Civil or Military?
Guest
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Civil or Military?
I am getting close to the end of an ab-initio traing scheme and am unsure of my next step. i am 21 and have a tremedous desire to fly in the RAF but have heard so many bad things about this that i am not so sure, can any current RAF ex or whoever give me some advice and opinions.... please!
ta very much
ta very much
Guest
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If your desire to fly in the RAF is so "tremedous" then you should go for it.
At the end of the day it is horses for courses. Remember that in the RAF you are an officer first and pilot second (assuming you get selected). Therefore if you can't see yourself as an officer, try the airlines. No experience in the civil arena myself but the money is gonna be better but is the flying going to be as much fun??
Decisions, decisions!!
Choose wisely my friend.
At the end of the day it is horses for courses. Remember that in the RAF you are an officer first and pilot second (assuming you get selected). Therefore if you can't see yourself as an officer, try the airlines. No experience in the civil arena myself but the money is gonna be better but is the flying going to be as much fun??
Decisions, decisions!!
Choose wisely my friend.
Guest
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Definitly Definitly apply for the RAF. They can be considered to be ONE company. If they turn you down, you can then try all the others, i.e. comercial flying. The RAF selection procedure, is 3-4 days at OASC. They cover all costs of train/accomodation/food/medical etc. It costs nothing to apply, and gives you 3 days of really good fun, around people who have the same interests. You will really enjoy the selection, and also gain a valuable experience for future interviews for commercial sponsorship. You have absolutly nothing to lose, and everything to gain by applying. Go for it, and do it now, because if you are turned down at the first attempt, you'll be young enough in a years time to have another go (If you wish). I've just been turned down for pilot (yesterday), in a years time I'll be to old, except for Nav. I'm still gutted, but are now looking into starting on the ATPL exams.
ickle
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If God had meant man to fly, He would have given him more money.
ickle
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If God had meant man to fly, He would have given him more money.
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I second aerostude's comments. Mate, just go and do what you want and what you love to do. I don't know what 'bad' things you say you hear about with the RAF but nothing an no job is ever perfect. If you ask me the worst thing about it is passing the RAF selection process for pilots. If you have a passion for flying for the RAF, go for it with all you've got cause you'll need that determination. In the future you can always move over to commercial aviation.
All the best.
All the best.
Guest
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Not trying to start an argument:
How much thought did/do you guys put into the very real possibility that you will go to war and kill people?
This is a question that really intrigues me as most people joining the RAF seem only to talk about 'the fun' etc...
How much thought did/do you guys put into the very real possibility that you will go to war and kill people?
This is a question that really intrigues me as most people joining the RAF seem only to talk about 'the fun' etc...
Guest
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The issue of whether you have thought about the consequences of going to war will come up fairly early in the interview process. If you haven't thought it through carefully, you probably won't pass the interview. Simple as that.
As for the relative merits of civil versus RAF, they are very different careers and not directly comparable. As someone mentioned earlier, in the RAF your first responsibility is as an officer. That means you will have many tasks that would never fall to an airline pilot. Partly as a result, you will fly less than your airline colleagues. That flying will be regularly more challenging and much more risky than the airline job, and there will be few occasions when you could call the flying repetetive or dull - even in large multis. You will also, in the early years of your career, earn more than most of your civil colleagues. Yes, there will be some who make the RHS of a 737 with EZ by 26 years of age on £48k, but most will be on much, much less. As it happens, I took an £11k cut in pay when I left the RAF for Virgin!
There will be many here who can put the other side of the argument better than I, but I hope this is food for thought.
[This message has been edited by scroggs (edited 06 March 2001).]
As for the relative merits of civil versus RAF, they are very different careers and not directly comparable. As someone mentioned earlier, in the RAF your first responsibility is as an officer. That means you will have many tasks that would never fall to an airline pilot. Partly as a result, you will fly less than your airline colleagues. That flying will be regularly more challenging and much more risky than the airline job, and there will be few occasions when you could call the flying repetetive or dull - even in large multis. You will also, in the early years of your career, earn more than most of your civil colleagues. Yes, there will be some who make the RHS of a 737 with EZ by 26 years of age on £48k, but most will be on much, much less. As it happens, I took an £11k cut in pay when I left the RAF for Virgin!
