Army Air Corps pilot

[Speedbird777]

Hi Guys,

Your advice please. Currently working as an A&E doc and was disappointingly turned down for pilot by the RAF last year cos was 6 months too old, despite previously being in the UAS and passing my cranwell pilot selection.

Have been looking into the army air corps as a potential flying career, especially since the recent introduction of the apache. I have a few questions:

1) Have heard that you can become an air corps pilot while being in another branch of the army!? Is this true? If so, how and is there a catch?

2) Have heard from ex air corps pilot that the army has SAMs - Specialist Aviation Medics - docs who fly half the time and doctor the other half. Does anyone know anything about this and whether it is still possible?

3) Advice/opinions of life in army air corps would be appreciated?

4) How likely is it to get onto the apache as a new air corps pilot?

Would really appreciate your help.

Speedy:ok:

[A10 Thundybox]

I take it you have passed the apptitudes already?
If so good, but be prepared for some further stalling of the process when the Army send you back to do them again-no, I didn't understand it either, but my Army score was better (coz of the practice I had 1st time round!)

Yes you can join up go to RMAS and attach yourself to any corps that'll have you, so in your case I guess it might be AAC or Med. If you are not lucky and have to choose anything other than AAC they may expect 2 years service out of you before you transfer to the AAC.

however...

This has some draw backs, it has been done many times but if you don't get AAC at RMAS then ask- could you put up with regular army life whilst waiting to transfer? I believe you will in any case only have 4 years to wait before you become too old for the course, I have been told 28 is the upper limit although this seems to fluctuate (as have also been told 31 and 27 in previous years) so clarify this-have it confirmed. Word of mouth on time-barring issues is misleading, you do not want to find yourself barred sooner than you think once you have joined.

RMAS is roughly a year, then in the AAC the APC (before conversion) was at 16 months plus, I know that the way elementary flying training is being done has changed and Barkston’s job is now done at Wallop there are other changes in the pipeline which may affect course length but be warned 3 years of hard training is not unusual, (it could have been over 5 years with RAF). I mention this not because hard training is a factor (after all your a Doc) but your age wll become a factor if you have to go down the transfer route.


Apache once you are in is very likely-although actual flying time will be fairly limited due to costs,numbers (A/C) and currency, so also be prepared for mainly desk work.

Yes, there are Spec.Med Aircrew although I have only had dealings with 2 in my time I suspect they are mostly at Wallop or consultant for Aviation Medicine on other projects, perhaps one of them will read and post to give you pointers on how best to go down this route.

Army life is good but nothing like being in the RAF, you will spend lots of time in a tent in a field, AAC are "soldiers first" (for some arcane reason)

I would think very carefully about subjecting yourself to such a life, it is fun do not get me wrong but to enjoy it you have to really want to do it and be prepared for some delays, it is a long process and to go through all that thinking “I'd rather be in a Harrier or back in my old A&E job” could make you bitter.

Do you really want to fly Apache? If you do and can really see yourself as an Army type then best of luck.

Let us know how you get on!

Thundy

[hyd3failure]

Join the Navy fella. We have a few flying Docs.

[airborne_artist]

Get along to the Navy asap, as they are rumoured/probably/confirmed to be reducing the intake age to 24 (from 26).

Be aware that officers in the AAC do very little flying after one tour - then they get a nice DPM desk, securely bolted to the ground. In the AAC the flying is done by the senior NCOs.

[CAC Runaway]

Each AAC Regiment has a SAM so there are plenty of posts available and i know they are always short of Docs. The Docs are posted in from the RAMC and do the full flying course so you would have to join the RAMC first as you wouldn't be able to be a SAM otherwise. If you do join the RAMC you would only have to spend a couple of weeks at Sandhurst on the PQO (professionally qualified officers) course and come out as a Capt straight away. As had been said it is highly likely that you could go Apache straight from the pilots course and there are currently no SAMs qualified on the beast.

[airborne_artist]

Officer Recruiting
Regimental Headquarters RAMC
Keogh Barracks
Ash Vale, Aldershot
Hampshire GU12 5RG
01252 340307/9

Give them a ring - they've been very helpfull with daughter no.1's interest in a medical cadetship.

[Speedbird777]

Thanks for your help guys - if there are any SAMS out there then please get in touch as some advice from the horse's mouth would be much appreciated.

Have just requested info packs for both army and navy. The navy info line told me that they are keeping the pilot age at 26?? Anyone know any different?

Keep the replies coming,

Cheers,

Speedy

[joe2812]

The Army used to have a decent chat room where you could drop in and 'speak' to a CLO on their website.

http://www.armyonline.mod.uk/ - i think.

Drop in and copy and paste your questions off here, into there, was very helpful when I was looking at being an Army Lawyer!

[Wizzard]

Before you commit to the Army I think you should have a quiet word with yourself about your reasons for joining.

If you are joining to fly, be aware that as an officer pilot - and an Apache pilot to boot - you will spend a tiny proportion of your time in the air: by far the greatest proportion of you time will be spent helping to drive that huge ponderous machine called the Army!

As a squadron officer - that's after a year of running around Sandhurst and a wee bit of very intensive flying training (it takes a year to become an operational Apache pilot alone) - you will have several secondary duties i.e. officer i/c x-country running, squadron bashes etc.

Also don't forget that one day you might be called to lead your men into WAR

I'm not trying to put you off but I hope you are going to join for the right reasons; if you are not AND you manage to con the selection system you will be a very unhappy bunny indeed. The Army is not just a job - it is a lifestyle.


Good luck.

[serf]

if you are tempted by the RAF, you will soon be complaining about everything and anything, just read the posts from all the whingers on here !

[A good headin]

I agree, if you listen to all the moaning from the RAF flyers (who basically have a pretty good time of it) then don't even consider joining the AAC who basically get treated like s**t.

AAC pilots tend to be pretty 'gung ho' and enjoy marching up and down in front of hangars before the morning briefing. I know I've seen them at Wattisham, it's true! Also they even have to put their own helis away at the end of flying. That would never happen in the RAF or the RN.

If you relish the thought of living in a trench (no you can't sleep in the cab), being treated like a piece of dirt, and freezing or boiling your nuts off somewhere horrid then go ahead and join. The AAC pilots I know have all left and usually use their rotary skills to earn big bucks as heli taxi's for Grand Prixs and horsey racing events.

My advice is take up a good heading, and avoid the AAC by 5 miles. You can do better, you have been warned.

[Speedbird777]

Thanks again guys. Will definitely give it some hard thought. Will try and talk to some SAMs first hand and see what they think.

P.S. Lets not use this thread as a way to knock any of the other forces.

[HEDP]

Feel free to PM me for some sensible offline advice if still required,

HEDP

[MightyGem]

Lets not use this thread as a way to knock any of the other forces.
What, and spoil the habit of a lifetime! :E