As an RAF Air Traffic & Weapons Controller, you could be providing an air traffic control service at an airfield, working alongside civilian air traffic controllers at the UK’s Air Traffic Control Centre at Swanwick or as a Weapons Controller directing fast jet aircraft to intercept potentially hostile aircraft.
Already applied? See what the next steps are >
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 Forces
- Have GCSEs at Grade C/4 or Scottish National 5 at Grade C in English Language, Mathematics and at least three other subjects.
- Be aged 16 – 38 years old (Must attest before 39th birthday)
- Be a UK citizen or have dual UK/other nationality.
- Commit minimum 3 years post Phase Two Training
- Meet the health and fitness criteria
- Pass the Defence Aptitude Assessment
- Pass a Fitness test - Detail below
10 weeks
RAF Halton
8 weeks
RAF Halton
28/30 weeks
RAF Shawbury
3-5 years
As assigned
Ongoing
As assigned
Ongoing
As assigned
Ongoing
As assigned
Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.
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.
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.
You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or holder of dual UK/other nationality.
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.
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:
Candidates joining the RAF must be medically fully fit, both physically and psychologically, to meet the challenges of military service, during which they will be expected to deploy, potentially at short notice, to locations world-wide that are remote from established medical care.
Certain medical conditions could preclude entry to the RAF. Further details can be found in this document.
Before your application, please note that Body Mass Index Requirements are as follows:
| Age | Male and female minimum | Male and female maximum | Male maximum with additional assessment | Female maximum with additional assessment |
| 18 + | 18 | 30 | 32 | 32 |
| 16 to < 18 | 17 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.
If you are unsure about any health criteria, please continue your application and your eligibility will be assessed at the medical examination stage.
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.
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
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 - Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
- 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 please contact us.
