Aviation Groundcrew Specialist

Army Air Corps

At a glance

  • Featured
  • Soldier
  • combat

Our helicopters have a big part to play in battle - and so do our Groundcrew. Could you get aircraft ready for take off?

  • £18,687The minimum amount you’ll earn during training
  • £23,496Your pay after completing basic trade training
  • AgeFrom 16 years & 6 months to 35 years & 6 months
  • QualificationsNo formal qualifications needed
Aviation Groundcrew

MY JOB AS AN AVIATION GROUNDCREW SPECIALIST IS SO IMPORTANT, WITHOUT AMMUNITION OR FUEL AN AIRCRAFT CAN'T TAKE OFF.

Groundcrew are responsible for getting our helicopters in the air and providing essential protection for them on the ground. You'll be trained to move, refuel and re-arm the aircraft that support ground forces. You'll also drive everything from Land Rovers to heavy-goods vehicles (HGVs).

Wherever the Army is in the world the Army Air Corps is there ready to provide tactical aviation action and support. modern operations require big-picture thinking and large-scale cooperation, which is why the Army Air Corps is proud of it's forward-thinking personnel and cutting-edge technology.

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Key Responsibilities

  • Get the Army’s fleet of battlefield helicopters in the air - from re-arming the Apache gunship to programming the Wildcat flight maps

  • Take responsibility for all the equipment and supplies required

  • Deploy on exercise and operations all over the world, wherever your squadron is needed

Have any questions? Talk with us

Aviation Groundcrew

Regular (full time)

Entry requirements

  • Age:

    From 16 years & 6 months to 35 years & 6 months

  • Qualifications:

    No formal qualifications needed

  • Basic physical fitness assessment:

    • Mid Thigh Pull 50kg

    • Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m

    • MSFT (beep test) level 5.8

    Army Reserve standards

    • Mid Thigh Pull: 50kg

    • Medicine Ball Throw: 2m 70cm

    • MSFT (beep test): Level 5 shuttle 8

    More information about the fitness test

Training for the role

Step 1
Your initial military training teaches you how to be a soldier, covering everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle.

  • If you join as a Junior Soldier (under 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do a 23-week basic military training course at Harrogate.

  • If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the regular 14-week adult basic training.

Step 2
You then have basic Groundcrew and Communication training. After this, you can decide if you want to be a Groundcrew Specialist or a Communication Specialist. You learn how to prepare helicopters for missions. You also learn how to marshal and load aircraft. You will get a range of driving licences too (Cat B (car) Driving Licence and Cat C+E (LGV) Driving Licence).

Qualifications you could get after training

  • Advanced Apprenticeship - Aviation Groundcrew Specialist

  • Higher Apprenticeship - Aviation Operations Manager

  • Advanced Apprenticeship in Logistics Operations

  • Degree level 4 and 5 certificates and diplomas in Management and Leadership

  • Level 3, 4 and 5 Awards, Certificates and Diplomas in Education and Training

Pay & benefits

Earn £18,687 a year during training. When you have completed 26 weeks' service or finished basic trade training – whichever comes first – your pay will rise to £23,496.

How to Apply

Once your online application has been approved, you'll meet with a local recruiter. This is your chance to tell us about the role that you're interested in. When you go to the Assessment Centre,you'll take tests - the results will show whether you'd be suitable for this role, or should consider a different role.

More about the joining process

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