Safety & Surface Technician

Safety and Surface workers folding paracutes.

Safety & Surface Technician - (Aeronautical Painting and Life Support Technician) Keeping our aircraft and equipment in peak operational condition is vital. This fascinating job covers two different areas:Life Support Equipment: Servicing and maintaining everything from parachutes, aircrew protective equipment, life rafts and survival kits to carrying out aircraft upholstery and general fabric work.Aircraft Spray Painting: Painting the exterior surfaces of our aircraft, aircraft components and ground support equipment.

Category: Technical Trades
Salary after one year: Remuneration on enlistment $33,256. This is the minimum remuneration you will be paid from day one. Your remuneration will increase upon graduation of recruit course to $40,869 and will increase on promotion and seniority.

Joining age: You must be 17 years or older

Qualifications: A minimum of 12 NCEA Level 1 credits in English, Mathematics and Science or Design Technology. Level 2 Maths, English, Physics preferred.

Nationality: Applicants must be a NZ citizen (some exceptions apply).

// FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

As a Safety & Surface Technician, you’ll be a member of the ground crew, jointly responsible for all aspects of maintenance required to support RNZAF aircraft operations. Safety & Surface Mechanics are involved in two separate areas: they service, maintain and repair the RNZAF’s aeronautical safety and survival equipment and they apply, maintain and repair the painted surfaces of its aircraft and components. You will have the opportunity to work in both these roles as your career progresses.

// JOB BENEFITS

You will have the possibility of obtaining parachute jump qualifications, participating in aircrew survival training and working side by side with the NZDF Special Forces. This role has the diversity of working in 2 very different maintenance fields. You can achieve a variety of qualifications including qualifications in aeronautical and non-aeronautical spray painting applications, in servicing survival and safety equipment which can lead to specialist employment in the aviation industry worldwide, as well as qualifications in upholstery and fabric work. All these qualifications are fully recognised by the aviation industry worldwide.
The opportunity to become part of a team of highly trained individuals that make up today’s RNZAF.

// TRAINING

Aeronautical Engineering Course

As a first step you will need to complete the full-time 17 week Aeronautical Engineering Course with NMIT. This is undertaken privately and is a prerequisite to joining the RNZAF. Areas covered on the Aeronautical Course include:

Aircraft construction materials
Aeronautical drawing interpretation
Sketching and mathematics
Aeronautical workplace safety
Quality management principles
Aeronautical spare parts
Hand and machine tool use
Maintenance documentation and publication use
Component removal and installation
Aircraft systems and principles of flight

The cost of the NMIT course and accommodation, up to a maximum of $4655, will be reimbursed to you when you commence your RNZAF Aircraft Mechanic Training Course.

Recruit Course

Upon successful completion of the Aeronautical Engineering course you will then join the Air Force. You’ll be posted to RNZAF Base Woodbourne (near Blenheim). Here you’ll do 12 weeks of basic military training to find out if you’ve got what it takes to be in the Air Force, and learn various
subjects including:

Organisation and Administration
RNZAF Customs and Protocol
Drill and Parades
Military Field Skills and Weapon Training
First Aid, and Search and Rescue Techniques
Physical Fitness

Primary Trade Training

On completing the recruit course you start primary trade training on the 30-week full-time residential course at Woodbourne. This course will provide you with the basic skills to become an Aeronautical Life Support Mechanic.

Advanced Trade Training

The advanced trade training for S&S Mechanics is a 15-week full-time residential course focusing on aircraft painting and its associated skills. From here you are a fully qualified Safety and Surface Mechanic and you can expect to work within all of these specialisations throughout your career. Further training will include extensive on-the-job training during which you will complete formal competency.

// JOB REQUIREMENTS

You must be 17 years or older and have a minimum of 12 NCEA Level 1 credits in English, Mathematics and Science or Design Technology. Level 2 Maths, English, Physics preferred.