Aircraft Technician (Avionics) Jobs in Manchester on your local Manchester jobs site. Careers in Manchester, local employment and work in Manchester.

Skip to the content

Job Search

search
by sector
by location

Quick Search

Keywords

Region

Location

Sector

Salary

Aircraft Technician (Avionics)

Posted By: RAF - Manchester
Address:
- 29-31 Petersfield House
- Peter Street
- Manchester
- M2 5QJ
Contact: 0161 832 5822
Date Posted: 5th Jan 2009
Salary: We offer a competitive salary and benefits package combined with first class training. Visit www.ra
Location: Manchester
Reference Code:
Views Since Posting: 41
Full Description:

Your work

Overview

Aircraft Technicians (Avionics) carry out maintenance and repair work on the sophisticated electronics and electrical power generation and distribution systems on board our aircraft.
From the start of your career, you could be helping prepare aircraft for take-off, or checking for damage or wear after they return from a flight. Later on, you’ll also work in hangars and workshops to diagnose and repair more serious faults, and carry out more complex maintenance.

As an Aircraft Technician (Avionics), you’ll look after the complete range of cockpit instrumentation and electronic systems used on RAF aircraft, including equipment for:
• radar;
• communications;
• image and data acquisition;
• navigation;
• weapon aiming and delivery; and
• flight control.

You’ll also maintain the electrical generation and distribution systems that provide power for the electronic systems on RAF aircraft. In addition, you’ll maintain on-board weapon management systems that allow aircrew to select, arm and release an aircraft’s weapon load.
Like most people in the RAF, you’ll probably move jobs every few years, and each job is known as a tour. You will normally work at a flying station – an RAF base that is home to one or more squadrons of aircraft. You will also have opportunities for travel overseas when your skills are needed to support our aircraft around the world on operations and exercises.

Your first tour

For your first tour, you’ll be posted to a flying station, where you will handle, refuel and maintain aircraft. You’ll also check for damage and wear, and may be called on to make minor repairs. You could also work in hangars or workshops with more experienced technicians, where you’ll help with more complex maintenance tasks.
Aircraft Technician (Avionics) 201A 1

Your Training

Recruit training
Your career will start with nine weeks of recruit training 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 a specialist training course at RAF Cosford, near Wolverhampton, which lasts about five months. This course is designed to give you a basic understanding of your role, which includes aircraft handling and safety procedures. You’ll complete this course as an Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic (AMM) and then get your first posting, where you’ll remain for about two years to gain the necessary experience needed for the technician training course.

Ongoing development
After your first tour as an AMM and, providing you achieve the required specialist standards, you’ll return to RAF Cosford for a year-long technician training course. You’ll also be enrolled on an Advanced Apprenticeship in Aeronautical Engineering – the Key Skills element of which will be completed during training.
On successful completion of this part of your specialist training, you’ll be qualified as an Aircraft Technician (Avionics). In addition, once you’ve demonstrated your ability as a technician, you may be eligible for an NVQ Level 3 in Aeronautical Engineering. The award of this NVQ also signifies the completion of your Advanced Apprenticeship.

Your future

Prospects
You’ll initially join the RAF for a period of nine years. After a year, you’ll be eligible for promotion to Senior Aircraftman/woman if you pass a trade ability test. Further promotion to the rank of Corporal and beyond is by competitive selection once you have successfully completed technician training. There are two options for Aircraft Maintenance Mechanics who are not selected for, or who fail, technician training: you could either transfer to another job in the RAF for which you have the necessary aptitude, if there is a vacancy available, or you could leave the RAF.

Transferable skills
The NVQ and Advanced Apprenticeship you can earn are as valuable in the civilian world as they are in the RAF – which means that whenever you decide to leave the RAF, you’ll be well placed to find a job in engineering.
Aircraft Technician (Avionics) 201A 2

Entry qualifications

Age limits
16–29

Physical requirements
If you are colour-blind, or have a history of asthma or skin sensitivity, you will not be able to join the RAF as an Aircraft Technician (Avionics).

Academic qualifications
You need at least GCSEs/SCEs at Grade C/3 or equivalent in maths, English language and an approved science/technology-based subject. If you do not hold these qualifications there may still be opportunities for you if you show the appropriate potential in the selection tests.

Entry test
You must pass a test at the Armed Forces Careers Office.

Nationality
You must have been a British citizen or holder of dual British/other nationality since birth.

Residency
Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should normally have resided there for the three years immediately preceding your application.

Equal opportunities
The RAF values every individual’s unique contribution, irrespective of race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or social background.

RAF careers could be based anywhere in the UK, please ensure you are fully aware before applying - are you up for the Challenge?