RAAF Flight Screening Programme
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Excellent man. Haha I know, the last couple days have been the happiest I've had in a long time. I first applied back in August 2008. Patience pays off.
That goes for anybody else applying as well. Stick at it. If being a pilot is what you really want to be then don't ever deter even for a nanosecond. If it's meant to be then it'll happen, but that doesn't mean that you won't have to work hard for it. Its been a fairly harrowing 14 months. Keep at it.
The Dos, tell me a bit about yourself mate.
My name is Matt, I'm 21 years old, living in Perth.
As was forementioned, the last 14 months of my life have been spent working towards this moment. I had my assessment day in July and have been clearing up medical issues since then so it felt pretty good to hear back from the PSA so soon.
KD.
That goes for anybody else applying as well. Stick at it. If being a pilot is what you really want to be then don't ever deter even for a nanosecond. If it's meant to be then it'll happen, but that doesn't mean that you won't have to work hard for it. Its been a fairly harrowing 14 months. Keep at it.
The Dos, tell me a bit about yourself mate.
My name is Matt, I'm 21 years old, living in Perth.
As was forementioned, the last 14 months of my life have been spent working towards this moment. I had my assessment day in July and have been clearing up medical issues since then so it felt pretty good to hear back from the PSA so soon.
KD.
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Yeah I've done a few flights in my hometown of Albany in a family friend's Cessna 182. I've done about 5 flights since I was 15. They were mainly joy rides but they gave me the taste I needed to spur me to apply. I had always wanted to get my private licence when I was younger but could never afford it. How about you? Have you received any emails or letters from PSA? I was told to expect it within a couple days.
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I have done a fair bit of flying I am currently working towards a CPL but since this has been going on I am putting all of my time into the RAAF on prep. Not as yet I haven't got any emails I am waiting for those to with baited breath.
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Wow :)
(I'm new here, don't mind me)
This thread is absolute gold, I have no idea what I'd do without the 20+ pages on here.
I'm currently in High School over in Perth (10th Grade to be more exact), and like most others here, being a Pilot is the only damn thing in the world I could see myself doing, so like any committed person, I've been trying to do some prep for the YOU session and hopefully Specialist Testing in pursuit of ADFA-Entry Pilot. At the moment I've bought the "Wings Book" from here : Get Your Wings. How to become a Pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force. (RAAF) And I've downloaded a book called "Military Flight Aptitude Tests" by Solomon Wiener, which looked pretty good, but it's tailored for applicants aspiring for the US Armed Forces (Are their tests *that* different to ours?)
So without getting too long winded
- Are there any other books/materials that would be of use?
- For someone aspiring to ADFA, how badly would only doing double maths in Year 12 affect me? (There's been a major course overhaul for maths over here, so yes, that IS possible)
- In regards to the maths end of Pilot Specialist Testing (assuming I get that far), what are the questions like? Are they "Aviation Maths" focused or more general?
This thread is absolute gold, I have no idea what I'd do without the 20+ pages on here.
I'm currently in High School over in Perth (10th Grade to be more exact), and like most others here, being a Pilot is the only damn thing in the world I could see myself doing, so like any committed person, I've been trying to do some prep for the YOU session and hopefully Specialist Testing in pursuit of ADFA-Entry Pilot. At the moment I've bought the "Wings Book" from here : Get Your Wings. How to become a Pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force. (RAAF) And I've downloaded a book called "Military Flight Aptitude Tests" by Solomon Wiener, which looked pretty good, but it's tailored for applicants aspiring for the US Armed Forces (Are their tests *that* different to ours?)
So without getting too long winded
- Are there any other books/materials that would be of use?
- For someone aspiring to ADFA, how badly would only doing double maths in Year 12 affect me? (There's been a major course overhaul for maths over here, so yes, that IS possible)
- In regards to the maths end of Pilot Specialist Testing (assuming I get that far), what are the questions like? Are they "Aviation Maths" focused or more general?
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Join Date: Mar 2009
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Hello all, I'm also new!
Firstly, I'd also like to say a HUGE thank you to all the people who have made contributions to this merged thread over the years. The advice and general discussion in here has been a monumental help, and a lot of inspiration. It's so pleasing to see so many aspirations turn into a reality. Well done to all you guys and girls who have been selected!
A bit about me: I'm 27, and I've just finished my apprenticeship in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, working in the Deep Maintenance of the C-130H at RAAF Base Richmond (hence waiting till now to submit my application). I stumbled across this thread at the start of this year, and submitted my Direct Entry application at the start of July. I passed the YOU session and the Specialist testing in July and August, and I'm in preparation now for the Assessment session which I have on the 29th - next Tuesday.
I was just wondering, is anyone aware of how early the flight screening courses get booked out? I've looked at the flight screening schedule for the rest of this year, and there's only 4 DEO courses left - starting the 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st of October. Assuming I do well enough in my interviews on the 29th of this month (fingers crossed!), which courses, if any, would still have positions yet to be allocated? If it's possible for me to receive an offer for the start of next year, I want nothing more than to be there!
