I have commanded a UAS and so can provide some balance to some of the comments made on here.
The RAF currently assesses all candidates (regardless of branch choice) who have a history of asthma as permanently medically unfit (PMU) for service, this is confusing because as has rightly been said the medical standard for flying on the UAS is the same as for the UK National PPL (ie HGV Class2). The UAS may well have been directed not to recruit students who would not be fit for service (this also includes residency rules – ie resident in the UK for the last 5 years); if so, this is a directive from a higher command authority and so whether or not you agree with it is irrelevant.
So, Albanian Seahorse, your statement that ‘[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']The rule you were quoted about asthma over the age of 3 is bo//o<ks! If you are eligible for the RAF in any capacity, you are eligible for the UAS’ [/FONT][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']may have been overtaken by events.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Fly surfbeach said “At least in these days everybody knew if they past (or should that be passed?) their degree, was still medically fit and passed EFT (or ground branch training) you would have a career in the RAF” This is not true now and while UAS students have a big advantage at OASC there is no guarantee that they will be accepted over and above a direct entrant; with recruiting figures well down OASC is simply picking the best person for the job.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']HRS1992 – rather than the somewhat petulant approach of trying to phone up and book an interview when you have already been turned down (failing to mention any medical conditions) may I suggest a more mature approach? Write a nice letter to the UAS commander thanking him for his time at the Freshers’ Fair and explain that you are dreadfully disappointed but understand his decision. Mention that in the meantime you have joined the gliding club and over the next year you will see your GP and investigate whether you really had asthma in the first place (it is often mis-diagnosed in the very young). You will keep your eye on the OASC website for any information on changes to the rules for medical fitness and you will see him again at the Freshers’ Fair in 2011. Your letter will be kept on file and, providing the rules have changed, when you pitch up at the UAS stand in 2011 they will welcome the nice, polite, honest young man from last year. [/FONT]