G'day Mr Pilot,
I always wanted to be a pilot and did it a little differently to you, but the burning desire was always there. I did lessons on weekends when I was still at school but the GA industry was dead when I left school so I did a few years of engineering and finished off my PPL at the same time. Then I sat down and had a serious think about what I really wanted to do with my life. Flying it was, so I applied to the RAAF, and must've done everything right first time because I pretty much walked straight in a couple of months later. Like you I was a bit daunted by the 12 year ROSO if I'd gone to the academy so I went DEO and ended up staying with the RAAF for nearly 14 years anyhow. It didn't seem to take that long really. I was the same age as you when I signed up.
Great training, great bunch of guys to fly with and a good lifestyle. The money will never compete with airline money, though it's getting closer with the advent of LCCs, but it's a rewarding life.
Many years ago while still in the RAAF, I was threatened with promotion away from flying and ended up in a major airline where I have now been for around six years longer than I was in the RAAF. The flying now is still fun and rewarding but I think it was more fun and more rewarding in my previous life.
I had a great time in the RAAF and don't regret any of it, so if you're really keen go for it mate, you won't be sorry you did.
Regards,
BH.
