Originally Posted by
BVRAAM
Hi everyone,
I am currently in full time education as a mature student, to achieve the minimum standard of academic qualifications required to be eligible to apply to be an RAF Officer.
I am interested in the Pilot branch, fast-jet flying has always been my dream since I was a little boy (and particularly Air Defence), however sadly the realities of life meant I could not apply when I was 18, hence why I am now quite late.
As I am close to the upper age bracket in my mid-20's, it's not lost on me that the boat for Pilot direct entry may have sailed by the time I make it to OASC and I am fully aware of this, however I will still be eligible for the Weapon Systems Officer or Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Pilot branches, and I most certainly would like to be commissioned aircrew on the front-line.
My questions are: If there is still a Pilot shortage in the RAF, what is the likelihood that Cranwell will offer me a commission in the Pilot branch if I am a year or two over the limit, but I have a great interview, impress the Officers at the interviews and I pass all of the fitness and medical tests?
If commissioned in to the WSO or RPAS-P branches, what is the likelihood of being able to re-train to the Pilot branch after a good first tour? I focus on RPAS-P especially as I understand that all of those in the RPAS Pilot branch must complete Elementary Flying Training on the Grob 120TP Prefect, to earn their wings to move to the MQ-9A (or later MQ-9B) OCU. Logically, a good EFT course could be the foundation blocks for getting sent to Valley at a later date for BFJT on the Texan and so on.
Finally, I understand the Armed Forces in general are still in a bit of a state regarding manning, but how long realistically could one expect to wait from the initial application, to the AFCO interviews and then OASC interviews? I have heard from anything between 9-12 months for the whole process, but I'd just like to make sure.
I would really like to serve, and if the truth be told, I'm at the stage in my life where I'd happily fly anything, as long as I could wear the brevet. Of course I'll keep working hard and fighting for a jet slot, but I really just want to fly aeroplanes in the military, and as long as I am an operator involved with the core mission, I reckon I'd be happy. With that said, if I can avoid it, I'd rather not spend a whole 12-20 year career just flying the MQ-9. There are mixed views on it from the guys I've spoken to - the consensus I am seeing is it provides a decent lifestyle, especially if you have children, doesn't take you away for months at a time (LRE dets aside...) but is incredibly boring to fly. I want to be a pilot because I love being in the air, and something that's extremely boring might not hold my interest for the long term.
Thanks in advance for your help, ladies and gents.