The Course itself is divided into 2 phases. The first is held at RNAS Yeovilton where you are taught the basics of Fighter Controlling. This includes meteorology, basic geometry, fighter tactics and several hours of simulated 'sorties' and live sorties using Hawk Aircraft. During this period you also get the opportunity to fly in one of the Hawks during a real sortie.

On successful completion of this phase you move to HMS DRYAD, near Portsmouth, and get taught how to apply your skills in a tactical environment. This is your first exposure to the Operations Room of a Destroyer, where you will spend 4 weeks of the course. During this phase you also get the opportunity to tour various Royal Air Force Stations, from the Tanker Squadrons to Airborne Early Warning and Fighter units.

Once you pass the course, culminating in a two week period in the Type 42 simulator, you are given your first ship. You are more likely to be sent to a Destroyer, initially as FC2 (The second Fighter Controller), although you may find you are the only one! Expect to spend around 2 years in your first appointment during which time you will also have to undertake Officer of the Watch duties. For your second tour you are likely to go to an Aircraft Carrier, again based in Portsmouth. This will give you good exposure to the Harrier Squadrons who are also embarked. Again, you are likely to serve around 2 years in this appointment and will also be conducting Bridge Watchkeeping duties.

If you go on to do a third tour, then you are faced with a number of options from instructional duties to a 3 year exchange with the Royal Air Force as a FC in one of the Airborne Early Warning aircraft.

In order to retain your qualification, which incidentally is the highest grade in NATO, you are required to complete a number of hours controlling during a designated period. You are also required to conduct an Annual Standards Check to help maintain your standards.

As for the job itself; it is hugely rewarding. Essentially, you form a link between the ship (And indeed the Force) and the aircraft. You direct the pilot in the aircraft to intercept incoming aircraft using the radar screen in front of you. At the same time, you may also find yourself directing an aircraft who is running out of fuel to a waiting tanker, or conducting a Radar countdown to a Sea Harrier who is about to land on the deck of your Aircraft Carrier. In addition, you are passing all the information from the aircraft to the ship's Warfare Officer who can then take the relevant precautions to protect the ship from attack.

When you are not controlling fast jets, the FC also gets to control target towing aircraft for live gunnery firings and missile firings.

During my time as a FC I have controlled numerous aircraft, from Sea Harriers to F14s and Tornadoes. I have controlled from US Aircraft carriers in the Gulf through to mobile radar sites in the middle of Qatar. I have also controlled target towing aircraft for gunnery and missile firings, including a stint on an Omani Corvette in the Gulf.

Fighter Controlling is an excellent opportunity for a Warfare Officer to get to see how our own services and other countries operate. There is always an opportunity to be sent abroad to control during large exercises and it is good experience prior to undertaking the Principal Warfare Officer's course. Remember though, the course is gruelling and not everybody passes. The rewards for getting though are huge and you would be joining a small, but elite, group! Good luck."