Dilmah: I have both of those books.
Wings is OK, but it does seem to contain a lot of information that is available off the RAAF sites, a lot even copy-pasted by the look of it.
The 'Military Flight Aptitude Tests' book is pretty good. There's a few tests/types of questions that are common to our tests (for example the stuff on instrument comprehension/aircraft attitudes), but most of their tests are different. It's still good just getting used to completing tests in the specified time frame.
Another thing I found helpful was a workbook you can download from Flight Aptitude Test Guide for RAF OASC Cranwell FATS - about $15. Gets you used to the Time Speed Distance questions. They're not particularly difficult questions, it's just useful to speed up your calculations.
Here is another Time Speed Distance source. Not as good, but free.
Here - Another useful thread if you need the practice.
There is some 'general' maths, more so in the YOU session testing, but the Spec testing I'd say is more 'Aviation Maths'.
I hope that's helpful!
Also, good luck KuneDo and the dos. Hopefully I'm right behind you.
K:
Firstly, I'd also like to say a HUGE thank you to all the people who have made contributions to this merged thread over the years. The advice and general discussion in here has been a monumental help, and a lot of inspiration. It's so pleasing to see so many aspirations turn into a reality. Well done to all you guys and girls who have been selected!
A bit about me: I'm 27, and I've just finished my apprenticeship in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, working in the Deep Maintenance of the C-130H at RAAF Base Richmond (hence waiting till now to submit my application). I stumbled across this thread at the start of this year, and submitted my Direct Entry application at the start of July. I passed the YOU session and the Specialist testing in July and August, and I'm in preparation now for the Assessment session which I have on the 29th - next Tuesday.
I was just wondering, is anyone aware of how early the flight screening courses get booked out? I've looked at the flight screening schedule for the rest of this year, and there's only 4 DEO courses left - starting the 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st of October. Assuming I do well enough in my interviews on the 29th of this month (fingers crossed!), which courses, if any, would still have positions yet to be allocated? If it's possible for me to receive an offer for the start of next year, I want nothing more than to be there!
Dilmah: I have both of those books.
Wings is OK, but it does seem to contain a lot of information that is available off the RAAF sites, a lot even copy-pasted by the look of it.
The 'Military Flight Aptitude Tests' book is pretty good. There's a few tests/types of questions that are common to our tests (for example the stuff on instrument comprehension/aircraft attitudes), but most of their tests are different. It's still good just getting used to completing tests in the specified time frame.
Another thing I found helpful was a workbook you can download from Flight Aptitude Test Guide for RAF OASC Cranwell FATS - about $15. Gets you used to the Time Speed Distance questions. They're not particularly difficult questions, it's just useful to speed up your calculations.
Here is another Time Speed Distance source. Not as good, but free.
Here - Another useful thread if you need the practice.
There is some 'general' maths, more so in the YOU session testing, but the Spec testing I'd say is more 'Aviation Maths'.
I hope that's helpful!
Also, good luck KuneDo and the dos. Hopefully I'm right behind you.
K:
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Tony360: I've seen the website, lowest form of maths acceptable is Applicable, which is roughly equivalent to what I'll be taking in Year 12 + the equivalent of G+T, which is the subject that leads onto Calculus. And as far as age goes, I'll be 16 and a half in 10 months, so I'll be putting my application in during the next year. I've got about 40 minutes on an introductory flight in a 152, and about 4 hours right-seating on a 172 a few years ago. School grades are hovering around B+ to A- at the moment, so I'd say they were *okay* for the time being. I'm guessing they count a lot for ADFA applicants? On that note, if one were to ace Spec Testing and have B+/A- kind of grades, would it count more than someone who had just passed Spec Testing and had A+'s all round in relation to Flight Screening spots? jimwyze: Thanks a million for those links. Yeah, I noticed the copy-pasting going on in the Wings Book (Oh, and Good Luck to you!). I can do the spatial questions with the aircraft and the compass fairly easily that they have in the American Book + The Wings Book, Instrument Reading seems to get a fair few people down though..
Yeah, I noticed the copy-pasting going on in the Wings Book (Oh, and Good Luck to you!). I can do the spatial questions with the aircraft and the compass fairly easily that they have in the American Book + The Wings Book, Instrument Reading seems to get a fair few people down though..
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Tony360
Civilian flying qualifications are not a requirement for ADF selection. An interest in aviation to the best of your economic abilities/personal situation is much more important. I'll expand- if you can't afford to fly, you will not be disadvantaged compared to someone who isn't as passionate but has 500hrs because they can afford it.
Do whatever you can to get into aviation and you won't go far wrong.
Civilian flying qualifications are not a requirement for ADF selection. An interest in aviation to the best of your economic abilities/personal situation is much more important. I'll expand- if you can't afford to fly, you will not be disadvantaged compared to someone who isn't as passionate but has 500hrs because they can afford it.
