I get battle-winning helicopters airborne
“I make sure our battle-winning aircraft keep flying so that we can support the troops on the ground wherever and whenever they need us.”
As an Aviation Support Officer you'll be in charge of groundcrew and communication specialists, providing the vital services that make our helicopter missions possible. You'll command up to 50 soldiers, making sure they're motivated, trained and competent to carry out their jobs. On exercises and operations you could be responsible for running the airfield at a Main Operating Base, or deploying forward to link up with infantry units to provide re-arming and refuelling capabilities closer to the action.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Command and lead a Ground Support Flight of up to 50 soldiers as a Second Lieutenant.
- Be responsible for getting the Army’s fleet of battlefield helicopters in the air.
- Deploy all over the world, wherever your squadron goes.
- Manage the careers, welfare and development of your large team of soldiers.
TRAINING FOR THE ROLE
Step 1
You begin by qualifying as an Army Officer. That means taking the 44-week Commissioning Course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Here, you learn leadership skills and how to apply them in a military setting.
Step 2
You’re then trained in aviation operations:
- managing helicopter landing sites, aviation communications, re-arming, re-fuelling and setting up Forward Arming and Refuelling points. When you’re finished, you’ll be capable of managing a Ground Support Flight (your team) and getting a squadron of helicopters airborne anywhere in the world.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Age: 18 years - 28 years 11 months
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 35 ALIS points at GCSE (34 for SNQs) from 7 GCSE/SNQ subjects, with a minimum grade C/4 in English Language, Maths and a science or foreign language.
- 72 UCAS Tariff points from a maximum of 3 subjects (4 for Scottish Highers) with a minimum of 2 at National Level 3 (axcluding AS Levels) or National or International equivalent
QUALIFICATIONS YOU COULD GET AFTER TRAINING
- Degree Level (Level 5 & 6) Diplomas in Management & Leadership
- Graduate entrants get a Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership & Conflict Studies and access to the full Masters Postgraduate Degree
RANK PROGRESSION
Learn about rank progression here.
PAY & BENEFITS
REGULAR
You'll earn £26,504 during your year of training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, before commissioning and becoming a Second Lieutenant, on £31,857 a year.
RESERVE
You’ll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £66.54 once you have passed Army Officer Selection and rising to £79.98 per day once you’ve commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training days, you’re entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty.
FROM THE FIELD
“Being an Aviation Support Officer is really exciting and rewarding. I’m responsible for leading and managing the soldiers who keep the Army’s fleet of battlefield helicopters fuelled, armed and ready for action around the world. Whether I’m training them for operations or preparing them to fight, there are so many different challenges and opportunities to learn new skills. In my first two years I’ve deployed on operations to Afghanistan, helped the disaster relief effort in the Philippines and been on exercise and Adventure Training in Kenya, Canada, France, Switzerland and the USA. No two days are ever the same.”
TRAINING FOR THE ROLE
Step 1
Like all Army Reserve Officers you do an in-depth programme of officer training, which ends with a short course at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Step 2
After that you take a course to learn how to apply your leadership skills in your new role. Most training takes place during evenings and weekends and on short residential courses, so it fits easily around your day job.:
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Age: 17 years 9 months - 48 years 9 months
QUALIFICATIONS: 72 UCAS points and 35 ALIS points at GCSE (including minimum grade C in English, Maths and a science or foreign language.)
QUALIFICATIONS YOU COULD GET AFTER TRAINING
- Level 5 Certificate and Diploma in Management and Leadership
- Postgraduate Level 7 Certificate and Diploma in Management and Leadership
RANK PROGRESSION
Learn about rank progression here.
PAY & BENEFITS
REGULAR
You'll earn £26,504 during your year of training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, before commissioning and becoming a Second Lieutenant, on £31,857 a year.
RESERVE
You’ll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £66.54 once you have passed Army Officer Selection and rising to £79.98 per day once you’ve commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training days, you’re entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty.
FROM THE FIELD
“Being an Aviation Support Officer in the Army Air Corps gives you a unique opportunity to work with helicopters as well as commanding soldiers. On exercise, which could be in the UK or abroad, I command a Forward Arming and Refuelling Point to extend the range of the Apache and Wildcat helicopters. When not exercising I ensure the soldiers are correctly qualified and competent. There are loads of other opportunities such as sports tours and Adventure Training. The AAC is a great place to serve and I would recommend it to all."
HOW TO APPLY?
Once your online application has been approved, you'll have an interview with a recruiter, who will talk to you about the corps that you would like to join. You'll have the chance to learn more about your chosen corps, although you won't make your final decision until you're in training at Sandhurst.