RAF or Royal Navy Pilot

[HARERJJ]

Hi there. .. .I was wondering if there are any RAF or Navy pilots out there (or anybody else for that matter) who have some good advice for someone like me who is very keen to be a fighter pilot??. .. .I was recently declined an opportunity to visit the OASC at RAFC Cranwell at an Armed Forces Careers Office filter interview on the grounds that I had insufficient leadership experience.. .. .I have been encouraged to re-apply after one year following positive action on my part to gain the required experience.. .. .I have already joined the Air Training Corps as a Civilian Instructor, enrolled in a First Aid Course to commence next month with a view to joining the St Andrews Ambulance(Scottish equivalent of the St Johns Ambulance) and booked a three-week course with Outward Bound. Hopefully once I join the St Andrews Ambulance I will also attempt to join the Special Police. I am also going to try and undertake a Duke of Edinburgh Award. Not that I cannot speak correctly, but I thought it may enhance my chances to attend some elocution lessons for that bit of polish. Impressions are everything at interviews are they not? Especially for those interviews where places are so fiercely contested.. .. .What I am asking in this post is:. .Is what I am doing the right way to go?. .Are there any things above which are a waste of time?. .Are there any things you can suggest I do which are not listed above?. .Are there any other societies or associations I could join which would help me?. .. .Thank you very much for your time <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" /> . .. .Sincerely. .Paul. . . . <small>[ 20 March 2002, 23:00: Message edited by: HARERJJ ]</small>

[A and C]

You may want to look at the military thread about the goverment scrapping the SHAR and leaving the fleet without fighter cover untill the JSF turns up as this may get in the way of your ambition to fly fighters.. .. .As some one who has never been in the RAF or the Navy i cant comment about the training apart from saying that it will be to a very high standard in both camps.. .. .However i do work with a lot of pilots who are ex-forces and a SMALL minority of ex-RAF seem to think that the world owes them a living and there two ways to fly ,the RAF way and the wrong way !and will tell you this endlessly.. .. .I have yet to meet this attitude in a ex-navy pilot ,this seems to show that the pilots in the navy are much more content with working conditions.

[scroggs]

HARERJJ (?). .In spite of A and C's slightly cynical and disparaging impression of the RAF, it is true that its training is among the very best in the world. The cocky and superior attitude is trained into fighter pilots wherever in the world they come from - Top Gun isn't entirely fictional rubbish! (Ok, it is, but you get my drift).. .. .I did 22 years in the RAF, including a very short time in the fast jet world, and had a great time. I have friends who are and were in the FAA who also enjoyed themselves, but you'll need to look closely at the Government's future plans for the Navy to see whether it's what you'd like to do.. .. .The Sea Harriers are to be retired by 2004, possibly to be partly replaced by a new (GR9) version of the RAF's Harrier, pending the (still uncertain) arrival of the JSF in, maybe, 2015. There's a good chance, in my humble opinion, that the Government will eventually decide it's all too difficult and expensive and will pass all Navy fast jet operations on to the RAF while the current carriers exist, and will bin the plans for the new carriers saying that the 'global, mobile' RAF can do it all instead. (Now when did I hear that before? About 1976, I think!). This isn't a comment about either service, rather about governments' propensity to plan and say one thing, and do another.. .. .Anyway, I'll pass your thread onto Military Aircrew, where I hope you'll get far more authoritative and informative answers than I can give as a now-civilian pilot.. .. .PS. I wouldn't bother with elocution lessons. The services (Guards possibly excepted) stopped bothering about your accent many years ago. Make sure your written communication is up to scratch - as it would seem to be - and enjoy the leadership experience you've arranged for your self. And relax!

[cobaltfrog]

As a Navy pilot I would say fly jets in the RAF and helos in the FAA. BUT, it depends on whether you wish to be a pinger or an SH man. Even now we are feeling the limitations of our aircraft but the wilco attitude and respect from the troops on the ground makes up for it! Ask anyone who has been on the ground in NI who they would rather be picked up by!. .Happy hunting!

