No, it’s not a typo – but it might raise an eyebrow if you’ve ever battled a windy day with a basket of washing.
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) has opened recruitment for experienced rotary pilots, and while that might sound like a callout for laundry line veterans, this is very much about helicopters – not hanging out the whites.
Andover sits in the central coverage area of NPAS Bournemouth, NPAS Benson, and NPAS Redhill, with air support regularly called upon for incidents in and around the town. These include searches for missing people, supporting police foot chases, monitoring high-speed pursuits on the A303, and providing aerial oversight for major public events or emergencies.
Support can come from further afield depending on which other support units are already up and where.
The presence of NPAS ensures an extra layer of response capability, especially in rural or hard-to-reach locations.
Applications are now open for key locations across the country including Barton, Birmingham, Lippitts Hill, Redhill, and Husbands Bosworth.
A serious role with a crucial mission
Successful applicants will join NPAS’s elite air support teams, working alongside Tactical Flight Officers to deliver vital support for police forces across England and Wales. From missing person searches to high-speed pursuits, these operations are often the deciding factor in critical incidents.
This is a demanding but rewarding position – and the entry requirements reflect that:
- A minimum of 1,500 flying hours (or 1,000 in a military helicopter)
- At least 100 hours of night flying, with 20 as Pilot in Command
- 500 hours PIC overland under Visual Meteorological Conditions
- A current UK CPL(H), RT licence, and Class 1 medical
Applications close in July
The deadline for applications is Friday, 27 July 2025, and NPAS is urging qualified pilots to apply early.
With a reputation for excellence and a commitment to public safety, NPAS offers a unique opportunity to take your career to new heights – quite literally.
More details and application info can be found here.
