Advice Please

[at1ant1c]

http://www.pprune.org/forums/images/icons/icon15.gif Flying Aptitude Test for the Royal Navy
:confused: Hi, I am nearing 16, and hoping to join the Royal Navy as a Pilot. I cannot take my Admiralty Interview Board till I am 17 however they have awarded me a FAT, I am awaiting the joining instructions.

:ugh: Trying to get specific information on what to expect at this test is very difficult. I have read different messages but would like some specific advice.

:confused: Can I practice on anything or pay for a test anywhere before going for my military FAT?
:confused: Is the military the same test as civillian (GAPAN)?
:confused: What is the best advice you can give to a KEEN potential pilot?

I know I am only young but I have determination to succeed and no doubt others of my age have achieved this, so if there is anybody out there!!!!!!!
http://www.pprune.org/forums/images/statusicon/user_online.gif
http://www.pprune.org/forums/images/statusicon/user_online.gif

[Tourist]

Good for you for picking the Royal Navy.
In answer to your question, the good thing about the aptitudes is that you cannot prepare, so no work required!
Just turn up relaxed, having had a good nights sleep and enjoy. After all, the test are not hard, and if they are, it's not the job for you.

Good Luck!:ok:

[at1ant1c]

Thanks for your encouragement , I am looking forward to the test, it will be after my final GCSE as the ACLO is aware that I need to concentrate on those first.

I have searched on Google and ordered some books in relation to FAT however I wont even read these till my final exam is over.

I have been told that I may visit BRNC next year (Very Likely) for a two week visit and also get the chance to see a working Unit (Fleet Air Arm) to help me prepare for my AIB. I am also enrolled on a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award to help me get some "Life Skills" as my Father calls it!

Any other advice would be gratefully recieved.

[JAG3]

Im a 17 year old and like you i am determined to succeed to be a pilot or WSO, i will aim for the raf and if i dont get in because of a asthma related problem i will probably aim for the navy as ive found it can be more lenient especially in my situation. But ive been told by many people, to become navy aircrew you have to want to become a naval officer first whereas the raf is designed solely to fly which is something you might want to consider. Good luck!

[orca]

I disagree entirely with the notion that you can't prepare. Get your maths up to speed, do loads of speed/ distance/ time/ fuel calculations. Computer games with any form of eye-hand tracking task will also help. Even if it's only psychological the notion that you are well prepared shouldn't be under estimated.

Above all - you are about to enter a world that has more than it's fair share of bullsh#tt#rs. Don't be at all put off by the (inevitable) guy with 1000 hours or the chap who's been there and done it all before.

Best of luck.

[Cool_Hand]

Just a quick note, if you're entering any of the armed forces as an officer you are first and foremost applying as an officer NOT the branch to which you are applying.

[at1ant1c]

:ok: Thanks Cool Hand I appreciate that I am entering the Navy as an Officer that poses its own problems but luckily I am getting help to prepare for the AIB Next year when I am 17. (JULY)

:ugh: My problem is the FAT that I could be taking within the next two month and I thank Orca for his advice, but is there anywhere I can do these tests beforehand?

:ok: Good luck to jag3 maybe we will cross paths?

[Tourist]

Jag, don't believe everything you hear. They can say all this officer first bull as much as they want, but at the end of the day people get chopped for inability to fly, not inability to drive a ship or manage a division.
Orca, the whole point of aptitudes is to find your aptitude, not your effort level. The clue is in the name.
I am truly catastrophic at maths, but it didn't seem to be a problem.

[JAG3]

Is AIB not officer selection, so you wont be able to attend it when your 17 because you havent received your A levels. Maybe im wrong (not that upto scratch with navy recruitment)

[roush]

While it is true that an awful lot of these courses are largely aptitude based, which means you either have the correct aptitude or you don't, there is a lot of pre-testing work you can do to make your overall performance more comfortable and professional.

As orca said, do loads of time/distance/speed calculations. In the RAF Officer and Aircrew selection you are expected to attempt problems that involve these calculations. If you can do the maths quickly in your head you won't rush and make stupid mistakes (from experience).

Also know your current affairs, UK and International, and have an opinion that you can explain and discuss. Also be prepared to listen and adapt your views.

Know what the service you intend to join is currently doing. What assets do they have? What are they lacking? (In your view). Where do they operate? What direction and strategic view do they hold? What future programs are in the pipeline? Why have they chosen that Ship/Aircraft/Technology?

I know this is going to sound really stupid, but know yourself. The common question was "When were you born and how old does that make you in years and completed months?" Know every significant date such as when you started School, when you joined cadets (if you did) when you took exams etc..

Know the job you are applying for. What does a WSO do? How many are on a Nimrod R1/MPA? What aircraft can a Loadie fly on? Have you thought about Air Eng?

What would you say if they asked if you would consider a Non Aircrew Commission? "no, I just want to fly" might be what you want to say but might not be the best answer.

I'm sure people on these boards can give you loads more to think about. My point is you cannot do a lot about the aptitude side of things, so don't even worry about them; however you can, and should, be doing a load of preparation to help make the whole process a lot less frantic.

[Flatus Veteranus]

After all, the test are not hard, and if they are, it's not the job for you.

A Freudian slip? Perhaps the hoops are set so that those who really just want the cachetof being a Naval Officer can get in ? I knew someone whose job was to teach Maths to cadets at BRNC. Much of her task was remedial to get the fledgling aviators up to speed on mental calculations.

