Helston air base celebrates Jetstream anniversary (From Falmouth Packet)

Helston air base celebrates Jetstream anniversary

10:20am Thursday 15th October 2009 in News

It is nearing the end of an era at RNAS Culdrose as aircraft used at the Helston base for 30 years await replacement, ahead of the introduction of a £52 million training contract.

Jetstream aircraft have been in service with 750 Squadron for three decades and to celebrate this a special thirtieth anniversary party was held at Culdrose.

There was a flypast of six Jetstreams from the squadron and a special cake was cut by two members of the squadron, Roger McDonald, one of the most experienced pilots, and sub lieutenant Hannah Best, one of the youngest students.

Senior guests from the Royal Navy and industry were given various briefings and presentations on the work of 750 Squadron and its future.

These focused on the UK Military Flying Training System now being based at Culdrose.

As part of this the Jetstreams are being replaced by the King Air 350 in 2011.

The training course at 750 Naval Air Squadron combines navigation, airmanship, crew resource management, radio, radar and limited basic tactical skills. It is backed up with classroom and exercises in the computer-controlled “procedures trainer,” which is a copy of the aircraft’s navigation console, based on the ground.

The UK Military Flying Training System will replace the present flying training for the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the Army Air Corps. The contract, worth £52 million, will provide future employment opportunities for civilians in the area and further secures the long-term future of RNAS Culdrose.