Pilot Cross Over or obtain a Commission as a Pilot
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Pilot Cross Over or obtain a Commission as a Pilot
Is there any difference between the two? Some one mentioned this "Pilot Cross Over" and that it was a different way to obtain a commission and become a pilot. I am posting as an already serving Airman wanting to become a Pilot.
Just looking for a simple constructive answer, and not a number of sarcastic posts, criticizing a spelling mitsake
or something silly.
Thanks in advance for any helpful posts.
Just looking for a simple constructive answer, and not a number of sarcastic posts, criticizing a spelling mitsake
or something silly.Thanks in advance for any helpful posts.
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4am, really, really jetlagged.
Cross over = You're already commissioned but not a pilot and you change branch to become a pilot.
You want the second one, when you are not already an officer, which is a commission as a pilot.
Talk to your boss about it. I can’t imagine there would be any sarcasm here
MOG
Cross over = You're already commissioned but not a pilot and you change branch to become a pilot.
You want the second one, when you are not already an officer, which is a commission as a pilot.
Talk to your boss about it. I can’t imagine there would be any sarcasm here
MOG
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There was a 'pilot crossover' scheme running for non-commissioned aircrew for a while, but I believe - and I'm now out of the loop - that it no longer exists. If you are an airman but not NCA, then you will have to go down the commission as a pilot route. All the best with your application DC
DC
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Thank you both for your replies. I am NCA so I should find out if this scheme is still running or find out about it. I am surprised no body (esp from PSF) has mentioned this to me as I have my filter interview at AFCO tomorrow. Maybe I will ask there.
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I was a 24 yo airmen when I went for selection, offered Engineer and took it! For the first two years of my commissioned life, I tried on four seperate occasions to be reconsidered for a cross-over.
I won a flying scholarship (Philip Sassoon Flying Award), and it was on this visit to Cranwell that I was offered the commission. I acheived very high scores on the Pilot/Nav aptitude tests, but the numbers of pilots - engineers required just weren't in my favour!
Unfortunately, my age was against me too, and the reply from Cranwell was usually along the lines of.... 'Why would we give a 26 yo Engineer a shot at pilot when we have plenty of 18 yo from college, or UAS studes that we have already spent a great deal of time and money paying for!'
The upshot? Well, I was lucky and got a free PPL. And in hind sight, I really don't think I would have been cut out for it (despite the scores!), flying an aeroplane is one thing and should become second nature, operating it is a different matter. Although being NCA, you will know that already!
What is driving you to become a pilot? Commission and associated pension? (Would you be required to cut over to AFPS05?) Future civilian career? Or is it simply to fly?
Plenty of fun flying can be had outside the RAF, try throwing a Pitts or Extra round the sky.
And remember, your military or civilian flying career is only as good as your next medical! My girlfriends father flew Shackletons for a number of years but left the RAF as an angry Flt Lt before his pension point... something about writing to the AOC and asking him to change his air force or he'd leave.... he started flying for the airlines then found out a few years later that he was diabetic. Ouch!
Good luck tomorrow, if you want pilot, then go for it. You hear stories of people putting pilot for all three choices (or was it 6 choices?!?), may have worked in the past, not sure now though!
TBK
I won a flying scholarship (Philip Sassoon Flying Award), and it was on this visit to Cranwell that I was offered the commission. I acheived very high scores on the Pilot/Nav aptitude tests, but the numbers of pilots - engineers required just weren't in my favour!
Unfortunately, my age was against me too, and the reply from Cranwell was usually along the lines of.... 'Why would we give a 26 yo Engineer a shot at pilot when we have plenty of 18 yo from college, or UAS studes that we have already spent a great deal of time and money paying for!'
The upshot? Well, I was lucky and got a free PPL. And in hind sight, I really don't think I would have been cut out for it (despite the scores!), flying an aeroplane is one thing and should become second nature, operating it is a different matter. Although being NCA, you will know that already!
What is driving you to become a pilot? Commission and associated pension? (Would you be required to cut over to AFPS05?) Future civilian career? Or is it simply to fly?
Plenty of fun flying can be had outside the RAF, try throwing a Pitts or Extra round the sky.
And remember, your military or civilian flying career is only as good as your next medical! My girlfriends father flew Shackletons for a number of years but left the RAF as an angry Flt Lt before his pension point... something about writing to the AOC and asking him to change his air force or he'd leave.... he started flying for the airlines then found out a few years later that he was diabetic. Ouch!
Good luck tomorrow, if you want pilot, then go for it. You hear stories of people putting pilot for all three choices (or was it 6 choices?!?), may have worked in the past, not sure now though!
TBK
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Thanks for the reply TBK. Unfortunately for me age is against myself also. I joined the RAF Reg in 1995, and re-traded to WSOp 2002. I am now 29 so as you say why would they want a 29 year old, when they can have a 19 year old.
I am using the Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme at the moment to obtain my PPL. Also like you, I am lucky to have found something to help me a long.
With regards to what is driving me to become a pilot, I suppose the main reason is to fly, yes you are correct. I know I have very good aptitude (Cranwell scores) and hopefully a lot of experience. I would like to be an officer also as to be able to use my qualities to the full potential. I feel I can offer the RAF much more than I am at the moment.
I am using the Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme at the moment to obtain my PPL. Also like you, I am lucky to have found something to help me a long.
With regards to what is driving me to become a pilot, I suppose the main reason is to fly, yes you are correct. I know I have very good aptitude (Cranwell scores) and hopefully a lot of experience. I would like to be an officer also as to be able to use my qualities to the full potential. I feel I can offer the RAF much more than I am at the moment.
