Trainee pilot hailed in helicopter drama

A quick-thinking trainee pilot averted a potential disaster in the skies over Shropshire after he spotted an oil leak on a helicopter he was about to fly.

Bosses at RAF Shawbury said the aircraft could have 'fallen out of the sky' if Second Lieutenant David Price had attempted to fly the helicopter.

Amazingly the new recruit had less than 50 hours of flying experience at the time. He noticed an oil spill near the engine of the helicopter as he was about to start a mission from the airbase in north Shropshire.

The helicopter was later declared unserviceable.

His actions, just before a mission in February, were described as 'preventing a potentially serious occurrence'.

Squadron Leader Neil Hope, community relations officer at RAF Shawbury, said: "It wouldn't have flown for very long.

"He saved the aircraft, basically it could have fallen out of the sky with the oil leak it had."

He was presented with an Air Officer Commanding No 22 Training Group Flight Safety Award from Captain Paul Shawcross, Commandant of the Defence Helicopter Flying School, at a ceremony this week.

His citation reads: "Despite having less than 50 hours on helicopters, 2Lt Price's keen eye and dedication to air safety prevented a potentially serious occurrence.

"He was able to break his mission bubble and place safety at the forefront of his mind."