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Profession
Warfare (Aviation) Rating
Profession

Warfare (Aviation) Rating

You’ll provide the crucial link between the aircraft and its base, whether that’s at sea or on land.

  • No qualifications
  • Warfare
  • Rating level

At a glance

You’ll train to be an aviation support expert, where a high level of responsibility comes as standard. Wherever you are in the world, you‘ll help support the crews that keep our state-of-the-art aircraft flying, our people safe, and our operations on track.

 

£25,200

What you will get paid from day one

£62,073

Salary up to this amount as a WO1 basic pay

GCSEs

No GCSEs required

Free

Medical and Dental care

7 weeks

Of paid holiday every year

Travel

All around the world
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.
Aircraft controllers in a control centre

Lloyd

Warfare Rating Professional (Aviation)

Profession details

What you could do

Joining as a Warfare (Aviation) Rating in the Royal Navy is a challenging and exhilarating career. You can often start as an apprentice and play a pivotal role in enabling the Royal Navy's frontline aviation capabilities and keeping the operations that protect our nation’s interests on track. You’ll gain the safety and technical knowledge to be a success. Warfare (Aviation) Ratings can specialise in a few areas, including aircraft control, aircrew, and aircraft handling. No matter what you do, you’ll be an aviation adviser to all. 

Your role

  • 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 Joint Strike Fighter
  • 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

Pay & benefits

  • A starting salary of at least £25,200
  • Earn over £58,000 as your career progresses
  • Seven weeks of paid holiday every year
  • Subsidised food, travel and accommodation
  • Excellent pension scheme

Skills for life

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.
     

Eligibility

  • You’ll need to be aged 16 to 34
  • No qualifications are required for this role
  • You must be a British/British Dual National
  • Minimum height of 151.5cm
  • A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
  • Must pass Specialist Aviation Medical at OASC, RAF Cranwell

Skills & interests

  • 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

Joining process

From picking your profession 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.

Got a question?

Our virtual recruiter is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day

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