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RAAF Flight Screening Programme

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RAAF Flight Screening Programme

Old 11th Oct 2010, 11:53
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No worries mate. Hopefully DFR will have the answer for you.
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Old 11th Oct 2010, 13:23
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Frazzled - the word on the fast jet deployment was from the mouth of a Navy Lieutenant that sat on the OSB who was trying to convert the candidates from RAAF to the other two services. The C-130's, C-17's and P-3's have all been quite active but our fast jets haven't been deployed in to an environment which has seen them engage enemy aircraft or have the intent to since, from what I can gather, Korea. Of course if you're flying as apart of the RAAF's air lift and air transport wings you're going to see quite a bit of real action as opposed to the training action you'd likely be involved with for the majority of (if not all of) your career as a FJ pilot, unless of course WWIII breaks out in the next two decades.
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Old 11th Oct 2010, 23:22
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Zulk

I think frazzled thought you were preaching the navy line rather than simply reporting on your experience at Tamworth.

You forgot to mention that you still have the RAAF as your preferred service and that the F/A 18 replaced the C-17 as your first preference after the flight program.
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Old 12th Oct 2010, 00:35
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Just called DFR, very short conversation. They said they couldn't give me an answer, but seemed to suggest that asthma would be evaluated on a case by case basis. They told me I should go to the recruiting office in Parramatta to get more advice. Fingers still crossed!
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Old 13th Oct 2010, 03:22
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Frazzled - the word on the fast jet deployment was from the mouth of a Navy Lieutenant that sat on the OSB who was trying to convert the candidates from RAAF to the other two services. The C-130's, C-17's and P-3's have all been quite active but our fast jets haven't been deployed in to an environment which has seen them engage enemy aircraft or have the intent to since, from what I can gather, Korea. Of course if you're flying as apart of the RAAF's air lift and air transport wings you're going to see quite a bit of real action as opposed to the training action you'd likely be involved with for the majority of (if not all of) your career as a FJ pilot, unless of course WWIII breaks out in the next two decades.
Our Hornets might be fighters but they're equal part attack, and have been deployed in Iraq in 2003 where they involved in plenty of combat missions, Diego Garcia in 2001 too (though I can't remember what the latter involved).

As for the talk that is given at FSP, I don't think he was so much trying to "convert" people from RAAF to the other services, rather open your eyes to the the bigger picture and the possibilities the other services offer. A couple of the guys on our course only had RAAF as a preference, and after that upgraded them all to most preferred. Mission accomplished!

How'd you fare at FSP anyway, enjoy yourself?
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Old 14th Oct 2010, 09:58
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QJB,

I'm currently applying for RAAF pilot and have a history of asthma as a young kid, however in the the last few years it has subsided to nothing. I do a fair bit of sport and never feel affected by it, but I always carry a ventolin inhaler to sport, and occasionally (every few months) use it, just as a precaution really. This put enough doubt in the mind of the doc at my assessment day to not clear me as medically fit, even though I had a respiratory test at a hospital which indicated no signs of asthma. So he sent my medical to the aviation medical department in Adelaide for them to make the decision. After about 6 weeks I'm still waiting for their decision. Regardless of the verdict, I'm confident I can fight it and hopefully one day get in.

Just though I'd tell you my encounter with asthma and DFR. Hope it helps you and anyone else in a similar situation
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Old 15th Oct 2010, 04:28
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Hey guys,

I'm going for my assessment day for RAAF pilot next week and was wondering if anyone can give me any pointers on the defence interview? Do they ask anything about RAAF history or anything like that? Is there a certain area I should focus my study on?

Thanks!
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Old 15th Oct 2010, 05:58
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vandelay industries keep fighting the fight. I myself had to appeal a decision made by AVMED and I finally got approval to continue with my application. Now my app is at PSA and hopefully I'll get a spot on FSP. Fingers crossed I can do ok in Tamworth and hopefully be offered a position (Navy but I'd probably take anything). Small steps though is what I'd recommend with collating your application, also do research yourself and not totally rely on DFR. Specialist reports and examples to prove your fitness would be helpful. Good luck!!
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Old 15th Oct 2010, 07:27
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Caity,

There's no point repeating it because the answers are in this thread! If you really want it, have a sift through.
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Old 16th Oct 2010, 10:27
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Howdy fellas,

Been a while since I last posted. Just been occupied with other stuff.

Now, like I mentioned a while back, I completed my recruitment process until the Assessment day interviews and was recommended for RAAF Pilot and SSO Pilot. Since then I have made quite a number of phone calls to DFR regarding my application being sent away to PSA. My current status is 'Permanent Resident of Australia' making me eligible for Citizenship on March next year.

