Upgrade your flying ambition right now and within just a few years, you could be taking control of one of the fastest and most manoeuvrable aircraft in the skies. Or transporting troops and supplies to a disaster zone in a high-capacity heavy transport aircraft. Or carrying out a covert surveillance mission in an aircraft armed with state-of-the-art radar and sensor systems.

In the Air Force you'll enjoy an exceptionally exciting and highly responsible job, a very competitive salary package, and a lifestyle like nothing else. Plus, you'll experience a wide variety of aircraft and benefit from continual investment in your personal and professional development.

The next 10 years will see significant changes in the Air Force as the Service transitions to a networked force. The Air Force seeks to translate an information advantage, enabled in part by information technology, into a competitive warfighting advantage through the robust networking of well-informed geographically dispersed forces. The networked, 5th Generation Air Force will require highly motivated and professionals to make real time command and control decisions in a 3-dimensional environment, effectively being a mission manager who will ensure the mission is successfully completed in the most efficient and safe manner, as well as being the Pilot. We use the term “Officer Aviation Family” to describe all of the RAAF’s commissioned officers who are responsible for the application of Air Power.

The Officer Aviation Family is made up of a number of operational streams. The RAAF pilot streams are Fast Jet Pilot (FJP); Fixed Wing Pilot and in the future Remote Pilot (RP). Army and Navy also have pilots but they fly rotary Wing aircraft (Helicopters) for more information on Army and Navy pilot review their job pages. For information on the other operational streams in the RAAF please review the Mission Aircrew and Mission Controller job pages.

Fast Jet Pilot (FJP)

Fast jet pilots in the RAAF fly state of the art combat aircraft. The Air Force is currently acquiring F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) to replace our F/A-18A (classic hornets). The JSF is a 5th generation fighter that employs stealth technology along with high performance. FJPs also team up with Weapon Systems Officers on the F/A-18F Super Hornet or the EA-18G Growler. The operations that FSPs are involved in are varied and complex in nature and include air-to-air combat and air-to-surface weapons employment. As a JFP you will be at the heart of Australia's 5th Generation Air Force.

Fixed Wing Pilot (FWP)

There is more to the Air Force than just fighter aircraft. Without the support of other fixed wing aircraft like the E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft (AEW&C) or the KC30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) the fighters operations would be restricted. FWPs also fly the P-8A Poseidon aircraft performing a variety of missions including anti-surface strike, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue; and maritime Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. A vital component of joint operations is often air transport, and FWPs fly aircraft varying in size and missions from the B350 King-Air through to the giant C-17 Globemaster.

The Future

Remote Piloted Aircraft (RPA); dedicated Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft; and space-based technologies will join with our modern, capable platforms as part of a 5th generation Air Force. Officer Aviation personnel (Mission Aircrew, Mission Controllers and Pilots) are at the centre of the RAAF’s Air Power application today and are the future leaders of the Air Force.