Search and Rescue Training Unit (SARTU)

Mission Statement:

Provide all Royal Air Force helicopter aircrew with basic Search and Rescue and mountain flying skills and deliver advanced Search and Rescue training to military aircrew destined for SAR duties.

Motto: That Lives maybe saved

Courses

SARTU offers a number of bespoke courses teaching SAR specific and mountain flying skills to Pilots and Rearcrew.

Pilots

SARTU have a comprehensive mountain flying package, that starts with basic techniques for safely operating in a mountainous environment and swiftly moves to valley and bowl approaches and advanced techniques which can be used in more difficult weather - strong winds, turbulence etc. We also run a complete Advanced Training course teaching handling and CRM in a multi engined helicopter as well as navigation, instrument flying, SAR and mountains.

Both ab-initio and experienced aircrew destined for RAF or RN SAR complete advanced courses at SARTU. These courses cover all aspects: basic winching in a safe environment, overwater hovering to rescue downed aircrew, locator beacon homing and winching to cliffs and boats.

Rear-crew

SARTU provides ab initio rearcrew students with an introduction to SAR helicopter techniques in both the Winch Operator and Winchman roles. This training includes mountain and overwater helicopter operations. SARTU also provides a selection course and dedicated rearcrew training to meet the needs of the UK SARF and 84 Sqn RAF.

Additional

On behalf of DHFS, tailored SAR courses are also delivered to foreign and commonwealth military and civilian customers.

SARTU also run a number of staff courses including a QHCI course, teaching experienced SAR rearcrew how to instruct, staff pilot conversion courses and QHI/QHCI work ups.

History

The early 1960’s saw the first training of dedicated SAR Crews at RAF Valley by 3 Sqn CFS(H), a lodger unit parented by RAF Ternhill. This Unit, equipped with the Westland Whirlwind Mk 10, became the Search and Rescue Training Squadron. In the late 1970s, with reorganisation of the SAR fleet, Valley’s Helicopter Training Squadron was renamed yet again to become The Search and Rescue Training Unit (SARTU).

1985 saw the final withdrawal of the Whirlwind from RAF service when SARTU relinquished its mount of many years for the more capable and newer Wessex. This aircraft, with its greater performance and lifting abilities, together with its 300ft winch, enabled training to be reorganised with far more realism being introduced into various courses.

In 1997 SARTU re-equipped with the Griffin, which has enabled this process to continue still further. At the same time SARTU left Strike Command and became part of the Defence Helicopter Flying School.

In April 2009 SARTU was expanded further to included in its fleet the AW139, enhancing the training delivered and the capacity of the Unit.