UK Civil Aviation Authority and Ministry of Defence join forces to build pathway into civil aviation for military personnel

At a glance:

• UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the British Army have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
• Agreement makes it easier for soldiers both past and present, who have served in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers Aviation (REME Aviation) to get jobs in civil aviation upon release from the Army.
• Deal also marks the further strengthening of ties between the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the UK Ministry of Defence.

The Civil Aviation Authority and the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME Aviation) have signed an agreement enabling soldiers both past and present to transfer their qualifications and skills to relevant roles in civil aviation sector.

These military personnel will be able to apply to the Civil Aviation Authority for an Aircraft Maintenance Licence once they decide to leave the Army.

The Memorandum of Understanding marks an alignment to civil aviation industry standards, with REME Aviation combining their vocational and educational qualifications gained throughout their career.

Tim Johnson, Chief of Staff at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said:

“We all appreciate the great skill and dedication that those who serve give to our country. The significant new agreement will enable those joining the Army to broaden their professional experience and move more easily between a career in the military and one in the UK’s civil aviation sector. This will enable both the military and civil sector to be more successful in their missions.

“There is a significant amount of crossover in the skills needed to maintain our high tech military equipment with maintaining the aircraft that fly above our heads every day.

“We welcome this further deepening of our long standing collaboration with the UK’s Ministry of Defence.”

Army personnel trained in aeronautical engineering are highly skilled technicians, and these REME Aviation personnel will be able to transfer these skills into civil aviation sector.

Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General David Eastman MBE BEng(Hons) MSc CEng FIMechE said:

“I am delighted that we have made this historic agreement with the UK Civil Aviation Authority. This MOU not only represents our deepening relationship with the civil sector, but it also formally recognises the professionalism and high engineering standards of our REME workforce.

“Accrediting the technical training delivered here, at the School of Army Aeronautical Engineering, provides a through-career learning pathway that is underpinned by industry standards and supports the professional development of the next generation of technicians.

“Importantly, the MOU also recognises the training already competed by serving Army aviation technicians and will enable them to apply to the CAA for an Aircraft Maintenance License when they choose to leave the Army.”

“This agreement reflects the Ministry of Defence’s drive to strengthen our relationship with Industry, as articulated in the recent Strategic Defence Review, and provides opportunities that have previously been out of reach.

“I am excited to see how this could support the creation of a REME Aviation Reserve and how, in the longer term, it might support a zig zag career pathway for our future generation of aviation engineers.”