High demand role
This is a highly competitive role with a potential long lead time to join.
You may wish to consider joining the Royal Navy in any Accelerated Apprentice role or as an Air Engineering Technician.
Job Role
Aircrewman
Become essential to Merlin helicopter operations, in the thick of the action on Commando or Anti-Submarine missions.
- £18,500 - £58,000
- GCSEs
- Fleet Air Arm
- Aviation
- Rating level
At a glance
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.
£23,496
The minimum you’ll earn after training
£58,000
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
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.
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
- As an Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircrewman, you’ll focus on the essential airborne surveillance and detection that is so central to protecting our nation, and our fellow NATO members, against a constant threat.
- So much of submarine warfare is about stealth. You’ll assist your Observer by monitoring potential threats, and ensuring that they cannot remain hidden. For that reason, you’ll need to be immensely reliable and have a keen eye for detail, because if one slips through the net, your crewmates could be in danger.
- As a Commando Aircrewman, you’ll be involved in frontline combat operations, both in support of our own forces, and those of our partners.
- On a Commando Merlin helicopter there’s no Observer, so you’ll take on elements of that role. That means working directly with the Pilot to search for targets, and operating the weapons if needed.
Pay & benefits
- A salary that rises to at least £23,496 as soon as you finish training
- A salary of £58,000 as you progress through your career
- 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)
- Pass the Naval Swimming Test
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, we’ll be in touch to discuss your options
Step 2
Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)
You’ll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.
To prepare, you can practise the DAA
Step 3
Interview
A formal interview to talk through your suitability for the role. This is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform
Step 4
Flight Aptitude Tests (FATs)
These are psychometric tests to see if you have the aptitude to become an Aircrewman
Step 5
Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)
This four-day induction to life in the Royal Navy, including a Swimming Test and a fitness assessment, is a pass or fail course
Step 6
Start training
Once you've passed a Security Check, you'll be offered a place at HMS Raleigh
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
Got a question?
Our virtual recruiter is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day