Fighter Control - A Dark Art?
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Re: Fighter Control - A Dark Art?
Some very good advice so far. My (personal) opinion is that for the first few years of your career they are pretty equal, yes FC is more operationally focused but ATC has better locations to be posted.
However, if you want to look beyond your first few tours, a FC has much much more utility in a strategic HQ that an ATC. FCs do Battle-space management, ATC do airspace management....which is more useful to a defence force????
I know many fine officers from both branches, but I know where my aspirations would lie. EVERYBODY tends to enjoy their first few tours (it tends to be full of your core business and uncluttered by politics). If you want to go civvy ATC, it would not be hard for Civ ATC to train any ex RAF who is airspace-minded (go on the NATs recruitment website and look).
WSOp has the thrill of being an airborne job, but after the first few tours advancement will be limited unless you are young enough to branch change.
I the future of the RAF is UAVs I suspect that a FC is better placed than an ATC to be a pivotal part in that future.
Good luck.
PS I am not from either branch!!
However, if you want to look beyond your first few tours, a FC has much much more utility in a strategic HQ that an ATC. FCs do Battle-space management, ATC do airspace management....which is more useful to a defence force????
I know many fine officers from both branches, but I know where my aspirations would lie. EVERYBODY tends to enjoy their first few tours (it tends to be full of your core business and uncluttered by politics). If you want to go civvy ATC, it would not be hard for Civ ATC to train any ex RAF who is airspace-minded (go on the NATs recruitment website and look).
WSOp has the thrill of being an airborne job, but after the first few tours advancement will be limited unless you are young enough to branch change.
I the future of the RAF is UAVs I suspect that a FC is better placed than an ATC to be a pivotal part in that future.
Good luck.
PS I am not from either branch!!
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Re: Fighter Control - A Dark Art?
Orville,
I was a FC for a log time, but I'm much better now thank you. I only need the tablets every other day, and the people at the hospital are very nice rearly...
Honestly young feller, don't do it If you want a job where everyone hates you, employ some honesty and join the RAF Police. It's no accident that the FC's are up at Boulmer (North of Newcastle) and the rest of the air force is at least 2 hours drive away from the place. If they could have found somewhere more remote, they would have put them there. Why would someone who wants to fly like an eagle go and live like a mole? Unless the life forms in the FC branch have mutated towards human you might find them full of bitter and twisted people who were chopped off some other course. (Yes, me as well). They generally sit around all day looking into goldfish bowls muttering to themselves. If I were you, I'd go and join the French Foreign Legion. or even the Royal Navy
I was a FC for a log time, but I'm much better now thank you. I only need the tablets every other day, and the people at the hospital are very nice rearly...
Honestly young feller, don't do it If you want a job where everyone hates you, employ some honesty and join the RAF Police. It's no accident that the FC's are up at Boulmer (North of Newcastle) and the rest of the air force is at least 2 hours drive away from the place. If they could have found somewhere more remote, they would have put them there. Why would someone who wants to fly like an eagle go and live like a mole? Unless the life forms in the FC branch have mutated towards human you might find them full of bitter and twisted people who were chopped off some other course. (Yes, me as well). They generally sit around all day looking into goldfish bowls muttering to themselves. If I were you, I'd go and join the French Foreign Legion. or even the Royal Navy
Re: Fighter Control - A Dark Art?
Ray
You do make me titter. Glad you admit to being bitter and twisted. Saves me having to point it out. Goldfish bowl..that dates you. As you are a captian of industry why are you hanging around here instead of sunning yourself in some exotic location?
You do make me titter. Glad you admit to being bitter and twisted. Saves me having to point it out. Goldfish bowl..that dates you. As you are a captian of industry why are you hanging around here instead of sunning yourself in some exotic location?
Re: Fighter Control - A Dark Art?
"Following recent attendance at OASC, I've been offered positions as a Fighter Control Officer, ATCO or WSOp."
Which is either like asking which type of death by boredom you'd prefer, or indicative of the branch they're most desperate to find recruits for....
Which is either like asking which type of death by boredom you'd prefer, or indicative of the branch they're most desperate to find recruits for....
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Re: Fighter Control - A Dark Art?
Orville,
It appears you have been offered a choice of either FC,ATC or WSOp. Just because FC is first doesn't necessarily mean that is OASC's preferred option. If they wanted you to be FC they probably would have only offered you FC. If you have an unsolicted offer of FC you must have a really good aptitude for it.
