Work with some of the most cutting-edge aircraft in existence as part of the team that keeps them flight ready.
This job sits within the Warfare Profession and is a Warfare (Aviation) Rating role. Your job is to make sure that our world-class jets and helicopters are in the right place at the right time. That means playing a key role in providing our airborne capability from our state-of-the-art warships or even a Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier.
What you will get paid from day one
Earn over this amount as you progress
I get to work with some of the most cutting-edge aircraft in existence, and without me they can’t fly. It’s a lot of responsibility, but it’s so satisfying too.
Brian
Naval Airman Aircraft Handler, Aviation branch
As an Aircraft Handler, you will be working in one of the most dangerous positions in our ships and at our Royal Naval Air Stations . Whatever aircraft are operating and as part of a close-knit team, you are responsible for the safe direction of flight deck and ground operations. You will be working worldwide with flight, maintenance and weapon crews in our Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carriers, their escorts, in our amphibious platforms and at both air stations. It’s physical; you will work outside in all weather conditions, day and night, to ensure that our jets and helicopters are in the right place at the right time to meet their missions. In doing so, you play a vital role in providing the Royal Navy’s aviation capability.
From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.
Once you’ve registered your interest in a Profession, and have satisfied some basic eligibility criteria, you will be sent an online application form.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Your Royal Navy career begins with 10 weeks’ initial training at HMS Raleigh, a shore base in Torpoint, Cornwall. The discipline, teamwork, organisational, firefighting and weapon handling skills you learn here will stay with you right through your career.
You’ll spend six months at the Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose in Cornwall, working in an aircraft hangar or a flight deck team. You’ll learn to use the lifts, mechanical handlers and chocks and lashings used on board ship. You’ll also learn to fight fuel, hangar and aircraft fires.
When you’ve finished at RNAS, you’ll be posted to your first operational squadron.
Our virtual recruiter is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day