Military AircrewA forum for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here.
I'm an 18 year old PPL who is going to OASC this sunday. I applied for the sixth form scholorship in 2002, passed the medical and aptitude tests, but failed the interview. Now I have finished taking A-levels, I have decided to apply for direct entry as a pilot and was hoping for some advice on surviving the rest of OASC, particularly the interview. I would also be grateful of some current information on the IOT course, as I was questioned on it last time but my information was out of date.
What feedback did you receive as to why you failed the interview?
Be positive, project yourself and ennunciate, don't bull$hit; if you don't know the answer to something then say so.
It's pretty fast paced, so try and be concise. If one of the boarding officers cuts you off and proceeds onto another topic or area then that was all they wanted to hear and are moving on! Do a dry run in your head beforehand; think about your replies to areas such as participation in team sports, school and university clubs, cadets/UAS, previous demonstration of responsibility and leadership etc. Why do you want to be a pilot? Why do you want to be an officer? Which is more important? What if you fail pilot selection but are offered a ground branch? If you don't want to be a Nav, how do you explain it to the Navigator Sqn Ldr across the desk who is interviewing you? What do you think about recreational drugs?
There are loads more similar to the above. Current affairs and Service knowledge forms a fair chunk of the interview. If you haven't been in the ATC/CCF, or taken part in team sports, then have a reason why. The majority of candidates failing interview at OASC do so because they do not come across as being positive enough.
Ensure your aptitude and fitness etc are up to an above-average standard and for the interview, know your current affairs. Aim for about 5 International events and 5 UK ones in depth. Some of these will be chosen to be developed further so make sure you know your facts. As stated above, if you don't know something, say so, don't waffle. The interviewer may give you some brief details and ask for your opinions etc.
Also know your CV off the top of your head. What quals do you have? Grades? Why did you pick those courses? Which did you enjoy? What aspects of each did you find easy and enjoyable? etc. We all have things we dont want to bring up i.e. periods of unemployment, imprisionment etc, but turn them into positives. What did these things teach you and what did you bring from them? Show what you've learned to become a better person, and make yourself come across as the best person for the job. In particular show off times and skills which show you possess the specific qualities they're looking for.
Start the interview with a handshake and as a wise man once said to me "eye contact and a 'how'd you do' goes a long way". If you do this, leave the same way with a handshake. Sit up straight in the chair, dont fiddle (hands in lap however tempting) and look the person you're speaking to in the eye. If you cant do it all the time, do it when they're speaking to you, it shows eagerness and interest.
Theres a few books out on how to improve interview technique, well worth buying... The one i have says that only 7% of your impact on an interview comes from what you say, the rest is appearance and position etc. Take that into account.
Thanks guys, I appreciate you taking the time to reply. I've taken on board what you've told me and looked at the websites, and hopefully I'll make it through this time.
If / when you get through to part 2 and get onto the syndicate work, the biggest piece of advice I can think of is to be assertive. Don't sit back and let someone else take control of the group (especially when you're leading it).
The mistake I made when I came to do my task was not being 100% sure what to do when I got stumped by an obstacle. Make sure you have a plan of attack, don't leave yourself halfway through a task looking stupid.
If you haven't done this already then you're a bit screwed now, but be as fit as possible. Minimum is 9.10 on the bleep test, but aim for 10 or 11.
Im 16 just want to ask the RAF pilots in here is it worth it? joinign the RAF as a pilot, the fun? the not so fun the whole package basically.
i am a ex air cadet, left at 15 at the rank of Sgt. I had work experiance at BAE systems at warton got to put missiles on the Eurofighter, tornado, and harrier! Even saw the first flight of the first Eurofighter that would be delivered to the RAF! this was feb last year.
Location: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Posts: 15,668
Nope.
Stupid enough to use illegal substances = not wanted as military aircrew. End of story.
Don't like it? Tough - shouldn't have wrecked your chances. Pass the word around amongst others likely to have weak enough characters not to be able to say no to drugs.
Go for it. Its the best sort of flying there is! I know. I did over 42 years and some 12000 hours in 20 different types. Yes it is bloody hard work, frustrating at times dealing with blunties, but...you get to play hard, make lifetime mates and see parts of the world you wouldn't otherwise get to see. Mind you, not all of them in 5* luxury. Even with the contracting RAF there are still the opportunities to progress or keep flying.
Push for what you want, not what they offer, and keep trying, don't take no for an answer. It took me three goes, but from me being an aircraft apprentice to finishing up as a unit test pilot shows anyone can make a go of it.
Good luck!
Jess, you gave what reads to me like a masterful, cogent, well-argued overview, but I'd like to add something to it.
There is a point, I believe, in trying to see if someone who seeks the Queen's Commission is easily led, or whether they're capable of standing by their own standards even under pressure.