Do whatever you can to get into aviation and you won't go far wrong.
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Experience is used to see if you do the basic or advanced version of the course, ie whether you do less or more sorties in the CAP10. Talk to your contact at PSA for details.
Didn't mean anything ref the expert comment, good effort on the PPL at high school.
, just be careful with giving definitive advice as there are people on proon who have direct experience in this field, both past and present who do actually know the answers and are willing to help!
Happy Flying
Didn't mean anything ref the expert comment, good effort on the PPL at high school.
, just be careful with giving definitive advice as there are people on proon who have direct experience in this field, both past and present who do actually know the answers and are willing to help!Happy Flying
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I have recently returned from FSP. There were 4 people on our course that had NO flying experience what so ever!! Three of these people received decent stanines and were also recommended. There was also a guy that had an excellent flying scores (average 8) with 200+ hours and a CPL that was not recommended.
They are not assessing how good of pilot you are already but rather assessing how 'trainable' you are, and on top of that and most importantly your officer qualities. Someone with no CT-4 time compared to someone with 20+ hours would be on an even playing field. Sure you may know the aircraft a little better but you don't know the techniques and sequences that they want you to know instinctively.
<br>Dilmah: Your motivation sounds spot on! And by the sounds of it if you keep your school marks up and you go well in your Spec and Assessment testing, you will be placed very well. PSA recognize that not everyone is able to afford flying lessons. There are many other ways to show your enthusiasm and motivation if you can't afford these lessons. Such as going to air shows, talking to pilots and having as much knowledge on the ADF and aviation history as possible.<br><br><br>
They are not assessing how good of pilot you are already but rather assessing how 'trainable' you are, and on top of that and most importantly your officer qualities. Someone with no CT-4 time compared to someone with 20+ hours would be on an even playing field. Sure you may know the aircraft a little better but you don't know the techniques and sequences that they want you to know instinctively.
<br>Dilmah: Your motivation sounds spot on! And by the sounds of it if you keep your school marks up and you go well in your Spec and Assessment testing, you will be placed very well. PSA recognize that not everyone is able to afford flying lessons. There are many other ways to show your enthusiasm and motivation if you can't afford these lessons. Such as going to air shows, talking to pilots and having as much knowledge on the ADF and aviation history as possible.<br><br><br>
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Hey Georgo, I take it your eyesight test went well?
Congratulations mate. I read posts like yours with much envy, but also much anticipation.
Might I ask out of interest, why 26 or 27 until you applied?
Congratulations mate. I read posts like yours with much envy, but also much anticipation.
Might I ask out of interest, why 26 or 27 until you applied?
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Tony360: Ah, I see, thanks. Well in regards to Flight Experience, I'm taking a seventh subject, Aviation Studies, for one hour a week in Years 11/12. At the moment I'm taking only the theory component, but I have the opportunity to undergo an accompanying Practical Component, which of course, involves flying. At the moment, I'm debating whether to take the Practical Component, though I've heard that pilots with extensive previous experience find it hard to adjust and have "Bad Habits" in regards to military flying and so on. Georgo: Thanks for that advice, I'm in the process of learning where the RAAF's Squadrons are base/Which aircraft they operate etc.. I'm in two minds whether to pursue flying lessons, would it be *that* much of a plus in the eyes of the OSB, assuming I got that far? The other issuing which is bugging me is my eyesight, I've heard about laser-surgery being accepted, and I think I may have read a bit on it on this thread, but at the moment I'm -3.5 in both eyes. I'm not completely sure how that'll affect me...
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Ah yeah, I've read that a few times. Well, if I didn't love every second of being strapped into an aging 152 and a 172, then I wouldn't be putting every fibre in my body behind this. The cost as well is what's prevented me from going up recently, the local HJ's laid me off because they were "Overstaffed", and that was a year ago. The part-time job front hasn't been looking very good to me lately, however I think I might be able to get in for work experience at RAAF Pearce about this time next year.
Yeah, I've had an extensive read on Laser Surgery in the past few months, including a Defence Health Article relating directly to the issue. Are there any School-Leavers currently at ADFA now or in the RAAF after having succesfully gone through the process after undertaking LASIK/LASEK? I sent an e-mail to DFR about the issue, they told me eyesight for aircrew positions was assessed on a case-by-case basis. So either way, I'm going to wait until the medical and see what they have to say.
The cost as well is what's prevented me from going up recently, the local HJ's laid me off because they were "Overstaffed", and that was a year ago. The part-time job front hasn't been looking very good to me lately, however I think I might be able to get in for work experience at RAAF Pearce about this time next year. Yeah, I've had an extensive read on Laser Surgery in the past few months, including a Defence Health Article relating directly to the issue. Are there any School-Leavers currently at ADFA now or in the RAAF after having succesfully gone through the process after undertaking LASIK/LASEK? I sent an e-mail to DFR about the issue, they told me eyesight for aircrew positions was assessed on a case-by-case basis. So either way, I'm going to wait until the medical and see what they have to say.