Radio Features

When it comes to teaching the helicopter pilots of the future, the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) at RAF Shawbury is the most important facility in the country.

Its graduates could eventually find themselves delivering supplies and troops to the frontline, rescuing people from icy seas, or flying some of the world's most high-tech attack helicopters.

Inevitably the school attracts some of the brightest talent from the three services, and only the best will make it, as Group Captain Jock Brown explained: "It is really the top two or three percent of the UK that we are looking at employing to start with, not only as a military officer, but as a helicopter pilot."

Gp Capt Brown, Commandant of the school, said the trainees need to have special qualities to become helicopter pilots, a sharp intellect and the ability to multi-task: "They must be able not only to fly the helicopter but understand the full mission parameters and understand the wants of the guys on the ground and in the air at the same time."

Prince William at RAF Shawbury

Training is geared towards preparing pilots, navigators and other crew for active service. "The ethos that we create in them here is a real benefit to them when they hit Afghanistan and other places around the world," Gp Capt Brown said.

Not everyone who trains at the DHFS will necessarily graduate, but given the competitive nature of the course, Gp Capt Brown described the 5% drop-out rate as encouragingly 'low'.

Although the course is intense Gp Cpt Brown said there was nothing more satisfying than to succeed: "The day that you earn your wings... is probably one of the greatest days that you'll ever have in your service career."