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The Spitfire

Career Ideas

A few suggestions for all the budding heroes out there...

Fighter pilot (RAF officer)


First Otto Lilienthal's trials of gliding, German engineer (1848-1896), on his plane, about 1891
Otto Lilienthal tries out his glider, c. 1891
© TopFoto.co.uk © Harlingue / Roger-Viollet
If you are excited at the thought of flying the modern-day equivalent of the Spitfire, you’ll need fast reactions and nerves of steel. Today’s pilots fly Tornado F3s for air defence, Harriers to support ground troops, Hercules for transport or the Sea King for search and rescue.


The process of becoming an RAF officer is extremely competitive but about 800 are recruited every year and there are currently about 9,000 officers.


You need to be at least 17-and-a-half years old. The minimum requirements for entry are at least five GCSEs (grades A-C) or S grades (1-3), including English language and maths, and two A levels/three H grades, or equivalent qualifications.


If you are accepted you will start the Initial Officer Training course at the RAF College, Cranwell, Lincolnshire, then go on to relevant specialist training. The course lasts 24 weeks but is shorter if you are professionally qualified.


A flying officer can gain promotion as a flight lieutenant, usually after about four years. Promotion within the system is often faster for graduates.


Further information


Visit the Connexions website for further information.


Contacts

  • Free leaflets and advice are available from all Armed Forces Careers Offices (AFCOs). Find the address of the nearest one in the telephone directory (under Royal Air Force).
  • Information is also available on the RAF Careers website: www.rafcareers.com


Aerospace engineer


Have you been inspired by RJ Mitchell’s extraordinary engineering for the Spitfire? If so, you may want to think of a career as an aerospace engineer. Imagine the satisfaction of designing an engine capable of flying past before you had time to blink!


Besides aircraft, engineers work on fuel systems, pneumatics, airframes and control and communication systems, for space vehicles, satellites and missiles.


Most entrants to the profession will begin with an aeronautical engineering degree or HND, while others with good GCSEs/S grades in English, maths and science (preferably physics) train as technicians.


Most aeronautical engineers are employed by aircraft manufacturers, airline operators and the Armed Forces. Other engineers work for government departments or agencies, and regulatory authorities, such as the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).


The Royal Aeronautical Society website lists potential employers. Information on jobs with the Armed Forces is available from local Armed Forces careers offices.


There are promotional opportunities for positions in management or as a senior engineer, and possibilities for consultancy work as well as working abroad.


Further information


Contacts

  • ECIS (The Engineering Careers Information Service), 14 Upton Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 0JT. Tel: 0800 282167. Web: www.semta.org.uk and www.enginuity.org.uk
  • The Engineering Council (ECUK), 10 Maltravers Street, London WC2R 3ER. Tel: 020 7240 7891. Web: www.engc.org.uk
  • Engineering and Technology Board (etb), 10 Maltravers Street, London WC2R 3ER. Tel: 020 7240 7333. Web: www.etechb.co.uk
  • The Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE), Savoy Hill House, Savoy Hill, London WC2R 0BS. Tel: 020 7836 3357. Web: www.iie.org.uk
  • RAF Careers: www.rafcareers.com
  • Royal Aeronautical Society, 4 Hamilton Place, London W1J 7BQ. Tel: 020 7670 4300. Web: www.raes.org.uk
  • SEMTA (Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance), 14 Upton Road, Watford WD18 0JT. Tel: 0808 100 3682. Web: www.semta.org.uk
  • The Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC), Duxbury House, 60 Petty France, London SW1H 9EU. Tel: 020 7227 1000. Web: www.sbac.co.uk
  • For careers in space, visit the British National Space Centre (BNSC) website at www.bnsc.gov.uk, European Space Agency (ESA) at www.esa.int and NASA at www.hq.nasa.gov


Model kit designer


If you find the streamlined design of the Spitfire inspirational, then you could be an ideal candidate to become a model kit designer.


For this job you will need to have a qualification in engineering (degree or HND), which will give a solid understanding of the necessary technical skills, such as injection moulding and CAD design.


Work would be either full-time or freelance and you would employed by a model kit manufacturer. There are a limited number of opportunities, particularly in the UK (more companies in Asia). At a job interview you would be required to present a portfolio demonstrating your skills as an engineer.


Most model kit designers will choose to work in the profession because they are model enthusiasts.


Further information

Contacts


Model maker


If you feel compelled to replicate inspirational aircraft such as the Spitfire, you could train as a model maker. Most model makers are self-employed; others work for engineering, design or model making companies, or for special effects for film and animation production.


There are no specific qualifications required. Many courses are available at various levels: degree, HND, foundation degree, and BSc in model making and related design subjects.


Skills development opportunities in design and engineering are offered by the Design Council, British Design and Art Direction (D&AD) and the Institution of Engineering Designers.


The local and national press, Design Week and The Designer all include job adverts. The Design Council’s website provides links to organisations to contact about possible work.


Further information


Contacts

  • British Design and Art Direction (D&AD), 9 Graphite Square, Vauxhall Walk, London SE11 5EE. Tel: 020 7840 1111. Web: www.dandad.org
  • The Chartered Society of Designers, 5 Bermondsey Exchange, 179-181 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UW. Tel: 020 7357 8088. Web: www.csd.org.uk
  • Design Business Association (DBA), 35-39 Old Street, London EC1V 9HX. Tel: 020 7251 9229. Web: www.dba.org.uk
  • The Design Council, 34 Bow Street, London WC2E 7DL. Tel: 020 7420 5200. Web: www.designcouncil.org.uk and www.yourcreativefuture.org.uk
  • The Institution of Engineering Designers (IED), Courtleigh, Westbury Leigh, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 3TA. Tel: 01373 822801. Web: www.ied.org.uk


Stunt performer/pilot


If you can really see yourself jumping from a burning Spitfire, or flying one in a choreographed action sequence for a film, then you could find work in the film industry!


Stunt performers tend to enter the profession with one or two skills at an extremely high level, such as flying. To be employable you will usually need to have at least five other skills that you can offer.


Most of the work is based on film or TV sets. The work can be extremely dangerous and it is essential to be methodical, giving due attention to the potential hazards presented by each stunt to minimise the risk of injury – or worse.


Most stunt performers are offered short-term contracts and are self-employed. It is a precarious profession and you may need an additional source of income.


Training costs to learn one skill to a sufficient level could add up to around £3,000, and achieving appropriate qualifications can take two years. Additionally, you will be required to be a member of Equity and accepted by the Joint Industry Stunt Committee (JISC) Register to get work.


Further information


Contacts

  • Skillset: The Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries, Prospect House, 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1HB. Tel: 020 7520 5757. Web: www.skillset.org
  • The Stunt Register, c/o Equity, Guild House, Upper St Martins Lane, London WC2H 9EG. Tel: 020 7379 6000. Web: www.equity.org.uk