AEOp

[Bushboyo]

I've just come back from OASC having failed the medical. I applied for a pilot scholarship and have been told that the only aircrew job i can apply for now is Air Electronics Operator because of an eyesight problem. I want to fly in the RAF and i was wondering if any current AEOps or AEO's could tell me what the good points about their job are.
Cheers
Bush

[Bushboyo]

I failed the medical for pilot, as i was going for a pilot scholarship. Apparently the problems with my eyes that the doctor discovered rules me out of Pilot, Navigator and Air Loadmaster.

Because it was a pilot scholarship competition, i was only allowed to apply for Pilot this time round. I have to re-apply for AEOp.

I passed all the aptitudes and the rest of the medical so i shouldn't have a problem there.

As for the future procurement conversation, i must have missed that one. :)

Thanks for your advice, i've looked at the Careers information but i was wondering if i could get personnal opinions on the job itself.

Bush

[covec]

Bushboyo

Be very sure that you are happy to accept AEOp (WSOp).

How do you feel about becoming "rear-crew"?

Are you happy at being non-commissioned?

Are you happy about the probable location i.e. Kinloss in NE Scotland?

I personally regret accepting the job - I too passed all aptitude tests but fell at the eyesight hurdle.

However - whilst I regret accepting AEOp you are still serving as RAF Aircrew - that means crew cameraderie, good pay, travel, flying....that's the plus.

Lots of f**k factor too tho' e.g. forget planning more n a day ahead - weekends? Whats that? You do need a sense of humour!

The Forces are still a good career move - why not pick a well paid one!

All the Best - your decision only.

[TheSeeFarShadow]

For a bit more info than the Official RAF Careers website try: - http://www.airmenaircrew.freeserve.co.uk

Like covec said, be very sure that AEOp (WSOp) is what you want.

[Brakes to Park]

AEOp is the most **** job on earth.
Get a second opinion (non-military) about your eyesight and if it's OK for the civvy world go and get a bank loan for £50K and do a frozen ATPL/IR. You won't regret it.

I wasted 11 years of my life in the back of a smelly Nimrod and am now in the left seat of a 737 and infinitely happier and earning a lot more money.

[canberra]

if you want to be a pilot i would suggest trying the aac. i know an aac pilot who wears glasses, he was rejected by raf due to eyesight problem but aac accepted him.

[day1-week1]

Brakes to Park

I'd be interested to know as to why AEOp is the most **** job in the world? Is it the job or is it that posting options are somewhat limited?

One word of caution on the aac. I know a few lads who transferred to the aac from various other Corps/units because they were p***ed off with army BS like sweeping the hangar floor where they keep the trucks/tanks. And what are they doing now? Sweeping the hangar floor where they keep the helicopters.

[cynical]

Bushboyo,

A lot of good advice here, find out exactly what you are getting into! Having said that, a little more investigation will show you that you are not condemmed to a life in Scotland any more. There are other opportunities to be had if you look deeper.

[J.A.F.O.]

As so many have said, you need to be really sure about this. Being an AEOp can be great fun but it can also be all the asterisks above and more.

Cynical says that times have changed, and he may be right, but if you've always got the pilot thing niggling at you then how much fun will you have? Be sure about what you want to do, then do it, it's your life.

[escapee]

most the replies above come from aeops at ice station kilo. i did 7 and a half years there, now down south still flying on similar type, different job, better sqn, better social life, easier to get to other places around the country. being an aeop is not all bad. but i accepted the job without looking into it, get some advice from cranwell, see what the job entails.

[Judge Rembrandt]

Bb - To help you make up your mind, a reprint of advice given a while back. I've been an AEOp for a number of years. Been all around the world - not just for night-stops, as a lot of the transport guys - but for days/weeks at a time. This allows you to enjoy all that these usually exotic places have to offer. OK, so Kef is the exception! Been involved in some very interesting stuff, and an awful lot of mind-numbingly boring stuff also. Lots of great times with some fantastic mates who, at times, you will have to trust with your life. You do get the odd ar$e along the way, but they are the minority, so can be tolerated. Location - Plan on a 5 year min tour at Kinloss (fantastic place), but you may get away sooner if you work at it. Don't know that I would ' Do it all again' - but that is the benefit of 20-20. Now then, best way to make up your mind is to find out for yourself. Read below - if you like what you see & hear on a visit to Cranwell ask for a visit to Kinloss before you fully commit to it. You could be starting on a great adventure - only you can know if that's what you want. Good Luck with whatever you decide to do.
JR
Jaap,. .Glad to see that things are moving for you. Hope that this will help you, and any others, that may want to find out more about AA before making any decisions:. .If you are a serving airmen and wish to arrange a visit to RAFC Cranwell, telephone 95751 x6699 and speak to either "V" or Sandra - both very helpful ladies - and they will fix it for you! If you are a direct entrant, go to your AFCO and they will arrange it for you. If for some reason the AFCO are not aware that this facility exists, you may want to "help" them with the following number: 01400 261201 x 6699, where once again "V" or Sandra will assist them. . .Good luck with your application. My advice to you would be to get as fit as you possibly can before visiting the OASC, and if selected for any aircrew training, get fitter still!!

[Bushboyo]

Thankyou to everyone for the very useful feedback,
I'll take some time to think about it and i'll try and arrange a visit to Cranwell and Kinloss. The points raised above have opened my eyes a little wider (no pun intended) and its good to have peoples personal opinions and stories as examples. Keep doing what your doing and thanks again!
Bush

[canberra]

the aac pilot i mentioned is a major so i dont think he sweeps many hangar floors!!