Training

NPAS is an Approved Training Organisation (ATO), delivering training specific to the operations we carry out, in fixed wing and rotary aircraft.

Our in-house Training Department keeps our pilots and Tactical Flight Officers current, competent and qualified to deliver safe and effective police air operations.

In 2024/25, major changes were implemented to our Tactical Flight Officer course. The course was completely rewritten and now delivers an officer to bases with 95% of front seat training straight from their foundation course. The final two weeks of training, covering local procedures, is delivered at their base.

This has cut the training programme from an average of four months to just seven weeks, which is great news for bases and the officers.

A new Deputy Head of Training post was established, along with an additional fixed wing Training Captain. Under the new course structure, our Head of Training takes overall responsibility for all new Tactical Flight Officers until they complete their first line check. This gives the department greater oversight and mirrors the existing pilot training pathway.