Airman - How to become an Airman

Airman in Airforce is considered equivalent to a Soldier in Army. Indian Air Force provides ample opportunities for the young men joining as an Airman in either of Technical or Non-Technical trades. Aspiring candidates can choose from any of the three i.e combatant groups i.e 'X', 'Y' or 'Z' of the technical and the non-technical trades depending upon their interest and eligibility.

As a Technical trade Airman, the job description involves the maintenance and testing of aircraft and other various flying related equipment besides involved in maintaining and overhaul of ground equipment and armament.

Whereas the responsibilities of non-technical airman involve assistance and support to the various functions ranging from weather forecasting to the maintenance of records and files of the various branches of IAF. As this job involved the security and integrity of the nation thus the personnel handling these jobs need to be hardworking, loyal to the nation and of impeccable integrity.
 

Airman in Indian Air Force Eligibility

Eligibility Conditions
Essential Qualification and Age for becoming an Airman in Airforce varies from Metric to Graduation with some time asking for math, science and English as main subjects. It depends upon the type of entry (Trade wise) one is seeking for.

Eligibility Condition for Combatant Group 'X'(Technical Trade)

• Educational Qualification
  Passed 10+2 or equivalent examination with English, Mathematics and Physics; A minimum aggregate of 50% marks.
• Age Limits
  Between 16 years to 22 years depending upon the trade
• Marital Status
  Single
• Nationality
  Indian 
• Gender
  Only male candidates are eligible to join Indian Air Force as Airman.

A. Eligibility condition for Combatant Group 'X'( Non-Technical Trade)-Teacher

• Educational Qualification
  B.A. (Honours) or a B.Sc. (Honours), B.A. / B.Sc. with one-year teaching experience in a recognized educational institution, B.A. / B.Sc. with a teaching degree or diploma.
• Age Limits
  Between 20 years to 25 years 
• Marital Status
  Single
• Nationality
  Indian 
• Gender
  Only male candidates 

B. Condition for Combatant Group 'X'(Non-Technical Trade)-Technical Instructor

• Educational Qualification
  Passed M.A. / M.Sc. with at least II class
• Age Limits
  Between 20 years and 27 years 
• Marital Status
  Single
• Nationality
  Indian 
• Gender
  Only male candidates

Common Eligibility for joining as an Airman in either Combatant Group 'Y' or Combatant Group 'Z' of the Technical or Non- Technical Trades

• Age Limits
  16 years to 20 years (Group 'Y'), 17-35 (Group 'Z') 
• Marital Status
• Single
• Nationality
  Indian 
• Gender
  Only male candidates 

Eligibility for Specific Trade
Technical Trades
An airman under the Technical Trades is involved in the production and testing of aircraft and flying related equipment. He is directly or indirectly responsible for the maintenance and overhaul of armament and ground equipment.
Educational Qualification required for this trade

• Passed Matriculation or equivalent examination with English.
• A minimum aggregate of 60% marks. 

Non-Technical Trades
An airman in the non-technical trades assist and support officers in the Air Force.
Educational Qualification required for this trade

•   Passed Matriculation or equivalent examination.
•   A minimum aggregate of 45% marks.
•   Pass marks in English.

Mechanical Transport Driver
This trade comes under the category of Non-Technical Trades but the selection criteria for this job is slightly different from that of other Non-Technical Trades under Combatant Group 'Y'.

Basic minimum requirements for all candidates
Height
To join the Air Force as an airman, the aspirant should be at least 152.5 cm. tall. There are, however, some trades that have different requirements.

i. Mechanical Transport Driver and Certain Technical Trades

• Minimum height - 165 cm.
• Minimum leg length - 99 cm.

ii.IAF Police

• Minimum height - 175 cm.

iii.Ground Training Instructor and Musician

• Minimum height - 167 cm.

