The roles of our pilots are as varied as the aircraft. You will be streamed to fast-jet, multi-engine or rotary-wing (helicopter) aircraft according to operational requirements and your flying ability. You will then usually specialize in that aircraft type throughout your career. As the pilot of a multi-role Fast Jet aircraft, your primary role would be air-to-air combat and ground attack. In Air Mobility (transport aircraft) you would be sent anywhere in the world on military support, humanitarian aid or air-to-air refuelling missions. In Rotary Wing your duties would include delivering troops and vital equipment within combat zones. In aircraft supporting Intelligence, Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance tasks, you would contribute to the UK understanding of activities taking place in our increasingly complex, congested and contested world.
Aircrew Pilot
As a Royal Air Force Pilot you will fly fast-jets, transport aircraft or helicopters.
Minimum Average Pay During First Year £30,000+ + Benefits
Pay after Specialist Training £42,000+ + Benefits
Is this for you?
APPLICANTS MUST:
- Be aged 17.5 – 23 years old (Must enter IOT before 24th birthday)
- Have GCSEs at Grade C/4 or SNE at Grade 5 or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 2/SNE 5 in English and Maths and at least three other subjects. Have at least 2 A2 Levels/3 Highers at Grade C or above (excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking or Citizenship Studies) which must total a minimum of 64 UCAS points
- Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or holder of dual UK/ other nationality
- Commit to minimum 12 years service
- Meet the health and fitness criteria
- Pass a Fitness test - Details below
- Candidates must be able to swim - see details below
GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:
- Aircraft
- Analysis and maths
- Gaming & Computers
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
INITIAL OFFICER TRAINING
RAF officers begin their career by completing the Initial Officer Training Course at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. You will complete a challenging modular 24-week course, split into 4 distinct terms designed to develop your robustness, fitness, leadership and academic skills through a number of indoor and outdoor exercises across the UK.
SPECIALIST TRAINING
Your specialist training begins with Elementary Flying Training, flying the Tutor or Prefect aircraft. You will then be streamed to fast jet; multi-engine or rotary (helicopter) flying training.
Fast-jet: Fast-jet training lasts ~2 years and you will initially fly the Texan at RAF Valley, after which you will be awarded your Pilot flying badge – known as ‘wings’. You will then go on to fly the Hawk T2 at RAF Valley and, after successful completion of the tactical weapons phase, you will go to an Operational Conversion Unit (OCU), where you will train on the specific aircraft that you will be flying in a front-line role (e.g. Typhoon).
Multi-engine: The training to fly multi-engine aircraft is ~10 months long, during which you will fly the Phenom at RAFC Cranwell. You will then be awarded your Pilot ‘wings’ and go to an OCU to train on the aircraft that you will be flying operationally (e.g. C17).

Rotary Wing: If you are streamed to rotary you will spend ~18 months flying twin-engine helicopters at RAF Shawbury, the Juno and Jupiter. After your training, you will be awarded your Pilot ‘wings’. You will then go to an OCU where you will train on the helicopter that you will be flying operationally (e g. Chinook).
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 holder of dual UK/other nationality.
Be aged between 17.5 and 23 years old. (Must attest before 24th birthday)
To train as aircrew in the RAF, you must be able to pass the RAF Swimming Test as follows: Swim 100 meters without rest, using any front or sidestroke. Tread water for 2 minutes. Get out of the deep end of the pool unassisted, without the use of steps or the bottom of the pool. All personnel attempting the test must wear clothing commensurate with that worn for their normal operating activity, which for aircrew is a flying suit.
NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY
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 but candidates with a minimum of 3 years may be considered.
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 Cranwell as part of your familiarisation visit. 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 (Male and Female).
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 |
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 |
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 PRTC Fitness Test here:
To train as aircrew in the RAF, you must be able to pass the RAF Swimming Test as follows: Swim 100 meters without rest, using any front or sidestroke. Tread water for 2 minutes. Get out of the deep end of the pool unassisted, without the use of steps or the bottom of the pool. All personnel attempting the test must wear clothing commensurate with that worn for their normal operating activity, which for aircrew is a flying suit.
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 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 contact your local AFCO.