Aspiring Junglie

[AirborneSnake]

Hello, I just found this website and its just wonderful to know that some of the guys I've read about actually visit here. I'v taken some time to read previous posts so hopefully i wouldn't be repeating questions already asked.If I do, then my sincere apology

Back to the point, I am a 17 years old (almost 18) aspiring navy pilot.
I had considered joining RM and specialising as a pilot but that seems like a long route.

My questions are;
- Can navy pilots attempt AACC and serve with the CHF as a green lided pilot?
- Also do navy heli pilots get to drive FJ at some point in their career?
- I have no flying experience(except holiday journey on BA:) ) nor being a member of the ATC or sea cadets,will i be disadvantaged?

Any recommended reading materials will be highly appreciated, I'm currently reading 'Sharky' Wards book(too big).

Cheers in advance for your input.

[bad livin']

Hi chum, good to see you're so keen. Green lid is entirely possible as a naval officer provided you can give a good enough reason (and demonstrate fitness) to get a place on a highly subscribed course.

A good friend of mine passed the AACC, and then....got streamed Merlin. Needless to say, he wasn't pleased. However sadly eventually he was eventually chopped, and is now extremely happy to be training in NZ for an airline that rhymes with Greasyjet.

This doesn't mean that this will happen to you.

Go for it.

BL

[Tourist]

Yes/Maybe if you are suitable
Yes/Maybe if you are suitable
Yes/Maybe but not really
Hope that helps!

[airborne_artist]

I joined BRNC with a lad who already had a green lid courtesy of the RMR - not sure whether he'd have been able to wear it, and we never found out, as he was chopped on EFT. I reckon I'm still the only BRNC grad to wear a beige lid :ok:

[Tourist]

AA, what about walt... I mean Cobalt Frog's sandy lid?:rolleyes:

[airborne_artist]

CF may have got the beige lid, but he didnae get the all-important dark and light blue wings, and so he was wasn't Sabre qual'd!

Still, AS has done very well so far to choose the right Service, so get down to the AFCO and ask for an acquaint trip to Yeovilton. Two or three days with a good chance for a look round and ask questions.

[bad livin']

AA I think I might know one other that has...

[cobaltfrog]

Tourist - Glad to see you haven't changed and that you resort to cheap shots!

AA - You know the score!!

[Mr-AEO]

Any recommended reading materials will be highly appreciated

That's a good request. Do you mean about the Fleet Air Arm in general or are you specifically looking for a book about Jungly squadrons etc?

Whilst you are surfing the web, I'd recommend a look here:

http://www.fleetairarmoa.org/

as well as the usual RN main website, to get yourself up to speed on everything dark blue.

Good luck!

[AirborneSnake]

Cheers for all yours inputs,link and anecdotes. Keep the anecdotes coming please. Its always good to know that people have achieved my aspirations.Any advices will be highly appreciated.I've been to the AFCO recently and they gave me some nice reading materials on the Fleet Air Arm.
Could anyone please recommend any good books,DVDs and general information about the FAA. I've just bought a copy of the 'Shipmates' DVD,even though a small proportion of it is about aviation.
Cheers

AirborneSnake

[AirborneSnake]

[quote=Mr-AEO;2979425]That's a good request. Do you mean about the Fleet Air Arm in general or are you specifically looking for a book about Jungly squadrons etc?quote]

Any recommended material on the Fleet Air Arm will be well appreciated. Materials on Junglies will be a bonus. I've searched high and low but haven't found anything relevant. Is there any Junglie or Heli driver's life experience book around(I mean similar to Sharky Ward's book).Cheers

PS. I've bought another DVD called State of Alert. I really regret it because its seems outdated.Any current types?

[harrier007]

Just to pick up on AA's comment reference a visit to Yeovilton. I attended a POC course there in October and it was amazing. We received a presentation from a Junglie pilot and also flew in a Sea King Mk4 with some hands on which for me was the highlight of the course.

It was also a great insight into the way of life as we were accomodated in the Wardroom there was plenty of opportunities to ask questions and to sample the delights of an extremely cheap bar menu(although the DUNKER training element soon eliminated any hangovers).

Since then I've attended Cranwell for Aptitude testing and have a date for my AIB after Christmas, so fingers crossed.

D

[airborne_artist]

Harrier007 - good man for getting the best out of the POC at VL, and good luck at AIB.