You appear to be in a good position where you get to chose your branch.
Just out of curiosity what were you branch choices in order of preference and want length of commission have you been offered?
I would prefer that you PM me if you wish to talk off the record about OASC
If you want to arrange a visit to a Station, you could use the AFCO and it may take a while to arrange. When do you have to accept/decline any offer?
You could arrnage your own visit by telephoning the Public Relations Officer at the Sation you wish to visit - you may then get a day which is the most convenient for you.
WTN
It appears you have been offered a choice of either FC,ATC or WSOp. Just because FC is first doesn't necessarily mean that is OASC's preferred option. If they wanted you to be FC they probably would have only offered you FC. If you have an unsolicted offer of FC you must have a really good aptitude for it.
You appear to be in a good position where you get to chose your branch.
Just out of curiosity what were you branch choices in order of preference and want length of commission have you been offered?
I would prefer that you PM me if you wish to talk off the record about OASC
If you want to arrange a visit to a Station, you could use the AFCO and it may take a while to arrange. When do you have to accept/decline any offer?
You could arrnage your own visit by telephoning the Public Relations Officer at the Sation you wish to visit - you may then get a day which is the most convenient for you.
WTN
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Re: Fighter Control - A Dark Art?
Orville,
There's some good gen above - NB especially that, if flying's your thing, you should go WSOp.
If you're intrigued by the FC Branch, however, Well Trav'd Nav makes a good point about time. My spies tell me that someone in your position has already got a visit jacked-up to RAF Boulmer which should happen before the end of Jan (precise date still TBD). Have a look at Boulmer's website at: www.raf.mod.uk/rafboulmer. On the home page select 'contact us' and then 'click here' on the next page that comes up. This will enable you to email a very nice lady
who should be able to sort a visit out for you.
Whatever you choose, good luck and keep us info'd
There's some good gen above - NB especially that, if flying's your thing, you should go WSOp.
If you're intrigued by the FC Branch, however, Well Trav'd Nav makes a good point about time. My spies tell me that someone in your position has already got a visit jacked-up to RAF Boulmer which should happen before the end of Jan (precise date still TBD). Have a look at Boulmer's website at: www.raf.mod.uk/rafboulmer. On the home page select 'contact us' and then 'click here' on the next page that comes up. This will enable you to email a very nice lady
who should be able to sort a visit out for you.Whatever you choose, good luck and keep us info'd
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Re: Fighter Control - A Dark Art?
Originally Posted by SirToppamHat
By all means pm me if you want the latest hot poop - for now, this is the office (well about one third of it anyway):
And, you have to go upstairs to get into this one - an unusual experience I can assure you!
Good words from the Inspector - it is not that difficult to arrange a visit, and if OASC has offered has already made an offer of a place at Cranditz, you owe it to yourself and to us. It should now be possible to visit Waddington, 1 ACC and Scampton in a day, and there are (I think) reasonably frequent RJP visits to Boulmer.
STH
And, you have to go upstairs to get into this one - an unusual experience I can assure you!
Good words from the Inspector - it is not that difficult to arrange a visit, and if OASC has offered has already made an offer of a place at Cranditz, you owe it to yourself and to us. It should now be possible to visit Waddington, 1 ACC and Scampton in a day, and there are (I think) reasonably frequent RJP visits to Boulmer.
STH
Do FCs spend a lot of time phoning up people having dinner to pester them about fitted kitchens? I would be concerned about long term job prospects- the branch looks like it might be outsourced to New Delhi in the near future.
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Re: Fighter Control - A Dark Art?
The HCI was actually designed by people more used to doing call centres - did they know something we didn't?
The picture gives a bit of a false impression of the light levels - it is actually an office environment - not as dark as the picture might suggest.
The picture gives a bit of a false impression of the light levels - it is actually an office environment - not as dark as the picture might suggest.
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Re: Fighter Control - A Dark Art?
I've brightened the previous picture up. Here's another bit:
There are 3 displays on each console, one of which is for the radar display and the other 2 for data, though they are inter-changeable.
This has become known as the Execs' Banana:
There are 3 displays on each console, one of which is for the radar display and the other 2 for data, though they are inter-changeable.
This has become known as the Execs' Banana:
Re: Fighter Control - A Dark Art?
Beagle
So, how many people join the RAF specifically to fly tankers then? I have never met one. Most join the aircrew branch to fly FJ and end up getting streamed onto other types ( I said most NOT all before you start).
