FAQ's

We have all the information you should need under the training tab > Rescue Crew Officer Course > Click "I Want to Know More" and enter your details until you find our disclaimer page! Any answers you can't find, reach out and we'll be sure to help.

No, you don't need to have prior experience in aviation in order to apply for our Rescue Crew Officer Training Course. Many of our students have had little or no experience at all in aviation and have now gone onto successfully fulfilling the role as an operational Rescue Crew Officer. You will find the course pre-requisites on our 'Disclaimer Page', including fitness and qualification requirements. You can find our Disclaimer Page by clicking on the training tab > Rescue Crew Officer Course > Click "I Want to Know More" and enter your details until you find our disclaimer page! Feel free to reach should you have any further questions.

In the civilian aviation sector, many begin their careers as Rescue Crew Officers (RCOs). This entry-level role builds the essential knowledge, skills, and experience needed for safe and effective rescue operations. The RCO is the crew member on the winch—trained to reach people in the most challenging environments and bring them to safety. The position demands physical fitness, technical ability, calmness under pressure, and ongoing training. Progression to Aircrew Officer (ACO) generally requires further qualifications and flight experience, with minimum requirements varying between organisations, depending on their contracts (e.g. government health services, search and rescue, or defence). These prerequisites are outlined in job advertisements. The ACO role involves navigation, mission coordination, operation of communication and mission systems, as well as managing the winch and supporting the rescue crew to ensure safe, successful operations.

To stand out as an applicant for Sentinel Aviation training courses or for an entry-level RCO position, it’s important to demonstrate more than just meeting the minimum requirements. We, and operators, are looking for well-rounded, motivated individuals who understand both the opportunity and the responsibility that comes with the role. 1. Be Prepared and Proactive Take the time to research the industry. Understand what a Remote Crew Officer (RCO) does, the environments you may operate in, and the realities of shift work, deployments, and high-pressure situations. When you speak with us, we’re interested in more than your qualifications — we want to understand your background, your motivations, and why this pathway appeals to you. Be ready to discuss whether the lifestyle suits you, how committed you are to the journey, and where you see yourself in 3, 5, or even 10 years. Flexibility with location and a willingness to relocate, if required, can also strengthen your application. 2. Meet (and Work Beyond) the Prerequisites Ensure you are actively working toward, or have already obtained, required industry prerequisites such as First Aid, HUET, Bronze Medallion and other relevant certifications. Showing initiative in completing these before being asked demonstrates commitment and professionalism. 3. Maintain a High Level of Fitness RCO roles can be physically demanding. Maintaining strong physical fitness not only prepares you for training but also shows discipline and readiness for operational environments. 4. Demonstrate Relevant Experience Experience in emergency services or team-based operational environments is highly regarded. Backgrounds such as Surf Life Saving, SES, flood or marine rescue, cadets, defence, or other emergency response roles highlight your ability to work under pressure, follow procedures, communicate clearly, and function effectively within a team. 5. Show the Right Attitude and Mental Resilience Technical skills can be taught — attitude cannot. We look for applicants who are humble, coachable, reliable, and team-oriented. Mental toughness is equally important. As an RCO, you may be supporting people on one of the most traumatic days of their lives. Emotional maturity, empathy, and the ability to remain calm and professional in high-stress situations are essential qualities. Ultimately, standing out comes down to preparation, self-awareness, commitment, and character. If you can demonstrate that you understand the demands of the role and are genuinely ready to step into the aviation and emergency response industry, you will already be ahead of many applicants.

Short answer, no.  Long answer, not every operator requires candidates to hold the nationally recognised certificate — this often depends on their contracts and operational focus (for example, government health or search-and-rescue work). Noting competition for these roles can be strong, given the small size of the industry, this training and certification that we offer will help you stand out when applying for jobs, as it shows initiative, commitment, and that you have already attained foundational winching and teamwork skills. The operators qualification requirements will be listed on their job advertisements.  We encourage those who are serious about entering the industry to take proactive steps now. Get in touch with us to discuss training pathways, begin working toward the prerequisites (which are required across most operators), maintain and improve your physical fitness, and start applying for entry-level RCO roles as they become available. This process helps you understand the companies operating in the sector, what they do, and what they look for in candidates. Even if you’re not successful at first, the experience gained — particularly through interviews — will better prepare you for future opportunities. And if you are successful, all your preparation will have paid off. We’ll be cheering you on and welcoming you as an industry colleague!

Our first question to you will be, “do you have any current aviation and/or aircrew or rescue crew experience?”  If yes, we can look into potential RPL applications or provide advice on what might be the best course of action to get where you want to be.  If no, we will advise you to browse our rescue crew officer (RCO) training page. This page will give you all the information you need to get your foot in the door.  In the civilian aviation sector, many begin their careers as Rescue Crew Officers (RCOs). This entry-level role builds the essential knowledge, skills, and experience needed for safe and effective rescue operations. The RCO is the crew member on the winch—trained to reach people in the most challenging environments and bring them to safety. The position demands physical fitness, technical ability, calmness under pressure, and ongoing training. Progression to Aircrew Officer (ACO) generally requires further qualifications and flight experience, with minimum requirements varying between organisations, depending on their contracts (e.g. government health services, search and rescue, or defence). These prerequisites are outlined in job advertisements. The ACO role involves navigation, mission coordination, operation of communication and mission systems, as well as managing the winch and supporting the rescue crew to ensure safe, successful operations.

A quick overview of our process: one of our team members will give you a call to learn more about your goals and discuss any additional details. After that, you’ll be invited to join our private LinkedIn group, this is where members are the first to receive updates, key information, and important date releases. Expressions of Interest (EOIs) will open first, followed by interviews and course offers. To prepare for the pre-course interview, research is key. Build your understanding of the industry — learn about different operators, their locations, aircraft types, and the contracts they hold (e.g., search and rescue or air ambulance). Familiarise yourself with typical aircraft setups and crew structures, such as single vs. dual pilot operations, and the differences between air crew officer and rescue officer roles. Beyond your knowledge, we want to get to know you — your background, motivations, and understanding of what life in an RCO position might look like. We’ll chat about whether the role and lifestyle are a good fit, whether you’re ready to commit to the journey, and where you see yourself in the next 3–5–10 years, including any locations you’d be open to moving for a role.

You will find our fitness standards for Sentinel Aviation on our Disclaimer Page (under the training tab > Rescue Crew Officer Course > Click "I Want to Know More" and enter your details until you find our disclaimer page!). Our fitness test is a combination of several operators’ assessments, as each company’s test varies depending on their contract requirements. Maintaining a solid running, swimming, and gym routine will put you in good shape. Keep an eye on job ads and note their fitness standards — it’s a great way to guide your preparation. On the day, tests usually start with the land-based component, followed by the water-based activities, and are typically completed within 2–3 hours.

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