I want to be a RAAF pilot. What are the chances of someone getting in?

[nathd54]

Hi all
I've been looking into the RAAF and I was wondering what the firm numbers were in regards to the number of applicants to the number that get in for pilots. I recently spoke to a recruiter and she told me that most pilot jobs are through ADFA and direct entry is extremely competitive. I know their academic and physical requirements but what do they look for outside of that when recruiting? Is there anything else that I could do to maximise my chances of getting in?

I've just graduated high school but am going to redo the HSC at TAFE because my results were quite poor.

[OK4Wire]

When I joined (a long, long time ago), I was told later that approximately 4000 applied, 40 started the course and just under half graduated. 3 went fast jets.

Whilst the numbers may be true at face value, I suspect out of the 4000 a very large number were probably never going to get a look in, for whatever reason.

[Ascend Charlie]

Even once you are in, the queue to get on a pilot course is staggering. Some Navy trainees are being sent to Singapore because our own schools can't start a course for them, after waiting nearly a year in uniform.

[Asturias56]

Look at the number of active aircraft and the number of pilots - then do the maths.................... basically they can only take a few as replaceemnts to those leaving active fling

It would be different if the UK needed to man 1000 bombers as in '42

[Bob Viking]

Your motivational and inspiring contribution is well noted. However, I don’t think the OP cares much about your negative impression of the RAF since he was asking about an Air Force a little South of there.

BV

[SRFred]

What does the OP want to "fly"? The Army have aircraft too and so too I guess do the Navy!

[nathd54]

What does the OP want to "fly"? The Army have aircraft too and so too I guess do the Navy!
Fighters, but I know that is incredibly unrealistic to strive only for that. I have only been looking at the RAAF but I know the Army and Navy fly helicopters which I am open to.

[Union Jack]

Your motivational and inspiring contribution is well noted. However, I don’t think the OP cares much about your negative impression of the RAF since he was asking about an Air Force a little South of there.

BV
To be fair to both Asturias and BV, the former *might* have been referring to those inspired by men such as Air Commodore Sir Hughie Idwal Edwards, VC, KCMG, CB, DSO, OBE, DFC who, although an RAF officer, must have encouraged so many Australians to serve so valiantly with the RAAF in Europe during WWII.

Jack

[chute packer]

A good first step would be to read through the 190+ page sticky thread about RAAF aircrew jobs at the top of the forum.

[flighthappens]

Fighters, but I know that is incredibly unrealistic to strive only for that. I have only been looking at the RAAF but I know the Army and Navy fly helicopters which I am open to.

it’s not unrealistic, someone’s got to do it. And the guys and girls that do all put their trousers on one leg at a time.

read the sticky thread at the top of the mil forum. (https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/333897-raaf-flight-screening-program-merged.html)

[Vortex Hoop]

To be fair to both Asturias and BV, the former *might* have been referring to those inspired by men such as Air Commodore Sir Hughie Idwal Edwards, VC, KCMG, CB, DSO, OBE, DFC who, although an RAF officer, must have encouraged so many Australians to serve so valiantly with the RAAF in Europe during WWII.

Jack
Took the words right out of my mouth. Article XV RAF Sqns 450 to 467 were manned by Aussies and served on fighters and bombers in Africa, Europe, Middle and Far East.

[BVRAAM]

Have a read of this mate - it might have some good info for you.
https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/333897-raaf-flight-screening-program-merged.html

[Ascend Charlie]

You can tell a transport pilot by the spread across his rear end,
You can tell a navigator by his sextants, maps and such,
You can tell a maritime boy by the Mars bar in his hatband,
You can tell a fighter pilot, but you can't tell him much.


(Old jungle saying)