There will be many here who can put the other side of the argument better than I, but I hope this is food for thought.
[This message has been edited by scroggs (edited 06 March 2001).]
Guest
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well that has certainely given me some things to think about.
The 'bad things' were, too much secondary duty, not enough flying, in particular.
money or time away from home are irrelevant to me. i don't want to get to an age where i tink 'i wish i'd done that'
i think i'm gonna have to go for it, 'nothing to lose everything to gain'.
thanks all
'live the dream'
The 'bad things' were, too much secondary duty, not enough flying, in particular.
money or time away from home are irrelevant to me. i don't want to get to an age where i tink 'i wish i'd done that'
i think i'm gonna have to go for it, 'nothing to lose everything to gain'.
thanks all
'live the dream'
Guest
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All I will say is go for the RAF. The way you get looked after is second to none (roast meals every day as well as a cheese board and fruit juice for breakfast everyday)
The theory is that you are an officer first and pilot second. Well thats bollocks, thats the official line. True you may go to war, big deal, the ones most at risk are the fighter pilots.
If you want a good secure career the RAF is the best option. They pay for all your training (if you don't make the grade don't worry as any idiot can get a ppl. And its all paid for(you won't pay a penny))
The RAF are total poofs but if I had my time again I would definately sign up.
Out of interest do any PJI's come on here, or for that matter any RAF load masters (underated personal)
The theory is that you are an officer first and pilot second. Well thats bollocks, thats the official line. True you may go to war, big deal, the ones most at risk are the fighter pilots.
If you want a good secure career the RAF is the best option. They pay for all your training (if you don't make the grade don't worry as any idiot can get a ppl. And its all paid for(you won't pay a penny))
The RAF are total poofs but if I had my time again I would definately sign up.
Out of interest do any PJI's come on here, or for that matter any RAF load masters (underated personal)
Guest
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If you ask anyone who has done the RAF, they will probably say, "It was fun while I was in, but I'm glad I'm out now." This can be attributed mainly to family circumstances changing at the end of 16 years service, so if you are prepared to stay for 16 years in this knowledge, then go for it.
Read what I wrote on this thread below:
http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/For...ML/000638.html
Read what I wrote on this thread below:
http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/For...ML/000638.html
Guest
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Cuban 8
The reasons I left the RAF were a) that I'd done everything I could in the field I had specialised in (C130 tactical/air refuelling operations), and b) that I had two very young children who would still be in full time education when I was due to retire at age 55, so I needed to find someone to employ me to at least 60. That's easier to do at 40 than 55!!
The 22 years I had in the RAF were fantastic fun. I flew throughout that time, without a ground tour (averaged 35 hours for every month I was in - on everything from the Chipmunk to the Lightning), travelled throughout the world - often where and when the news was being made, flew in situations that would never be possible in civilian life, and had many opportunities, both leisure and work, that I would never have had in any other employment. I ended up as the RAF's C130 display pilot and senior AAR instructor, and was in the process of converting to the C130J as one of the 'core' instructors when I decided to leave.
Don't get me wrong, life at Virgin is excellent. But I wouldn't have missed the RAF for the world!
Does that help?
The reasons I left the RAF were a) that I'd done everything I could in the field I had specialised in (C130 tactical/air refuelling operations), and b) that I had two very young children who would still be in full time education when I was due to retire at age 55, so I needed to find someone to employ me to at least 60. That's easier to do at 40 than 55!!
The 22 years I had in the RAF were fantastic fun. I flew throughout that time, without a ground tour (averaged 35 hours for every month I was in - on everything from the Chipmunk to the Lightning), travelled throughout the world - often where and when the news was being made, flew in situations that would never be possible in civilian life, and had many opportunities, both leisure and work, that I would never have had in any other employment. I ended up as the RAF's C130 display pilot and senior AAR instructor, and was in the process of converting to the C130J as one of the 'core' instructors when I decided to leave.
