Aircraft Technician

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

At a glance

  • Soldier
  • engineering

You're the person who makes sure that every Army aircraft is working and ready to fly. Travel the world and use your training to support our pilots.

  • £25,200The minimum amount you’ll earn during training
  • £25,200Your pay after completing basic trade training
  • AgeFrom 16 years & 6 months to 35 years & 6 months
  • QualificationsGCSEs or equivalent qualifications
Aircraft Technician

Training to become an Aircraft Technician was extremely demanding physically and mentally, but ultimately infinitely rewarding.

Aircraft Technicians are responsible for the repair and maintenance of all Army aircraft, from Apache Helicopters to unmanned aerial vehicles. They work on all mechanical systems including the airframe, engines and control systems. You will be exceptionally well trained, completing first a basic, then an advanced apprenticeship. A degree in Engineering is obtainable later in your career as well as membership of professional institutions. Aircraft Technicians have a high level of responsibility and are promoted rapidly to reflect it. You will travel the world supporting our aircraft wherever they go.

The Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) provides engineering support to maintain and repair the vast array of British Army equipment. They will be found wherever the Army is operating, at home or overseas. The technical training our soldiers receive gives them the confidence to tackle any engineering problem. We are professional, resourceful and resilient, and we strive to keep fit equipment in the hands of the user; to keep the punch in the Army’s fist.

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Key Responsibilities

  • Prepare aircraft for flight

  • Take responsibility for flight safety

  • Work under supervision until you’ve gained enough experience to take control

  • Be posted wherever the British Army has aircraft

  • Promote to Lance Corporal on successful completion of your Aircraft Technician training

Have any questions? Talk with us

aircraft technician

Regular (full time)

Entry requirements

  • Age:

    From 16 years & 6 months to 35 years & 6 months

  • Qualifications:

    GCSE Grade A*-B/9-6, or Scottish National 5 (A-B), in Science and Maths.
    GCSE Grade A*-C/9-5, or Scottish National 5 (A-C), in  English.

  • Basic physical fitness assessment:

    • Mid Thigh Pull 50kg

    • Medicine Ball Throw 3m

    • MSFT (beep test) level 6.6

    More information about the fitness test

Training for the role

Step 1
Your initial military training teaches you how to be a soldier, covering everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle.

  • If you join as a Junior Soldier (under 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the basic military training (short) course at Harrogate.

  • If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the regular adult basic training.

Step 2
You head to the Defence School of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at MOD Lyneham, Wiltshire, to start your technical training. Over the next 66 weeks, you learn how to fix aircraft including some electrical, hydraulic, gearbox and gas turbine systems. You may also learn to drive military vehicles and gain licences.

Qualifications you could get after training

  • Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering Manufacture

  • Level 3 Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance and engineering Technology

  • Foundation Degree of Engineering (FdEng) – Aviation Engineering

  • Qualifications in Leadership and Management

  • Car License and opportunity to gain HGV

Pay & benefits

You'll earn £25,200 a year from the start of your training, which will go up as you progress throughout your career.

How to Apply

Once your online application has been approved, you'll meet with a local recruiter. This is your chance to tell us about the role that you're interested in. When you go to the Assessment Centre, you'll take tests - the results will show whether you'd be suitable for this role, or should consider a different role.

More about the joining process

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