1 AEF FLT CDR

A vacancy has arisen for a Flight Lieutenant Pilot - Any to serve as OC 1 Air Experience Flight at Universities of Wales Air Squadron, MOD St Athan on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 22 February 2027.

6 Flying Training School (6 FTS) is the largest and most diverse military flying training school in the UK.  From its HQ at RAF Cranwell, 6 FTS manages a broad range of flying tasks, from Elementary Flying Training on University Air Squadrons to the provision of Air Experience Flying (AEF) for RAF Air Cadets (RAFAC).   

FTRS(LC) Qualified Flying Instructor, OC 1 AEF at UWAS.  Responsibilities include;

Management and supervision of a diverse cadre of volunteer AEP Pilots. Delivery of air and ground instruction, conversion and currency training for aircrew on the AEF. Additionally, you will be working as a member of a small team and be required to undertake a range of secondary duties associated with the supervision of flying and the management of the Squadron; including line management of staff.   Furthermore, in addition to your duties with the AEF and UAS, but within the terms and conditions of FTRS(HC), you will be required to carry out those duties associated with a commissioned officer of your rank. Specifically, you will be required to: 

• Command, lead, manage and supervise the AEF.
• Deliver flying training to AEF Pilots in accordance with the current 6FTS AEF conversion and currency syllabus.
• Deliver flying training to UAS students in accordance with the current 6FTS syllabus; normal working week Mon- Fri inclusive. 
• Deliver AEF flying programme and integrate with the supported ACO units across the catchment area. 
• Deliver monitoring of AEF(P) and UAS student flying progress and administration of flying records and documentation. 
• Deliver supervision of the UWAS/1AEF flying programme as Duty Pilot when directed. 
• Deliver the 1AEF flying task as directed by OC UAS. 
• Deliver supervision of the 1AEF flying task
• Deliver Line Manager activities for Dep OC 1 AEF, fulfilling all reporting actions including MPAR. 
• Deliver change as directed by 6FTS or OC UAS. 
• Support AEF/UAS ground activities as directed by OC UAS in support of the ground training programme. 
• Support AEF/UAS ground activities as directed by OC UAS in support of 3rdparty assurance, external validations or standards visits. 
• Support UAS AT expeditions on a volunteer basis.  
• Lead and perform by example upholding RAF and societal values and standards. 
• Act as an ambassador for diversity and inclusion. 
• Support the zero tolerance policies regarding alcohol and substance abuse, and bullying.
• Undertake mandatory military training as required.

• Must either have been, or currently be, a Flight Lieutenant Pilot; or Captain, Lieutenant (Equivalent Branch).
• Current B1 (Minimum) Tutor QFI.
• Must have a Full UK Driving Licence.
• Security Clearance (SC).

• Flying; a minimum of 1000 hours flying experience and previous RAF QFI experience within the last 5 years.
• Current A2 Tutor QFI
• Command and Staff experience, flying training management and line management.
• Knowledge and understanding of RAF AP1, Ethos, Core Values and Standards.
• Leadership experience.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 applications.
• Must understand the 6FTS Mission Directive.

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 3 (for aviators)/4 (for officers) appraisal reports and other evidence as appropriate.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name: Flt Lt Lee Gasson

Email: lee.gasson970@mod.gov.uk

Applications.  Candidate applications should as a minimum, comprise of a maximum 2-page CV, and copies of last 4 appraisal reports. Where candidates have been out of military service and / or have additional civilian SQEP relevant for the role, they should include evidence including qualifications, references, civilian appraisals as deemed appropriate, for use by the Selection Board, and should be sent to:

Name: Flt Lt Shellie Hunter

Email: michelle.hunter953@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 09 October 2026.

Interviews will take place week commencing 19 October 2026.

Unless already commissioned in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be commissioned in the Royal Air Force Reserves with a liability for call-out for permanent service.

The appointment is on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period of 5 years.

Confirmation of appointment will depend on successful completion of a RAF Medical Board.  Personnel who do not meet the Age/Permanent Joint Medical Employment Standard (PJMES) may apply for the appointment but will only be considered subject to an executive waiver process on a case-by-case basis. 

Candidates must be attested before their 61st birthday. However, suitably qualified personnel may be considered but a waiver must be sought from SO1 Res Spt prior to interview.

Candidates who have been out of regular or reserve service for more than 5 years may be considered for this appointment.  Prior approval must be sought from the relevant Professions Advisor to confirm current and past experience prior to being invited to interview.

Applicants of an equivalent substantive rank from sister Services may apply but will only be accepted into the Royal Air Force Reserves if an appropriate Professions advisor can be identified to sponsor the applicant: this position will not be offered on promotion to sister Services. The relevant Profession’s advisor approval must be agreed before the interview.

Regular Service Applicants.  Personnel currently serving in the Regular Royal Air Force should be mindful of the current Early Termination Minimum Waiting Time (MWT) for their respective Rank, Profession and ensure this MWT is compatible with the post sponsor’s proposed start date, prior to applying.

Joint Medical Employment Standards. This post is deployable/non deployable and/or has safety critical elements and/or involves operational support activity and/or is not sedentary in nature. IBN 94/24 does not apply.

Admin Discharge.  Ex-service candidates who have been administratively discharged through the KR1027 process will have their applications rejected as they are not eligible to join the RAF Reserves in accordance with AP 3391.

Pension Issues.  Personnel who qualify for a service pension should take financial advice from Defence Business Services (DBS) Pensions Department on the effect that undertaking reserve service has on their pension (details can be found on the JPA splash screen). Additional guidance can also be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans and MMP116 - Re-employment. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment’ on Commutation and, for those leaving on a ‘preserved’ pension, the Resettlement Grant.

Transition between TCoS.  Personnel taking this appointment from other TCoS should consider the impact on any accrued entitlements, such as leave, resettlement etc and should seek specialist guidance where required as certain entitlements are TCoS specific and may not be retained or transferred on transition between TCoS. 

Flexible Working Arrangements.  In accordance with the Flexible Working (FW) Policy, Reserve personnel can request FW arrangements with their line manager.  Any immediate FW requirements should be agreed with the line management at the interview stage.

Individual Reinforcement Training (IRT) (Module 1) and RAF Fitness Test (RAFFT).  Reserve personnel are required to maintain currency in IRT and the RAFFT iaw the relevant TCoS.  The successful applicant will be expected to undertake IRT and the RAFFT within 6 months of commencing employment (if required).

Annual Salary and Leave.  Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published for the reserve air forces.  Leave entitlement is detailed in JSP 760.

Accommodation. Personnel serving on FTRS(LC/HC)/ADC TCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB.