RAF Avionic Technician (Need Advice)

[Khosru]

Hi, i have recently applied to become an RAF Avionics Technician and i was wondering whether i will have the opportunity to gain a PPL at an RAF Flying Club. Also i was wondering whether its possible for me to become a commercial pilot after i leave the RAF. I'm 16 years old and when i leave i will have the qualifications to go onto Uni if i want to.

Thanks

[BEagle]

Yes to all questions. In fact several ex-groundcrew are now airline pilots.

For RAFFCA information, see RAF Flying Clubs' Association (RAFFCA) - Homepage (http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafflyingclubs/) .

You might also be interested in the Junior Rank Pilot Scholarship Scheme (JRPSS), see Junior Rank Pilots Scholarship Scheme (JRPSS) (http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafflyingclubs/news/index.cfm?storyid=DCA3E574-5056-A318-A824DB0491FF3C40)

[gr4techie]

Yes.

A friend of mine was an RAF Avionics Technician and he got a PPL.

He got it from Moray flying club which is based at RAF Kinloss. He told me it was discounted and one of the cheapest flying clubs in the UK. £112.50 per hour. Here is a link to their website http://www.morayflyingclub.com

He even got funding towards the cost through the Enhanced Leaning Credits that the RAF provide.

He then got an instrument rating and often hired out their Cessna 152 or 172 and land away. I've fond memories of flying with him to a grass airstrip by Dornoch while dog walkers would wonder across!

Being a good AvTech could be an advantage as you'll know about the cockpit instruments.

[tqmatch]

Hi there. I served as an Airframe/Engine technician from '95-04, originally joining with the intent of commissioning as a Pilot.

Alas, being a young, foolhardy airman - I decided drinking and general 'high spirits' were far better than making use of the opportunities the RAF presents, such as flying & gliding clubs, further education, Enhanced Learning Credits etc.

You can indeed go on to become a civil CPL/ATPL, and the training the RAF provides will stand you in good ground, but make sure you grab every opportunity you can to make your future training as smooth as possible.

I am now mid/late 30's, and struggling with the theory element of self study CPL(H), even though I went on to gain a HND in aircraft engineering!

[glad rag]

"Being a good AvTech could be an advantage as you'll know about the cockpit instruments.

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/roflmao.gif

[gr4techie]

Lol. Would "you should know what you're looking at" be a better phrase ?

[Kitbag]

Lol. Would "you should know what you're looking at" be a better phrase ?

With the emphasis on 'should' :}

[tqmatch]

Hmmmmm.......have fairies ever known what they're looking at? It takes a whole shift to get them from the T-Bar to rects to sign something off as "NFF"

[gr4techie]

Depends what a shake of the magic 8 ball says ?

http://cdn.ubergizmo.com/photos/2009/12/8ball.jpg

[NutLoose]

I am now mid/late 30's, and struggling with the theory element of self study CPL(H), even though I went on to gain a HND in aircraft engineering!

I know a licensed engineer who failed the technical part of his ATPL and upon finding he was exempt tried to avoid the resit, but the CAA upon hearing his reason told him he needed to do it again lol.

[tqmatch]

Yes it seems bizarre to me also, that as a B1.3 & B1.4 licensed engineer I am still required to undertake all of the exams - as the guy at the SRG told me, the engineering exams are designed to test a different skill set to those required to operate the aircraft and diagnose problems in flight...........really?

So as engineers we don't diagnose problems from the vaguest of pilot debriefs??

:ugh:

[PeregrineW]

...it's a trade that's done me proud, transferable skills that will serve you well in almost any engineering sector.

That said, I really wish I had spent less time on the lash and taken advantage of the opportunities that were on offer, PPL being one of them.

[PTR 175]

Yes perfectly feasible. I am ex L Tech AC left after 15 years and went to university as a mature student. My RAF qualifications were used as entry qualifications for my degree course. BEng in electronics and comms. I did my PPL after leaving at a flying club based at an RAF station. So do it, but take advantage of it. As others have said quite a few RAF stations have flying clubs.

Also think about doing a degree part time, if possible. If being a airline pilot is your aim. Plenty of universities do this but you do need to look around and you need to be in a location where you can regularly get the time off. Trying to do your OU whilst sitting in a damp tent in Denmark or whilst sharing a 8 man room in Cyprus makes it difficult when you are on a Sqn. If you work at 2nd line it is easier.

It does not hurt to do plenty of research.

good luck

[Satellite_Driver]

Trying to do your OU whilst sitting in a damp tent in Denmark...

Luxury! I did one of my OU law exams in a non-airconditioned portakabin at Basra, where the EdO invigilating gave one of the more memorable exam briefs I've had:

"In the event of rocket attack, don helmet and armour and take cover in the corner. I'll time how long until the all-clear, add that to the end time, and make a note on the invigilator's report form."

[Saintsman]

There is a saying that if flying was difficult, the groundcrew would do it:E

Therefore you should have no problem - as long as you don't get distracted like tqmatch...

[5aday]

You can be anything you ever want to. I started out as Assistant Air Traffic Controller, then AEOp in the back of Shacks and Nimrods, and finally a Skipper
in BA flying 757, 767, and 747-400. Dont let anyone ever tell you that you cannot do it.
5aday