UBAS QFI

Vacancy summary

Royal Air Force
2214732
OF-2 - Lt - Capt RM - Capt - Flt Lt
Flight Lieutenant

19/10/2025, 23:55 

January 2026
FTRS - Limited Commitment
5 years
Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force
Air Crew
Pilot (FJ), Pilot (ISR), Pilot (ME), Pilot (RW)
Universities of Birmingham Air Squadron, RAF Cosford

Vacancy detail

A vacancy has arisen for a Flight Lieutenant Pilot to serve as Qualified Flying Instructor at RAF Cosford on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 12 January 2026.

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

FTRS(LC) Qualified Flying Instructor at UBAS.  Responsibilities include;

Delivery of air and ground instruction for ab-initio aircrew as well as conversion and currency training for experienced 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 UAS, but within the terms and conditions of FTRS(LC), you will be required to carry out those duties associated with a commissioned officer of your rank. Specifically, you will be required to: 

  • Act as Deputy Officer Commanding UBAS when required.
  • Deliver flying training to UAS students in accordance with the current 6 FTS syllabus: The working week can change to any 5-day period subject to 2 weeks’ notice of change and will include occasional weekend working.
  • Attend squadron Training Nights (1900-2130) held weekly during university term, currently Tuesday evenings at RAF Cosford or affiliated universities.
  • Deliver monitoring of student flying progress and administration of student flying records and documentation. 
  • Deliver monitoring of staff flying and administration of staff currencies, instructor checks, Standards and CFS Exam Wg visits.
  • Deliver supervision of the flying programme as Duty Pilot when directed. 
  • Deliver support to the AEF flying task when directed by OC UAS. 
  • Deliver supervision of the AEF flying task
  • Deliver change as directed by 6FTS or OC UAS. 
  • Support UAS ground training activities as directed by OC UAS in support of the ground training programme.  This includes delivery and administration of the Modular Initial Officer Training syllabus.
  • Act as Staff Mentor to a cadre of approximately 15 UAS members, monitoring student progress, welfare and the completion of mentor reporting procedures as defined by HQ 6 FTS.
  • Provide staff supervision during UAS activities when delegated by OC UAS in accordance with the unit and HQ 6 FTS Supervisory Care Directives.
  • Support UAS ground activities as directed by OC UAS in support of 2nd/3rd party unit assurance, external validations or standards visits.
  • Support UAS AT expeditions on a volunteer basis.
  • Complete any specialist training courses to fulfil secondary duties, eg Qualified Flying Instructor Course, Flying Authorisers/Supervisors Course, Aviation Medicine Course, Flt Safety Officer or PCMIO course.
  • Complete Mandatory Training Courses as required by RAF policy which includes Human Factors & Error Management Training, Diversity & Inclusion Training, Advanced Care of the Trainee and Defence Train the Trainer Course. Complete other courses mandated by HQ 6 FTS for UAS staff.
  • 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, substance abuse, harassment and bullying.
  • Must either have been, or currently be, a Flight Lieutenant Pilot or other Service equivalent.
  • Must have a Full UK Driving Licence.
  • Flying; a minimum of 1000 hours flying experience.
  • Relevant Military or Civilian flying instructional experience
  • Staff experience, flying training management and line management.

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 as required.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name: Sqn Ldr Jamie Watson

Address: jamie.watson165@mod.gov.uk   

Applications.  Candidate applications, with a maximum 2-page CV, based your CV on Essential & desirable criteria. Include copies of last 4 appraisal reports + Aircrew Slips should be sent to:

Name: Mr Jon Riddell

Address: jon.riddell104@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 19 October 2025.

Interviews will take place week commencing 27 October 2025.

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 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.  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 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.

This opportunity is closed to applications.