So I'd make a distinction between these two cases:
"I never liked the idea, but all my friends were taking it, so I did have a go, but I don't do it any more."
"As a youngster, I never saw anything wrong with it, so I did try it. But now I've matured a little, my attitude has changed, and I've not taken anything for the last two years."
Been through OASC Pilot selection myself, got accepted. Just say yes you have tried it once but you condone its use etc.. no place for it in the military etc.. they aren't really all that bothered. Pay more attention to knowing everything about your own life (ie be able to answer their questions without hesitiation) and know lots about the RAF (eg they asked me what is special about the Merlin.... 3 engines, inflight refueling, full glass display). oh and show some physical courage in the hanger exercises, dont give up, be the first to volunteer to jump etc..
Yes, but the problem is where is the line drawn? In essence this takes us full circle back to littlepom's dilemma. Do you deny healthcare, or even a career with the RAF, to someone who has tried drugs for whatever reason then had the gumption to bin it? That being the case, we would also have to outlaw healthcare to those who have tried or are using alcohol or tobacco as a blanket ban.
Back to the original point of the thread, I would say that littlepom had better own up to it if asked on the grounds that he already has done at AFCO! BEagle, on a slightly cynical note I do actually wonder how many of your 'clean' and anti-drug UAS students were actually of that stance all the way through their lives to that point...
You could do a lot worse jobs than RAF aircrew! I love it, despite having been in the training system for nearly 5 years. It is hard work, you don't get a fast jet seat by pure ability alone. Money's good, you make loads of really good mates, and you still get to travel the world, well, till Uncle Tony decides we don't need aar of an air force.
Speak to the careers bods, they can lead you in the right direction, though now is a pretty bad time to join, as there aren't many slots available. You might want to consider going to uni, to do a degree that you WANT to do (they don't need you to do engineering!). Whilst you are there, the recruitment system will hopefully sort itself out and we'll need pilots again.
You could also join a UAS, and find out what the RAF is really like (don't pretend any of that air cadets stuff was worth much). Who knows, you might find that you don't like it, and taking a permanent commission is quite a big commitment.
But be positive, get out there and get some info. Your post here is a good start! And keep working hard at school/college, because no qualifications, no job, don't think that because you have 2 arms and 2 legs, you are automatically guaranteed to pass the medicals. In which case, you'll need a back up.
Don't regret a minute of the 15 years I've done, and 4000+ hrs on 10 different types....served with all sorts of units all over the world..........but you've really got to want to do it..and some.
Needing some advice from all of you already 'in the know'! Basically I attended OASC last year and was unsuccessful (apparently missed out by the narrowest of margins, so I can't have been that far off) and they asked me to re-apply again in a year, which I am doing. I was told that I could not have scored any higher in part I (or the fitness) but part II my leadership let me down. What exactly are they looking for in the leadership?? I thought the whole point of IOT was to teach you leadership?! Does anyone have any good tips as to how I can convince the boarding officers in 2 months time?
I cannot go aircrew as I am not tall enough therefore I am applying for ground branches; Supply, Admin & Flt Ops. Not interested in ATC or Fighter Control - despite numerous attempts from the careers officer to get me to do so saying there's far more chance of getting in if I apply for one of those branches. However, I want to spend 16 years in the Air Force and don't want to spend it in a branch that does not interest me - am I right in sticking to my guns about this?? He suggested I put it down and if I get it, change once I get onto IOT - but the likely-hood of that is about err...0%! Obviously this is not an ideal time to apply at the moment, but at the end of the day the Air Force HAVE to keep recruiting despite defence cuts & I cannot let this get in my way.
Wondering if you have any advice for me on how (2nd time round) I can convince them of how much I want this...to live my dream as an officer in the Royal Air Force.
The RAF have quotas to fill. If they need one thing more than another, naturally they'll try and get you to change your mind.
Dont let them pursuade you with the story of how its easier to swap branches once you're in, because it's not!. If you want something that bad, you won't change your mind that easilly, and being determined enough to work for it is part of what they're after.
Have a couple of options, but if you're being offered something you really don't want, don't be stupid enough to accept it. Air Force life is great, as im sure most will tell you, but if its a branch you dont want, then its just another 15 years of unhappy work, when you could be on Civvie Street doing something more appealing to you.
You are correct that IOT will teach you leadership (techniques) but OASC must first see the potential. You only have a short time to make a good impression so use it wisely! You must get your point across but not appear bolshy or belligerent (there will be plenty of others who will be that!). In the command tasks, demonstrate confidence and determination to succeed - do not worry if you have no idea how to complete a task, and do not be afraid to ask your fellow syndicate members if they have ideas - the crucial bit here is that you then take that idea and run with it (giving credit where due!)...above all, maintain a sense of humour and smile like you are enjoying it The DS are human!
Oasc
OASC again! - Sorry guys!
The DS are human!
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