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Job Role
Aircrew Officer Pilot
Job Role

Aircrew Officer Pilot

Carve out an aviation career like no other, pushing our cutting-edge aircraft – and yourself – to the limit, all over the world.

AdventureAircraftAviationCombat and securityHands on

High interest 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 one of these similar roles:

 

Warfare Officer (Submariner)

In charge of sonar, tactical systems or communications, you’ll lead a team that acts as the eyes, ears and defence capabilities of its vessel.

Warfare Officer

You’ll contribute to the success of every mission, and make key strategic decisions on some of the most advanced warships in the world.

Or find another role
  • £31,000 - £117,500
  • A-Levels / college qualifications
  • Fleet Air Arm
  • Aviation
  • Officer level

At a glance

This job sits within the Warfare Profession and is a Warfare (Aviation) Officer role. It’s about aptitude at altitude. Can you think on your feet while you’re in mid-air? You’ll need to. Whether you’re flying in the pitch black, or carrying out a daytime search and rescue operation. It’s a flying career like no other.

£33,000

Your minimum salary from day one

£41,000

Your approximate salary after two years

0%

Loan on buying a house

Free

Medical and dental care

6 weeks

Of paid holiday every year

Travel

All around the world
Air Crew Officer Pilot
Getting my ‘Wings’ was a massive deal. When I applied, all I had was good hand-to-eye coordination. Now I’m in charge of an aircraft worth millions of pounds.

Pete

Pilot, Aviation branch

Role details

What you’ll do

Can you think on your feet while you’re in mid-air? You’ll need to as Pilot in the Royal Navy. At all times, and wherever you are in the world, whether you’re flying in pitch black, or carrying out a daytime search and rescue operation. This is a role that’s all about aptitude at altitude, and it goes without saying it takes a special kind of person to do it. Whether you’re flying a Wildcat helicopter or being one of the first to fly the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, you’ll become a master of mission-focused flying. 

Your role

  • Extend our reach on global missions, pushing our cutting-edge aircraft to the limit. 
  • Specialise in fixed wing or rotary aircraft flying after general flying training, and have all the support and flight time you need to become a world-class pilot.
  • Become a key part of our most essential missions, from delivering Royal Marines behind enemy lines in a Merlin Mk3 or Mk4, to providing lifesaving humanitarian aid in the Med. 
  • Pass rigorous tests to master the skill of mission-focused flying. 

Pay & benefits

  • A starting salary in excess of £33,000
  • Rising beyond £41,000 after two years
  • 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

Skills for life

Qualifications you'll gain

  • Study for GCSEs, A-Levels, NVQs or even a degree, with funding from us
  • Gain a free foundation degree in Aviation Systems Management at 'wing', and BSc of the same name when on the Front Line

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

Eligibility

  • You must be aged 18 to 26
  • 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
  • You must have lived in the UK for 5 years continuously prior to application
  • 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.

Skills & Interests

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

 

Joining Process

From picking your role to the first day of training; everything you need to know as an officer

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)

Depending on Profession applied for and professionally qualified status, 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.

practise the DAA
Step 3

Interview

A  Career Interview to talk through suitability of your chosen Profession and 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

Medical and Fitness Assessments

This is conducted at one of our Candidate Preparation Centres and will include a Fitness and Medical Assessment.

Step 5

Admiralty Interview Board (AIB)

The AIB is conducted online and made up of two assessments, . A Pre-Recorded Interview (PRI) online assessment that assesses your awareness and motivation to join the Royal Navy as an officer. The Group Planning Exercise (GPE) is the second stage online competency-based assessment which will take place approximately 3 weeks after the PRI. It will be conducted in a virtual group environment, and you will be assessed on your contribution to the team based on your individual performance.

Step 6

Start training

Once you’ve passed all eligibility criteria, including a Security Check, you’ll be offered a place at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) to commence your initial training.

Career Progression

From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.
Training
Following initial Naval Officer Training, study the academics of flight before progressing onto aircraft to develop aircraft handling and mission planning skills. Move onto a front line aircraft type to become qualified aircrew
First promotion
Sub-Lieutenant to Lieutenant. Build flying experience in diverse and challenging environments as a member of a front line squadron, whilst managing and supervising your small team.  Opportunities to train as an instructor
Second promotion
Lieutenant to Lieutenant Commander.  Develop flying expertise whilst taking on managerial roles within a front line squadron or headquarters environment

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