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Airforce

Flight Steward

As an Air Force Flight Steward, you’ll be an integral part of the crew on the Air Force’s primary strategic air transport asset, the Boeing 757, flying both internationally and domestically.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Flight operations

  • Entry type

    General entry

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Location

    Whenuapai and Woodbourne

Being ready and able to take action in the event of an inflight or ground emergency is the primary aspect of your role. You’ll receive all the training required to enable you to control emergency situations, operate emergency equipment, administer first aid and direct passenger evacuation. 

Requirements

Basics

  • Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
  • Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.
  • Pass an Aircrew Selection Board.

Education

  • 3 years secondary school.

Note, qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.

Citizenship

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required SV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.

Period of Service

Your training is some of the most thorough and advanced in the world. On graduation you will be required to complete a return of service of 24 months.

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

  • Job on base

    When you’re not flying there’s still plenty to do. You will carry out specialist training such as VIP and First Aid courses, maintain your annual currencies and complete secondary base duties such as barrack NCO or entertainments committee member. Unlike a civilian flight attendant, you will be deciding what the inflight service will consist of on your upcoming flights and planning a menu accordingly. You will be required to liaise with catering agencies around the world in order to best cater for your flight. You will also be required to prepare the aircraft for VIP flights, ensuring every need has been catered for and all the required equipment is loaded. 


    As a more senior Flight Steward, in addition to these general duties, you will be overseeing the preparation of the flights you are a supervisor on. If you are an instructor, you will also be conducting Categorisation Checks and preparing for Route Checks (detail further on). You will be updating training packages in preparation for future courses, co-ordinating training and instructing when required. 

  • Job on deployment

    This role will see you working at home and abroad. You will fly within New Zealand, and to a variety of countries overseas. Commonly visited places are Australia, the Pacific Islands, South East Asia and the Middle East. You could be flying an aircraft full of Army passengers and freight one week, and the Prime Minister and entourage the next!

    BEFORE FLIGHT PREPARATION

    Prior preparation is essential for the safe conduct of any flight. As a Flight Steward you will have an essential role in preparing our Boeing 757 aircraft for flights both in New Zealand and overseas. Your tasks will include meal planning and the ordering of food relevant to passenger requirements, aircraft documentation, pre-flight inspections, loading rations and equipment, boarding passengers and completing safety briefings.

    IN FLIGHT DUTIES

    You are a pivotal member of the crew, helping provide for the safe, effective and efficient completion of national and international Boeing 757 flights. Your flights will involve standard tasks carrying service personnel and their dependents, to full VIP tasks carrying passengers such as the Prime Minister, or even the Queen.

    Your job will involve:

    • Securing the aircraft cabin prior to take-off
    • Taking action in the event of an in-flight emergency
    • Ensuring passenger welfare
    • Preparing and providing passenger and in-flight service
    • Assisting passengers to comply with international agriculture and customs requirements
    • Representing New Zealand and the RNZAF to the highest standards when dealing with national and international VIP’s
    • Securing the aircraft cabin prior to landing
    AFTER FLIGHT DUTIES

    Your duties don’t end after landing. You’ll be required to disembark and/or escort passengers to their accommodation, prepare the aircraft interior and make catering arrangements for the next day’s flight.

    Some flights are ‘out of the ordinary’, such as veteran trips where war veterans attend anniversaries overseas. On these flights you will escort the veterans to parades and celebrations.

    The crew also represent the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) at VIP functions on certain flights.

    EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

    Your actions during an aircraft emergency could save lives. You’ll receive all the training required to enable you to take action in the event of an in-flight or ground emergency. Your new-found skills will also allow you to operate aircraft equipment and systems to control or limit emergency situations, aid passenger evacuation and administer first aid.

Career progression and training

01Basic Training

02Job Training

03Ongoing Training

04Specialist Training

05Career Progression

Benefits & allowances

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:

  • Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
  • Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
  • Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
  • Opportunities to travel
  • Free and subsidised medical and dental care
  • Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
  • Free and subsidised insurance cover
  • Help to buy a home and save for retirement

Salary & benefits

Careers in the Air Force are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

20220909 NZDF R1055140 005

Am I fit enough?

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.

Medical & Fitness
Air Force Application Process 20240920

The application process

Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.

Application process
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Ready to start your Air Force career?

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