Aircraft handler

[1] The Aircraft Handling branch of the Fleet Air Arm in the Royal Navy was formed in 1945.

Today the Aircraft Handling branch is made up of around 450 personnel who serve on various ships and at Royal Naval Air Stations.

Upon successful completion of basic training all recruits into the Aircraft Handling branch then proceed to RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall;[2] here they are instructed at the Royal Naval School of Flight Deck Operations (RNSFDO).

[3] The training at RNSFDO is around 6 months and covers the two key skills required of an Aircraft Handler.

The second phase of training is Aircraft Handling which sees recruits learning the skills required for the safe movement, take off and landing of aircraft on board Royal Navy ships and at Royal Naval air stations.

[4] HMS Siskin is largely made up to replicate the Invincible-class aircraft carrier but can also be adapted to the roles of smaller ships such as frigates and destroyers.

Aircraft Handlers are sometimes known as "Chockheads", which was the name given to them at first by other branches within the Royal Navy, based on some of the tasks that they used to carry out.

It shows the two key roles carried out by the branch: in the background is the sea with fire rising from it, an in the foreground a Harrier jet aircraft with two hands cupped around it.

Fire stations that Aircraft Handlers are usually based at are RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall[2] and RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset,[3] but some Aircraft Handlers are based at fire stations at RAF Cottesmore in Rutland and RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire.