Pilots, would you do it again?
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Pilots, would you do it again?
Hi Guys,
As you may have read in previous posts, am currently applying for a career in military aviation. I have read a lot of the posts on here over the last couple of weeks and have come across a lot of negativity about life in the forces. I know there was a similar thread a few weeks ago but I really want to know what the pilots think?
If you guys knew what you know now, would you do it again?
If not, what else would you do and why?
Start typing guys,
Speedy
As you may have read in previous posts, am currently applying for a career in military aviation. I have read a lot of the posts on here over the last couple of weeks and have come across a lot of negativity about life in the forces. I know there was a similar thread a few weeks ago but I really want to know what the pilots think?
If you guys knew what you know now, would you do it again?
If not, what else would you do and why?
Start typing guys,
Speedy
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Mil Career
Speedy,
Its hard for an individual to say what is best, or indeed for you.
Everyone will have their own preferences and those currently serving only really have a reasonable exposure to their own discipline rather than a broader perspective of all RW/FJ/ME.
In general it is still worth being a Mil Pilot under the right circumstances. In my opinion if you are trashing freight/pax then better to apply for BA/Virgin/Easyjet etc. Similarly, some may say that CFS is not the most thrilling tour.
Anything else probably offers what you may be looking for. Have a look at where all the A/C types and roles are based geographically and where they spend a lot of the year working and doing as that isn't always as great as first seems.
Best of luck.
Its hard for an individual to say what is best, or indeed for you.
Everyone will have their own preferences and those currently serving only really have a reasonable exposure to their own discipline rather than a broader perspective of all RW/FJ/ME.
In general it is still worth being a Mil Pilot under the right circumstances. In my opinion if you are trashing freight/pax then better to apply for BA/Virgin/Easyjet etc. Similarly, some may say that CFS is not the most thrilling tour.
Anything else probably offers what you may be looking for. Have a look at where all the A/C types and roles are based geographically and where they spend a lot of the year working and doing as that isn't always as great as first seems.
Best of luck.
I'd still join the RAF I joined, but I'm not sure whether I'd want to join today's RAF...
But if there was still an airline training college like Hamble of Prestwick, that'd probably appeal more - because it would give me the chance to fly ME ac which aren't long past their 'use by' dates...
FJ/ME
But if there was still an airline training college like Hamble of Prestwick, that'd probably appeal more - because it would give me the chance to fly ME ac which aren't long past their 'use by' dates...
FJ/ME
1 minute in an Alouette III - that caught fire.
20 min in a Scout.
A few minutes in the back of various Wessex, Puma and Chinook.
Various sessions in a rubber suit dangling under Whirlwind, Wessex, Sea King with the kind assistance of the SAR chaps at Tenby, St Mawgan, Mountbatten, etc.
A jump seat trip in a Sea King in the Islas Malvinas (with the smallest lady pilot I've ever met - and damn good she was too!)...that was an extremely interesting experience. Thanks, JJ!
RW - Nein danke! But horses for courses - I'm sure that those who do it love it!
20 min in a Scout.
A few minutes in the back of various Wessex, Puma and Chinook.
Various sessions in a rubber suit dangling under Whirlwind, Wessex, Sea King with the kind assistance of the SAR chaps at Tenby, St Mawgan, Mountbatten, etc.
A jump seat trip in a Sea King in the Islas Malvinas (with the smallest lady pilot I've ever met - and damn good she was too!)...that was an extremely interesting experience. Thanks, JJ!
RW - Nein danke! But horses for courses - I'm sure that those who do it love it!
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It might just depend on what you want to fly or what role you think you would enjoy. If the answer is modern fighters or strike/attack aircraft you really have no choice. If you think you might enjoy flying freight or pax then you could do it on your terms as a civilian but only if you can afford the training.
I joined the RAF to fly, flew fighters for more years than I like to say and, on balance, enjoyed it all. Would I do the same again today? Wish I could.
I joined the RAF to fly, flew fighters for more years than I like to say and, on balance, enjoyed it all. Would I do the same again today? Wish I could.
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Absolutely! This forum exists more often than not for people to vent their frustrations/anger. As a result , an outsider may just see a lot of negativity.
When was the last time you read a post on here saying "Hi everybody, I had a wicked trip today"? Probabbly never. Does that mean day to day, nobody is having fun operating military aircraft? No way. I propose they just don't share it on this forum.
Don't get me wrong, it isn't all joy 24/7. However, you take the rough with the smooth and, if you're the right kind of person, you'll have a bloody hoot. It's also a very exclusive hoot. For all their money no popstar can rip up the Lake District at high speed looking up at the mountain tops, make a tactital approach to Basra or hover on a Scottish hillside in ****e weather. They can however buy themselves an ATPL.
When you consider that somewere in the region of 10,000 people apply or enquire to CIOs, every year, to become military pilots. All chasing the 200 or so slots you get an idea of how desirable the job is. It's not a job for everybody, but like I said if you're the right kind of person it's a ball.
Best of luck deciding what kind of person you are, and I hope you enjoy it whatever you choose.....
When was the last time you read a post on here saying "Hi everybody, I had a wicked trip today"? Probabbly never. Does that mean day to day, nobody is having fun operating military aircraft? No way. I propose they just don't share it on this forum.
Don't get me wrong, it isn't all joy 24/7. However, you take the rough with the smooth and, if you're the right kind of person, you'll have a bloody hoot. It's also a very exclusive hoot. For all their money no popstar can rip up the Lake District at high speed looking up at the mountain tops, make a tactital approach to Basra or hover on a Scottish hillside in ****e weather. They can however buy themselves an ATPL.
When you consider that somewere in the region of 10,000 people apply or enquire to CIOs, every year, to become military pilots. All chasing the 200 or so slots you get an idea of how desirable the job is. It's not a job for everybody, but like I said if you're the right kind of person it's a ball.
Best of luck deciding what kind of person you are, and I hope you enjoy it whatever you choose.....
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I heartily second everything santiago15 has to say.
While I admit my 3 years flying isn't as much as most on these forums have under their belts, I still look forward to going to work every day and the outlook, overall, I hold as being bright. The banter's top, you can still get to some good (not necessarily sandy!) faraway places and notwithstanding the deserved banter on the latest RAF ad, you are pretty well looked after in many ways.
My advice, you've got to try FJ (watch Combat Pilot tonight BBC 2 Wales, Chan 961 on Sky 9pm) but there's plenty of fun to be had in any stream, ney branch.
While I admit my 3 years flying isn't as much as most on these forums have under their belts, I still look forward to going to work every day and the outlook, overall, I hold as being bright. The banter's top, you can still get to some good (not necessarily sandy!) faraway places and notwithstanding the deserved banter on the latest RAF ad, you are pretty well looked after in many ways.
My advice, you've got to try FJ (watch Combat Pilot tonight BBC 2 Wales, Chan 961 on Sky 9pm) but there's plenty of fun to be had in any stream, ney branch.
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Appreciate the responses so far. Was not asking you to say whether you think I would like it but to say if YOU would do it again? A little bit about what you'd done would be cool. One of the main reasons I am asking along this line of questioning is because when I was applying to medical school, and was choosing between medicine and aviation, all the doctors I spoke to said "dont do it". Wish I had listened!! So now, just trying to pick the brains of as many of you guys as possible.
Keep posting,
Curious Speedy
Keep posting,
Curious Speedy
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YEEEEEEEEEEEEES
Over 20 Years, 4000hrs, all on a bang seat, WHY would I want to have done anything else? Top Tip for FJ Pilots, Next time you're on a transit, whack the AP in at TOC. How dull is that? Can you imagine how your working life would be if that was all you did?Flying is all about actually making the aircraft do cool stuff! I don't know about other ways to spend my days, I'm very happy with mine and would do it all again.
Over 20 Years, 4000hrs, all on a bang seat, WHY would I want to have done anything else? Top Tip for FJ Pilots, Next time you're on a transit, whack the AP in at TOC. How dull is that? Can you imagine how your working life would be if that was all you did?Flying is all about actually making the aircraft do cool stuff! I don't know about other ways to spend my days, I'm very happy with mine and would do it all again.
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To answer your question.....absolutely no doubt I would do it again.
I have been lucky with opportunities, although you can sometimes influence your luck. In any case, the quality of laughs, mates, nights out, opportunity for courses/expeds and of course the flying still make the job exceptional in certain areas.
It is, though, arguably a bachelors life at times.....many will testify to that.
If you are still at Uni, get onto a UAS, start flying, get to some stns and get a feel for what you like as a lifestyle and then choose.
I have been lucky with opportunities, although you can sometimes influence your luck. In any case, the quality of laughs, mates, nights out, opportunity for courses/expeds and of course the flying still make the job exceptional in certain areas.
It is, though, arguably a bachelors life at times.....many will testify to that.
If you are still at Uni, get onto a UAS, start flying, get to some stns and get a feel for what you like as a lifestyle and then choose.
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We may whinge, we may complain, but nothing beats strapping an aeroplane on and seeing a blue sky when everyone around you is in the rain drizzle and traffic jams of a commute to the office.
Some days my be bad....but I love going home with that smug self satisfied grin.
Some days my be bad....but I love going home with that smug self satisfied grin.