I was told during my YOU session that I would be allowed to progress upto my OSB with my residency and then upon being recommended by the board, will have to wait until applying for citizenship to enlist. All my calls since my Assessment day have provided me with no information as to what my current situation is. All I am told every time I call is that I would not receive a call from PSA until a date that is closer to me applying for Citizenship, like sometime around January. However, I am sure that a few of you on these forums have been able to progress through to the FSP while on a 'Permanent Residency'. Can anyone who has any information regarding this, or anyone who has completed the FSP with a residency shed some light.

Also, can someone please let me know if you receive a confirmation letter when your file gets sent off to PSA - something along the lines of, 'your file is now at PSA and would stay on file for x no. of days,......'. I asked them about this and my case manager replied that she'll refer to a Lieutenant and get back to me, but its been a month and I havnt received a call since.

Any help is appreciated. This is extremely frustrating since I am unable to get a firm answer about anything.

Best Regards
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Old 16th Oct 2010, 12:01
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You get a letter confirming your file is at PSA, at least I did anyway. I think you are kept on file for 12 months.
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Old 16th Oct 2010, 21:28
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Thank you mate.

I have sent an email enquiring about it. Ill probably wait until Tuesday before giving them yet another phone call to enquire about this.

If anyone has done the FSP with a residency, please send a PM as well, just so that I can feel a little confident that this has been done before and I can take the fight to DFR.

Cheers
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Old 17th Oct 2010, 01:09
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Thanks for the support and adivce GSXRMCK. Good work on persisting and getting an approval to continue, and getting your file up to FSP. Hopefully that call's just around the corner.

It seems, in regards to my application, that a decison has been made to put me through medical trial for 6 months - meaning my file is on hold till March 2011. I don't know if I'm required to any testing etc. - that's all the info my Case Manager could give me. So I'll be contacting DFR Medical soon to find out what's going on.
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Old 20th Oct 2010, 06:24
  #1514 (permalink)  
reece.t
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Hey everyone. This thread has been incredibly helpful and I've done my best to read all of it, but forgive me if I'm asking a question here that has been previously answered!

I recently passed my assessment day to fly for the defence force and currently awaiting a call from PSA to book my flight screening. Words can't express how eager I am to get to Tamworth!

While I'm trying to remain as optimistic as possible, the harsh reality that you aren't guaranteed a spot on the course is hanging over my head like a big black rain cloud.

Does anyone know of any recent circumstances where people have waited for the whole 12 months with their application at PSA and not been offered a place at flight screening at all? Just trying to get a feel for really how competitive it is.
 
Old 20th Oct 2010, 08:17
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Not sure about the wait for PSA (It's something like 500 files recieved each year and 250 spots available I read somewhere) but I know of a few at the moment (myself included) who have had or about to have their file expire post successful FSP due to a few reasons, namely Army height change, lack of BFTS courses this year, just a limited number of places it would seem at the moment. I have my assessment again next week to get back to Tamworth for OSB only, a bit of a kick in the teeth to go backwards after all we've gone through but I have no intention to give up although I know a couple who have. It just makes me hungrier for a spot.
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Old 20th Oct 2010, 10:42
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cj0203, just wondering, did you get told where abouts in the applicant pool you were once you had completed fsp, or did you just get told recommended?
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Old 20th Oct 2010, 11:03
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Jimh91
Nah mate, recommended is all I was told. You are told your flying score but not your board score. I had a quite a good flying score but I guess my board score wasn't as good as I thought even though I felt quite good with the way my OSB went. Guess now I just have to concentrate on nailing that board second time round.
How bout yourself, how'd you fare on FSP?
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Old 20th Oct 2010, 11:26
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Does anyone recall where you send a request for testing results?

I went through the DFR website again to see if I could find it but I haven't been able to so far.

I do recall it being something about sending a letter to Canberra, but if anyone could direct me to the specific site that had the information, it would be much appreciated.

Thank you
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Old 20th Oct 2010, 12:04
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FireBatHero,

From memory, at my spec testing they said it was the Director of Psychology at the Department of Defense. They didn't give an address though, they might give it to you
if you call and ask DFR.
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Old 29th Oct 2010, 10:00
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I got a call from PSA today... Its a FSP from the 13th November, two days after I finish my last exam. It also looks as though I'll be having my 18th at Tamworth. To say I was stoked would be a complete underestimation.

Good luck for the rest of you guys, keep fighting the good fight and I'm sure things will happen.
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