727 Naval Air Squadron

727 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It operates the Grob Tutor and provides grading and acquaint flights for Royal Navy and Royal Marine pilots under training, as well as supporting the RN's "Flying Start" flying scholarship scheme. The serving officers are assessed for their suitability to continue flight training during a three week stay with the Squadron. During those weeks, he or she will fly twelve hours with an instructor before flying a Pre-FHT and then a Final Handling Test with the Commanding Office

The Squadron also undertakes many other roles, one of which is the new Special Flying Award. The SFA is open to any member of the public who has expressed an interest in joining the Fleet Air Arm as a member of the aircrew. All will have come through their local careers information office, and put forward by their ACLO and the CNR. The course lasts for one week with the aim of 5 hours in the cockpit. There are also a number of SFAs organised for members of the URNU. These follow much the same format as the standard SFA. All pilots on an SFA are accommodated in the wardroom of HMS Heron.

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The Squadron currently operates 5 Grob Tutor 115E trainer aircraft under a private finance initiative with VT Group's aerospace division. This, along with 5 QFIs, allow up to 10 students to be accommodated with the Squadron at any time.

The Squadron currently has just 2 full time Naval personnel; the Commanding Officer and the Training Officer. VTAe employs 5 civilian flying instructors under their contract to teach the students. The Squadron is also supported by a number of ex-service QFIs from the RNR.

The squadron moved from Plymouth Airport to RNAS Yeovilton in early in 2007, following the departure of the last Sea Harrier squadron from RNAS Yeovilton in 2006.