RAF Recruitment | Air Operations

Air Operations personnel are behind all our aircraft in the sky. It’s a career that lets you get stuck in with some of the most advanced aerospace technology on the planet.

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Our analysis reveals you have:

HIGH SPACIAL AWARENESS

SPATIAL AWARENESS

MOTOR CORTEX

SPATIAL AWARENESS

MOTOR CORTEX

RAF BRAIN OPS

Tests Completed: 11

Test Date: 03AUG2018

TEST ID: 1975532

You indexed highly across the parietal lobe, which means you probably have excellent hand eye coordination, but also an ability to analyse visually. Skills highly sought after by the RAF.

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AIR OPERATION ROLES

Air Operations personnel co-ordinate and monitor the skies at home, abroad and beyond. Using some of the most advanced aerospace technology on the planet to provide vital information to civilian and military organisations that rely on the RAF.

You will help track everything happening the in skies, from aircraft to space debris and on to the International Space Station. You could also be trained to intercept hostile aircraft by directing supersonic jet fighters, or work with civilian air traffic control to keep flight paths safe.

COULD THIS BE YOU?

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What qualifications do I need for an Air Operations role?

To apply for an Air Operations Officer (Control or Systems) role you need to:

Be aged 17 ½ - 47.
Have 2 A-levels/3 Highers at Grade C or above.
Have 5 GCSEs at Grade C/4-5 or above ; or SCE equivalent grade 5 or above, including English Language and Maths.
Or hold a UK Degree at Grade 2:2 or above.
Be a UK or UK/Dual National and have resided in the UK for the last 5 Years.

To apply for Air Operations (Control) Sergeant (Non-Commissioned Controller) you need to:

Be aged 17 ½ - 47.
Have 5 GCSEs at Grade C/4-5 or above ; or SCE equivalent grade 5 or above, including English Language and Maths.
Be a UK or UK/Dual National and have resided in the UK for the last 5 Years.

To apply for Air & Space Operations Specialist (Aerospace Systems) and Air & Space Operations Specialist (Flight Operations) you need to:

Be aged 16-47.
Have 2 GCSEs at Grade C/4-5 or above ; or SCE equivalent grade 5 or above, in English Language and Maths.
Be a UK or UK/Dual National and have resided in the UK for the last 5 Years.

Do Air Operations Personnel have to be fit?

Yes, every person in the RAF is required to maintain a level of fitness in order to do their role well. For example, if you are working on one of our deployable units, such as No.1 Air Control Centre, Tactical Air Traffic Control or 49 Battery, you may be required to deploy anywhere in the World and set up mobile command and control units or temporary landing zones in austere environments.
If you are joining as an Air Operations (Control) Sergeant you will undertake the Non-Commissioned Aircrew and Controller Initial Training Course. This course is both physically and mentally demanding. The fitter you are before you start, the greater your mental capacity will be during the numerous exercises you will undertake.
Fitness is a key part of RAF life – with all the clubs and sports you can get involved with on a wide variety of levels, from occasional fun to Olympic competition.

How long is the application process?

As an Air Operations Officer or Air Operations (Control) Sergeant, we aim to have all applications successfully completed within 6 months.
For serving personnel applying for Air Operations (Control) Sergeant, you are able to apply internally through the Air Operations Specialist Recruitment Team, which offers a reduced processing time.
As an Air & Space Operations Specialist (Aerospace Systems) or Air & Space Operations Specialist (Flight Operations), we aim to have all applications successfully completed within 3 months.
This is subject to the availability of your specialist training courses, but be assured that we will aim to work around your specific needs.

Am I able to visit an RAF Station to see what the role and training entails?

Realistic Job Preview visits will be offered to you at a certain point in your application for Air Operations (Control) Officer, Air Operations (Control) Sergeant and Air & Space Operations Specialist (Aerospace Systems).
Visits to an RAF Station for Air & Space Operations Specialist (Flight Operations) candidates can be arranged by the Air Operations Specialist Recruitment Team through your Armed Forces Careers Office staff.

Where will I be based?

We have Air Operations personnel at every major and minor RAF airfield and weapons training range in the UK. In addition to this, depending upon role, we have specialist units dedicated to Air Traffic Control (RAFU Swanwick – working alongside civilian controllers), Surveillance and Weapons Control (RAF Boulmer), Space Operations (RAF Fylingdales) and Joint RAF/Army units (49 Battery), plus many other opportunities.
We also have a number of Air Operations personnel working overseas, including across Europe and the USA.

ANDREW ,AIR OPERATIONS (SYSTEMS) OFFICER

“

I wanted a job that has a direct impact on RAF operations, and I haven’t been disappointed. From monitoring the airspace over the UK to identifying friendly and non-Coalition aircraft over the Middle East, Air Operations has it all.

”

ANDREW AIR OPERATIONS (SYSTEMS) OFFICER

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