British Army lowers minimum rank required to become helicopter pilot

The Army Air Corps has announced the minimum rank to become a British Army helicopter pilot has been lowered.

Soldiers from across the service can now apply to become a pilot at the rank of private, with a recommendation for promotion to lance corporal.

The Army Air Corps says it is "one of the biggest upheavals" in the way it recruits, selects, and employs soldier pilots since its formation in 1957, and gives personnel the opportunity to be a pilot much earlier in their careers.

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Previously, the minimum rank for soldiers to apply for the Army Pilots Course was lance corporal.

Upon successful completion of 'Conversion to Type' training, an individual would transfer to the Army Air Corps and be promoted to the rank of acting sergeant.

Personnel are required to have started flight training by their 30th birthday.

The Army Air Corps is described as the combat aviation arm of the British Army by the service and uses the Apache, Wildcat Mk 1, Bell 212 and Gazelle helicopters.