EX R.A.F fast jet Navigators
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EX R.A.F fast jet Navigators
hi all
i was wondering if anyone here was an ex r.a.f navigator if so could you give me an idea on what qualifications i need as i want to be a navigator as soon as i get my qualifications
many thanks
Nathan
i was wondering if anyone here was an ex r.a.f navigator if so could you give me an idea on what qualifications i need as i want to be a navigator as soon as i get my qualifications
many thanks
Nathan
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Good advice from threepointfour, I think it would be fair to say that most of the WSOs (Navs) on the sqn I serve on tried to get in as pilots & were either pushed straight into Cranditz as WSOs or failed flying training as pilots & were reselected at a later date.
On the other side of the coin I think there are WSOs out there, who are sitting in the back due to them failing to sell themselves enough at OASC.
FrodoMonkey is Pprune's resident F3 WSO & may be able to offer you some sound advice however, I don't think threepointfour, or any of the other F3 pilots let him out of his box much these days as I've not seen him on here for a while.
On the other side of the coin I think there are WSOs out there, who are sitting in the back due to them failing to sell themselves enough at OASC.
FrodoMonkey is Pprune's resident F3 WSO & may be able to offer you some sound advice however, I don't think threepointfour, or any of the other F3 pilots let him out of his box much these days as I've not seen him on here for a while.
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It's not the first time I've been mistaken for a pilot !!! But hey, what's a wing between aircrew? (Everything - ask the pilots.)
Having failed at pilot trg, and instructed at nearly all WSO stages, I can honestly say it's a great job. But more and more, with very limited scope (GR4 or Nimrod are the only real certs for a decent length of time) and a limited time frame.
That said, it's flying. And in the case of the GR4, flying a moderately fast jet. Sometimes at low-level. Cool or what? Just don't think long term re WSO and plan a route 'out' and you could be ok. Oh yes, and a heck of a lot of VVV hard work between now and Combat Ready on the GR.
Having failed at pilot trg, and instructed at nearly all WSO stages, I can honestly say it's a great job. But more and more, with very limited scope (GR4 or Nimrod are the only real certs for a decent length of time) and a limited time frame.
That said, it's flying. And in the case of the GR4, flying a moderately fast jet. Sometimes at low-level. Cool or what? Just don't think long term re WSO and plan a route 'out' and you could be ok. Oh yes, and a heck of a lot of VVV hard work between now and Combat Ready on the GR.
There must be an anagram for Weapon Systems Officer which is at least as amusing as that for Navigator - Vagina rot 
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Surely if you want to be a Nav/WSO then you should know how to find this information out through the official channels (AFCO or the RAF careers website!) - then again, wants to be a nav... maybe not 
MadMark!!!
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It's not the first time I've been mistaken for a pilot !!! But hey, what's a wing between aircrew? (Everything - ask the pilots.)
Having failed at pilot trg, and instructed at nearly all WSO stages, I can honestly say it's a great job. But more and more, with very limited scope (GR4 or Nimrod are the only real certs for a decent length of time) and a limited time frame.
Having failed at pilot trg, and instructed at nearly all WSO stages, I can honestly say it's a great job. But more and more, with very limited scope (GR4 or Nimrod are the only real certs for a decent length of time) and a limited time frame.
I believe that the E3 is starting to fill up with F3 backseaters as FCs so, there is indeed an opportunity to re-role and keep your flying pay.
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Originally Posted by [email protected]
There must be an anagram for Weapon Systems Officer which is at least as amusing as that for Navigator - Vagina rot
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For pilots it's piece of pi@@ but for our poor old nav brethren, who incidentally almost all smell of pi@@ it was way tooooo difficult...................i would suggest
all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced
all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced
Tombstone - still here old boy, just watching rather than contributing these days...
Nav2006 - if you have any questions PM me and I'll answer as best I can, but be prepared to wait a bit as its Xmas and I want to forgot all about work for a few days!
ABIW - next thing you'll be saying that all the guys who did best in flying training go to Albert...
Nav2006 - if you have any questions PM me and I'll answer as best I can, but be prepared to wait a bit as its Xmas and I want to forgot all about work for a few days!
ABIW - next thing you'll be saying that all the guys who did best in flying training go to Albert...
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"ABIW - next thing you'll be saying that all the guys who did best in flying training go to Albert... "
No but they do get to sit in the front seat/seats
all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced
No but they do get to sit in the front seat/seats
all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced
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Ooh I found somewhere other than the AFCO to ask questions
Hey guys/gals, I have a few questions as im hoping to apply for WSO after I finish my degree. But by the looks of it id be better applying for pilot, and then being dumped in the back seat
First off, is there a maximum weight to be allowed in the fast jets? F3, GR4 etc. I cant imagine it making much difference in a nimrod or a sentry, but maybe in a fast jet? Im 6ft 1 and spent the last 3 years bulking up to 14 stone from 11 :P, I dont think losing it would be too easy.
Secondly, does anyone know if its possible for me to apply now to commence IOT when I finish my degree in a year and a half or so? From what ive read alot of people dont make it through officer selection initially, so If i can try now, then even if i didnt make it I could try again before my degrees finished, and im forced into civilian work
And Thirdly, on the careers website it gives the WSO wage as 31 grand odd, is that the standard 26k flying officer pay + flight pay?
Edit: Also, out of interest, what is the official justification for flying pay?
Thanks alot for any help, looking forward to your answers.
Hey guys/gals, I have a few questions as im hoping to apply for WSO after I finish my degree. But by the looks of it id be better applying for pilot, and then being dumped in the back seat
First off, is there a maximum weight to be allowed in the fast jets? F3, GR4 etc. I cant imagine it making much difference in a nimrod or a sentry, but maybe in a fast jet? Im 6ft 1 and spent the last 3 years bulking up to 14 stone from 11 :P, I dont think losing it would be too easy.
Secondly, does anyone know if its possible for me to apply now to commence IOT when I finish my degree in a year and a half or so? From what ive read alot of people dont make it through officer selection initially, so If i can try now, then even if i didnt make it I could try again before my degrees finished, and im forced into civilian work
And Thirdly, on the careers website it gives the WSO wage as 31 grand odd, is that the standard 26k flying officer pay + flight pay?
Edit: Also, out of interest, what is the official justification for flying pay?
Thanks alot for any help, looking forward to your answers.
Last edited by rundll; 20th Dec 2006 at 17:32.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
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rundll - you can apply to go through the RAF selection procedures while you're still at uni. If you're lucky and get through, you might even get some financial help through the scholarship scheme (though I'm not sure if you'd still get that when you've only got a year and a half to go - best to ask the careers people.)
As to height/weight, the Station Commander at a GR4 stn I used to serve at was a 6'5" and although not overweight, he must have been at least as heavy as 14st considering his height - he was a pilot. On fast jets, limb length/proportions are more important than overall height.
As to height/weight, the Station Commander at a GR4 stn I used to serve at was a 6'5" and although not overweight, he must have been at least as heavy as 14st considering his height - he was a pilot. On fast jets, limb length/proportions are more important than overall height.
you pie-eater 