pilot X-over II
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Re: pilot X-over II
RAM
I have been an observer of these pages for a few years now but something in this thread has finally broken the camel's back and forced me to sound off.
Well done on being accepted for nav training, I'm sure you will find it both difficult and very rewarding.
With regard to a 2-wing crossover - It's very bold of you to declare your intentions openly in this environment and I wish you the very best of luck. You must however be aware of the some problems; The RAF is currently 'fat' for pilots and a hold for trainee pilots has subsequently built up which makes the case fo a crossover far more difficult than when I went through training 4 or 5 years ago, when there were many navs retraining, most of whom (but not all) had already been combat ready as a navigator.
You should also not be disheartened by the banter you have received on this thread. There are an awful lot of cynical, unhelpful, unencouraging opinions on these pages, however you must be aware that these attitudes are only too common and as such it would make sense to be guarded with your clearly intelligent, positive ambitions and arguments. It's sad but an outspoken, ambitious and honest man will often be taken down by the small minded point-scoring dross around him.
Once again, good luck and should you need any help then please pm me(believe me I am in a good position to advise on such).
wings
I have been an observer of these pages for a few years now but something in this thread has finally broken the camel's back and forced me to sound off.
Well done on being accepted for nav training, I'm sure you will find it both difficult and very rewarding.
With regard to a 2-wing crossover - It's very bold of you to declare your intentions openly in this environment and I wish you the very best of luck. You must however be aware of the some problems; The RAF is currently 'fat' for pilots and a hold for trainee pilots has subsequently built up which makes the case fo a crossover far more difficult than when I went through training 4 or 5 years ago, when there were many navs retraining, most of whom (but not all) had already been combat ready as a navigator.
You should also not be disheartened by the banter you have received on this thread. There are an awful lot of cynical, unhelpful, unencouraging opinions on these pages, however you must be aware that these attitudes are only too common and as such it would make sense to be guarded with your clearly intelligent, positive ambitions and arguments. It's sad but an outspoken, ambitious and honest man will often be taken down by the small minded point-scoring dross around him.
Once again, good luck and should you need any help then please pm me(believe me I am in a good position to advise on such).
wings
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Re: pilot X-over II
Run a mile
Wingstoosmall is right. If you bide your time and become good at the nav thing, it will come - it did to me.
You have been lucky enough to be one of (apparently) 17 WSOs selected this year and as such have a chance to go out and impress people. Keep your nose to the grindstone and your desires of crossovers to yourself and I'm sure you'll do well. Nothing will annoy the old-school guys that are teaching in the WSO world more than a young upstart (that'll be their choice of words) who really has his eyes set on the other seat already.
You will find Tucs challenging and LLTS (or whatever they call FJ lead-in Doms these days) equally, if not more so. Just strive to do the best you can at every stage and see what happens. Those that have been around for some time in this outfit know that all these things are cyclical and maybe within 3 years the RAF will be short of pilots and you'll get your chance. If that IS the case, you'll need to be one of the best WSOs around to bag a place.
SO, the chances of you crossing over to be a pilot in the short term are about as great as Elvis being your QPNI on Tucanos and Lord Lucan your Flt Cdr, but lots of effort and commitment now, should well pay dividends in the long run.
As for those who think Runamile's ambition shows lack of commitment, I joined the RAF as one thing but always wanted to be a pilot, and frankly was fairly bitter about it. Although it was always my ambition to get that crossover (and I let people know when I arrived on my first frontline unit), it didn't stop me being fully commited to my job at the time and being quite good at it. Maybe his posting here shows a little naivety (how many of us would have used something similar if the interweb had been invented?), but if he comes out of the other side better informed, then so what?
Wingstoosmall is right. If you bide your time and become good at the nav thing, it will come - it did to me.
You have been lucky enough to be one of (apparently) 17 WSOs selected this year and as such have a chance to go out and impress people. Keep your nose to the grindstone and your desires of crossovers to yourself and I'm sure you'll do well. Nothing will annoy the old-school guys that are teaching in the WSO world more than a young upstart (that'll be their choice of words) who really has his eyes set on the other seat already.
You will find Tucs challenging and LLTS (or whatever they call FJ lead-in Doms these days) equally, if not more so. Just strive to do the best you can at every stage and see what happens. Those that have been around for some time in this outfit know that all these things are cyclical and maybe within 3 years the RAF will be short of pilots and you'll get your chance. If that IS the case, you'll need to be one of the best WSOs around to bag a place.
SO, the chances of you crossing over to be a pilot in the short term are about as great as Elvis being your QPNI on Tucanos and Lord Lucan your Flt Cdr, but lots of effort and commitment now, should well pay dividends in the long run.
As for those who think Runamile's ambition shows lack of commitment, I joined the RAF as one thing but always wanted to be a pilot, and frankly was fairly bitter about it. Although it was always my ambition to get that crossover (and I let people know when I arrived on my first frontline unit), it didn't stop me being fully commited to my job at the time and being quite good at it. Maybe his posting here shows a little naivety (how many of us would have used something similar if the interweb had been invented?), but if he comes out of the other side better informed, then so what?
