NCA Application - I hope...

[RAF_Techie101]

Guys and Gals

Well, after 5 years as a junior rank, and very much enjoyable as well, I've decided I really need to get on and re-apply for NCA, as I'd always aimed to do after failing when I was 17. However, as you can imagine, 4 years on the Line has somewhat altered my physiology... In other words, I'm about 3 stone over the weight limit and not exactly in the best shape fitness wise...

So, question being, what exactly are they looking for fitness-wise at OASC and entry to ITC? I seem to remember reading that a level above your Bleep Test standard was expected during OASC, but I've also heard tales of 3 miles in 21 minutes...? Anyone been through recently and can comfirm or deny any of the above?

My weight I can get down if I concentrate enough, had to do it before I joined up the first time round, but seeing as I don't really 'enjoy' going down the gym, keeping my fitness up has always been a bit of a problem. With something to aim for though, I believe I can make myself do it. I know a bloke of my age (23) shouldn't be struggling with the RAF's rather low fitness levels, and it doesn't exactly make me a prime candidate for NCA, but I have to try my best at least, or I'll never know if I culd have done it or not.

I'd appreciate any info anyone has that could help, and fully expect a few 'Don't bother trying you fat git' replies as well...

RAF_Techie

[covec]

...been years since I successfully did the ITC...but I guess that running, circuit training and an ability to read a map whilst up to your a**e in snow is still useful! Mebbee do some road pounding, lunch time circuits and do the UEL (or whatever the hell it is called these days).

Oh yeah - and a good sense of humour!

I think that Level 10.8 is "acceptable" for your RAFFT - and 3 miles in "around" 21 minutes good too.

Good luck.;)

[Time Flies]

Don't bother trying you fat git!

;)

Just joking. If you can crack level 10.10 on the bleep test you will get a score of "good". 11.8 will get you "excellent".

A 7 minute/mile over 3 miles is pretty average. To start getting the brownie points you need to reach for 5 1/2 - 6 min/miles.

As they say though..."a kill's a kill!"

[Kitsune]

Plus of course your previous groundcrew experience of porkin' out will fit you perfectly for the eating contest down the back of the vomit comet:p

[RAF_Techie101]

Cheers guys, at least I've got something to aim for now...

Oh, and as for porking out in the vomit comet, I've got 4 years experience of that already, which is half my problem to start with.... :E

[grousehunter]

If I remember rightly you being able to run about 3 miles in 20 mins is a good standard to aim for, but getting "hill fit" is really what its all about. During the course itself there is not a vast amount of fitness (3 sessions a week i think) due to the time available, so being fit before hand will help. If your up at sunny Kinloss then get out in the hills if you can carrying a bit of weight. Also will do you a world of good in the map reading/route planning aspect of the course. Other than that mate, go for it! I'm sure any of the lads/lasses on the crews will be able to help you out. Good luck!

[PTC REMF]

I think there is a weight/ height graph to overcome at OASC. It might be worth checking what weight you need to be down to, prior to going, otherwise the other tests will be irrelevant.

[Vim_Fuego]

I hear yer 'Big Guy'!

Ex techie myself and always battled (and so far won) against the scales but it gets harder every year as we get busier with less time and inclination to do fizz... anyway, when I went through I found that circuits 3 times a week plus workouts on the running machines and cross trainers, weights to finish off with and a reasonable diet were enough to prepare me for what we were about to receive!!

A lucky few on my course were of superhuman staus and found P.T. 'easy'. The rest of us mortals benefitted from the fact that it does not matter how fit you are on arrival, the PTI's are there to push you to new limits to see how you react. If your limit on a run is X then the staff will run you X+1. You will get fit....

It was mentioned above that there is a height/weight graph to get past. For groundcrew I used to just sneak past and that is what you must pass to get to go to OASC. To my surprise, once at OASC, they sprang a completly new aircrew graph at me where a particuarly peckish Ethiopian would struggle to pass on it. Obviously I failed it and was up in front the G. Captain doc at cranners. Imagine fit young chap (me!) who has worked towards this day for 1.5 years and played rugby/cricket all sporting life. converstaion went like this...

Doc: Come in...so you failed the graph...play rugby?
Me: Yes..and cricket (then I went into my best Charles Atlas pose)
Doc: Good lad..get out...hope you do well in the rest of your visit.

So its not so black and white! Quite a few shades of gey...

Start working hard towards it now...you'll feel the benefits quite quickly

PM me if you want any help!

best wishes and good luck from Vim

[RAF_Techie101]

Cheers for all the replies guys, very much appreciated...:D

Yeah, it was easier in recruit training, as although I lost a stone to get under the weight limit back then, there was no fitness test to pass to actually get into training, whereas with aircrew the problem is getting into training in the first place...

Damn those aircrew rations left over after every flight...

