The Student Room Group

RAF Cosford

Hi, my name is Andrew and I am applying to be an Aircraft Technician (Avionics) in the RAF. I have passed the apptitude tests and I am going to my first interview on Wednesday (20th December). I was wondering if anyone knew the duration of the training at DCAE Cosford for an Aircraft Technician if I was to be successful in the basic training at RAF Halton.

Many thanks, Andrew
its all changed within the last 18months or so, now you'll join as an Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic, where I think you'll undergo approx 6 months of "trade appreciation" where you do a bit of all trades also do all the flight line servicings learn about handling aircraft etc, you'l then be posted to a sqn where you'l work the flight line for about 2 and a half years before being sent back to happy cosford for a Further Training course where you'l do your original choice of Avionics which will last a good 12/13 months.

Its probably better how the training works now as when went through 3 and a bit years ago i was at cosford for 14months did all my basic trade training and passed out as a propulsion technician then we had to do an NVQ (so you get promoted from SAC to SAC (T)) by carrying out certain tasks which took about a year to do and i've just recently been at cosford doing my multi skilling course to airframes so now im an aircraft technician mechanical (still a propulsion tech at heart tho!!)

but when you come out of your final trade training, i dont think you do an nvq plus for avionics it now incorporates electrics as they use to be separate trades, so no further multi skilling course which is good! keeps you away from cosford!!
hope this is helpful!
Reply 2
Hi Andy,

I did a write up for AMM here.

Any other questions you have on the trade, ask away. I will do my best to answer them!
Reply 3
Hi, thanks guys you have been loads of help. I now have a good understanding of what I will be doing. I'll look up some more information and if I have any more queries I will get back to you.

Andrew
Reply 4
Even if you just want to know what it is like being an AMM, I can share my experiences so far. It shouldn't be too long now before they call me back for FT.
Reply 5
just dont say RAF cosford, its actually DCAE Cosford. the DCAE stands for: Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering. I applied foir that trade back in April and i wass successful at interview but failed the medical. (Asthma) Good luck mate!!
Training is 6 months i believe. If your unsure go to your AFCO and pick up a blue pamphlet about the trade and read it before your interview!!
Reply 6
Hi M!ke, just wondering how long it has taken you since you did the aptitude tests to where you are now. Just to give me an approximate timescale.

Andrew
Reply 7
Errr, now you are asking. I think I did the aptitude tests Jan 04 ish. I started RTS on 21 Jul 04, started trade training at Cosford on 20 Oct 04, then graduated/posted 30 Jun 05.
Reply 8
Thats not too bad then. I have heard people saying that it takes approximately 18 months from the aptitude tests to the end of basic traning. I hope my process is as quick as yours :smile: So what is your trade? Are you an AMM?

Andrew
Reply 9
Indeed I am. I'm an AMM (AV), so once I graduate from FT (if I don't get through OASC before) I will be an A Tech AV. At the moment I'm working 1st line on the Sentry.
Reply 10
So I am going for the job you do then. Do you enjoy it? I have done some research and it sounds like a good job. I have been interested in electonics for years as my dad is an electrican at Jaguar Cars. I am just abit nervous about my interview. It will all go fine though :smile:

Andrew
Reply 11
It has it's up and downs, as does every job. I've been on some good detachments. Working on the line can get boring and repetitive sometimes, especially on the Sentry as we only have 7 jets. You probably won't get all that much avionic/elect work whilst an AMM. You'll do your stint as a liney, doing flight servicings etc, with a chance to do some trade assistance. You'll get into the proper fairy/lecky work once an A Tech AV. Don't let that put you off though!
Reply 12
I won't...any hands on experiecne would be great, no matter what it is. I am currently at college doing a BTEC in Electrical/Electronic Engineering but we haven't been doing anything practical which we were meant to be. Where abouts are you currently based?

Andrew
Hello not sure if any if you can still see this post but I'll give it shot.... I am booked in for my interview to become an avionics technician but I am struggling to find what bases I could be posted too, am I right in thinking I can be posted to any base where there is aircraft?
Reply 14
Pretty much.