Hi guys,
Long time reader first time poster here! I've just finished reading through this thread and I'd just like to give a big thank you to all of those who have contributed, especially the FSP staff and any current/ex pilots for imparting your wisdom! I've found it extremely helpful and hopefully it gives me that edge in preparation to have a successful application.
A bit about me, I'm 23, from Melbourne and currently studying a BBus (Marketing) degree which I hope to finish mid way through 2013. I have completed both the YOU session and specialist aircrew testing successfully and just waiting for educational exemptions to be processed by DFR (I didn't complete the right math subjects at high school, doh!). For those of you interested; I completed a maths unit via OUA (Open Universities), specifically through Murdoch, to gain equivalency for the requirements and a second maths unit to solidify my understanding. It has not been approved as yet but I have emails from VCAA confirming its equivalency to the Victorian Maths Methods standard. I have ~10 hours powered flight time, close to my first solo and considering time in a glider and possibly a couple of aerobatic lessons.
In preparation for the YOU session, if any of you are worried about it, I recommend
Free Practice Psychometric Tests, Psychometric Tests Examples - Aptitude Tests, Personality Tests Examples and Psychometric Test Courses Online. They have a large number of practice aptitude questions and while not all of the areas are relevant, I definitely found it very helpful at an affordable price. I
DO NOT, however recommend
http://www.defenceaptitude.com.au; I was dismayed to find the quality of the materials lower than what I was exposed to in primary school, and after leaving some polite constructive feedback received an abusive phone call. Avoid this site.
For those who have or have had asthma, I have this to say: I had childhood asthma and have not had any symptoms in the past 5+ years. I was required to obtain specialist lung reports, specifically for a spirometry and aridol (mannitol) challenge test or BPT (Bronchial Provocation Test). This was all clear and I have been cleared medically to proceed (having said that, I haven't yet attended assessment day for the more comprehensive medical assessment)
Assessment day is the next stage in my application, and primarily from my attendance at the ADFA open day a couple of years ago at the advice of the RAAFie giving the presentation (can't remember his name!), I have gathered that the defence interview is ranked in competitiveness based on 5 factors which are scored individually out of 5. In no particular order, they were:
- Military Motivation
- Flight Motivation
- Team Experience
- Leadership Experience
- Academics
I'm not sure if there are different weightings to each of these categories, but it is my understanding that these scores are then put into a system and candidates are ranked based on their final score, of which the top are selected for any given FSP place availabilities! I'm also not sure if this is specific to ADFA only, but it would make sense if this is also applied to DEO.
I've been preparing for this since I attended the open day (maybe a bit before) over 2 years ago so I'm fairly apprehensive, hopefully it pays off!
One question I do have; Does anybody know what the recruitment climate for pilots is like at the moment? Or any specifics on intake numbers for ADFA/DEO?
Cheers,
VS
Edit: Sorry for the long post!