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Job Role
Aircrewman
Job Role

Aircrewman

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

AircraftAviationAdventureCombat and security
  • £25,200 - £62,073
  • GCSEs
  • Fleet Air Arm
  • Aviation
  • Rating level

At a glance

This job sits within the Warfare Profession and is a Warfare (Aviation) Rating role. As an Aircrewman, you’ll right in the thick of the action, and essential to our helicopter operations. You’ll be streamed into an Anti-Submarine or a Commando role during training, then go on to plan and execute some of our most crucial missions.

£25,200

What you will get paid from day one

£62,073

Earn over this amount as you progress

2

The number of GCSEs needed

Free

Medical and dental care

Travel

All around the world

6 weeks

Of paid holiday every year
Merlin MK
I get deployed with a whole squadron, which is great from a social and professional perspective, and being part of all the planning and execution of operations is really rewarding. I get a lot out of every day.

Ralph

Aircrewman

Role details

What you’ll do

As an Aircrewman in the Fleet Air Arm, you’ll be essential to our Merlin helicopter operations. This is a role with a unique level of responsibility, not least because you’ll be the only rating on board the aircraft. Once you’ve joined as an Aircrewman, you will be streamed into either an Anti-Submarine or a Commando role during your training. Whichever route you go down you’ll find yourself in the thick of the action. That means planning and executing some of our most crucial missions, from maritime surveillance to frontline combat.

Your role

  • Much of the anti-submarine role is a game of cat-mouse, stealth and cunning. As an Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircrewman you will work side-side with your Observer to detect, identify and track enemy submarines ensuring that they cannot remain hidden.
  • You’ll need to be reliable and have a keen eye for detail, focussing on sonar systems to prevent submarines from attacking your task force and placing crewmates in danger, which is central to protecting our nation, and our fellow NATO members.
  • As a Commando Aircrewman, you’ll be at the forefront of supporting Royal Marine operations, embarked in amphibious shipping, living and operating in the field and from the snow-capped peaks.
  • As the only rear-crew in a Merlin MK4 helicopter you will assist in navigation at low-level on Night Vision Goggles and operate weaponary in support of troops. 

Pay & benefits

  • £25,200 and increasing to basic pay of £39,974 on promotion to Leading Hand
  • Potential to earn up to £62,073 as a WO1 basic pay
  • Six weeks of paid holiday every year
  • Subsidised travel and accommodation
  • Excellent pension scheme

Skills for life

Qualifications you‘ll gain

  • Study for GCSEs, A-Levels, NVQs or a degree
  • Gain specialist vocational qualifications as your career progresses

Skills you‘ll develop

  • In the two years before you’re deployed on frontline operations, you’ll learn about how airborne missions work, and how to use our specialist equipment
  • An in-depth knowledge of avionics, from how the aircraft is prepared, to its capabilities when it’s airborne
  • A Foundation Degree in Aviation Systems Management

Eligibility

  • You’ll need to be aged at least 15 years and 9 months old when you apply, and under 34 years old when you begin basic training
  • A high score on the Flight Aptitude Tests (FATs) is required
  • You’ll need at least 2 GCSEs at grades A-C (9-4) (or Scottish equivalent) including English and Maths
  • You must be a British or a 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)

Skills & interests

  • A passion for working with state-of-the-art aircraft
  • A keen attention to detail
  • Good hand-to-eye coordination
  • A willingness to learn new skills
  • An adventurous spirit

 

 

Joining process

From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.

Step 1

Submit an application

Once you’ve registered your interest in a Profession, and have satisfied some basic eligibility criteria, you will be sent an online application form.

Step 2

Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)

You’ll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension. You will need to attempt all sections of the DAA.

To help you prepare, you can practise the DAA.

Practise the DAA
Step 3

Interview

A formal Selection Interview to confirm suitability of your chosen Profession followed by discussion of your preferred roles that are available within that Profession, including Submarine Service It will also cover the initial stages of the Security application. This is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform.

Step 4

Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)

This is a four-day induction to life in the Royal Navy, which includes assessments of your Fitness and your Medical eligibility, it is a pass or fail course.

Step 5

Start training

Once you’ve passed all eligibility criteria, including a Security Check, you’ll be offered a place at HMS Raleigh to commence your initial training. Allocation to a specific role within your chosen profession will occur during the latter part of initial training.

Career progression

From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.
Training
Militarisation followed by initial flying training at RAF Shawbury
First promotion
Become Leading Hand, choose specialism, join your squadron
Second promotion
Become Petty Officer, supervise a team, conduct flight training after successful completion of Aircrew Training

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