Ground crew to Aircrew
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Ground crew to Aircrew
Hello,
I have just passed out from my trade training at cosford and been posted to raf lyneham as a AMM. Thing is i have always wanted to fly and to be a RAF pilot form a very young age, i would like some help/advice on how i can go about trying to achieve my goal (as im already in the Raf). Thank you for your time
I have just passed out from my trade training at cosford and been posted to raf lyneham as a AMM. Thing is i have always wanted to fly and to be a RAF pilot form a very young age, i would like some help/advice on how i can go about trying to achieve my goal (as im already in the Raf). Thank you for your time
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Work hard, get good reports and get your Boss on your side. You'll need to be recommended as commissionable first.
In the mean time, stand by for all the t*$$ers and REMFs on this site to open you up for not using capital 'I's in your post.
Good luck.
Ray
In the mean time, stand by for all the t*$$ers and REMFs on this site to open you up for not using capital 'I's in your post.
Good luck.
Ray
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Go to the education centre, there are leadership courses run throughout the year for perons just like yourself. Speak to all Flying Sqns as they have people whos secondary duties are to answer your questions and give you an incite into Aircrew life. Hope this helps good luck.
UKCDS
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Most stations also have a commissioning workshop for airmen considering applying - a starting POC for this would be the Trg/Education centre (I think).
As above, I'd also recommend spending some time with sqn aircrew to get a feel and understanding of their environment; you should soon get an idea of whether you would fit in!
Cheers and good luck
SBG
As above, I'd also recommend spending some time with sqn aircrew to get a feel and understanding of their environment; you should soon get an idea of whether you would fit in!
Cheers and good luck
SBG
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Why are you where you are now then if you wanted pilot?
Have you the necessary academics? At your age there is no difference between civilian and airman. Have you been to the AFCO and got the gen from them?
While good reports over time will be necessary there is no need to build up your street cred before applying. As previously stated, a commissioning club is a good step.
There are many things you can do and if you are suitable there is no advantage in delaying.
Have you the necessary academics? At your age there is no difference between civilian and airman. Have you been to the AFCO and got the gen from them?
While good reports over time will be necessary there is no need to build up your street cred before applying. As previously stated, a commissioning club is a good step.
There are many things you can do and if you are suitable there is no advantage in delaying.
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Thank you for all the comments! The reason I did not go for it in the first place is i left college early due to family issues(parents devorce) and did not have time to finish my a-levels, im going to finish them this year form a open college. I want to finish them before I apply for the position and I feel the valuable knowledge of my trade and the RAF will help towards becoming a pilot.Well i hope at least lol! Also does anyone know if there is a flying club at lyneham?
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See the Service Flying Clubs thread. But yes, there is one listed.
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Hi Ash, good luck mate and also be prepared for some lip from your fellow tradesmen, most will be supportive but some will be cantankerous. Most probably because they haven't got the dog**** to get of their arses and do it themselves.
There's a big difference in attitude too between applicants from civvy street and serving airmen. You have to jump through more hoops as an airman (I'm going back to my time in the RAF) and by the time you get to OASC it can seem a bit daunting. I applied for a commission as an Education Officer when I was in, and it was a question of suitability by my OC, an interview with OC Admin, then an interview with the Staish, all of which you can trip up on. There's also the endless reading of current affairs, the keep fit routine, and all the other stuff that goes with it. Although my wife found herself invited to Coffee mornings at OC Admin's house all of a sudden.......
An applicant from civvy street goes to the CIO, has an interview then if succesful goes to OASC with not many preconceptions. Anyway, I failed the 'take three drums and a piece of rope and get these six men across the shark infested custard bit' at Biggin Hill. 'Not dynamic enough', even though I finished the task in half the allotted time....
Bit like climbing Everest and turning back 10 feet from the top. But there you go.
Keep bright eyed and bushy tailled, keep your eye on the target and get as much help and advice as you can. The most important thing is to keep trying, get your head down and go for it.
By the way, I used to be an Avionics instructor at Cosford, did you do any gliding there? (Assuming there's still a gliding club, or has that gone with the cuts?) That would look good on your CV. I learned to fly there, one of the best sports you could do if you're interested in aircrew.
There's a big difference in attitude too between applicants from civvy street and serving airmen. You have to jump through more hoops as an airman (I'm going back to my time in the RAF) and by the time you get to OASC it can seem a bit daunting. I applied for a commission as an Education Officer when I was in, and it was a question of suitability by my OC, an interview with OC Admin, then an interview with the Staish, all of which you can trip up on. There's also the endless reading of current affairs, the keep fit routine, and all the other stuff that goes with it. Although my wife found herself invited to Coffee mornings at OC Admin's house all of a sudden.......
An applicant from civvy street goes to the CIO, has an interview then if succesful goes to OASC with not many preconceptions. Anyway, I failed the 'take three drums and a piece of rope and get these six men across the shark infested custard bit' at Biggin Hill. 'Not dynamic enough', even though I finished the task in half the allotted time....
Bit like climbing Everest and turning back 10 feet from the top. But there you go. Keep bright eyed and bushy tailled, keep your eye on the target and get as much help and advice as you can. The most important thing is to keep trying, get your head down and go for it.
By the way, I used to be an Avionics instructor at Cosford, did you do any gliding there? (Assuming there's still a gliding club, or has that gone with the cuts?) That would look good on your CV. I learned to fly there, one of the best sports you could do if you're interested in aircrew.
