IFR provides members with two different career modes depending on one's interest and commitment to the service.

OPERATIONAL MEMBERS

Once completed the basic qualification and type rating for respective sections, all members are considered operational and can participate in regular IFR operations, activities and incidences. Operational members can only fly certain aircraft and can only be ranked as operational unless they hold higher positions or are experienced. This career mode is best for those who are unable or wish not to commit to further training. Members may change career modes at any time.

RANKED MEMBERS

Once all respective training to become an operational member has been completed, members may wish to complete further training by becoming a ranked member. You'll start by completing the qualifications and type ratings for a technical pilot which allows you to do more complex operations using different type of aircraft.

After gaining further experience you may wish to become an advanced pilot which allows you to do further complex operations, fly more aircraft and participate in crew or group operations independently.

When you are ready you can nominate for the crew leader rank. Once approved you may lead and crew of pilots to participate in activities and operations. As a crew leader it is your role to step back from the work and supervise those under your control, crew leaders are qualified for level 1 Incident Controllers. You'll be allowed to fly aircraft more suited to supervision roles.

Once you have plenty of experience being a crew leader you may wish to nominate for the group leader rank. Once approved you may lead and strike team/group of crews to participate in activities and operations. As a group leader it is your role to be the top of command for operations and activities, group leaders are qualified for level 2 Incident Controllers. You will fly aircraft designed to see the whole picture of big operations.

If you complete all the below ranks you may nominate for the strategic rank. Once approved you complete Incident Control Systems qualifications and lead an Incident Management Team making the decisions for some of the biggest operations in the world. Strategic personnel are qualified as a level 3 Incident controller which is the biggest operations there are. Strategic personnel are provided with unique aircraft enabling them to get from their home base to an IMT site.