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Well I wish you all the very best of British, and if you are prepared to accept another branch other than pilot then there are plenty of great opportunities out there!
It seems no matter what branch you opt for these days, at some stage or another you will be involved in Project Management type work. Sometimes not the most exciting thing in the world, but the qualifications are out there to net you £600+/day as a contractor should you decide that you have done your bit for the air force.
And that's the sort of money to be able to afford some real fun flying!
Good luck with the PPL, not doing at Brize are you per chance? With our friendly BEagle?
TBK
It seems no matter what branch you opt for these days, at some stage or another you will be involved in Project Management type work. Sometimes not the most exciting thing in the world, but the qualifications are out there to net you £600+/day as a contractor should you decide that you have done your bit for the air force.
And that's the sort of money to be able to afford some real fun flying!
Good luck with the PPL, not doing at Brize are you per chance? With our friendly BEagle?
TBK
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I am surprised no body (esp from PSF) has mentioned this to me as I have my filter interview at AFCO tomorrow.
Maybe I will ask there
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TBK thanks for your inputs
FoldingWings do not be so ignorant with your lack of knowledge. Do you not think for one small minute I may have actually prepared myself for the interview? Actually know the max age limit for myself? You are joking to think I would just go along and play ignorant knowing that I was to old. As mentioned in the first post I was after good info. If your going to post something at least have a bit of knowledge in what you are talking about.
You have been confused in the first post. The ball is already rolling for me its just that someone I was talking to had asked me if I had considered the cross over. Having never heard of it I came on here to ask about said cross over
FoldingWings do not be so ignorant with your lack of knowledge. Do you not think for one small minute I may have actually prepared myself for the interview? Actually know the max age limit for myself? You are joking to think I would just go along and play ignorant knowing that I was to old. As mentioned in the first post I was after good info. If your going to post something at least have a bit of knowledge in what you are talking about.
You have been confused in the first post. The ball is already rolling for me its just that someone I was talking to had asked me if I had considered the cross over. Having never heard of it I came on here to ask about said cross over
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You are 29 now, by the time you have gone through IOT you may be close to 30! I have heard of Nav's getting cross overs into late 30's, but that was a very specific time period, with excess Bag Carriers and not enough pilots!
Good luck to ya, let me know how you get on! And check your PM's!
TBK
Good luck to ya, let me know how you get on! And check your PM's!
TBK
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Only trying to be helpful! I would calm down if I were you!
My knowledge of the system is greater than you might think.
Your first post gives no indication that you are already in the pipeline so I was only attempting to alert you to the upper age limit. If you have already convinced them that at 29 you are not too late, then good luck to you.
As TBK says, and you acknowledge subsequently, with enough qualified (by high aptitude) applicants for pilot training within the age bracket, your chances of being selected are pretty grim.
Hey, but what do I know, I've only been closely associated with selection and officer training for 10 years!
Attitude is everything!!!!!!
FW
My knowledge of the system is greater than you might think.
Your first post gives no indication that you are already in the pipeline so I was only attempting to alert you to the upper age limit. If you have already convinced them that at 29 you are not too late, then good luck to you.
As TBK says, and you acknowledge subsequently, with enough qualified (by high aptitude) applicants for pilot training within the age bracket, your chances of being selected are pretty grim.
Hey, but what do I know, I've only been closely associated with selection and officer training for 10 years!
Attitude is everything!!!!!!
FW
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Sorry Foldingwings maybe I didnt make it clear enough in the initial post. Accept my apology. I realise with my age that it will be a miracle if I get it but I suppose if you never try you never succeed. It has been done many times before though.
As JL3677 so rightly said.......
" ......why would they want a 29 year old, when they can have a 19 year old".
So true, so very true!
They're more naive and much more bendy!
BV
So true, so very true!
They're more naive and much more bendy!
BV
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Hi Mate,
I got Pilot Cross-over from AEOp and started IOT just before my 26th birthday, I beleive the cross-over scheme was up to age 31? I am aslo short sighted and the scheme allows for up to -2 in each eye.
Still holding though and don't start METs till next Feb (I'll be 29 next April).
I know an AEOp who's maybe 32 (I think), he starts IOT next month as Nav.
I got Pilot Cross-over from AEOp and started IOT just before my 26th birthday, I beleive the cross-over scheme was up to age 31? I am aslo short sighted and the scheme allows for up to -2 in each eye.
Still holding though and don't start METs till next Feb (I'll be 29 next April).
I know an AEOp who's maybe 32 (I think), he starts IOT next month as Nav.
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TBK: Interview went really well. OC AFCO really happy. Unfortunately because I have'nt completed 3 years return of service I can no longer continue. I have been told to continue next year. Bit of a pity as I did so well at the filter interview but never mind, will just have to look ahead.
Stitchbitch: LBH??? Sorry for my ignorance but I dont know what that stands for.
LoadGone: I have read the email and will write back shortly at the moment my PC is doing what it wants.
I would like to thank every one who has helped me with the information I requested
Stitchbitch: LBH??? Sorry for my ignorance but I dont know what that stands for.
LoadGone: I have read the email and will write back shortly at the moment my PC is doing what it wants.
I would like to thank every one who has helped me with the information I requested
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NCA to Pilot
Dude, Im ex NCA and i HAVE already crossed over and am in training system already! Its not exactly a crossover cos it dont exist anymore, basically we apply along side the Direct entrant pilots (kids from street) but we have the added avantage of being able to apply to age 31. I went through IOT 2 years ago, bit if holding, did EFT on tutors and now at Linton flying tucano and loving every minute of it. As soon as you done your 3 years get your app it, ive never looked back!!!!