To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how long it would take to train a qualified (a) civilian and (b) army helicopter pilot to the level where he or she is competent to fly patrols in hostile environments in light commercial helicopters; (83637)

Military helicopter pilots undergo different phases of training, which vary in type and duration according to which service and type of aircraft is involved. All military helicopter pilots undergo an initial period of elementary fixed-wing training. This is followed by basic and advanced rotary-wing training at the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury. The final phase of training involves pilots undertaking operational conversion flying at their single-service front-line or training units.

The average number of weeks taken to train helicopter pilots of each service from start to until they are able to fly operationally, including initial fixed-wing training, is as follows:

Professionally qualified civilian helicopter pilots would need to develop the relevant low-level flying and tactical skills in order to attain the required competence for operational flying in hostile environments. It is estimated that such training would take approximately 20 weeks.

Army helicopter pilots are always trained to full operational status. They do not operate light commercial helicopters but are trained to fly military light utility helicopters, such as the Lynx, in hostile environments as part of the mandated training programme described. Military helicopter training is not shortened or hastened to meet operational demands. It is vital that each training phase is completed and that the syllabus is fully achieved in order to produce the high standards that military flying demands.