Air Traffic and Weapons Controller

at  Royal Air Force

& EDUCATION

At any level or position your personal success is vital to make us succeed too. We are dedicated to your future, as it is essential to ours. You will receive basic and specialist training in your field and we even provide the option to pay for your education. The experience you gain with the RAF will equip you to work at the top of your field, both in the UK and overseas.
01
Phase one training
Basic Recruit training
10 weeks
RAF Halton
Your career will start with the Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire.
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02
Phase one training
Direct entry Sergeants training
8 weeks
RAF Halton
Following Basic Recruit Training, you will complete the Direct Entrant Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (DE SNCO) Course.
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03
Phase two training
Specialist training
28/30 weeks
RAF Shawbury
You will be based at one of the RAF’s airfields around the UK or in Cyprus, at one of our two Control and Reporting Centres or at the Air Traffic Control Centre.
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04
First tour
Specialist training
3-5 years
As assigned
Following successful completion of your specialist training, where you go will depend on your specialisation.
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05
Your career prospects
Ongoing development
Ongoing
As assigned
You will join the RAF as an aviator under an initial 12 year engagement.
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06
Foundation Degree
Ongoing training
Ongoing
As assigned
Successful completed of the Air Traffic Controllers Course and requisite workplace training will mean eligibility for the Air Space Management Degree.
07
Continued development
Ongoing training
Ongoing
As assigned
Subsequent tours of duty may see you being employed in a wide variety of areas including:
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08
Transferable skills
Accredited training
Ongoing
As assigned
Much of our in-house training is accredited and/or recognised by external awarding bodies.
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REQUIREMENTS

You must be aged 17.5 – 38 years old
Applicants must also read all of the sections below and make sure they meet all entry requirements before submitting an application.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Have these minimum grades:

GCSE pre 2017

GCSE 2017 and after

Scottish National 5
Mathematics

C

Grade 4

C
English Language

C

Grade 4

C
3 Other subjects

C

Grade 4

C
You can see what the RAF accepts in lieu of GCSEs & A Levels here.

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information please contact us.

You are at the heart of the RAFs flying output, responsible for directing and supporting operations both in the UK and around the world. You will control military aircraft whilst leading and managing a team of fellow Air and Space Operations Specialists. In your role you will:

• Coordinate air traffic to and from military airfields
• Become part of the team that order Typhoon jets to scramble and intercept suspect aircraft
• Control fighter, surveillance, refuelling and unmanned aircraft as they support a number of different training and operational tasks
• Work alongside civilian controllers as an Area Radar controller ensuring military aircraft operate safely amongst civilian airliners in the UK’s congested airspace
• Provide specialist battlespace management support to both UK and multi-national exercises and operations around the world
• Deploy on military operations as part of the Tactical Air Traffic control team that establishes temporary runways in austere locations in support of agencies including UK Special Force

The first step in the application process is a series of Computer Based Aptitude Tests (CBAT). These tests ensure we match the right candidate to the right role. They take place over one day at the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire, and measure your ability to perform specific tasks such as:

• How well you respond physically to visual information
• Your ability to interpret information in two dimensions and devise a three-dimensional solution
• Your ability to complete several tasks simultaneously
• Your natural abilities, including deductive reasoning, spatial reasoning, work rate and concentration, and verbal and numerical reasonin