Ground Crewman Aircraft Support


The Groundcrewman Aircraft Support (Gcmn Acft Spt) is an Australian Army Aviation soldier who applies aviation ground support functions, operates, maintains and possess a varIETy of technical and non-technical equipment with specialisation in aircraft fuelling, ammunition and ordnance loading operations in a Forward Arming and Refuelling Point (FARP) within a Forward Operating Base (FOB) or independently.


Duties

A Groundcrewman Aircraft Support may be employed within AAAvn and Army units in a wide varIETy of operational tasks or training duties.

  • Utility operations (MRH-90)
  • Airmobile operations (S70A-9 Blackhawk)
  • Medium lift operations (CH47D Chinook)
  • Special operations (S70A-9 Blackhawk)
  • Reconnaissance operations (B206 Kiowa, ARH Tiger)
  • Training operations (AAvnTC, ARTC, RMC-D, ADFA Open in new window )
  • Non-corps operations (JEWOSU) and
  • Selected Defence Recruiting positions around Australia.

Prerequisites

On completion of common recruit training, the Ground Crewman Aircraft Support will complete the following courses conducted by Army Logistics Training Centre (ALTC), Bandiana before being panelled to attend Corps specific Initial Employment Training (IET):

  • IET Driver Basic Course
    The course provides soldiers with an unrestricted military driving license for the Land rover and the Unimog and includes Dangerous Goods, Night Fighting Equipment and Operations;
  • Heavy Rigid Driver Course (HR2)
    The course provides soldiers with the Mack driver code to allow them to operate Army Aviation Fuel Vehicles; and
  • Bulk Fuel Tanker (BFT) Course
    The course teaches trainees the operation of the in service BFT. The BFT Course has a currency of three years; soldiers will need to complete a BFT Re-qualification Course to remain current. Soldiers whose currency expires prior to completing a BFT Re-qualification Course will need to attend the full BFT Course.

Initial Employment Training

On completion of the above courses, the soldiers are required to attend a Ground Crewman Aircraft Support Forward Arming and Refuelling Point (FARP) Operator Course at the School of Army Aviation (SAA), Oakey. The course qualifies trainees on aircraft fueling, ground handling, marshalling, Landing Point (LP) siting and ammunition and ordnance operations. The following courses are also completed during the conduct of the FARP Operator Course.

  • Army Aviation Tow Motor Course
    The course provides soldiers with a Tow Motor licence code to allow them to operate in-service Army Aviation Tow Motors. This includes authorization to move and secure current in service aircraft on airfields and tarmacs; and
  • Fuel Quality Control (FQC) Course
    This course is conducted by 285 Squadron Petroleum Engineering Section, RAAF at SAA, Oakey. Soldiers are trained to perform unsupervised duties involved in the maintenance and quality control of aviation fuel received by the services and issued to aircraft.

These courses are predominantly conducted at the Army Aviation Training Centre, Oakey. The overall course length is 9 months duration, including ARTC and prerequisite driver training.


Return of Service Obligation

Soldiers conducting training under an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) do not incur an additional ROSO. Personnel transferring from other employment categories or services will incur a ROSO in accordance with DI(G) PERS 33-2 Return of Service Obligation equal to the length of course in training days plus one year.

Employment Location

Groundcrewman are employed in the following AAAvn and ADF units:

  • in Oakey,
  • in Sydney,
  • in Darwin,
  • in Townsville,
  • HMAS Manoora,
  • HMAS Kanimbla,
  • DACI-A in Townsville and Canberra,
  • Selected training establishments around Australia, and
  • Selected DFR postings around Australia.

Rank

Groundcrewman Aircraft Support are categorised into Employment Categories dependent on rank.

  • TPR/LCPL - CP Operator PG3
  • CPL - FARP Team Leader PG 4
  • SGT - FRAP Supervisor PG 5
  • WO2 - Aircraft Support Manager PG 6
  • WO1 - Aircraft Support Senior Manager WO1(E)

Pay

The Employment Category of Groundcrewman Aircraft Support is classified as a Pay Group 3/4/5/6 occupation, according to a member's trade skills and rank. Current pay rates and allowances can be found via this link below.


Civil Accreditation

Ground Crewmen Aircraft Support are eligible for the award of civil competencies once the qualification requirements have been met. Detailed information on Army Aviation civil qualifications and accreditation can be found at the civilian qualifications site. Open in new window

  • Certificate III in Business (Frontline Management) - CPL rank
  • Statement of Attainment towards the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment - CPL rank
  • Certificate IV in Business (Frontline Management) - SGT rank
  • Statement of Attainment towards the Diploma of Business (Frontline Management) - WO2 rank
  • Diploma of Training and Assessment - WO2 rank
  • Statement of Attainment towards the Advanced Diploma of Government - WO1 rank
  • Advanced Diploma of Resource Management - WO1 rank
  • Certificate III in Transport and Distribution (Aviation Ground Operations and Service) - TPR/CPL trade
  • Statement of Attainment towards the Certificate IV in Transport and Distribution (Aviation Ground Operations and Service) - CPL trade
  • Certificate IV in Transport and Distribution (Aviation Ground Operations and Service) - SGT trade
  • Diploma of Government (Management) - WO2 trade

Career Progression

The career progression for Ground Crewmen is based on the requirement to achieve competency in a range of unit and military skills. In addition to experience gained within units, Ground Crewman can be expected to complete some or all of the following courses over the period of their career.

  • Unit Safety Coordinator course;
  • Aviation Safety Officer course (selected pers);
  • Air Portability Team Leader course (selected pers);
  • Demolitions Explosive Ordinance course (selected pers);
  • TAA Cert IV (CPL/SGT);
  • Environmental Protection course (WO2);
  • Nuclear Biological Chemical Defence (NBCD) Advanced Course (RAN training);
  • Flight Deck Team course (RAN training);
  • Flight Deck Marshaller course (RAN training);
  • Aviation Resource Management course;
  • Quality Systems Auditor course; and
  • Various rank employment category and military promotion courses.

Personnel are eligible to apply for transfer to ECN 163 Aircrewman within AAAVN after a minimum 2 yrs in their employment category.


Regimental Employment

Employment/progression to WO1 rank is by selection only. Selection is based on reported merit/performance in trade and recommended suitability to be employed as an Aviation Squadron Sergeant Major (Avn SSM), Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM). Courses required for subsequent employment are as follows:

  • Quality Systems Auditor course,
  • Aviation SSM course,
  • Aviation Manager course, and
  • RSM course.