I've always dreaded Cranwell since I went there the first time for a Flying Scholarship, although it did tell me I had to have my wieght under 90 Kgs to pass the medical... So, only 17 Kilos to go then...:hmm:

[Hoop Stress]

RAF_techie101; If you are really 107 kg (~16.4 stones) then you will be (wef Dec 06) too heavy to fly on either version of the vomit comet by approx 9 kg. This is due to the MoD trying to avoid litigation in the event of an accident by imposing seat loading limitations. OASC are therefore unlikely to recruit NCA who exceed 15.5 stone and who would be limited to which branch and aircraft type they could be streamed after the first 24 weeks common phase of NCA training. This is also causing some grief for the Sqn porkers who will find themselves grounded if they dont loose the weight.

Probably not what you wanted to hear although a 9 kg weight loss is achievable, and your PTIs should be able to help you.

[Sideshow Bob]

The Nimrod does indeed have a seat weight limit, you wouldn't thinks so though if you saw some of the big fat AEOPs up there (You know who you are). I suppose they need the blubber to keep out the cold :)

[RAF_Techie101]

Yeah, although the weight limit on the Nimrod would be the least of my problems... I need to get down to at least 90 Kgs to even pass the medical at Cranwell, at least that's what it used to be...

[tier2commando]

If you can get to level 10 on the fitness test you will be okay. pre-requistie to go on the "walk in the hills weeks."

[RAF_Techie101]

Cheers for all the replies guys, all much appreciated. The amusing thing is, I can still get to level 10 on the bleep test, even at my current weight, it's just that stopping and starting can be a little tricky due to the momentum... Doing circles helps immensely I find...

[Klingon]

As an ex Finningley Flt Cdr and AAITC assessor I can only say that it behoves you to get as fit as you possibly can. The purpose of the "beasting" (sorry I meant to say physical exertion) is to make what would be simple leadership exercises in the comfort of a nice warm hangar more difficult in the time frame and environment available. ---- Its a damn site more difficult to think logically when your knackered!
DO NOT guage your fitness on the bleep test - you'll end up thinking yourself into a comfort zone that the Flt Cdrs and DS will destroy in the first week.
"Hill Fitness" is like being "Match Fit" the difference between being able to cope and wondering if you're going to die. Work on your anerobic fitness as well as the aerobic, when you feel your lungs are about to burst run/walk faster, go further. Carry heavy weights everywhere, break in a decent pair of boots, give yourself the capacity to deal with the unexpected by not having to worry about tiredness, pain and sore bits.
Good Luck!:ok:

[Radar Riser]

RAF Techie 101

Check your PM

RR

[confusedofwoking]

NCA?

Also is JSF same as JCA or JPA or JHF?

[seafuryfan]

101, get fit some months before you go to OASC. Get a pair of boots and break them in. I'm sure I looked a right 'prune' all those years ago running around the Coltishall back roads with my gangly legs, a back pack and my new boots. But I was thinking of my future and didn't give a toss what anyone else thought. I followed the running with half an hour in the gym exercising to build up my cardiovascular (sp?) rhythm thingy. I was never going to be strong, but my increased stamina really helped with the outward bound stuff on ITC.

Set yourself targets within a timeframe, and stick to them.

Good luck!

[Big Cheese1]

Fellas,

Sorry for hijacking this thread though I didn't think my question merited another OASC thread. I posted this on another thread though no takers as of yet:

I'm in the process of returning to OASC myself, though I don't have any dates for P2 brief, filter interview etc as of yet.

My main concern is that whilst I was at the OASC I was a member of the TA for a short spell (March - August 04). On my debrief it mentioned that I should maintain my involvement with this however some family issues arised and I couldn't give adequate time. I should also point out that I was (and still am) doing club sports amongst some volunteer work, though the difference being that I could choose when I could devote time, unlike the TA where it's essential you attend the training weekends.

Thankfully my family issue has been resolved and things are on the mend so I think I should go back to the TA as it was a recommendation, and not to mention the obvious team skills etc that I can gain from it. My main concern is how I think OASC would perceive this. I have a fear that they may look at me as some jack b*stard who doesn't want a RAF commission. I've also spoken to a couple of TA bods with mixed views about using it as a springboard into the regs - especially in today's climate where the TA cannot afford time wasters.

Believe me, there really is nothing else I want to go for more than this! All other points to improve on eg. take an active interest in outdoor pursuits, tackling problems in a practical rather than theoretical sense, I've tried to adhere to. I try whenever possible to get myself and some buddies to N.Wales (Tryfan, snowdon etc) and am also a keen climber - I've just progressed to multi-pitch climbing!

Any help would be great. Cheers all!

[Judge Rembrandt]

Techie,
Lots of sound advice given here ;) . If you make the effort you will find that the majority of guys will help you in your efforts to go flying. Many think about it :confused: but not so many have the drive to see it through. :cool: Check your Email for some more info.
Good luck in your efforts.
Rgds, JR
:ok: