RN to RAF NCO Aircrew

[DFLY]

Hi all,
Heres my situation, Im currently an AB in the RN, in which i am leaving in 2 months time. I am strongly considering joining the RAF as NCO aircrew. I have a few questions i would like answering if you could please:
1)Would i need to complete the RAF's basic training?
2)How long is the recruitment process from application to start of training?
3)If you strongly want to go Rotary what are the chances of getting it?
4)Is it true the age for pilot rises to 30 if you are a current NCO Aircrew?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

[klubman]

The WSOp Generic course takes six months to complete, at the end of which streaming takes place.

There is no guarantee that you would be streamed as a rotary crewman but, to date, 75% of students have got their first choice.

Time between application and starting is largely in the hands of the recruiters, adminners, and bean counters.

Are you aware that 55(R) Sqn at Cranwell have a 'wannabees' day on the last thursday of each month. Worth giving them a call to get on that. It will answer a lot of your questions, and you'll have the opportunity to meet current students who'll be able to give their points of view.

[moosemaster]

If I remember correctly the "raised" age limit applies to all current serving members, not just NCA.

If it's pilot you are after, why not just go straight for that rather than using NCA as a stepping stone?

(I assume from the question you are over the current max age limit, but it might be an idea to check into the raised limit before you commit yourself to anything)

[Pontius Navigator]

The in-service age limit for pilot is 26, not 30.

http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/280990-oasc-candidates-wannabes-please-read-thread-first-122.html#post4110799

[WASALOADIE]

PM me, I should be able to put you in touch with someone thats already done it

[The Gorilla]

DFly

Please beware!

A few years back I was "invited" to the then PMC for a career brief. At that time the NCA desk still had a man of honour on it, he was a Sqn Ldr Loadie at the time.

Also present that day were two ex RN observers who had transferred across to be Loadmasters. They had been promised a number of things most importantly to them, was that their previous time served would count for seniority and flying pay purposes.

Needless to say these promises turned out to be completely worthless and as the man of honour said to them, if it's not in writing it simply doesn't exist. He was unable to assist them further, coming to a major block at 1* and above.

So please before you jump make sure you know exactly what's on offer.

I know that they both had to complete the AAITC despite having been CPO's in the RN.

But as I say this was circa 2002.

Regards
TG

[Tourist]

They will have been aircrewmen, not observers Gorilla

[Jerry Can]

I joined the RAF as NCA after 5 years in the Royal Marines.

My time served did count towards my pension and flying pay but not towards seniority in rank. You would have to be a substantive PO for seniority to be affected.

I did have to do the RAF basic training when I joined.

PM me if you want any more info.

[Pontius Navigator]

DFly, is there a reason that you are leaving the RN before applying to the RAF?

Have you considered trying to remain in the Services while you apply? It may be possible to defer the RN exit while the RAF application is processed.

Just a thought. Ask the AFCO.

[The Gorilla]

Tourist

Yes you are right... I think, twas a long long time ago and much has happened since those dark days!! :):):)

TG

[DFLY]

Pontius navigator,

I start my termination leave next week so i think i have left it too late to transfer, I do not want to take my notice out in case i fail OASC then i would have to complete a years notice again for the RN which i would rather not do, having been waiting for 3 years to leave it. I know i have left it very late in the day to start thinking of going NCO Aircrew but to be honest it had never crossed my mind until recently i had a trip in a Chinook and thought what a great job that would be. I should think my service in the RN should count for something when i turn up at the AFCO alongside some snotty nosed kid straight out of college, or am i wrong?

Regards

[L1A2 discharged]

So, you are 24 (if your profile is correct) and are leaving one military service by notice.

What are your reasons for wishing to join the RAF? It needs to be more than

it had never crossed my mind until recently i had a trip in a Chinook and thought what a great job that would be.

What are your reasons for leaving the RN? having been waiting for 3 years to leave it The recruiters will be very interested.

Good luck in whatever life offers you, but get your thought processes sorted out before you make the approach.

[DFLY]

I have been working on a certain RAF Harrier sqn for the past 3 years, Ive noticed that the RAF treat there personnel alot more respetfally than the RN treat theres. I know im gonna get asked why should we give you a job if you are leaving the RN and as yet i do not no how to answer that question alls i know is that the RN is not for me, and i think the RAF is for me. What else can i say.