I was in the bar at LU in 87 when a sqn came in and presented a young Nav with a yard of ale. In the speech the Sqn Boss congratulated him on passing his convex and finally 'making the grade' as an F4 Nav after 'years in the wilderness'. Seems he spent his first tour on Victor Tankers. Seems to me you lot don't even like each other!
I have nothing but respect for those who fly, no matter what type or role. I also have respect for all those in support. It's horses for courses and those who are most dismissive of others are usually the unhappiest of all (or just an old fart).
So, how many people join the RAF specifically to fly tankers then? I have never met one. Most join the aircrew branch to fly FJ and end up getting streamed onto other types ( I said most NOT all before you start).
I was in the bar at LU in 87 when a sqn came in and presented a young Nav with a yard of ale. In the speech the Sqn Boss congratulated him on passing his convex and finally 'making the grade' as an F4 Nav after 'years in the wilderness'. Seems he spent his first tour on Victor Tankers. Seems to me you lot don't even like each other!
I have nothing but respect for those who fly, no matter what type or role. I also have respect for all those in support. It's horses for courses and those who are most dismissive of others are usually the unhappiest of all (or just an old fart).
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Re: Fighter Control - A Dark Art?
Originally Posted by SirToppamHat
this is the office (well about one third of it anyway
Re: Fighter Control - A Dark Art?
Well said Wyler.
I find it interesting (and quite sad really) that those who have left the service seem to feel the need to hang around this forum slagging off the forces today and bleating on about how much better it was in their day!
Maybe we could start a new forum for the old bitter ones, kind of like a retirement home where they could all go and gently wee themselves while congratulating each other on how good they were, while slagging off the youth of today.
p.s. I don't have anything against these people posting their stories of days gone by etc, and Beagle et al have contributed greatly in the past. I just wish we'd stop hearing how bad it is now from those who aren't in.
I find it interesting (and quite sad really) that those who have left the service seem to feel the need to hang around this forum slagging off the forces today and bleating on about how much better it was in their day!
Maybe we could start a new forum for the old bitter ones, kind of like a retirement home where they could all go and gently wee themselves while congratulating each other on how good they were, while slagging off the youth of today.
p.s. I don't have anything against these people posting their stories of days gone by etc, and Beagle et al have contributed greatly in the past. I just wish we'd stop hearing how bad it is now from those who aren't in.
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Re: Fighter Control - A Dark Art?
Originally Posted by orville_emuas
Following recent attendance at OASC, I've been offered positions as a Fighter Control Officer, ATCO or WSOp.
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Re: Fighter Control - A Dark Art?
Dear Mr/Mrs late Arm Live,
I am sure that the oldies have as much right to say their bit as you do. If they didn't like their service life, they should say so. I have great respect for those in the armed forces of today who do the job. However, there are always those who make life difficult for their brothers in arms, and they do not deserve our respect. These people are by the way found in all walks of life, so hey live with it.
As for me I did 19 years in light blue, most of them in a branch I didn't choose to be in. It suited me to stay to my half career point then leave, however, once a civi, and set up in good job, I joined the reserves, and served a further 18 years in uniform part time. I was called up twice in that time , once for the Kosovo thing, and once for TELIC (6 months that time). I think I have an idea therefore on how "the mob" is run now, as well as how it was run "then"
If the oldies want to blast off about the way things are done now, (or were then) good luck to them. Generally, they will know what they are talking about and most likely have forgotton more than some of the youngsters ever learnt in the first place.
Remember 2 things :
Those who forget history are doomed to re-live it.
Youth is wasted on the young.
I am sure that the oldies have as much right to say their bit as you do. If they didn't like their service life, they should say so. I have great respect for those in the armed forces of today who do the job. However, there are always those who make life difficult for their brothers in arms, and they do not deserve our respect. These people are by the way found in all walks of life, so hey live with it.
As for me I did 19 years in light blue, most of them in a branch I didn't choose to be in. It suited me to stay to my half career point then leave, however, once a civi, and set up in good job, I joined the reserves, and served a further 18 years in uniform part time. I was called up twice in that time , once for the Kosovo thing, and once for TELIC (6 months that time). I think I have an idea therefore on how "the mob" is run now, as well as how it was run "then"
If the oldies want to blast off about the way things are done now, (or were then) good luck to them. Generally, they will know what they are talking about and most likely have forgotton more than some of the youngsters ever learnt in the first place.
Remember 2 things :
Those who forget history are doomed to re-live it.
Youth is wasted on the young.
