Aircrew Officer Pilot

Flying at and, from the sea is different; you’ll need aptitude, mental resilience and a good ‘pair of hands’ to be a Pilot in the Royal Navy. You will exhibit skills which are different in the maritime environment, wherever you are in the world and in all meteorological environments. Whether you’re flying a cutting-edge F-35 Lightning on Strike, a Wildcat over the sea engaging enemy ships, hunting submarines or transporting Royal Marines in a Merlin, you’ll become an expert in mission-focused flying. It takes a special kind of person to do it; have you got what it takes? 

• Extend our reach globally, pushing cutting-edge aircraft to the limit from the flight-decks of our warships and aircraft carriers
• After basic flying training, you will specialise in either fixed wing or helicopter flying, having support and flight time to become a world-class pilot 
• At ‘Wings’, you will become a key part of a Frontline Naval Air Squadron, piloting and operating aircraft on essential missions; ranging from delivering Royal Marines behind enemy lines, providing lifesaving humanitarian aid, hunting enemy ships/subs to flying ‘strike’
• You are the eyes ‘in the front’ and the ‘hands’ to land back on the ship safely

• A starting salary of £34,676 initial pay, paid from a bespoke Aviation Pay
• Potential to earn up to £94,013 before transferring to regular pay with potential to earn in excess of £117,500
• Earn additional pay after Flying Training
• Accelerated training and responsibility from day one
• Six weeks of paid holiday every year
• Free medical and dental care 
• Subsidised travel and accommodation
• Adventurous training
• Excellent pension scheme

Qualifications you'll gain

• Gain an Aviation Systems Management Foundation Degree at end of flying training
• Top-up’ to a BSc(Hons) in Aviation Systems Management on the Front Line
• Study for other qualifications (including others degrees) with funding from us

Skills you'll develop

• How to fly state-of-the-art aviation machines on global missions
• The ability to use your quick reaction times and work under pressure

• You must be aged 18 to 26 (You can start your application from 15 years and 9 months old however you must be at least 18 years old on day of entry to basic training)  
• 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 and Mathematics
• You must be a United Kingdom citizen or British Dual National. Dual Nationality restrictions do apply
• Applicants who have resided outside the UK over the previous 5 years may require a residency waiver
• 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 post AIB.

• Able to thrive on responsibility
• Calm under pressure
• A love of aviation and flying
• Able to learn new skills quickly