Table of Contents
Can you visit RNAS Culdrose?
RNAS Culdrose Airfield Viewing Area, Helston RNAS Culdrose Airfield Viewing Area is located in Helston. Our Helston day trip app makes visiting RNAS Culdrose Airfield Viewing Area and other Helston attractions simple, and helps you make a travel plan personal to you.
Where is Culdrose base?
Helston
Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose (RNAS Culdrose, also known as HMS Seahawk; ICAO: EGDR) is a Royal Navy airbase near Helston on the Lizard Peninsula of Cornwall UK, and is one of the largest helicopter bases in Europe.
What helicopters are at Culdrose?

Basic Helicopter Flying Training in the form of 705 Naval Air Squadron moved to the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury, Shropshire in 1997. The Gazelle was finally replaced by the Eurocopter AS350BB Squirrel. At present there are two main types of helicopter at Culdrose, the Seaking and Merlin.
How many acres is culdrose?
750 acres
Culdrose started its life when the Admiralty surveyed the area in 1943 and finally purchased the 750 acres of prime agricultural land formerly known as `The Downs` in February 1944. It was originally given the name HMS Chough (RNAS Helston) after the Cornish bird.
Is RNAS Culdrose closing?
The retirement of the aircraft was announced in the 2021 defence review. The BAE Systems Hawks have been used by the RAF for 40 years and the Royal Navy’s aircraft date from the 1990s.

How much does a Royal Navy pilot earn?
The typical Royal Navy Pilot salary is £55,159 per year. Pilot salaries at Royal Navy can range from £45,828 – £83,972 per year. This estimate is based upon 6 Royal Navy Pilot salary report(s) provided by employees or estimated based upon statistical methods.
How many Merlins do the Navy have?
MK2. The Royal Navy operates 30 Merlin Mk2 helicopters, based at RNAS Culdrose. Operates globally, deployed on Royal Navy Frigates, Destroyers and Support Craft and will in future fly from the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers.
How many helicopters are based at Culdrose?
Also out on deployment from Culdrose still are the seven helicopters and 190 people making up almost all 820 squadron, who bid farewell to join HMS Queen Elizabeth also back in April.
How old is culdrose?
Culdrose started its life when the Admiralty surveyed the area in 1943 and finally purchased the 750 acres of prime agricultural land formerly known as `The Downs` in February 1944. It was originally given the name HMS Chough (RNAS Helston) after the Cornish bird.
How big is culdrose?
With 3,000 personnel, it is one of the biggest single-site employer in Cornwall, pumping £100m into the local economy every year.
What is the maximum height for a Navy pilot?
6 feet 5 inches
A Navy pilot candidate must be at least 5 feet 2 inches tall and no taller than 6 feet 5 inches. A candidate must also not weigh more than 245 pounds or less than 103 pounds to qualify.
Where are Royal Navy Merlin helicopters based?
RNAS Culdrose
The main base for both training and Front-line aircraft is at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.
How much money do Navy pilots make?
Salary Ranges for Navy Fighter Pilots The salaries of Navy Fighter Pilots in the US range from $60,770 to $187,200 , with a median salary of $117,290 . The middle 60% of Navy Fighter Pilots makes $117,290, with the top 80% making $187,200.
What is the age limit for a Navy pilot?
The Navy Pilot program is open for both men and women. You must be at least 19 years old and must not be older than 32 years old upon commissioning. Navy Pilot age limit updated as of May 2022. Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university.