As an Aircraft Controller (AC) you will play a pivotal role in helping enable the Royal Navy's front-line aviation capability at sea. At the heart of the ship, you will be a key member of the war fighting team within the Operations Room. You will be the only person on board responsible for the safety of all Rotary Wing aircraft under your control. This involves directing the ships airborne weapon carrier from a radar screen to achieve the mission success. In addition, you will act as the ship's aviation advisor during all flying serials answering directly to the ship's Command Team. A challenging but rewarding role.
Aircraft Controller
You’ll provide the crucial link between the aircraft and its base, whether that’s at sea or on land.
Start your application
This role is classed as a RBP Warfare Aviation Rating. As part of your application process, we’ll help you find the most suitable role based on your skills and experience.
Register interest- £26,334 - £64,886
- No qualifications
- Fleet Air Arm
- Aviation
- Rating level
Role details
- Work with some of the most sophisticated aircraft in the world in all environments, including the Wildcat and Merlin helicopters as well as the P8 Poseidon. As your career progresses, you’ll gain additional qualifications which will enable you to work with the F-35 Lightning II
- You will be the on-board Aviation expert, advising Command and using your knowledge and tactical insight to ensure mission success
- Utilise your skills, expertise and knowledge to work with NATO and international partners around the world
- Compile and deliver flying briefs to the ship's Command/Aviation team
- £26,334 and increasing to basic pay of £41,772 on promotion to Leading Hand
- Potential to earn up to £64,886 as a WO1 basic pay
- Six weeks of paid holiday every year
- Subsidised food, travel and accommodation
- Excellent pension scheme
Qualifications you'll gain
- Apprenticeship Level 3 in Data Information Management
- Foundation degree in Aerospace Management on successful completion of JATCC
- Chartered Management Institute Level 3 qualification in Coaching & Mentoring with the opportunity for Level 5 as your career progresses
- Opportunity to gain human factors qualifications
- Funding towards study or a qualification of your choice
Skills you'll develop
- Regardless of age, background or educational achievement the AC branch will support you every step of the way, allowing you to grow in confidence your multi-tasking ability, master communication and leadership skills, and realise your full potential. It's never too early or late to live life to the full and experience challenges.
- You’ll need to be aged 18 to 34
- No qualifications are required for this role
- You must be a British/British Dual National
- You need to be a 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
- To be independent and adaptable
- To be out going, committed and driven
- A high level of spatial awareness
- A passion for aviation
- An adventurous spirit
Since I joined the Royal Navy I’ve been part of some major operations, from the Caribbean to the Persian Gulf. People of all ranks respect my opinion, which means I’m always involved in each mission.
Career progression
From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.
Phase one training
10 weeks at HMS Raleigh, learning basic military skills. After phase one training you will spend the next few months developing your professional skills and knowledge across a range of courses intertwined within your Leading Aircraft Controller’s Qualifying Course (LACPQC)
Phase two training
In the first 10 weeks at HMS Collingwood you will learn all about the on-board Command System and how to operate and transmit on radios and receive basic Leadership training during ARLC and learn how to survive life at sea.
Your next phase of training will be carried out at the Royal Navy School of Aircraft Control (RNSAC) located within RNAS Yeovilton (Somerset). For the next 15 weeks, you will learn the basics of controlling an Air System.
Once you have mastered these basics the tempo of training will increase and you will return to HMS Collingwood for a further 14 weeks to complete your final phase of the course within the Aviation Training Element (AvTE) at the Maritime Warfare School (MWS) (in Portsmouth),
First promotion – Leading Hand
Once qualified as a controller, attention will be focused on the Leadership aspect of your role on board. This is where attendance at the Royal Navy Leadership Academy (RNLA – located within HMS Collingwood) is essential. This four-week intense Leadership course will help you build upon what leadership skills you have gained thus far and apply them into different and more challenging/dynamic situations to adequately prepare you to be an effective Leading Hand employed onboard His Majesty’s Frigate or Destroyer at sea on completion.
First three years
Consolidate your skills in the maritime environment
Second promotion – Petty officer
Become a JATCC qualified Air Traffic Controller
Joining process
From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.
- Register your interest
- Complete your application
- Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)
- Interview
- Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)
- Start training
Start your application
Find your place in the Royal Navy. Make friends for life, learn new skills and experience the world.
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