An Aircraft Technician is a multi-skilled soldier who is responsible for the on-going maintenance of aircraft, airframe systems, engines and engine systems and recovering Army aircraft airframes. They also conduct limited inspection and repair of aircraft safety equipment and armament.

• Inspecting, testing, repairing, rebuilding, refurbishing, modifying, recovering and fault diagnosis of Army aircraft airframes, engines and ancillary equipment.
• Conducting aircraft vibration analysis and rectification (including test flying duties).
• Conducting limited inspection and repair of aircraft structures, surface finishes, armament and aircraft safety equipment.

On completion of the training at RAAFSTT, this particular occupation is classified as a Pay Group 4, with progression to Pay Group 5 on completion of both the aircraft type course and OJT.

RAAF School of Technical Training: 52 Weeks
Aircraft Maintenance Techniques Type Course: 9 Weeks
On-the-Job Training: 12 months

You will attend the RAAF School of Technical Training (RAAFSTT) at Wagga Wagga NSW. The training at RAAFSTT provides an integrated approach incorporating nationally accredited theory and practical training on aircraft systems and documentation. Subjects are taught by both RAAF and the Riverina College of TAFE to the National Aerospace Curriculum, which is a fully modularised course using Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) modules. This curriculum is industry portable and an accredited package. As the mode of training is accredited, there is exportability of that trade qualification into the civil community providing a broader scope of employment in the future.

On completion of the course you will be posted to the Army Aviation Training Centre, Oakey QLD, to undergo On-the-Job training (OJT) for a period of 12 months. During this period, you will also attend the appropriate aircraft equipment maintenance type course at the Rotary Wing Aircraft Maintenance School at Oakey. The aircraft type course you will be taught on will depend on the Army's needs.

On completion of the OJT period you will be awarded with a Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Airframes and Engines).

Further Training
As your career advances, you will have the opportunity to attain additional aircraft type qualifications and a Diploma (AQF 5) and Advanced Diploma (AQF 6) of Engineering (Aerospace) qualifications.

Aircraft Technicians are employed in a variety of Aviation units throughout Australia including Oakey, Townsville and Darwin.

Completion of Australian Year 10 education (or equivalent) with passes in English, Mathematics and Science (with a Physics content) and one other subject.

Note: Consumer Maths, General Maths, Maths in Society and similarly 'modified' Maths subjects are not suitable for entry to the Technical and Trade Scheme.

On completion of the OJT period you will be awarded with a Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering - Mechanical (AQF 4).

In addition, this category's courses meet the requirements for both civilian and military authorities and will make you eligible for:

• Statement of Attainment in Workplace Assessment (Aviation) is granted to personnel on successful completion of the Competency Based Training Workplace Assessor - Aviation course.
• Certificate IV in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Mechanical) is granted to personnel on completion of their Aerospace Journal.
• Diploma of Management (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering - Mechanical) is granted to personnel on being assessed as a competent ARA Sergeant.
• Advanced Diploma of Management (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering - Aircraft) is granted to personnel on being assessed as a competent ARA Warrant Officer.