I have met many FAA pilots (and have an "ex" in my family) and I do believe that many of them join for the uniform primarily. Those with an overwhelming desire to flytend to join the RAF. I met a few NCO pilots in my early days in the RAF who had turned down commissions in other aircrew roles or ground branches. Good luck, and enjoy the social life which is incomparable.

[Pontius Navigator]

JAG3

Is AIB not officer selection, so you wont be able to attend it when your 17 because you havent received your A levels. Maybe im wrong (not that upto scratch with navy recruitment)

I took my A-levels in June and did OASC a week or so later. I was awarded a place in October pending satisfactory exam results. The lesson there is 'go for it' as soon as you are ready and let OASC make the decisions.

Say you went to OASC and got accepted and then dip an A-level. How would you react if this was before you went to OASC? Would you decide that was that and look elsewhere?

BTW, try and remember to use the Shift key from time to time, especially for I. The ' is also a good one to get used to using.

[orca]

Tourist.

Sorry mate, I simply disagree entirely. I found doing loads of mental gymnastics etc as a pre-cursor to aptitude tests really helpful. As far as science goes I cannot say if i would have passed had i not done so - as i passed first time. I do however know of plenty of mates who brushed up a little having failed and got through second time. i stand by my advice, brush up before hand. Empirical evidence shows that it could well help.

And even if it only makes a 1% difference, that could be the 1% between this wonderful world of ours and bitter disppointment.

Best of luck with the tests.

[JAG3]

Pontuis, At1ant1c siad when he was seventeen, but by that age you could only have gained your AS grades which im in the process of doing presently at 17. Surely you couldnt get in with only AS results?

[mlc]

A Freudian slip? Perhaps the hoops are set so that those who really just want the cachetof being a Naval Officer can get in ? I knew someone whose job was to teach Maths to cadets at BRNC. Much of her task was remedial to get the fledgling aviators up to speed on mental calculations.

I have met many FAA pilots (and have an "ex" in my family) and I do believe that many of them join for the uniform primarily. Those with an overwhelming desire to flytend to join the RAF. I met a few NCO pilots in my early days in the RAF who had turned down commissions in other aircrew roles or ground branches. Good luck, and enjoy the social life which is incomparable.

Got to disagree with this. I found that the majority of the Wafus at Dartmouth had a burning desire to fly. Most were very keen on rotary and knew that was where they were likely to go .

(But we do have a better uniform :ok:)

[mlc]

A Freudian slip? Perhaps the hoops are set so that those who really just want the cachetof being a Naval Officer can get in ? I knew someone whose job was to teach Maths to cadets at BRNC. Much of her task was remedial to get the fledgling aviators up to speed on mental calculations.

I have met many FAA pilots (and have an "ex" in my family) and I do believe that many of them join for the uniform primarily. Those with an overwhelming desire to flytend to join the RAF. I met a few NCO pilots in my early days in the RAF who had turned down commissions in other aircrew roles or ground branches. Good luck, and enjoy the social life which is incomparable.
Got to disagree with this. I found that the majority of the Wafus at Dartmouth had a burning desire to fly. Most were very keen on rotary and knew that was where they were likely to go .

(But we do have a better uniform :ok:)

[airborne_artist]

I have met many FAA pilots (and have an "ex" in my family) and I do believe that many of them join for the uniform primarily. Those with an overwhelming desire to flytend to join the RAF. I met a few NCO pilots in my early days in the RAF who had turned down commissions in other aircrew roles or ground branches. Good luck, and enjoy the social life which is incomparable.

Can't agree with that. Sure, it's a great uniform, but so is the flying. I had an RN EFTS QFI who had been carrier-deck qual'd on the mighty F4 aged 19 as a Midshipman (so he told us :ok: ) - I doubt that his sartorial desires alone got him that far.

[Pontius Navigator]

JAG3, AS is a new fish and a possibly good indicator of potential.

In my case I only needed a basic 5 o-levels to get a commission but 2 a-levels to get to Cranditz.

Either way YOU apply when YOU feel ready and let those who decide determine whether you will be interviewed before or after the results.

If you are very good they will want to get you engaged before you drift off somewhere else. Same applies to fitness.

I knew one airwoman who had a sports injury. She was putting off the AFCO bit until she was IOT fit. Her sgt and I prevailed and got her to apply while she was unfit. She then got an OASC slot as soon as she was 'test' fit and an IOT slot as soon as she was fully fit. Last I saw she was a flt lt married to a flt lt. Had we not pushed she might possibly . . . well who knows.

Bottom line, you want in? Apply when you feel you are ready; we will tell you if you are not.

[Widger]

at1ant1c,There is a lot of good advice in here, I would like to offer another. If you fail, do not give up...try again. I failed my AIB first time round, went back and passed. Here I am 20 years later still serving and have made a success of it. You are still young, I did not get in until I was nearly 21 but determination speaks volumes. Good luck!

[at1ant1c]

:ok: Thanks For all of your suggestions and help, looking through this website has opened my eyes and hopefully I can now prepare for the FAT.

There is plenty of similar tests I can practice however I just need to get it right on the day;)

Cheers

[Si Clik]

at1ant1c

PM me for some 121 advice. Having done the recruiting job I can help!!

Si