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Job Role
Air Traffic Control Officer
Job Role

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.

Fast trackAircraftAviationTactical
  • £33,000 - £117,500
  • A-Levels / college qualifications
  • Fleet Air Arm
  • Aviation
  • Officer level

At a glance

This job sits within the Warfare Profession and is a Warfare (Aviation) Officer role. When you‘re an Air-Traffic Controller, it’s not just the air space directly above you that’s your responsibility. You’ll manage air traffic for a 30-mile radius around you. This could be anywhere – with civilian and private traffic, extreme weather and potential conflict to consider.

Air Traffic Controller
It’s really important that I’m organised, focused and have 100% concentration. Knowing that the lives of my mates are in my hands is a level of responsibility I’d struggle to find elsewhere.
Navy personnel wearing headphones. Blue tinted image.

Stan

Air Traffic Control Officer, Aviation branch

Role details

What you’ll do

It’s not just the air space directly above you that you’ll be responsible for. You’ll control the flow of air traffic for a 30-mile radius. Given this could be anywhere in the world depending on where your missions take you – with civilian and private traffic, extreme weather and potential conflict to consider – you’ll need to be completely on the ball. Whether you’re in the middle of the ocean on board an aircraft carrier like the new Queen Elizabeth, or on shore at a Royal Naval Air Station, the lives of your crewmates will be in your hands. 

Your role

  • Monitor the airwaves and make sure each and every one of the helicopters and jets under your watch lands safely. 
  • Use your knowledge of our world-class kit, and understanding of your environment, to give clear instructions to pilots and crew.
  • Operate sophisticated radar and communication systems, and collaborate with everyone in your team.
  • Use your world-class communication skills to ensure the safety of your crew. 

Pay & benefits

  • A starting salary in excess of £33,000
  • Rising beyond £41,000 after two years
  • Accelerated training and responsibility from day one
  • Seven weeks of paid holiday every year
  • Free medical and dental care 
  • Subsidised travel and accommodation
  • Adventurous training
  • Excellent pension scheme

Skills for life

Qualifications you'll gain

  • Study for GCSEs, A-Levels, NVQs or even a degree, with funding from us
  • Gain specialist vocational qualifications
  • Gain a Foundation Degree in Airspace Management on completion of professional training and a BSc(Hons) on the Front Line

Skills you'll develop

  • How to use state-of-the-art equipment to monitor your airspace and keep it safe 
  • The art of effective communication and decision-making in high-pressure situations 

Eligibility

  • You must be aged 18 to 34
  • You’ll need a minimum of 72 UCAS points. These can be accrued from either GCE A/AS Levels (or equivalent) or National Diplomas (e.g., BTEC)
  • You’ll need at least 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C (9-4) (or Scottish equivalent), which must include English language and Mathematics
  • You must be a United Kingdom citizen or British Dual United States National to apply. Dual Nationality restrictions do apply
  • Applicants who have resided outside the UK over the previous 5 years may require a residency waiver
  • Minimum height of 151.5cm
  • A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
  • Must pass CBAT. Specialist Aviation Medical at OASC, RAF Cranwell post AIB.

Skills & interests

  • Able to thrive on responsibility
  • A confident leader
  • A passion for working as part of a team
  • Calm under pressure
  • Able to concentrate for long periods of time

Joining process

From picking your role to the first day of training; everything you need to know as an officer

Career progression

From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.

Got a question?

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