Halfbaked
Joining the military is a very serious step, and one you should think carefully about. As a military pilot you can, as many are right now, be tasked with killing other people while being at considerable risk of losing your own life. Be very sure that you understand this fact before you go any further.
If you decide that you can cope with these concepts, you must then make some effort to learn about the routes to becoming a military pilot. All three services in the UK employ pilots. The Army and Royal Navy use mainly helicopters, though there are a very limited number of Sea Harriers, Hawks and Jetstreams to be flown in the RN. The RAF flies many different kinds of aircraft in offensive, defensive, transport, reconnaissance and other support roles. No service gives you the choice of what type of aircraft you fly; you will fly what you are told to fly!
All military pilots have responsibilities other than flying. In the RAF and the RN, you have to be an Officer to be a pilot. Officers undergo a great deal of training in all sorts of areas that you might not associate with flying aeroplanes. You may well be responsible for other people, and their welfare, in a number of different ways. You will certainly have a good deal of other work to do!
Your Commission will normally be for at least 12 years (a Short Service Commission) in the RAF, possibly less in the RN. Candidates for entry into the Services will be closely examined on their motivation for joining - using the RAF as a stepping-stone to your dream of flying a 747-400 will not go down too well!
Pay and conditions in the Services are pretty good these days; a Flight Lieutenant pilot will earn around £40k on promotion I believe.
You should check out
RAF Careers website for more information.
Scroggs
Virgin/Wannabes Moderator
[email protected]