain a direct link between the regiment and the royal family. Some artillery regiments have
1230-883: The main aircraft being the Airspeed Oxford . In 1944 it became the home of the Central Navigation School, which had moved from RAF Cranage in Cheshire , primarily concerned with improving the standard of air navigation in bombers. In 1950, the School of Air Traffic Control moved to Shawbury, combining to form the Central Navigation and Control School. No. 27 Maintenance Unit continued its aircraft storage and scrapping work at Shawbury until disbandment in July 1972. Shawbury became home to No. 2 Flying Training School in 1976, tasked with basic and advanced helicopter training and operating
1271-454: The newly created Defence College of Air and Space Operations . In 2016, the Ministry of Defence selected Ascent Flight Training to deliver the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS), a 25-year contract to provide fixed-wing elementary, basic, multi-engine and fast-jet pilot training, rear crew training and helicopter training to the UK military. Subsequently, Ascent selected Airbus Helicopters to supply thirty-two helicopters to replace
Defence Helicopter Flying School - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-470: The reduced requirement for search and rescue (SAR) training, following the privatisation of SAR provision, only three of the larger H145 aircraft are required, compared to the larger number of Griffins which were operated. The new fleet is entirely twin-engine, replacing the single engine Squirrel, as nearly all helicopters now operated by the UK military are twin-engined, apart from the Gazelle AH1, which
1353-472: The single engine Squirrel, as nearly all helicopters now operated by the UK military are twin-engined, apart from the Gazelle AH1, which is due for retirement. During 2016 and 2017, refurbishment of existing and construction of new buildings was undertaken as part of the contract. The work was undertaken by Kier Construction and included a new training school building, including space for flight simulators and refurbishment of hangars. The first two Juno and
1394-449: The squadrons combined to form 9 Training Depot Station on 1 March 1918, the other moving to Gloucestershire . Training continued on a more organised basis until the end of the war. The airfield closed in May 1920 when the strength of the RAF was drastically reduced. The hangars and other buildings were demolished and the land was returned to agricultural use. In February 1938 the station
1435-464: The training courses made use of synthetic training equipment, including full size replicas of the aircraft cockpit instruments, crewman cabin area and support helicopter passenger/freight loading and unloading space, within seven flying training devices (provided by CAE Inc. ) and two virtual reality trainers and a mock Chinook cabin. All aircrew instruction was carried out by Central Flying School (Helicopters) (CFS(H)) Instructors. These Instructors were
1476-471: The use of civilian instructors. In October 1996, a private finance initiative contract was placed with FBS, a consortium of Flight Refuelling Aviation (FRA – now Cobham ), Bristows Helicopters Ltd and Serco , each holding a 33.3% share of the company. The 15-year contract ran from 23 November 1996 to 31 March 2012. Serco left the consortium during 1998. The contract included the provision of thirty-four Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil helicopters (known as
1517-717: Was expected to train 286 students per annum. Four classes per annum went through Shawbury on six-month courses, two with 705 NAS and two with No. 660 Squadron AAC. During the initial course students were taught basic rotary-wing skills and emergency handling, including engine-off landings, leading to a first solo flight and a handling check. Students then developed their basic skills into more applied techniques such as non-procedural instrument flying, basic night flying, low-level and formation flying, mountain flying in Snowdonia and an introduction to winching for FAA students. Several other courses, sometimes bespoke, were available to British and international students. As well as live flying,
1558-436: Was placed with FB Heliservices and commenced on 1 April 2012. The contract involved the continued provision of helicopter flying training at RAF Shawbury, RAF Valley and AAC Middle Wallop, together with support services at Shawbury and Middle Wallop. After purchasing Bristow's share of the company in July 2013, Cobham became full owner of FB Heliservices. In 2016, the Ministry of Defence selected Ascent Flight Training to deliver
1599-639: Was re-badged as No. 1 Flying Training School during February 2020 and continues to provide helicopter training for the British armed forces. Prior to the establishment of the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) in 1997, each of the UK's air-arms provided their own helicopter crew training. The Royal Air Force (RAF) trained crews using the Westland Gazelle HT.3 at No. 2 Flying Training School based at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire and 705 Naval Air Squadron of
1640-441: Was reactivated as a training establishment, firstly used by No. 11 Service Flying Training School and an Aircraft Storage Unit (ASU) which was operated by No. 27 Maintenance Unit . The airfield also had Relief Landing Grounds at RAF Bridleway Gate and RAF Bratton , with additional satellite landing grounds at RAF Hinstock , RAF Hodnet and RAF Weston Park . Shawbury primarily prepared pilots for operational squadrons, with
1681-806: Was renamed as No. 1 Flying Training School on 28 February 2020. The DHFS trained all military helicopter crews for the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm and the British Army's Army Air Corps. Under the UK Military Flying Training System, Airbus provided and maintained the Juno HT1 and Jupiter HT1 helicopters and Babcock and Lockheed Martin had contracts for infrastructure and ground Based Training Equipment. In 2016, DHFS had 161 instructors, 102 of which were military and 59 which were civilian. The school