6000 hrs for Culdrose aviator

A Culdrose aviator has achieved his 6000th hour at the controls of a helicopter during the week when D-Day 6th June is commemorated.

Lieutenant Commander Roger Moffatt Royal Navy [53] recently achieved his 6000th flying hour whilst at the controls of a Merlin Mark 2 trials aircraft flying to Culdrose from MOD Boscombe Down on a test and evaluation flight. 

Roger leaves the service at the end of next year after nearly 35 years in the Royal Navy having joined BRNC Dartmouth in Feb 1980. After initial flying training his first appointment was with 824 Naval Air Squadron, deploying to the Falklands in 1982 immediately after the end of the conflict, although the area remained at high alert for some time afterwards.

During his time Roger has served in four Naval Air Squadrons (826 819, 705, 706) and has extensive experience in Test and Evaluation flying Squadrons. He served in an exchange appointment to the USA that saw him gain experience of Operational Evaluation flying on the Seahawk SH60 aircraft at the United States Navy Patuxent River Air Base in Maryland, which began a long career in Test Flying, including Merlin Mk1 initial trials and latterly to his current appointment in the Merlin Mk2 Combined Test Team.

He has a comprehensive list of fixed wing and helicopter aircraft types to his credit including the Gazelle, Seaking (all types!), Seahawk, Scout, Merlin (Mk1, 2 and 3), Lynx Mk7, Squirrel and Grob.

Originally from the Manchester area, Roger is an avid Manchester United fan and currently lives in Yeovilton with his wife and three children. 

As Roger was being presented his celebratory cake from the station Commanding Officer, Captain Mark Garratt RN, he quipped: “Alex Ferguson has gone after a long an illustrious career and I reckon next year I’ll have to do the same”.