Originally Posted by
andyy
I am not sure of the reason but my guss is that the RNs upper age allows General Service Seaman/ Warfare Officers to enter the RN and do at least one watchkeeping job at sea in a Frigate or Destroyer before sub specialising as aircrew.
Nice one but wrong.
The limit applies regardless of whether you are in-service or a civilian. It follows that in-service personnel could have had 2 or even 3 commissions before switching the aircrew.
In that sense it is identical with the situation in the RAF.
The Pilot age limit for the RAF is for civilian entry, you must be 24 years and 0 months on your first day of IOT. . . If however, you apply to be a pilot from the ranks the age limit is 26
In other words the question stands - why is there a difference for
civilian entry. 3port still has the best answer.
As for why the RAF extends the limit to 26 for in-service applicants can be put down as you are now a known quantity and a lower training risk.