Give us a truly global reach, over land and sea

What is the Aviation branch?

  • The Aviation branch, known as the Fleet Air Arm, provides the airborne capabilities we need to complete our most challenging operations
  • We work with people from every Service, providing expert aviation. That might mean landing a unit of Royal Marines in hostile territory, or providing search-and-rescue support to civilians
  • It’s not just our elite pilots who keep our aircraft in the sky. Everyone has a role to play, from Air Traffic Controllers to Air Engineers
  • On deployment you’ll be part of the ship’s flight, assigned from either Culdrose or Yeovilton. When the ship sails, you’ll fly to join it, for up to nine months. Like everyone on board, you complete all of the essential pre-deployment training. When the ship returns, you go back to your Royal Naval Air Station
  • Whether flying interests you, or you just want to use amazing kit, like the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, you’ll need to be focussed and ready to react at a moment’s notice

What's it like?

The Fleet Air Arm is a million miles away from commercial aviation. We push our helicopters and jets to the limit. That might mean flying at just 50 feet in the dark with only night vision goggles to help you, or using expert knowledge of your aircraft’s capabilities to control a congested air space. You’ll be working in a uniquely collaborative environment, with people of all ranks pulling together to keep our aircraft in the sky. You’ll also enjoy a healthy balance of time away and a settled home life, spending the majority of your career at the same Royal Naval Air Station but travelling the world on deployment.

A day in the life: Aviation

Colin, 33

Observer

I get to be part of a wide variety of missions. I’ve been involved in search-and-rescue, using the winch to pull people to safety, and on the frontline where I’ve fired machine guns.

Where can I work?

Royal Navy personnel on flight deck.

With powerful support from the air our fighter jets and helicopters extend our reach, all over the world, whether it’s a peacetime or combat mission.

Find your aviation role


0 roles available

Air Engineering Technician

Air Engineering Technician

You’ll take charge of scheduled maintenance, servicing and inspections for the Fleet Air Arm’s aircraft.

The role at a glance
  • Age: 16 - 39
  • Education: No qualifications
  • Salary: £23,496+ The minimum you’ll earn after training
  • Holiday: 6 weeks of paid holiday every year
  • Progression: £58,000 Earn over this amount as you progress
  • Benefits: Free medical and dental care
Find out more
Survival Equipment Technician (SET)

Survival Equipment Technician (SET)

Lives will depend on the equipment you’re working with just as much as they’ll depend on your skills and attention to detail.

The role at a glance
  • Age: 16 - 39
  • Education: No qualifications
  • Salary: £23,496 the minimum you'll earn after training
  • Holiday: 6 weeks of paid holiday every year
  • Progression: £58,000 earn over this amount as you progress
  • Benefits: Free medical and dental care
Find out more
Accelerated Apprentice scheme (Air Engineering)

Accelerated Apprentice scheme (Air Engineering)

You’ll be fast-tracked to working with our most advanced aircraft, as part of the team that maintains, services and inspects them.

The role at a glance
  • Age: 17 - 25
  • Education: A-level and/or BTEC
  • Salary: Starting salary over £37,700
  • Holiday: 6 weeks of paid holiday every year
  • Progression: £58,000 Earn over this amount as you progress
  • Benefits: Travel all around the world
Find out more
Air Engineer Officer

Air Engineer Officer

Lead the specialist team who makes sure our cutting-edge aircraft are ready for action, in challenging situations, all over the world.

The role at a glance
  • Age: 18 - 39
  • Education: Degree
  • Salary: £31,000 Your minimum salary from day one
  • Holiday: 6 weeks of paid holiday every year
  • Progression: £38,000 Your approximate salary after about two years
  • Benefits: Travel all around the world
Find out more
Air Traffic Control Officer

Air Traffic Control Officer

Whether on board a ship or onshore, you’ll help keep the skies safe and lead the team that ensures safe flow of air traffic.

The role at a glance
  • Age: 18 - 34
  • Salary: £31,000 your minimum salary from day one
  • Holiday: 6 weeks of paid holiday every year
  • Progression: £38,000 your approximate salary after two years
  • Benefits: Free medical and dental care
Find out more
Aircraft Controller

Aircraft Controller

You’ll provide the crucial link between the aircraft and its base, whether that’s at sea or on land.

The role at a glance
  • Age: 17 - 34
  • Education: GCSEs
  • Salary: £23,496 the minimum you’ll earn after training
  • Holiday: 6 weeks of paid holiday every year
  • Progression: £58,000 earn over this amount as you progress
  • Benefits: Travel all around the world
Find out more
Aircrew Officer Observer

Aircrew Officer Observer

You’ll master navigation, first aid, emergency handling and survival, and then train for a specialist role on one of the Fleet Air Arm’s three helicopters.

The role at a glance
  • Age: 18 - 34
  • Education: A-level and/or BTEC
  • Salary: £31,000 your minimum salary from day one
  • Holiday: 6 weeks of paid holiday every year
  • Progression: £37,000 your approximate salary after two years
  • Benefits: Free medical and dental care
Find out more
Aircrew Officer Pilot

Aircrew Officer Pilot

Carve out an aviation career like no other, pushing our cutting-edge aircraft – and yourself – to the limit, all over the world.

The role at a glance
  • Age: 18 - 26
  • Education: A-level and/or BTEC
  • Salary: £31,000 your minimum salary from day one
  • Holiday: 6 weeks of paid holiday every year
  • Progression: £37,000 your approximate salary after two years
  • Benefits: Travel all around the world
Find out more
Aircrewman

Aircrewman

Become essential to Merlin helicopter operations, in the thick of the action on Commando or Anti-Submarine missions.

The role at a glance
  • Age: 17 - 34
  • Education: GCSEs
  • Salary: £23,496 the minimum you’ll earn after training
  • Holiday: 6 weeks of paid holiday every year
  • Progression: £58,000 earn over this amount as you progress
  • Benefits: Travel all around the world
Find out more
Naval Airman Aircraft Handler

Naval Airman Aircraft Handler

Work with some of the most cutting-edge aircraft in existence as part of the team that keeps them flight ready.

The role at a glance
  • Age: 16 - 39
  • Education: No qualifications
  • Salary: £23,496+ the minimum you'll earn after training
  • Holiday: 6 weeks of paid holiday every year
  • Progression: £58,000 earn over this amount as you progress
  • Benefits: Free medical and dental care
Find out more

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