Clear Medical Record
The aspirant should have a clear medical record, with history clear of any of the following diseases

• Mental Sickness/Fits
• Diseases/Skin Ailments
• Surgical Deformity

Chest

• Minimum Expanded Chest (75cm)
• Minimum Range Of Expansion (5cm)

Vision
Some minimum visual standards that the aspirant must fulfil in order to qualify. The aspirant should have a minimum corrected vision of at least 6 / 12 in each eye. He could also have 6 / 6 in the healthier eye and 6 / 18 in the weaker eye with spectacles with power, not more than + / -5.50 Dioptres, inclusive of astigmatism in any meridian with the full field of vision and Minimum CP-IV unsafe colour vision.  There are, however, other detailed visual and colour standards that are specific to different trades.
Hearing
You should have normal hearing i.e. you should be able to hear forced whisper from a distance of 6 meters in each ear individually.
Dental
You should have healthy gums and a good set of teeth.
It is advisable that candidates reporting for the medical exam must ensure a high level of personal hygiene and bring the latest prescription and spectacles for the corrected vision to avoid delay.
 

How to become an Airman?

Aspiring candidates have to follow the given steps to become an Airman in Indian Air Force.

Step 1
The first step toward being an Airman is to apply against the vacancies declared from time to time in the leading newspapers making it sure that you full fill all the basic and specific requirements of the job/trade applying for. As it is only after checking all eligibility wise application forms that one will receive an Admit Card that will contain all the relevant details like the date, time and venue of your examination. The subjects tested on will depend on the trade you have applied for.

Step 2
There will be written test the subjects of which depends upon the trade one is selected for.

• Technical Streams
• Four papers- English, Mathematics, Science and Intelligence and General Awareness. 
• Non-Technical/MTD Streams
  English and Intelligence and General Awareness. 

Note: The examination is based on the CBSE (X/XII) syllabus

• Education Instructors
  The pattern of the paper is in keeping with the basic minimum educational qualification required. Followed by an interview after the examination. 

Step 3
After clearing the written test one has to go through a medical examination conducted by a Medical Officer of the Armed Forces. In which one is either declared 'Fit' or 'Unfit' or 'Temporarily Medically Unfit' (TMU). 

Step 4
On successfully clearing the selection process the name of the candidate will feature in the All India Merit List displayed at the Airmen Selection Centres, where the tests were conducted. A call letter will be sent requesting you to report to the Airmen Selection Centre for enrolment. Here apart from the enrolment formalities, the candidate should take a Trade Aptitude Test, to determine the right trade for him. Depending upon the score as well as the position in the Merit List, candidates will be assigned to one of the streams in the Technical or Non-Technical Trades.

After the candidate has completed his enrolment formalities, he will be sent to the Administrative training Institute for 26 weeks for Basic Combatant Training. Thereafter, the candidate would be sent to one of the Training Institutes for specialization in the trade that he is assigned.

Airman Salary

During the training period, an airman gets a fixed stipend of Rs.5,700/-pm. On completion of training, he starts getting regular salary as depicted below.

In addition to the above-given pay scale, an airman is entitled to Military Service Pay of Rs.2000  pm along with various other allowances like Dearness Allowance (calculated on Pay Band + Grade Pay + MSP), Transport Allowance, Composite Personal Maintenance Allowance, High Altitude Allowance, Field Area/Modified Field Area Allowance etc.

As an airman, a large number of perks and benefits are also provided to him and his family to ensure quality of life that include, free accommodation, Medical facilities including specialist services, free ration and clothing, attractive life insurance cover up to Rs 5 lakhs, on a nominal subscription which also includes easy loans, Children's education and also included a variety of recreational activities, which can be used by all airmen and their families.

Most important thing is that eligible airmen can apply for selection as an Officers in Flying Branch within the age group of 19 to 20 years. Opportunities are also available for serving airmen for selection to the officer's rank in the Ground Duty Branches (other than Medical Branch) as per the rules. After retirement, the airman is entitled to the pension, medical insurance and gratuity, apart from canteen facilities. Besides the air force allows relaxation in age and reservation in government services as an ex-serviceman.
 

Airman Career Prospects

With time and expertise, an airman can achieve the following given ranks during his stay in the Air Force.

1. Aircraftsman - AC (Start of the Career)
2. Leading Aircraftsman - LAC
3. Corporal - CPL
4. Sergeant - SGT
5. Junior Warrant Officer - JWO
6. Warrant Officer - WO
7. Master Warrant Officer - MWO

Deserving candidates can also be promoted to the Honorary rank of Flying Officer before getting retirement.