TL;DR
If you served as Army Air Corps pilots, aircrew and groundcrew and now have hearing loss or tinnitus, you may be entitled to between £8,560 and £133,810 in compensation. Claims are run on a no win, no fee basis and the MoD settlement scheme deadline is the scheme deadline that applies to your circumstances.
Why Army Air Corps pilots, aircrew and groundcrew are at high risk of hearing damage
Army Air Corps pilots, aircrew and groundcrew routinely operate around rotor and turbine noise, weapons systems (Apache 30 mm cannon, Hellfire, CRV-7), ground handling near running aircraft. Many of these sources produce impulse or sustained noise well above the 85 dB threshold at which hearing damage begins, and frequently above the 137 dB peak limit set by the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.
Where the Ministry of Defence failed to supply suitable hearing protection, failed to enforce its use, or failed to rotate personnel out of noise-hazardous environments, that exposure becomes a breach of duty — and the basis of a civil compensation claim.
Equipment and platforms typically involved
Claims by former Army Air Corps pilots, aircrew and groundcrew personnel commonly cite exposure to Apache AH-1 and AH-64E, Lynx AH7 and AH9A, Gazelle AH1, Wildcat AH1. Sustained cockpit and cabin noise frequently exceeds 100 dB, with peak weapons noise from the Apache cannon and CRV-7 rocket pods adding significant impulse exposure.
You do not need to remember exact decibel readings. Your service record, posting history and trade qualifications, combined with published MoD noise data, are usually sufficient to evidence exposure.
How much compensation can you claim?
Awards are based on the Judicial College Guidelines (17th Edition, 2024). The table below sets out the brackets a specialist will use when valuing your claim.
On top of general damages, you can also recover special damages — the cost of private hearing aids, lost earnings, future care needs, and travel to medical appointments.
How to start a claim
The fastest route is a free assessment with a specialist firm familiar with Army Air Corps claims. You will need to confirm your service dates and trade, describe your symptoms, and consent to an independent audiogram. There is no upfront cost.
Read more about Army deafness claims and our wider armed forces hearing loss claims hub for the full picture.
| Injury severity | Compensation range |
|---|---|
| Total deafness | £110,750 – £133,810 |
| Total hearing loss in one ear | £38,210 – £55,570 |
| Severe NIHL with severe tinnitus | £36,260 – £55,570 |
| Moderate NIHL and/or tinnitus | £18,180 – £36,260 |
| Mild tinnitus with some NIHL | £15,370 – £18,180 |
| Mild NIHL or mild tinnitus alone | around £14,300 |
| Slight tinnitus with slight NIHL | £8,890 – £15,370 |
| Slight tinnitus or slight NIHL alone | up to £8,560 |
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim if I served only a short time as Army Air Corps pilots, aircrew and groundcrew?+
Yes. There is no minimum length of service. What matters is that your hearing was damaged by noise exposure during service and that the MoD failed to protect you adequately.
I left service years ago — am I out of time?+
Probably not. The three-year limitation period runs from your "date of knowledge" — when you first realised your hearing loss was linked to service — not from your discharge date. Many veterans only discover the link decades later.
Do I have to pay anything if I lose?+
No. Claims are run on a Conditional Fee Agreement (no win, no fee) and an After-the-Event insurance policy is arranged to cover the other side's costs if the claim fails.
Will claiming affect my pension, AFCS award or future service?+
No. A civil negligence claim is separate from your pension or any Armed Forces Compensation Scheme award. AFCS payments are deducted from civil compensation to avoid double recovery, but the civil route typically pays significantly more.