Last edited by thing; 30th Nov 2006 at 18:39.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Ashgrant, good answers so far.
Yes, get the A-levels. Then as you have no hope of getting Cpl in a realistic time make sure you are tops at your job.
I have had several SACs that have been ready for commissioning long before they would have made Cpl.
Look for a secondary duty you could help with - youth club, a sport or whatever as well. Anything that helps demonstrate leadership potential and teamwork.
Yes, get the A-levels. Then as you have no hope of getting Cpl in a realistic time make sure you are tops at your job.
I have had several SACs that have been ready for commissioning long before they would have made Cpl.
Look for a secondary duty you could help with - youth club, a sport or whatever as well. Anything that helps demonstrate leadership potential and teamwork.
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Very constructive words "thing" thank you for the support. Im only doing it for the love of flying and the RAF offers the best flying traning in the world! I will give it my best and see how i get on.
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Ash,
While you may be 'doing it for the love of flying', do remember that you will have to convince OASC and, probably more importantly, your chain of command that you have what it takes to become an officer. If you can't persuade them that you have the qualities to gain a commission then you will not persuade them to let you become a pilot.
Good luck, anyway.
Duncs
While you may be 'doing it for the love of flying', do remember that you will have to convince OASC and, probably more importantly, your chain of command that you have what it takes to become an officer. If you can't persuade them that you have the qualities to gain a commission then you will not persuade them to let you become a pilot.
Good luck, anyway.
Duncs
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If you can't persuade them that you have the qualities to gain a commission then you will not persuade them to let you become a pilot.
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The advice about needing to be recommended by your boss and how servicemen have more hoops to jump through than their civvy counterparts is outdated as it was (quite rightly) deemed a little ridiculous that serving airmen had to prove themselves even more worthy than some long haired scrote from art college.
That said, having your boss's full support (which equates to a recommendation I guess!) won't do any harm.
That said, having your boss's full support (which equates to a recommendation I guess!) won't do any harm.
Below the Glidepath - not correcting
Well, who knew the Army let absolute thickoes pole around in their aircraft? Up until I read AA's and PN's post, I was convinced I must have been quite bright. Thank you for helping me and my fellow Army aviators overcome that tragic misconception. We are forever in your debt. Or answer (B)...
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Two's In - that came from someone who works in the Army.
tin hat on, standing by ............
tin hat on, standing by ............
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Ash,
Have some advice from a techie who never tried to make the switch (blind as a bat):
1) Don't hang around. The longer you are a groundcrew, the bigger the them/us divide becomes. I don't mean this in a bad way, but the t-bar chats and post work lifestyle are worlds apart. I know people who, after a few years as groundcrew with aspirations to fly, suddenly decide that "they wouldn't fit in". This is not always the case, I've met some guys that went on to be very good front-enders and were very happy.
2) If, in time, you get accepted remeber that you may be chopped in the early days of selection and might go back to your old post. So don't burn your bridges on the way out. A sooty on my last Sqn was accepted for Self Loading Freight and p*ssed a lot of people off with his "I'm better than you" and "I don't need to do that, I'll be in the mess soon" comments. Imagine the joy when his former colleagues found out that he'd been chopped and was coming back. It got so bad he PVR'd.
Good luck to you, whatever you decide.
TLS
Have some advice from a techie who never tried to make the switch (blind as a bat):
1) Don't hang around. The longer you are a groundcrew, the bigger the them/us divide becomes. I don't mean this in a bad way, but the t-bar chats and post work lifestyle are worlds apart. I know people who, after a few years as groundcrew with aspirations to fly, suddenly decide that "they wouldn't fit in". This is not always the case, I've met some guys that went on to be very good front-enders and were very happy.
2) If, in time, you get accepted remeber that you may be chopped in the early days of selection and might go back to your old post. So don't burn your bridges on the way out. A sooty on my last Sqn was accepted for Self Loading Freight and p*ssed a lot of people off with his "I'm better than you" and "I don't need to do that, I'll be in the mess soon" comments. Imagine the joy when his former colleagues found out that he'd been chopped and was coming back. It got so bad he PVR'd.
Good luck to you, whatever you decide.
TLS
I had a Cpl fitter in'85 who wanted to go the aircrew route. I recommended him, he worked hard to get the necessary qualifications. I next met him when he was going thorugh heli pilot training at Shawbury. Met him later when doing his QHI course and, again, later when he became Boss of CFS(H). The moral? Anything is possible if you have the aptitude and the enthusiasm.
Hi Ash,
I suggest you keep your goal firmly focused in your imagination.
When asked, let your (commissioned) superiors know of your aspirations, why you haven't acheived them and what you are doing about it.
..............and don't give up, it can be done!
Regards, BT. OASC 1974((failed but passed the aptitude tests). Army private 1975. Army Commissioning board 1976 (failed). Army pilots course 1980. OASC 1984 (passed). Retired, Sqn Ldr 1997.
I suggest you keep your goal firmly focused in your imagination.
When asked, let your (commissioned) superiors know of your aspirations, why you haven't acheived them and what you are doing about it.
..............and don't give up, it can be done!
Regards, BT. OASC 1974((failed but passed the aptitude tests). Army private 1975. Army Commissioning board 1976 (failed). Army pilots course 1980. OASC 1984 (passed). Retired, Sqn Ldr 1997.