Don't get me wrong, life at Virgin is excellent. But I wouldn't have missed the RAF for the world!
Does that help?
Guest
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Naughty Boy
Good to see you have got your priorities right. It is amazing to hear how many people say "if I had my time again" assuming they could walk into the RAF, well fortunately there are measures in place to stop ar$e holes like you getting anywhere near an RAF aircraft.
Any way I wouldn't worry about the "official line" on officer first ... etc, you obviously have the officer qualities of a tw@t.
Or maybe your just a complete wind-up
Good to see you have got your priorities right. It is amazing to hear how many people say "if I had my time again" assuming they could walk into the RAF, well fortunately there are measures in place to stop ar$e holes like you getting anywhere near an RAF aircraft.
Any way I wouldn't worry about the "official line" on officer first ... etc, you obviously have the officer qualities of a tw@t.
Or maybe your just a complete wind-up
Guest
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Agree with everything scroggs has said!
Despite the doom and gloom that you might read over on the mil pilots forum it is still a very good job.
All being well I'm going to be doing a seminar on the RAF at the GatBash. See some of you there?
Despite the doom and gloom that you might read over on the mil pilots forum it is still a very good job.
All being well I'm going to be doing a seminar on the RAF at the GatBash. See some of you there?
I've got an interview on monday :+Guest
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I would, if you really mean what you say go full on for the RAF. I did and got a flying scholarship @ 16 and had 3 weeks learning to fly paid for by them and loved avery minute and hour. It has been one of my best experences to date (now 20 with CAA frozen ATPL\IR) through school and A-levels I pushed to go back @ 18 for direct entrance. It was my main goal. I always wanted to fly and I thought the military was the only place. You get the best training, facilities, instructors. When ur there ur an officer. The life style is second to none and in civi street is hard to top for the first few years of working. It has changed recently and the old boys have become disalusioned by it for sure but it is only for the person as they take and first experince it for themselves. It may not b for u, but u will never know unless u go c!
In other words for God sakes while u have the chance to go see DO! If they said 2 me tommorow come back it was a mistake I'd pack 2nite...
In other words for God sakes while u have the chance to go see DO! If they said 2 me tommorow come back it was a mistake I'd pack 2nite...
Guest
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To eagerbeaver and the others - GO FOR IT!
If you don't you will spend years doing the "I wonder.............." bit. It costs nothing at all to apply, even the selection process is good fun, and although the Officer training is 'kin hard work, and may seem pointless at the time it is:
a) still good fun and b) excellent training for life the universe and everything.
One thing you realise when you leave the military is how un-reliable most companies and organisations in civillian life are.
If you bomb out of the flying training (chop rates are quite high!) you can still apply for the civvies as I know plenty of people who have.
But, if you have any doubt at all about the idea of being sent into combat then forget it. There is plenty of risk in the military aviation world (especially the so called fast jet world) and UN/NATO work puts you in the sights of plenty of people who would love to take a shot at you - and there is the IRA to think about too.
However, if you think you can deal with that, give it a bash - what have you got to lose?
If you don't you will spend years doing the "I wonder.............." bit. It costs nothing at all to apply, even the selection process is good fun, and although the Officer training is 'kin hard work, and may seem pointless at the time it is:
a) still good fun and b) excellent training for life the universe and everything.
One thing you realise when you leave the military is how un-reliable most companies and organisations in civillian life are.
If you bomb out of the flying training (chop rates are quite high!) you can still apply for the civvies as I know plenty of people who have.
But, if you have any doubt at all about the idea of being sent into combat then forget it. There is plenty of risk in the military aviation world (especially the so called fast jet world) and UN/NATO work puts you in the sights of plenty of people who would love to take a shot at you - and there is the IRA to think about too.
However, if you think you can deal with that, give it a bash - what have you got to lose?
Guest
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Plus you have to sign your life away for 16 years! The RAF do offer 10 year commissions -if you have a degree, but i'm not sure if they will allow you to fly fast jets if you have only signed up for 10 years!
It's fine if you like it, but alot of things can change in 16 years!
It's fine if you like it, but alot of things can change in 16 years!