How does being a Pilot in any of the forces affect family life (g/f or wife)?
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How does being a Pilot in any of the forces affect family life (g/f or wife)?
I am thinking of appying to join the RAF to become a pilot. But I would just like to know how it affects your love life. I know you have to sign up for min of 12yrs and just want to know what kind of strain that will put on a relationship. As I suspect your away for long periods. I just want to know peoples thoughts and experiences on the subject, and what is the longest time your likley to be away for when you get postings?
Thanks
Thanks
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Time away varies... few weeks to a good few months. If you're in two minds between a woman and flying, you probably don't want it bad enough.
Your jet won't get jealous when you go off on another, nor will it moan about lad's nights out.... not a difficult choice!
(Edited: Damn, beat me to it!)
Time away varies... few weeks to a good few months. If you're in two minds between a woman and flying, you probably don't want it bad enough.
Your jet won't get jealous when you go off on another, nor will it moan about lad's nights out.... not a difficult choice!
(Edited: Damn, beat me to it!)
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Dave,
Check your PMs.
Check your PMs.
You must accept that, in training, you will have to concentrate almost exclusively on your work, with maybe a night a week to blow off steam, probably by drinking at the emergency rate for a couple of hours and falling asleep (or have times changed since I went through?).
Once you're qualified, your partner will have a bit more of your time, but will be moving house often at the whim of the company, and any appointments made will be on the proviso that you may be heading off somewhere at no notice for an unspecified time.
You might be deployed for months, leaving her to look after everything at home.
Some relationships can handle it, some don't, but don't try to gloss over the realities with her when deciding to try it or not! A supportive partner is a must; otherwise, the relationship will not make the distance.
Once you're qualified, your partner will have a bit more of your time, but will be moving house often at the whim of the company, and any appointments made will be on the proviso that you may be heading off somewhere at no notice for an unspecified time.
You might be deployed for months, leaving her to look after everything at home.
Some relationships can handle it, some don't, but don't try to gloss over the realities with her when deciding to try it or not! A supportive partner is a must; otherwise, the relationship will not make the distance.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
The moving house bit really only applies to the groundies. Aircrew once settled into a role are often settled for life. One at Lynham is into DIY. He has equipped his quarter with greenhouse, shed, patio, pool in the summer etc. Even through a tour in town he kept his quarter.
One key is join, get trained, get posted, get operational and then find a bird.
Do it in any other way and she will have the wrong expectations. If the bird comes last then you can tell her honestly (if you dare) just how often she can expect to see you and who gets first call at the top of the power stoke - and it isn't her (or it used not to be).
One key is join, get trained, get posted, get operational and then find a bird.
Do it in any other way and she will have the wrong expectations. If the bird comes last then you can tell her honestly (if you dare) just how often she can expect to see you and who gets first call at the top of the power stoke - and it isn't her (or it used not to be).
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What a sad Q for a thread this is.I suppose in a way it mirrors the type of 'monkey' we get at the sqns nowadays.I suppose the adventure has disappeared from the mob thats why these homely fluffy niceboys keep applying. Bet the AAC and FAA guys are havin a field day.
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Vote with your feet...
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Pontius
I have to disagree. As a married RAF pilot I moved house 10 times in 11 years, and whilst this was a little above the average it was by no means exceptional among my colleagues, who were as settled in role (SH) as I was.
The moving house bit really only applies to the groundies. Aircrew once settled into a role are often settled for life.
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Bismark
Thank you, perhaps in my second life I will organise my postings, promotions and airfield closures more efficiently to allow me to stay in one house. In this one, however, I have used my clearly inadequate organisational abilities to leave the RAF and settle into a stable domestic and professional situation.
Thank you, perhaps in my second life I will organise my postings, promotions and airfield closures more efficiently to allow me to stay in one house. In this one, however, I have used my clearly inadequate organisational abilities to leave the RAF and settle into a stable domestic and professional situation.