military before GA

[don_alexio]

G'day all,

Just curious as to how many of you lads & lasses attempted to get into the military as a pilot before you went commercial. I ask because I go away for flight screening for the RAAF this Saturday, and if they knock me back then I'll be jumping into the deep end (more like skydiving without a parachute, from the vibe around these forums :ooh: ) of a CPL and so on.

Of course, anyone who served in the military before getting into civvie aviation, feel free to contribute!

-Alex

[Keg]

I did. If I'd got in the year I'd applied I would have been eligible to join QF at the beginning of '04. Instead, at the beginning of '04 I'd been in QF for 9 years and a F/O on the 767 for seven of those years.

I'm disappointed that I never got to experience the military flying and lifestyle but there is more to life than regretting things for ever. Of course, being a Christian and understanding that there is a LOT more to 'life' than justs a 'job' is the foundation of that.

[giveitsome]

Don, I can understand your concern, however having operated in both (still do) areas of aviation Mil and Civil, I stronly recommend that you focus on the task at hand and that is your flight screening ahead of you. If you are unsuccessful at Flight Sreening you will have plenty of opportunity to explore options when and if you cross that bridge.

One of the biggest mistakes people make in any given career is trying to have too many balls in the air at one time. One thing at a time. Make sure you are well prepped for Tamworth as you willbe expected to demonstrate an ability to stay on a steep learning curve. Above all relax and enjoy the lessons you will learn.

Good Luck.

Give It some!!!!!

:ouch:

[Arm out the window]

A burning desire to fly is one of the biggest advantages you can have when applying for military aviation; sounds like you have that, so remember your aim as you go through the selection process.
Strange as it may seem, some of the people I met flying in the services didn't really care too much about the aviating part of it, amazingly to me, but there you go - they applied for one reason or another and made it through.
Good advice from giveitsome; focus on the job at hand now and don't worry about not making it, but if it doesn't come off, remember that a knock back from the defence forces is just a minor setback in the grand scheme of things.

[don_alexio]

Thanks for your replies guys! Except I may have given the wrong impression, I didn't mean to sound worried about flight screening - I've done all I can to make myself as well prepared as I can be. I've gotten what I hope is the right amount of flying experience - mix of regular flying, aerobatics and rotary (in case they offer a position in the army or navy) - without having so many hours that they expect too much of me. I'm pretty motivated and I don't have too much of a problem with studying.

I was just curious, I was reading about how grim the GA scene is here and wondered how many people had tried to bypass that by going military. Personally I want a career in the Air Force - I don't want to just serve my time and then go civilian. Hopefully I'll get in, if not, I'll be gettin very familiar with a Cessna! But hey... you take what you can get, right? ;)

[Captain Sand Dune]

I know ARMY andNAVY are really short for jockeys at the moment. The new TIGER starts next year and they want pilot's and Navies urgently.

Army are pretty flush, and are therefore starting to reduce their numbers at Tamworth.
Navy are still after people though.

[don_alexio]

I applied for all the services, I just put RAAF as 1st preference. Although I heard rumours somewhere (possibly these forums) that you have to have each service listed as 1st pref if you want to get an offer from them? I may have to clarify that with recruiting...

The point is that while I'd prefer RAAF, I will enthusiastically take any posting they offer, with any service.

[giveitsome]

Sand Dune is right.

Army is almost full as is Airforce.

Roll, Power, Prop, Trim

Give It some.

:ok:

[Chief Wiggam]

Aim Point, Aspect, Airspeed :p

Unfortunately getting in is the easy bit (It took me a few goes as well). Not sure what the scrub rate is of late on the courses but it is the reality of military flying training. You will be told on your induction day that not all of you will still be here at the end. Very sobering. Positive attitude, motivation and hard work will help get you through. Sometimes a bit of luck as well. You seem to have done some relevant prep which is good.

If it doesn’t work out for what ever reason, don’t fret. The GA scene is actually getting better and better. Both avenues are rewarding and you’ll meet great friends along the way.

Good luck with flight screening. Work hard and enjoy the experience. :ok: