RAF selection

[Meurig]

My mate has just returned from OASC Cranwell and failed at the apptitude tests (Ok thats his problem). However he did point out that there were a large number of public school boys (or the like competing for selection). Now I would like to know if I am at a dissadvantage by attending a normal comprehensive school, where you have to actually work for your As (just joking). Also, am I dissadvantaged by wanting (ie burning desire) to be a pilot as I have done for most of my life, and not wanting to be an officer in the RAF first. Although have no qualms about being an officer of course, its just not the key word - that belongs to pilot.

Thanks a lot guys if you can give some (helpfull) feedback on this!

All the best,. .Meurig

[KD]

Meurig

Two points

1) You are not a disadvantage by not going to a Public School. OASC may be full of them but FJ training is not. Apart from all the bu$$ery they`re just like the rest of us ( Naked Browneye at LOO apart . . . . <img src="eek.gif" border="0">

2) The way I see it, everyone knows your there at OASC to be a pilot . I doubt anyone thinks " I really want a commission , oh , and while I`m at it roaring around Wales at 250 , 420 kts would be fun too " My reply to the officer/pilot was " I want to be a pilot but I feel if I was an officer in any other branch I wouldn`t be giving the RAF or myself 100% "

Go for it . It`s awesome . OASC is also good experience and great hunting ground too <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> :)

[ 28 January 2002: Message edited by: KD ]</p>

[Meurig]

Thats great thanks KD, so do you think by me implying that I would really like to be a Pilot and the RAF offers me the best deal then blurt off about all the benifits of a commission including pension, early responsibility, travel etc...? because at the end of the day I would kill (not literally) to be a pilot in the RAF after being convinced by an army pilot of all people! Also, could anyone tell me a little about the aptitude tests - apparantly they are quite hard.

[Charlieboy]

I'm looking to get OASC, once I have passed my inetrview. The apptitude tests are meant to be tough, but you will only fail them if you do not have the natural apptitude for flying (apparently). From what I have heard they demonstrate an aptitude for computer games more than anything else. If you want more details ask your local AFCO. They have a book about them. There are websites with bits of info too.

From what I can tell the best bet is to just go in with an open mind and see what happens.

Still I'll be B@11@xed if I am going to get that far and end up being persuaded into some pencil pushers job in a bunker somewhere in the middle of nowhere. FJ for me baby.........all the way

[TimC]

Have a look on the RAF careers website (under missions) for some vague idea of what the aptitude tests are like.

I personally found the aircrew ones all very easy. The controller ones on the other hand!!! Best piece of advice I got was to use the full practice time you are given on each test and all take all of every break you get. The former allows you to get your eye in a bit, so to speak. The latter you should use as it's a long morning in front of a computer screen and you will get tired/bored.

I'd worry more about the officer bit (ie the main part) of selection if I were you, which I failed by the way. The aptitude tests you can prepare for a bit by practicing mental arithmetic etc, but not to any great extent. You can either do it or you can't.

Best of luck.

[DaveyBoy]

Can only echo what's been said before. I was comprehensive, but passed OASC fine. Wherever you go nowadays you'll probably find one or two arsey public-school types but certainly in the air force there are plenty of non-arsey types that commoners like us can get on with :-)

Just one point...

&gt; because at the end of the day I would kill (not literally). .&gt; to be a pilot in the RAF

If they ask you this during boarding, the answer's yes... literally! :-)

DaveyBoy

[Seak1ng]

You can buy books in WHSmith titled something like "Improve Your IQ" or "test your own IQ". These will help you a lot.. .And the previous advice to say that you would like to be an Officer is good too. We all have to aim for the top (Harrier Pilot) but many many more people end up really working for a living. There are good NCO Aircrew jobs too! <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">

[Grobbler]

Forgive me for wandering off the topic. My question doesn't really deserve it's own thread.

Anyone done a Pre-IOT medical recently? Whats the format? I'm presuming it's a mish mash of both OASC part 1 and part 2 meds. Just a query, I've got mine in March.

Meurig, sorry for hi-jacking your thread, best of luck at OASC. I went to a comp and had no difficulties at all. Just be yourself, they'll see straight through you if you try and be anything else!

Cheers.

[Catt]

I'm in the same situation as Charlieboy, although helicopters are my thing...

...hey, where's everyone gone?!

The advice I was given was practise practise practise - Air Nav (if you can get hold of or have taken ATC Nav papers then you're well on the way) + Speed/distance/time calculations (A Level physics books are good for those) + battle tactics (bit obscure, still researching that one)

That advice was given to me by a (very) ex-NCO so don't take it as gospel -however I have found that it makes me feel as though I'm doing something constructive and at least familiarisation with the jargon makes the whole thing seem less daunting.

My opinion is that if you can imagine the worst they'd throw at you then you won't find it that bad once you get there - please don't knock that theory - it's all I'm holding on to at the moment!!!

Best of luck to all wannabe's.

[Bad company]

Best thing you can do is practice lots of Speed/Distance/Time problems, and read up on both current and military affaires. The aptitude tests can't really be studied for, so your time is better employed in preparing for the interview. The previously mentioned IQ tests are also useful, as they will give you confidence in the problem solving when it comes to part 2.. .Good luck, and remember its not where you came from but where you end up thats important.

[covec]

Be aware that they might try and talk you into becoming a WSOp / AEOp.

Fine if you like to spend most of your early RAF life at Kinloss.....