Air Traffic & Weapons Controller – Royal Air Force (Regular)
RAF · On-Site
RAF Air Traffic and Weapons Controllers keep our airspace safe by co-ordinating military aircraft in direct support of air defence in the UK and, where required, overseas. Split into two distinct roles: Air Traffic Controllers are responsible for the safe flight of all military aircraft, operating in UK airspace. As Weapons Controllers you could guide interceptor aircraft to hostile targets in support of UK air defence.
This isn’t a 9-to-5 desk job; it is a high-paced, elite career offering advanced professional training, rapid career progression, and global travel.
Initial annual pay: £27,200+ plus benefits
Salary after successful completion of training (usually around 14 months): £51,000
Pay in first productive year: £61,000 (once qualified and including £10,000 Golden Hello)
Golden Hello of £10,000
A £10,000 Golden Hello is available for Air Traffic and Weapons Controllers, subject to eligibility criteria.
What will you do?
You are at the heart of the RAF's 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 to deliver the mission.
Air Traffic and Weapons Controllers have varied overseas deployment opportunities and a permanent Air Traffic Control presence at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus. You could find yourself controlling aircraft across the world; from the Falkland Islands, Northern and Eastern Europe, the USA or anywhere the mission needs you.
Specialisms
You will specialise in either Air Traffic Control or Weapons Control. You’ll find out which role you’ve been assigned during your Leadership Training. This decision is based on your aptitude (measured through CBAT), your preference and Service need.
Air Traffic Control
As an Air Traffic Controller, you could be assigned to one of our many Air Traffic Control towers across the UK - from Scotland to Greater London, and from Wales to Norfolk, delivering both radar and tower control to our military aircraft. You could also be posted to 78 Squadron at Swanwick, where RAF controllers work inside the UK’s National Air Traffic Services centre, or join the elite team of Tactical Air Traffic Controllers (TacATC), who deploy to operational locations around the world, working closely with UK special forces.
Weapons Control
As a Weapons Controller, you will be based at RAF Boulmer, Northumberland, serving with 19 Squadron. From here, you’ll help protect UK and NATO airspace by providing round the clock air surveillance and tactical command and control. You’ll support NATO Air Policing and the UK’s national air defence, playing a key role in the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) force. Some controllers may also operate airborne as part of the E-7 Wedgetail crew.
Visit Air Traffic Control for a day
If you pass the Aptitude Test for this role, you will have the opportunity of attending a Realistic Job Preview (RJP) at RAF Shawbury. This is not mandatory.
What happens after applying
Joining the RAF takes several steps. The purpose of this process is for us to gauge whether you’re the right person for the RAF and for you to show us all of your skills and experiences that have made you who you are.
1. Aptitude test
2. CBAT Aptitude test
3. Suitability Assessment
4. Health Assessment
5. Fitness Test
6. OASC
7. Training
Perks & benefits
Skills required
Airspace control
Decision-making
Leadership
Team management
Communication
Advanced aviation systems
Working under pressure in fast-moving situations
Qualifications required
Age
You must be aged 17.5 – 38 years old (must attest before 39th birthday).
Education
GCSEs at a minimum of Grade 4 in English Language and Mathematics (or acceptable equivalents, including Functional Skills), or Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE) Standard Grades at a minimum of Grade 2, or Scottish National Equivalent (SNE) grades at Grade 5, in English Language and Mathematics.
Nationality & residency
You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or holder of dual UK/other nationality. You should have resided in the UK for the 5 years immediately preceding your application, but candidates with a minimum of 3 years may be considered. You will be expected to achieve the security clearance of Security Check (SC).
Fitness
Meet the health and fitness criteria and pass the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (2.4km run).
Commitment
Commit minimum 3 years post Phase Two Training.
Training you'll get
Phase one – Basic Recruit Training (10 weeks, RAF Halton)
The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you will also learn about the RAF lifestyle.
Direct Entry Sergeants training (9 weeks, RAF Halton)
This programme is designed to facilitate your accelerated promotion, developing your knowledge of leadership within the RAF and your management responsibilities as a Sergeant. You will be allocated to Air Traffic Control or Weapons Control during this phase, and gain an L5 Award in Leadership and Management from the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).
Phase two – Specialist training (RAF Shawbury)
All controllers start with the Common Air Operations Seminar (CAOS). Air Traffic Controllers then attend the 37-week Joint Air Traffic Controllers Course (JATCC); Weapons Controllers attend the 14-week Weapons Foundation Course (WFC). On successful completion you will earn £51,000 and the Level 5 Air Traffic Controller Apprenticeship.
First tour (3–5 years)
Air Traffic Controllers could be assigned to an RAF airfield in the UK or Cyprus, or to 78 Sqn, Swanwick as an Area Radar controller, with on-the-job training credited towards the OU Airspace Management Foundation Degree. Weapons Controllers continue with the 16-week Weapons Control Course at 20 Sqn, RAF Boulmer.
Qualifications you can gain
- Level 5 ILM Award in Leadership and Management
- Level 5 Air Traffic Controller Apprenticeship – recognised in civilian air traffic control
- OU Airspace Management Foundation Degree, exclusive to Air Traffic Controllers
Future prospects
You will join the RAF as an aviator under an initial 12 year engagement. Following 4 years' service, you will be eligible to apply for an extension of service to complete a Pension Earning Engagement of 20 years' service or age 40, whichever is the later.
Entering as a direct entrant Sergeant, competitive promotion to Flight Sergeant is the next step in your career along with more supervisory controlling roles. You may be selected for intermediate line management roles. You should expect operational deployments of up to 6 months worldwide, plus shorter detachments to locations such as Cyprus, Falkland Islands, Lithuania, Japan, Gibraltar, Canada, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and the USA.
Further tours could see you train future leaders, serve as mission aircrew onboard E-7 Wedgetail, become a Fighter Allocator, join TacATC, work at 78 Squadron (Swanwick) or on an air weapons range.
Your leadership training is accredited to Level 5 by the Chartered Management Institute, with potential recognition at Level 7 in Strategic Leadership and Management. Many service leavers take up employment at airports across the UK, and Weapons Controllers may have the opportunity to achieve the Qualified Weapons Instructor (QWI) MSc.
The essentials
Hours, commitment and the dates that matter.
Training provider
Delivers the training for this role and manages your application.
