OFFICER and AIRCREW 'CANDIDATES' PLEASE READ THIS THREAD FIRST!
El S, when on IOT your 'OFAs' (Officer Fitness Assessments) will be scored out of 100 in each of the disciplines: run, pressups and situps, with 100 being the top mark possible. To get 100 in each, you need to do it <8.15 for the run, 87+ pressups and 90+ situps. Sliding scale in each area then works out individual scores and these are matched up to a colour. The lowest score of any will apply to all, so you could do an 8minute 1.5 mile, but score a red in the pressups and you score a red overall.
Red is fail, yellow is bare minimum accepted on course and green is the pass.
Where did you get the 12.11 time you refer to? I ask, because for a man your age the lowest yellow score is something in the 11minute category, not the 12. I scored 9.something minutes consistantly and was still below average for the course.
Also, run outside. You'll improve faster.
Red is fail, yellow is bare minimum accepted on course and green is the pass.
Where did you get the 12.11 time you refer to? I ask, because for a man your age the lowest yellow score is something in the 11minute category, not the 12. I scored 9.something minutes consistantly and was still below average for the course.
Also, run outside. You'll improve faster.
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^^^^ I did the 11.30 yesterday in the gym on a treadmill. Would the 11.30 be enough to get me in? I obviosuly want to go faster but I'd just like to know. I'm not worried about the press-ups and sit-ups - I'm sure I could get close to the max in both (I've focussed my workouts on my upper body for about 4/5 years now).
Perhaps the best way for me to understand what level of finess I need to be at is the level they require from you on the bleep test. What level do they want? The highest that I have achieved (a few years ago now) is 11.7 which was considered to be a good score by my P.E teachers.
Perhaps the best way for me to understand what level of finess I need to be at is the level they require from you on the bleep test. What level do they want? The highest that I have achieved (a few years ago now) is 11.7 which was considered to be a good score by my P.E teachers.
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Aero - that linked document is fairly new and the first written word I've seen that asthma history is totally verboten for aircrew application. El Supremo (with documented inhaler prescription however you read it) has been procrastinating over every aspect for so long he has managed to slide into the worst recruiting levels in living history. This has coincided with the change of '4 years clear' to 'no wheezy boys ever', as you well know.
If he read back in this thread and looked here he would know what the fitness requirements are.
If he read back in this thread and looked here he would know what the fitness requirements are.
El Supremo,
If it helps any, and bearing in mind I went through IOT in the 90s, our course was a 'guinnea pig' course for the PEdOs at Cosford. Consequently, everything we did fitness and test wise was always to max endeavour rather than a defined limit. On my fitness test about 2/3 of the way through the course I got to level 13-something which the PTIs viewed as being a passable effort for a 23 yr old.
Now as an ahem mid-30s (damn time goes fast), I did my most recent fitness test about 2 weeks back on return from theatre and got to level 11.3. Not bad for an old fart, and the last man standing in the gym amongst a bunch of wheezing 20-somethings.
Now fitness standards and test regimes have changed massively since I went through, however, the moral of the story is that whatever you think is good will never be good enough for the PTIs. As far as they are concerned an 'aircrew pass' i.e. scraping in, is not good enough - 'just enough is not enough' was one of our Sqn Cdr's favourite sayings. Basically, before you get to OASC / IOT, you would do well to maximise your CV capacity, getting it to as high a level as you can manage
I find interval training worked for me - it helped my cardio improve quite rapidly in a short space of time. On det, I did most of my running on a treadmill in the gym. By the time I left theatre I was starting with a 5 min warm-up at 11km/hr and then at the 5 min point ramping the speed up to 16.5km/hr for 1 min then dropping back to 11.5km/hr for 2 mins and so on, repeating for the next 30 mins. Try it - it's harder than you think, especially if you set yourself a goal of increasing the jog / run speeds by 0.5km/hr every couple of weeks. Assuming you are already reasonably fit, you should find your CV capacity increases quite quickly, but just be aware that you also need to do some long distance runs too; if all you do is the interval training you will find you train your body to do relatively short - mid distance runs very quickly but you will be screwed on the longer runs you do at IOT.
The highest that I have achieved (a few years ago now) is 11.7 which was considered to be a good score by my P.E teachers.
Now as an ahem mid-30s (damn time goes fast), I did my most recent fitness test about 2 weeks back on return from theatre and got to level 11.3. Not bad for an old fart, and the last man standing in the gym amongst a bunch of wheezing 20-somethings.
Now fitness standards and test regimes have changed massively since I went through, however, the moral of the story is that whatever you think is good will never be good enough for the PTIs. As far as they are concerned an 'aircrew pass' i.e. scraping in, is not good enough - 'just enough is not enough' was one of our Sqn Cdr's favourite sayings. Basically, before you get to OASC / IOT, you would do well to maximise your CV capacity, getting it to as high a level as you can manage
I find interval training worked for me - it helped my cardio improve quite rapidly in a short space of time. On det, I did most of my running on a treadmill in the gym. By the time I left theatre I was starting with a 5 min warm-up at 11km/hr and then at the 5 min point ramping the speed up to 16.5km/hr for 1 min then dropping back to 11.5km/hr for 2 mins and so on, repeating for the next 30 mins. Try it - it's harder than you think, especially if you set yourself a goal of increasing the jog / run speeds by 0.5km/hr every couple of weeks. Assuming you are already reasonably fit, you should find your CV capacity increases quite quickly, but just be aware that you also need to do some long distance runs too; if all you do is the interval training you will find you train your body to do relatively short - mid distance runs very quickly but you will be screwed on the longer runs you do at IOT.
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ES - you started asking about pilot training in early 2008 and discovered commercial was too expensive, so looked at the Forces.
In Jul 08 you posted
and
In Nov 08 you posted
In Jun 09 you posted
There is more, but I feel that makes my point. You call it what you want, but we're still not much closer.
In Jul 08 you posted
With regards to the Class 1 medical will having very mild athma (which is only very occassionally triggered by extreme exercise and is not spontanious) hinder my chances of passing?
Well I'm off to the docs in a few days so I'll get him to re-diagnose me then - I'm not sure that I've even had asthma all this time (I've never really had a tight chest before).
I plan to go to my docs to get re-evaluated so they he/she can amend or put a not on my medical records.
I have a temporary rest bite from the end of June until September (when I have more exams) so I will probably go about sorting everything out then.
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Wander00 - are you being serious? In case you are I will bite. I studied law for three years in univeristy. In that time I had to write many essays. For example, one which you might find interesting was my examination of the legality of the Iraq war. Feel free to request a copy of it for your reading pleasure although I think it may be a little beyond your comprehension. Needless to say I had to have a good grasp of the written word in order to complete the course (I'm too modest to divulge my scores/marks as I find it vulgar). I then went on to study the subject at a post-graduate level.
I didn't realise that this forum was really a spelling and grammar test. I shall try harder next time! I must ask, what subject did you study in university?
Finally, I must apologise to the other forum members for moving this thread away from the subject it was intended for.
I didn't realise that this forum was really a spelling and grammar test. I shall try harder next time! I must ask, what subject did you study in university?
Finally, I must apologise to the other forum members for moving this thread away from the subject it was intended for.
Last edited by ElSupremo; 29th Aug 2010 at 02:03.
eg "rest bite" for "respite" - I rest my case. Certainly in the far off days when I was a flt cdr at IOT, "written communication" was taken pretty seriously. Despite my experiences with my 22 year old son (who finds "spell check" a chore), I understand that the ability to write grammatical and accurate Ennglish is still a requirement at IOT. You are, of course, entitled to an alternative view.
I did the 11.30 yesterday in the gym on a treadmill. Would the 11.30 be enough to get me in?
Perhaps the best way for me to understand what level of finess I need to be at is the level they require from you on the bleep test. What level do they want?
Perhaps the best way for me to understand what level of finess I need to be at is the level they require from you on the bleep test. What level do they want?
If you're not scoring level 12 during the course [again, it differs with age] then you'll suffer. But unless you knock 2 minutes off your 1.5 mile time, you won't get there to find out.
Let's not forget though, that physical fitness is only one part of the process, if you're useless in the interview, perform poorly in the exercises and discussions or come across as a bit of a numpty, you won't get in.
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GAPAN Aptitude Testing - RAF Cranwell
Afternoon All,
Has anyone ever participated in the G.A.P.A.N Aptitude Testing held at RAF Cranwell? Not sure if it can be done for the Military as the GAPAN I think are a Civilian Aviation Authority Organisation.
I'm looking at hopefully doing it in November as a heads up on my Aptitude ability, also to get advice about other possible careers within the Aviation sector.
All the best
NDW
Has anyone ever participated in the G.A.P.A.N Aptitude Testing held at RAF Cranwell? Not sure if it can be done for the Military as the GAPAN I think are a Civilian Aviation Authority Organisation.
I'm looking at hopefully doing it in November as a heads up on my Aptitude ability, also to get advice about other possible careers within the Aviation sector.
All the best
NDW
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the GAPAN I think are a Civilian Aviation Authority Organisation.
Is it really worth doing it? What happens if they say you're not good enough, are you just going to give up on your RAF dreams?
I know if they told me I was b*llocks I would still apply and let the RAF decide.
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Aerouk,
Ah apologies for for my mistake regarding GAPAN!!
I would hope that it would give me a head's up regarding my aptitude, if I had it and got a good score - Fantastic!!
If not I won't give up, I'll try again the year after!!
I'll only give up the day I'm personally kicked out by the C/O
Thanks
NDW
Ah apologies for for my mistake regarding GAPAN!!
I would hope that it would give me a head's up regarding my aptitude, if I had it and got a good score - Fantastic!!
If not I won't give up, I'll try again the year after!!
I'll only give up the day I'm personally kicked out by the C/O
Thanks
NDW
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Mr C Hinecap, Just after some advice since you seem to be a man in the know. When you said
This has coincided with the change of '4 years clear' to 'no wheezy boys ever', as you well know.
When did this change and where is the info as I am a "wheezy boy" waiting for my 4 years to clear.
Thanks!
This has coincided with the change of '4 years clear' to 'no wheezy boys ever', as you well know.
When did this change and where is the info as I am a "wheezy boy" waiting for my 4 years to clear.
Thanks!
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Smegward
You can get the information from the AFCO or the RAF website. Below is an extract from the website under the heading "Medical conditions that preclude entry"
"If you suffer from asthma or have done in the past, you cannot be considered for flying branches of the RAF. For ground branches and trades, people with a past history of asthma, wheezing or inhaler use may be eligible for service following review by medical staff. If you have current asthma symptoms or a current prescription or you use an inhaler for asthma or wheeze (regardless of cause), you are not eligible to apply for service."
The first sentence make it quite clear. The key words are "or have done in the past". Basically, ANY diagnosis of Asthma at ANY age will stop you from flying. This policy became more strict (and clearer) only a few months ago. For ground branches, the 'four year prescription and symptom free' rule remains extant.
Link to the full list of issues which would preclude entry is here: http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/rafcms...A28D2D8DAE.pdf
You can get the information from the AFCO or the RAF website. Below is an extract from the website under the heading "Medical conditions that preclude entry"
"If you suffer from asthma or have done in the past, you cannot be considered for flying branches of the RAF. For ground branches and trades, people with a past history of asthma, wheezing or inhaler use may be eligible for service following review by medical staff. If you have current asthma symptoms or a current prescription or you use an inhaler for asthma or wheeze (regardless of cause), you are not eligible to apply for service."
The first sentence make it quite clear. The key words are "or have done in the past". Basically, ANY diagnosis of Asthma at ANY age will stop you from flying. This policy became more strict (and clearer) only a few months ago. For ground branches, the 'four year prescription and symptom free' rule remains extant.
Link to the full list of issues which would preclude entry is here: http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/rafcms...A28D2D8DAE.pdf
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Smegward,
You simply cannot in any way join as aircrew for the RAF if you have suffered from Asthma, I was at the AFCO recently when a young lad was told he had no chance because of this.
You simply cannot in any way join as aircrew for the RAF if you have suffered from Asthma, I was at the AFCO recently when a young lad was told he had no chance because of this.
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OneFifty - I was told pretty much the same thing back in November. However, the chap in the AFCO advised that you can be considered if you can prove that any diagnosis was suspect/incorrect. Hence why I needed to get a note from my GP explaining that my previous diagnosis is likely (he explained that there is no definitive way of testing for asthma) to be wrong.
Ou of curiosity, does anyone know definitively whether the RAF rule is applicable to the RN? I remember a few months ago that it was discussed here with no clear answer.
Ou of curiosity, does anyone know definitively whether the RAF rule is applicable to the RN? I remember a few months ago that it was discussed here with no clear answer.
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ElSupreo
If your doctor is of the opinion that any asthma diagnosis is likely to have been incorrect (and it is understood that asthma is over diagnosed), and he is willing to provide this in writing, then your case MIGHT be reviewed by the OASC Med Board. However, this is very VERY rare, more so if there has been multiple prescriptions. Remember, for every one candidate with a potential asthma issue, there will be literally hundreds without so why should they take the risk? (Please note that actual use of an inhaler is irrelevant, it's the fact that the doctor saw fit to prescribe it which counts. I hear almost daily potential candidates claim they had an inhaler issued every few months for the past 10 years yet never actually used it.)
If your doctor is of the opinion that any asthma diagnosis is likely to have been incorrect (and it is understood that asthma is over diagnosed), and he is willing to provide this in writing, then your case MIGHT be reviewed by the OASC Med Board. However, this is very VERY rare, more so if there has been multiple prescriptions. Remember, for every one candidate with a potential asthma issue, there will be literally hundreds without so why should they take the risk? (Please note that actual use of an inhaler is irrelevant, it's the fact that the doctor saw fit to prescribe it which counts. I hear almost daily potential candidates claim they had an inhaler issued every few months for the past 10 years yet never actually used it.)
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WSO Open
Hi
I attended my RAF P2 Presentation this week, which went well and I should have my filter interview soon. I am applying for Pilot, and was hoping to have Weapon Systems Officer as a 2nd choice but was told that they thought this position was closed due to future aircraft not having WSO on board, only WSOp. So any recruiters out there who can answer this? My AFCO wasn't sure, but thought it was closed .I thought MR4A had at least 1 WSO on board, and same with the Sentinel R1? I have passed FATs for Pilot (136) and WSO(112) with the Royal Navy, but just missed out at AIB. If the role is still open, is 112 even enough to be selected, or are they looking for a more competitive score. I'm only checking should there be a medical problem at OASC and Pilot is a no go.
Thanks!
Will
I attended my RAF P2 Presentation this week, which went well and I should have my filter interview soon. I am applying for Pilot, and was hoping to have Weapon Systems Officer as a 2nd choice but was told that they thought this position was closed due to future aircraft not having WSO on board, only WSOp. So any recruiters out there who can answer this? My AFCO wasn't sure, but thought it was closed .I thought MR4A had at least 1 WSO on board, and same with the Sentinel R1? I have passed FATs for Pilot (136) and WSO(112) with the Royal Navy, but just missed out at AIB. If the role is still open, is 112 even enough to be selected, or are they looking for a more competitive score. I'm only checking should there be a medical problem at OASC and Pilot is a no go.
Thanks!
Will