I'd rather be a pilot!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: RAF Valley
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd rather be a pilot!
We were having a discussion today in the crewroom about OASC and what we all put down as our preferred branch options. It became apparent that all of us put down Pilot first (obviously) and so we started to think. Has anyone ever put down Nav as their first choice?
Unlikely we thought. Comments?
Unlikely we thought. Comments?
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Retired to Bisley from the small African nation
Age: 68
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I applied 1 Engineer Officer
2 Pilot.
But that was because at the time you could get a Cadetship leading to a 5-yr Short Service Commission as an Engineer.
OASC were most put out when I told them where to shove their offer of a PC as an Engineer.
I got the SSC
Then I found out what Engineer Officers mostly do in the RAF.
They were OK about it when halfway through IOT I said "Can I be a pilot now please?"
Still here 28 years later.
Sven
2 Pilot.
But that was because at the time you could get a Cadetship leading to a 5-yr Short Service Commission as an Engineer.
OASC were most put out when I told them where to shove their offer of a PC as an Engineer.
I got the SSC
Then I found out what Engineer Officers mostly do in the RAF.
They were OK about it when halfway through IOT I said "Can I be a pilot now please?"
Still here 28 years later.
Sven
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: UK
Age: 41
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Assuming you want to fly, the ONLY reason to put WSO first woudl be if you're unsure of your medical status, or to old for Pilot.
It makes no sense to say I want to fly and be aircrew - but not be the best!
It makes no sense to say I want to fly and be aircrew - but not be the best!
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Mine were all ground branches, but then I wear a couple of bottle bottoms over my eyes. Still, got to spend my career telling aircrew where to go..... 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: door or ramp, don't mind.
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It makes no sense to say I want to fly and be aircrew - but not be the best!
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1. ALM
2. Pilot
OASC were very curious as to the order, explained it was because i wanted to get involved in more diverse tasks than just be a taxi driver, they were happy with that but I failed my eye sight tests.
2. Pilot
OASC were very curious as to the order, explained it was because i wanted to get involved in more diverse tasks than just be a taxi driver, they were happy with that but I failed my eye sight tests.
Pilot or Observer
To put a FAA spin on it, there are very good career reasons why one might wish to be the one that 'fights' the battle from the air as opposed to the one that gets the airframe to the required vantage point and back again safely.
Just look at the hierachy of the FAA and you will see a very high proportion of Observers.
Just look at the hierachy of the FAA and you will see a very high proportion of Observers.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: UK
Age: 41
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Just look at the hierachy of the FAA and you will see a very high proportion of Observers"
Surely this is as all the Pilots leave and fly for BA. The Observers, one would assume, cannot find better civilian employment, hence have to stay for the career.
Surely this is as all the Pilots leave and fly for BA. The Observers, one would assume, cannot find better civilian employment, hence have to stay for the career.
Uberpilot,
Yes, I think you are partially right.
However in today's modern aircraft (Civilian as well as Military) the job of the 'driver' is as a mission systems manager, and this is increasingly seen as something that the Observer does best.
Indeed I know the airlines are increasingly interested in recruiting Observers as airline pilots. So as well as having a better grip (than pilots) on the wider Warfare aspects of the job in the RN, they're also well suited to compete with pilots for the airlines.
Yes, I think you are partially right.
However in today's modern aircraft (Civilian as well as Military) the job of the 'driver' is as a mission systems manager, and this is increasingly seen as something that the Observer does best.
Indeed I know the airlines are increasingly interested in recruiting Observers as airline pilots. So as well as having a better grip (than pilots) on the wider Warfare aspects of the job in the RN, they're also well suited to compete with pilots for the airlines.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Plus, they're also used to sitting in the left hand seat!
Quite a few people I've met when applying for FAA aircrew have been going for Observer, both for the challenging nature of the job and also the simple fact that there are more spaces for Observers at the moment - 17 observer places at the next BRNC intake, as opposed to 8 for pilot.
I've also heard rumours that potential observers are being looked at for JSF after flight grading, as it is easier to train an observer to then be a pilot, rather than vice versa.
I'm sure the stick jockeys will have something to say about this though.........
Quite a few people I've met when applying for FAA aircrew have been going for Observer, both for the challenging nature of the job and also the simple fact that there are more spaces for Observers at the moment - 17 observer places at the next BRNC intake, as opposed to 8 for pilot.
I've also heard rumours that potential observers are being looked at for JSF after flight grading, as it is easier to train an observer to then be a pilot, rather than vice versa.
I'm sure the stick jockeys will have something to say about this though.........
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My choices :-
1. ALM
Never wanted anything else, got really good scores and asked why i never put pilot on my form. Gave them the party line about doing it a later date etc. etc. Too much like hard work being a front ender.
Heights Good
1. ALM
Never wanted anything else, got really good scores and asked why i never put pilot on my form. Gave them the party line about doing it a later date etc. etc. Too much like hard work being a front ender.
Heights Good
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh, sod it! I never wanted to be a pilot in the first place!
I... I wanted to be...
A LUMBERJACK!
Leaping from tree to tree! As they float down the mighty rivers of British Columbia!
With my best girl by my side!
The Larch!
The Pine!
The Giant Redwood tree!
The Sequoia!
TOG
I... I wanted to be...
A LUMBERJACK!
Leaping from tree to tree! As they float down the mighty rivers of British Columbia!
With my best girl by my side!
The Larch!
The Pine!
The Giant Redwood tree!
The Sequoia!
TOG
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: States sometimes
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My advice to anyone 'joining up' was ALM/Pilot...... in no particular order. Nothing else comes close. That was then, this is now and unfortunately you can no longer join as ALM you have to take your chances with WSOp
GM
GM
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: West Anglia
Age: 54
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Indeed I know the airlines are increasingly interested in recruiting Observers as airline pilots. So as well as having a better grip (than pilots) on the wider Warfare aspects of the job in the RN, they're also well suited to compete with pilots for the airlines.