Civil to Military?

[Aerofoil]

Hi all,

As we all know, it is quite common for military pilots to move from the mil over to civil airlines. But i was wondering if the military look at civil airline pilots with the same high regard as the civil airlines look at military pilots?

I know there are a lot of other things involved here but what are the general chances of say a 23/24 year old with experience on 737's getting into the military as maybe a fast jet pilot? What are the ins and outs?

If these questions sound silly i appologise, however i live by the fact that if you don't ask you won't find out.

Thanks in advance

Foil :ok:

[CBA_caption]

Whilst there seems to be plenty of credit schemes to go from military to civil, I don't know of any for the other way.

From my own experience (without wanting to sound too obnoxious) the mill job is most intense when the wheels are in the well, but the civil world(as far as I can tell)is fairly quiet during this stage of flight, but gets rather hectic trying to get them out again.

(I've always found it amusing that non-mil want the wheels in the well asap to save money. I thought the same was true for mil for slightly different reasons till a lightning bloke arrived on sqn who "shot down" his foe on rotate. Circuit to land, keeping gear down. Job done.)

Anyway, ex civvy bloke on course below me said 'Hours in the air are priceless, but they'll never be as busy as one of the queens hours."

I kind of gleaned that airmanship was universal, but the operating environment (i.e. low level, 4 ship, radar threat) was an aquired taste.

Hope this Helps

CBA

[eagerbeaver]

I attempted it and received a date for OASC but ended up in hospital before i attended and because i 23 at the time i missed the cut off point. I had a tough job of convincing the AFCO it was what i really wanted, she found it interesting why although i seemed so keen on the RAF that i had not just joined instead of doing my commercial training.
Also tried with the Navy but thats another tale altogether.

Go for it, i am gutted i never joined the RAF and it grates me every single day.

At least i had half a go, right.............?

[BEagle]

I imagine the scene at the RAF recruting office, on hearing that someone actually wanted to go from 737 flying into the RAF, was rather like that scene in Lethal Weapon 2 when Danny Glover tells an apartheid-era South African consular employee that he wants to emigrate to South Africa....

[P-T-Gamekeeper]

The maximum age for RAF pilot recruitment is 23, so I advise you apply very quickly if you are interested.

You should be aware that the RAF does not recruit pilots into a particular role. You will be streamed to FJ, rotary or ME, dependant on your flying training performance.

Be aware that you may take up to 4 years to complete your training, and during that time, when not unddergoing training, you could be posted anywhere in the world.

No matter what branch of military aviation you end up in, you will spend a lot of time living in tents/portacabins in some of the worlds less glamorous regions.

I would reccommend a military flying career to anyone, but be certain it is right for you before you commit.

As to the relevance of your previous flying, I am not sure. Your experience will help initially, as you know the basics. However, the emphasis of military training is different to civillian. It is more intense, and due to the fact you are not paying them for your training, the RAF has no problem with telling you what it thinks, and if necessary, chopping you.

There is no substitute for time in the air, and your training will give you an initial advantage in flying training. The RAF instructors will be looking closely at your attitude to training, to see how you react to their style of training, and use your experience to mak the most of the training you have had. Any attitude that you already know what they are trying to teach you will not go down well.

In order to pass selection, you will have to display a broad range of leadership skills, as well as your flying experience. You will be competing against many ex-UAS students, who already have 200 hrs of military flying training, and are of a known standard to the RAF.

This is not a well trodden path, from ATPL to military, and most of what I say here is purely an initial opinion on the subject. I would advise you read thoroughly the PPRUNE mil forum to get a broad picture of current RAF life. If this really is what you want to do, I wish you the best. (PM me if you require any info)

[airborne_artist]

imagine the scene at the RAF recruting office, on hearing that someone actually wanted to go from 737 flying into the RAF

If you are flying for MO'L you might find the RAF/RN a much less stressfull place to be, and better paid....

Be aware that the RN is bringing the upper age limit for aircrew entry into line with the RAF.

[eagerbeaver]

beagle,

i would guess and say you would not be far from the mark, in the end the decision was made for me. However i dont think it should ever stop someone from trying if its what they want to do. Given the chance i would be first in line.

[covec]

...and though some may find it surprising, being an airline pilot does not guarentee pilot aircrew - I have heard of ATPL qualified people being offered NCA. No matter what military aircrew category you are in, make no mistake, it will be hard work - harder than doing an IR or ATPLs or Perf. A. I know!

Being part of a military crew is priceless. Just wish it was like that every day!! Secondary duties are a bug bear, and the total discipline required in a fighting service does wear as you get older!

Cameraderie, socialising, the odd gash day off, expeds, barrels, fire duty, war, Orderly Officer, Guard Cdr, three line charity whips, static displays, flying displays, dets, tents, hotels, IDT, IRT, CCS, 1 hour standby, 3 hour stand by, 6 hour standby, 12 hour standby, exercises eg JMCs, survival courses, EW courses, OJARS...all part of the mil life.

All the best! It is down to you and your aptitude results in the end as to what is initially offered.

[airborne_artist]

Watched Bomber Crew (C4, just before Christmas 2004).

Three contenders for the pilot "seat", one a 30 y/o Airbus FO, another a 20 ish AAC pilot stude (anyone know his actual status?) and a 25 ish PPL (pretty useless, failed 1st hurdle)

The Airbus mate was solid, but just that, and seemed to struggle with keeping the balls in the air while the AAC lad had (apparantly) real natural ability (and looked good on camera); he was the one chosen, while Airbus mate got the "Nav" role.

Totally un-scientific, of course.

[L J R]

Aerofoil,

good luck.

...says me without ATPL - too lazy I guess.

By the way, you are an Officer first, (or so I am led to believe) so therefore you will have to learn to type using the occasional capital.

[The Ferret]

Aerofoil - the advice given here is sound - and you are an officer first - then an aviator - and it's the same in the RN as the RAF. It's not all plain flying (or sailing!) - to add some RN'isms to Covec's list of extramural activities - there's Planko, SDO, OOD, DCO, Security Spot Checks, C30s, C29s, C28s, Divisional Meetings, OJARS, RORRS, LWEs, ELWEs, Thimblehunts, Action Stations, Procedure Alpha and much more. Make sure you want to trade your ATPL lifestyle for all this - Of course I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a little variety - I have survived 27 years of it only to leave shortly with my commercial licence! Good luck!:ok: :ok: