Airborne Aircrew

Of course, if you do this in a written communication where you have the ability to read what you have just written before you inflict it upon your audience that chances that your verbal communication is much better is small...

TomJoad

Second that, it's is really important to proof read what you have written; you do not want to embarrass yourself. Good luck bye the way.

Toadstool

The touchés keep coming. I second that, good luck to anyone considering a career in the RAF, especially Aircrew. It is still great.

Pontius Navigator

Or may be he heard someone say RAF Strawberry and thought they meant . . .

Jono94

Good evening everybody.

New to PPRuNe, I apologise in advance for asking a question which is probably answered. Under the new selection process for all RAF trades which require aptitude testing, I have been given my date for my first visit to Cranwell to take my FAT's- I would be most appreciative of any advice from anybody who has been before, particularly anyone who has been recently.

I understand that the aptitude tests are designed to test a candidates innate abilities- you can't really practice for them. However like many others I've seen online, I know you can revise the mathematic sections. Now, from an email I received from OASC, I understand there are two key tests which focus heavily on maths- a Numerical reasoning test (which appears to be multiple choice) and the Airborne Numerical Test. I am more concerned about the latter due to the fact that the calculations have to be made in your head, with no pen or paper in limited time (to simulate a cockpit environment). Can anybody tell me anything about the types of question in this element of the test I.e level of difficulty?

I reckon it's this part of the test which will trip me up. I wonder if anyone knows how much these sections affect the overall score?

Thank you kindly in advance!

Jonathan

airborne_artist

The airborne numerical test will be along the lines of:

How long will it take to fly 42nm at a speed of 360kts.

360kts is 6nm a minute, so it will take 7 minutes.

Look for the simple way of doing the calcs, which will always be there once you look.

msaaim89

Could anyone experienced in the RAF inform me on how long it takes to complete specialist training as an aircraft mechanic.

Thanks in advance.

lj101

The info you need is here;

Aircraft Technician (Mechanical) - Engineering and technical careers - RAF Careers

Capt.YARKHAN

Can you apply to the RAF if you are a Canadian citizen?

lj101

Capt Y

Nationality and residency - RAF Careers


Criteria as above within the link.

Avtur

I used to fly with a very fine Canadian pilot in the RAF.

The Old Fat One

off thread...

Wander/PN Flicking thru and noticed your comments re Hornchurch. Fascinating...I grew up there. All my mates got a day off school once, because they found an old German bomb on the airfield. When did OASC switch to Biggin Hill (where they ****ed big time and let me in )

Pontius Navigator

A couple of years after 1961 IIRC.

I remember one very street wise young man, cockney, had a wonderfully impressive obscene phrase he used all the time. Impressive to a 17 year old school boy from the sticks that is.

I had had a rail warrant issued. Broke the journey in London and bought a paid of chukka boots for about 30/- at Gamages. Eventually they wore out about 8 years later.

Arrived Saturday night and was persuaded by one of the 'smarter' ones to go to church on Sunday and be 'seen'. Of course we went to the town church and not the station church.

The first two days were aptitude and medical before catching the train to Sleaford. Of the street wise one I never saw him again.

Mind you, with over 100 aircrew candidates per month in to training it would have been easy to miss even someone on the course either side. Once commissioned some 80 per month would disappear to pilot training, some would get chopped, some would be retreaded as navs and some would die.

The navs likewise would be chopped or rarely retreaded to ground branch. They tended to die with some of the pilots that had got through previously. The loss rates were pretty high.

Wander00

I did Hornchurch selection then to Deadloss House at the Towers for scholarship selection in 1959 or early 1960, so I am with PN - I think about 1962 to BH


Wiki says 1958 but I would have thought it was later than that

Pontius Navigator

Wander, it depends on how you search Wiki. Best gen is it moved from Hornchurch in Jul 1962 when the station closed. It was the Aircrew Selection Centre for 10 years. When it moved it became the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre that we know today.

I don't know where Technical, Supply, or miscellaneous branch officers went for selection.

MikeGaisfordCarter

Hi Guys
I'm 18 years old and in my last year of college studying Uniformed Public Services BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma. Have correct GCSE's for Pilot entry in any organisation.

The time has come to make some big decisions and I need your help...

My aspiration has always been to join the British Armed Forces as a Pilot, I really don't care what I fly within these, just as long as I'm flying!

I'm currently on the waiting list for Pilot Entry into the RAF, have registered with the Royal Navy with an interest in becoming an Officer Pilot and have started looking at the Army Air Corps as a possibility.

With all of the above in mind, I am 190 cm tall, so I guess my first question is... Am I too tall to be a Fast Jet Pilot???

Secondly, upon application to all three of the forces, can you give your predicted grades or must they be achieved???

Finally, does anybody know if their are any resources that are readily available to practice aptitude test questions etc???

Please Help!!!

Thank You!

MAD Boom

Mike

Your height will not be the only factor for FJ selection; your buttock-knee length and functional reach of your arms play an important part to name just two. That said, I know some pretty tall FJ guys out there.

Where some (myself included) would praise your desire to fly as your number one priority, there are others who will question your loyalty to the RAF if you have logged interests with the FAA and AAC.

Also, there is the age-old 'officer first, pilot second' view which you will have to answer to. Not sure the statement 'I don't care what I fly just as long as I'm flying' will get you far in this competitive age.

Whether you agree or disagree with what I've said, you would be wise to consider your answers to these before sitting an AFCO interview.

That said, I wish you luck in your pursuit to commit aviation!

Pontius Navigator

Don't worry about multiple applications. Daughter was 'virtually' ordered to apply to RN by a VSO. At the same time she applied to the RAF.

She was accepted by the RN into the warfare branch just before her OASC. Gave her a boost as she already had an acceptance in her pocket. It just made the RAF keener to sign her up.

airborne_artist

6' 2.5" in old money is not too tall unless you are very oddly proportioned.

Parallel applications to all three Services are not frowned upon, but bear in mind that the Army does things differently. You'll need to pass out in the top 30% of RMAS to get an AAC slot.

The rest is down to preparation. Good luck.

Eul0gy

Does anyone know what the current gen is with the WSOP recruitment and also what they do on the voyager?