[KayGridley]

HarerJJ if you're interested in the Navy you could try phoning your nearest OCLO. Its quite possible that you would be able to get on various courses and visits, which if nothing else are usually very good fun <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" /> They also have the advantage of letting you see a little of what you might be doing as a career.. .. .Hope you get where you want to be, and good luck when u get to OASC, its hard work but definatly worth it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

[barry007]

Cobaltfrog, . .Ask the troops in NI and they love to get picked up by Puma as its the. .fastest mode of transport home. Also it gives us the chance to say. .say sorry for droping them off in the wrong place!!. .(when we're not moaning about money)

[SixOfTheBest]

Paul,. .. . I suggest you ignore the comments by A and C. He/She is ill informed, and no doubt jealous of the innate abilties of pilots, especially fighter pilots. Scroggs is correct. Fighter pilots are proud of what they do and what they have achieved. Be rest assured that what you are planning (outward bounds) etc. is the right way to go. Be aware also that the military keep a file (however small) on anyone they correspond with. Re-apply, on time (1 year after). One of the things every recruiter likes to see is dedication by a prospective serviceman/woman. A timely re-application with details on what you have done since the first WILL help and WILL get you noticed.. .. .Also, do not despair at what you may read on this web-site. Life as a fighter pilot is without parallel. Yes, sometimes it's hard work, but I can assure you that when you are about to gun somebody (in training hopefully!!) or drop a live weapon or translate to the hover (in the Harrier) or whatever....It's pretty damn good. And despite the issues of pay you may read, it ain't bad for a keen young man/woman. Hope this helps and the very best of luck.. .. .p.s. As Scroggs suggested....Live a little in the meantime..... .. .SOTB.. . . . <small>[ 21 March 2002, 14:39: Message edited by: SixOfTheBest ]</small>

[WE Branch Fanatic]

Really I can add nothing except to say the issue of Sea Harrier will continue. I'm sure that the Admirals will fight tooth and nail to keep it. See the SHAR thread.

Leadership is largely assertiveness, confidence and communication. So anything you do to adress these issues will help. Not just with the Navy, but with everything you do.

Good Luck.....from someone who came to grief in his career due to lack of the above.

[jonewer]

I would echo some of the opinions above, ie the RAF for fast jets, and the RN for Helos. When I joined the Navy, I wanted single seat fighters, about 2 hrs in to the helicopter world, I wouldnt change it for the world. There seems to be no bad options in military flying, and experience shows you have very little choice where you eventually end up. Just focus on the end goal. Wings. ANYTHING you can do extra will be noted, but why not try the Admiralty Interview Board. You may at least get a Potential Officers Course out of 'em! (Mine was fantastic fun) Good luck in whatever!

[Flatus Veteranus]

harerjj. .. .A & C seems to have picked up a bit of a chip from somewhere. Read "The Right Stuff". If you are to be any good as a fighter pilot you have to believe you are the best. Don't boast, be modest but believe it!

[A and C]

Not a chip just 15 to 20 years of working with pilots from all backgrounds and the SMALL minority of of ex-RAF pilots with the "attitude" seems to be constant but having had a further think on the subject it is not normaly a FJ thing.. .. .To quote a good (ex-RAF)mate "most units have one ,if you have not met him then you probably need to look in the mirror".

[Cooperman]

No, no, no, no ,no A & C.......what a terrible missquote......but you're almost forgiven since you're a civvy.... .. .When you first start a course in the RAF, if, after the first week, you haven't worked out who the course t**t is, you're it!. .. .Having said that, I must have been really lucky or something because I've done loads of courses in the RAF and we never had a course t**t............ .. .oh........ <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

[Flatus Veteranus]

A & C. .. .The best pilots on my fighter squadron in the '50s all went on to the top in civil aviation - captains on Concord and 747s with BA and Cathay. They were not loud,they just knew they were the best. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

[HARERJJ]

Thank you to everyone who replied to my message.. .I am most grateful! Cheers!!. . . . <small>[ 25 March 2002, 14:45: Message edited by: HARERJJ ]</small>