TNAG-0539-FCO40-634-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 223

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

RECOGNITION OF SERVICE TRAINING

15. Progress has been made in negotiations with the Council of

Engineering Institutions (CEI) to ensure that Servicemen achieve

nationally recognised qualifications on completion of training.

These awards include Ordinary National Certificates in Engineering

and various City and Guilds of London Institute Certificates.

eligibility of some categories for registration as Technician

Engineers (CEI) or Technicians (CET) as appropriate has been

recognised and discussions continue on the eligibility of others.

FLYING TRAINING

The

Royal Navy

16. The RAF continues to provide elementary flying training for Royal Navy helicopter pilots, using Bulldog aircraft at RAF Leeming from November 1974. The Gazelle helicopter is now in service and has been used by the Royal Navy for basic flying training at the Royal Naval Air Station, Culdrose,since January 1975.

17. On 1 April 1974 the Aircrewman Branch was formed to provide

the necessary manpower for aircrew duties, formerly provided by

ratings loaned from other Branches. The Aircrewman Branch will

provide a career with an advancement structure based on the develop-

ment of aircrewman skills.

Army

18. The Army Air Corps trains its own pilots and aircrewmen and

the pilots of the Poyal Marines Commando Brigade Squadron. The

Sioux helicopter is being gradually replaced by the Gazelle for

flying training beyond the basic stage.

Royal Air Force

19.

A new pattern of pilot training was introduced towards the

end of 1974 which reduced training time without lowering standards.

VI-5

CONFIDENT I AL

CONFIDENTIAL