Your role could be processing digital mapping for use in frontline aircraft cockpit displays and mission planning systems, or updating charts that guide our aircrew safely through take-off, transit and landing. Additionally, you could be updating charts that detail obstructions, such as buildings and powerlines, that enable fast jets and helicopters to navigate safely at low level, or creating charts depicting airways over countries around the world used by transport aircraft to carry troops to the front line. The majority of Air Cartographers are based at No 1 Aeronautical Information Documents Unit (No 1 AIDU), RAF Northolt, West London, with opportunities to deploy on operations and exercises throughout the UK and abroad.
AIR AND SPACE OPERATIONS Air Cartographer
As an RAF Air Cartographer you will create and edit key documents used by UK Armed Forces, foreign air forces and some civilian airlines.
Pay During First Six Months £16,235+ + Benefits
Pay Until Completion Of Phase Two Training* £20,650+ + Benefits
Is this for you?
APPLICANTS MUST:
- Be aged 16 – 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday)
- Have GCSE at Grade C/4-5 or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 2/Scottish National 5 in English Language and GCSE at Grade C/4-5 or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 2/Scottish National 5 in Maths
- Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth
- Commit minimum 3 years post Phase Two Training
- Meet the health and fitness criteria
- Pass the Defence Aptitude Assessment
- Pass a Fitness test - Details below
GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:
- Analysis and maths
- Being creative
- Gaming & Computers
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Analyse and validate worldwide aeronautical navigation data that is critical to Flight Safety across Defence.
- Generate a broad range of products that directly support global operations.
- Use cutting edge development tools to create and develop new products, applications and ways of working.
WHY JOIN THE RAF?
Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.
- Rent from £75p/m
- Free gym
- Subsidised food
- Health care
- World travel
- 6 weeks holiday
TRAINING AND CAREER
TRAINING YOU’LL RECEIVE
Your career will start with a 10 week Basic Recruit Training Course at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you’ll also learn about the RAF lifestyle.
SPECIALIST TRAINING
The next step is an 8-week Basic Trade Training course at the School of Air Cartography, RAF Northolt. This course comprises of modular lessons, covering the foundation theory elements of the trade, including Aeronautical Information, Geodesy and Map Science. Students then train with some of the software systems that Air Cartographers are required to master to create aeronautical products. Learning takes place in a classroom environment and is complimented with field trips, practical and team-building exercises. After graduation, you will then receive further on the job training in your specialist role.
TRAINING AND CAREER
INITIAL TRAINING
Your training will start with a Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) consisting of 4 weekends at your chosen RAF Reserves Squadron, followed by a 15 day residential training course at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. This training course will prepare you for service life in one of the most respected military forces in the world; it is also designed to help you tune into the military environment and way of life. As well as military training, you will learn about the core values, code of conduct and history of the RAF, as well as its unique lifestyle
SPECIALIST TRAINING
After successfully completing initial training, you will be trained for your specific role in the RAF either at your squadron or another RAF station in the UK.
Commitment and location

You will have to commit to 27 days per year for 12 years minimum.
Each year includes a 15-day block for general RAF training, and 12 separate days for extra training or exercises.
You might be deployed to a UK or overseas base for up to 6 months after the first year.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
ALL APPLICANTS MUST:
Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth.
Be aged 16 – 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday)
*Until at least you have completed one year of service and successfully completed Professional Workplace Assessments on first posting.
NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY
Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth.
Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years will be considered.
Following the MOD announcement that the UK Armed Forces will now be able to recruit commonwealth citizens without the 5 year residency requirement, please note that the RAF continues to apply standard residency requirements for security clearance, ie, DV employment requires 7-years UK residency immediately prior to enlistment; SC requires 3-years.
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through at least two separate fitness tests as part of the application process.
The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of the following:
- 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)
- Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
- Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds
The second fitness test will take place at RAF Halton as part of your three-day Pre-Recruit Familiarization Visit (PRFV). This consists of the following:
- Achieving the required score on the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT or Bleep test)
- Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
- Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds
How fit you need to be to pass these tests can vary depending on role, age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Men and Women).
MEN - 100% pass rates: | ||||
AGE | 2.4 Km Run | Multi-Stage Fitness Test | Press-ups | Sit-ups |
(Mins) | (Score) | (No.) | (No.) | |
15-16 | 11.39 | 9.03 | 20 | 35 |
17-29 | 11.11 | 9.10 | 20 | 35 |
30-34 | 11.36 | 9.04 | 19 | 32 |
35-39 | 12 | 8.09 | 18 | 29 |
40-44 | 12.26 | 8.03 | 17 | 26 |
45-47 | 12.54 | 7.07 | 16 | 23 |
WOMEN - 100% pass rates: | ||||
AGE | 2.4 Km Run | Multi-Stage Fitness Test | Press-ups | Sit-ups |
(Mins) | (Score) | (No.) | (No.) | |
15-16 | 13.54 | 6.07 | 10 | 32 |
17-29 | 13.23 | 7.02 | 10 | 32 |
30-34 | 13.47 | 6.08 | 9 | 29 |
35-39 | 14.13 | 6.04 | 8 | 26 |
40-44 | 14.48 | 5.08 | 7 | 23 |
45-47 | 15.19 | 5.04 | 6 | 20 |
You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:
You can download an MP3 file of the Multi-Stage Fitness Test below, listen to the introduction file first:
RAF MSFT: Intro
RAF MSFT: Bleep Test
You can see a video demonstration of the PRFV Fitness Test here:
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:
There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:
- Body Mass Index requirements:
Age | Male and female minimum | Male and female maximum | Male maximum with additional assessment | Female maximum with additional assessment |
18 + | 18 | 28 | 32 | 30 |
16 to < 18 | 17 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
- Calculate your BMI now, click here.
- Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.
Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.
DURING YOUR APPLICATION:
The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
YOU MUST:
- Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
- Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
- Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance
DISQUALIFYING FACTORS
YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:
- Have been or are a member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
- Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
- Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
- Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive.
Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be permitted - Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt
Beard Policy: A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm). The wearing of beards during Phase 1 and Phase 2 training is currently under consideration and details will be advised when available
If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information contact your local AFCO.