Regards

Dfly

[Pontius Navigator]

DFly, it has been said that the RAF treats its personnel differently from the other Services. We certainly don't promote airmen as quickly as the Army promotes soldiers but then we do keep them years longer too.

They are treated differently, one reason perhaps is thegreater space on an airbase means that any supervision will often be at a distance; on a ship is could be behind a curtain.

You should be careful how you articulate the difference between Services, it could suggest that you dislike discipline or you prefer to be treated as an individual and given more responsibility.

You say you waited 3 years; was that to time served or did you PVR?

Your previous service will indeed count. It won't necessarily be positive though :). At a lower level it will be banter 'we don't do it like that here.'

[talk_shy_tall_knight]

Good news: The upper age limit for NCA - Pilot is currently 31 at the time of application.

Maybe bad news: I bet my left nut (the small one) that the age limit reduces in the next 12 months.

[DFLY]

TALK SHY TALL KNIGHT,

Why do you say the age limit will be reduced?

[Pontius Navigator]

Good news: The upper age limit for NCA - Pilot is currently 31 at the time of application.

Maybe bad news: I bet my left nut (the small one) that the age limit reduces in the next 12 months.

Having taken advice, I am told that the age for serving NCA to go for pilot training is 33, but do check.

[timrob1]

Does anyone actually have a concrete answer about this?

Considering If anyone remembers the Combat Pilot series, 38yr old Nav Sqn Ldr retrained as Pilot, although I believe his circumstance was either retrain or leave, so a little different.

RAF NCA/WSOp - RAF Pilot Age Limit from within?

[Pontius Navigator]

Tim, you are right but of course he was a nav and not NCA therefore he did not have to do Cranwell again. Also, as a FJ nav he had more relevant flying than a LM or AEOp would have had. He went into the training system AFAIK, he still has a house locally.

[talk_shy_tall_knight]

Does anyone actually have a concrete answer about this?

Yes. It's as I stated in my earlier post - 31.

[GalleyTeapot]

The curent age limit for entry into RAF as NCA has recently been increased to age 37. Call the NCA Liasion Team at Cranwell, they will give you all the details you need.

[talk_shy_tall_knight]

Are we talking about the same thing here?

NCA - Pilot = 31 (poss soon to be 26)

or

McDonalds burger operative - NCA = 36

or

McDonalds burger operative - Pilot = 24 (poss soon to be 26)

[timrob1]

McDonalds burger operative - Pilot = 24 (poss soon to be 26)
Tell me more..

Currently looking at WSOp due to Alevels and 26 would give me more than enough time to sort it out. Would kill me to know I start training as WSOp only for the age limit on Pilot to be raised :ugh:

[airborne_artist]

age limit on Pilot

Age limit on entry to BRNC for the Dark Blue for aircrew officers is 25 and 11 months.

[timrob1]

Appreciate the Info A_A, but was already onboard. The Navy just isn't my cup of tea I'm afraid!

[talk_shy_tall_knight]

I refer the hon gentleman to my post of 09:55 yesterday 13 Nov.

In fact i'll go further. My little scrote (the left one) says it'll happen somewhere around, ooh, Apr09?

[kkbuk]

Dfly's posts (#13 in particular) surely indicate that he lacks the academic qualifications necessary to reach commissioned rank in any service, having a sad lack of English grammar and spelling. Even achieving the rate of Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy demands that the candidate gains the level of the old G.C.E. in English.

[DFLY]

kkbuk,

I came to this forum for help so i would be grateful if you kept unhelpful comments like that to yourself.
To achieve the rank of CPO in the RN you are not required G.C.E English, your are required it for WO only or a 0:0 in the RN's NAMET test.

Regards.

[L1A2 discharged]

DFLY,

Get your reasons for the change sorted out.

Go to an AFCO and get the current info - there may be visits you will be able do. They will also check that you are qualified to progress with an application.

If qualified apply.

If not qualified plan what you must do to get qualified.

Just because a small Station with a mixed manning makes it look good from one persperctive does not mean that it will turn out well.

Good luck with whatever you eventually end up doing.