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In HM Forces, helicopters are divided between the three services, with the RAF operating support helicopters, the Royal Navy (Fleet Air Arm) providing rotary assets to the navy as a whole (including ships, land stations (i.e. RNAS Yeovilton), and the Commando Brigade) and the Army operating a smaller number of attack and reconnaissance aircraft.

• The Army Air Corps currently operate the Lynx, Gazelle, Apache, Agusta 109, and Bell 212.

• The Crabs currently operate the Merlin, Chinook, Puma, and Sea King.

• The Fleet Air Arm currently operate Lynx, Merlin, Sea King and Dauphin types.

It is worth noting that due to the MOD consistently striving for Jointery (see also JHC and JHQ), there is now a Defence Flying School in Shropshire (Shawbury) where pilots undergo Initial Helicopter Training on Squirrels and Griffins before progressing onto the dedicated training areas for their respective services.

See also AH-1 Cobra, Black helicopters, Bristol Belvedere, Eurocopter Tiger and Hind.

[edit] How does a helicopter work?

A helicopter flies, by whipping its rotorblades around, with such violence that the vibration caused by this force causes the earth to dispell the irritation. Thus the entire contraption levitates. Now you ask, why doesn't the rotor fly away, leaving the rest of the thing on the ground? Good question, little Grasshopper. On top of the rotor, is what us who are in the know, call the Jesusbolt. It is the bolt that keeps the rotor connected to the hull. You can see it there, sitting on top of the rotorhead. When that bolt loosens, because it gets twisted around too much, the chopper falls. And so will you.