ADF Pilot Selection Agency
Hey guys,
I've just got a few queries relating to my Flight Screening Program coming up on the 7th March. I'm applying for RAAF pilot direct entry as first preference and ADFA as a 2nd preference. So here is a bit about myself .....
I'm currently 18 years of age, going on 19 in late May and have a few concerns with my current level of 'life experience' and 'leadership qualities'. I don't mean to boast my whole life story on pprune, but I guess if that's what it takes to get the response I'm looking for, then so be it. I'm actually going into my second year of the Bachelor of Aviation degree at Griffith University and having a blast, but I am sincerely unsure if I'm cut out for the whole university environment right at this moment though.
All I've ever dreamt about is becoming a Fighter pilot in my own countries air force, so over the past 2 years or so I’ve been struggling along with my application to join. I went into my first JOES session (I'm aware it's now known as a YOUs' session) and was young, dumb and well off cue to sit any form of testing, or any interview for that matter. I learnt my lesson, went back for a second round some months later and passed with flying colours. I was then booked on for Pilot Specs testing and only ended up in Band 3 somewhere apparently 
Wasn't too thrilled about it, that's for sure. I don't mean to make any excuses, but the nerves got the better of me the night before the testing and I became a tad I’ll that night hopefully leading to my poor performance on the day haha. Saying that however, it's all done and dusted now so nothing I can change about that.
Anyway I had a few concerns with my life and where I wanted it to be heading (flying for an airline or with the RAAF). It was at about that stage I decided to take some time to think, done that and about 6 - 7 months later I re-activated my application and was put onto an assessment day immediately. Don't get me wrong, flying for the RAAF has forever been a dream of mine; I've never lost motivation, rather lost confidence in myself and having the ability to chase and achieve that dream. I studied my ass off that for that day, and it paid off according to the Defence interviewer. Apparently I possessed a very strong knowledge regarding the ADF, and RAAF in particular. Psych was fairly easy, as was the essay. With all the positives said, there was one negative in particular, that being my lack of leadership experience. My assessment day was on the 3rd December 2008, and once I saw the Doc I was advised I had to seek specialist advice on my back (orthopedic surgeon). As you could probably imagine, around Christmas time one would have buckleys' chance of getting an appointment. Fortunately enough thought I fell under a lucky star and got in for the start of January. Few weeks had passed, and DFR finally received my medical reports from the orthopedic surgeon. They sent them down to somewhere in NSW to get them checked and approved. I then received a call from a defence force recruiter on the 9th of February advising me that my file was received by PSA that day (9th Feb). This is where I am confused as I received a call from PSA on the 11th offering me a position onto the 7th March course. If I was in band 3 for the testing, and I apparently 'lack leadership qualities', why was I selected fairly quickly? Could it be the time of the year, not much going on around March? Or am I competitive?
Not sure whether or not this could be taken into account heavily when selecting the lucky ones for FSP or not, but I achieved fairly decent in my school results. VHA's and HA's across the board and I was undertaking math c, math b, phys, chem, bio and english. I also achieved a GPA of 6.38 in my Bach of Av. course last year in Uni. To add to this I've completed 21.4 hours flight experience at my own expense. Sorry if I come across as boastful, but all I'm really looking for is professional advice on my prospects of becoming a fighter pilot, and how best I go about achieving these goals. It is a professional pilots' network after all haha. I advised my defence interviewer on assessment day that I would try my best to bring up my level of leadership experience within the time I'd be selected onto a FSP course. Since then I've completed a St Johns' Senior First Aid Certificate and still awaiting a position to begin volunteering. As well as this, I'm coming up to my assessment day for my Surf Life Saving Bronze medallion so that I can commence patrols. Finally I was a school captain in year 7 and played club footy for 8 years up until I was 15. Pretty much all the leadership experience I’ve had.
If anyone could give me some information on how best I go about my time down in Tamworth, and just how realistic it is that I'll pass considering I've applied for Direct Entry as first preference.
Cheers,
Much appreciated
p.s. Again I don't mean to come across as boastful
Mark
