RAAF Flight Screening Programme
Join Date: Jul 2009
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I guess I've just got to think of it as an opportunity to have a better OSB. When I look back at my OSB I was quite confident. Everybody thinks back and knows they could have "tweaked" it little to make it better but other than that, I came out thinking that was genuinely the most confident and relaxed I have felt in the whole selection process but I learned later that my board score wasn't that great so it just goes to show I need to work harder and give the next OSB if it arises the best shot I've got to make them want me. I'm learning hypnotherapy! 
Last edited by cj0203; 1st Jul 2010 at 09:59.
Join Date: Jan 2008
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My 2 cents on flying experience at FSP:
I felt like my gliding hours worked in my favour due to the emphasis at FSP on attitude flying and it was therefore a pretty natural progression. I didn't think that too many hours would do me that much good seeing as they take into account experience and I wasn't worried about getting carried away and watching the scenery as some pointed out. However, perhaps the biggest advantage I found was how it helped with the mental processing. Being a bit more comfortable in the air gives you a bit more brain space to work with, especially when it comes time for the circuits. Rumour has it that pilots don't have much to spare in that department as it is
I felt like my gliding hours worked in my favour due to the emphasis at FSP on attitude flying and it was therefore a pretty natural progression. I didn't think that too many hours would do me that much good seeing as they take into account experience and I wasn't worried about getting carried away and watching the scenery as some pointed out. However, perhaps the biggest advantage I found was how it helped with the mental processing. Being a bit more comfortable in the air gives you a bit more brain space to work with, especially when it comes time for the circuits. Rumour has it that pilots don't have much to spare in that department as it is
Join Date: Jul 2010
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Cheers for the responses guys, sounds like there is some good advice in there - will hopefully be up as much as possible in the next few months. It gives me a little more motivation to be stuck in my office all day as well knowing that I need those sweet $ bills for flying on the weekend!
That's great news about the Army height requirements cj0203! It seems like that issue has affected the majority of people here. Will have to check my specs when I get home but I'm almost certain that I'm 96cm...
Ah well, Army was my 2nd preference in any case - can't win them all.
@BlackBird
That seems like the way to go - The guys at the flying school I'm going to said they would put me in a decathlon as well after a few hours in something a little tamer. I got my letter today as well but from what I've picked up on here it seems as if they let you know 3 or 4 weeks out which is a little more considerate for us full-timers
- here's hoping we get a spot mate!
That's great news about the Army height requirements cj0203! It seems like that issue has affected the majority of people here. Will have to check my specs when I get home but I'm almost certain that I'm 96cm...
Ah well, Army was my 2nd preference in any case - can't win them all.@BlackBird
That seems like the way to go - The guys at the flying school I'm going to said they would put me in a decathlon as well after a few hours in something a little tamer. I got my letter today as well but from what I've picked up on here it seems as if they let you know 3 or 4 weeks out which is a little more considerate for us full-timers
- here's hoping we get a spot mate!
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Rotor 11
No, you should be fine on that front, lots of guys go through FSP with no hours. Look at it this way, you won't have any habits(bad or good) to unlearn!
Enjoy, but pack your woolies- -3 in the mornings!!!
Some days I miss the CT4, others when it's F'ing freezing, maybe not.
No, you should be fine on that front, lots of guys go through FSP with no hours. Look at it this way, you won't have any habits(bad or good) to unlearn!
Enjoy, but pack your woolies- -3 in the mornings!!!
Some days I miss the CT4, others when it's F'ing freezing, maybe not.
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Hi everyone, this is my first post on here so here it goes.
I'm currently applying for RAAF pilot (ADFA), and unsure as to whether you are obligated for any ROSO if you fail pilot's course, assuming you go through ADFA. I'm looking at the Bachelor of Aviation, the pilot specific degree, if that makes any difference.
I've heard that you can fail pilot's course based purely on officer qualities alone. I realise that you are an officer first and pilot second in the RAAF, but just seems a bit harsh to fail someone based on that alone. Can anyone confirm this?
Also, for those guys who've been to flight screening, does it give a real 'feel' of the typical air force environment. Being in year 12 with about 40 hours under my belt I know that I want to be a pilot, but still tossing up between the civil or military. I just want to understand the full nature of the miltary pilot's lifestyle (the pressures, secondary duties etc.) before I agree to anything (assuming I get that far).
And thanks to everyone who has posted on this thread, I've been plugging away through it and the info here is invaluble well better than anything I'd get @ DFR.
I'm currently applying for RAAF pilot (ADFA), and unsure as to whether you are obligated for any ROSO if you fail pilot's course, assuming you go through ADFA. I'm looking at the Bachelor of Aviation, the pilot specific degree, if that makes any difference.
I've heard that you can fail pilot's course based purely on officer qualities alone. I realise that you are an officer first and pilot second in the RAAF, but just seems a bit harsh to fail someone based on that alone. Can anyone confirm this?
Also, for those guys who've been to flight screening, does it give a real 'feel' of the typical air force environment. Being in year 12 with about 40 hours under my belt I know that I want to be a pilot, but still tossing up between the civil or military. I just want to understand the full nature of the miltary pilot's lifestyle (the pressures, secondary duties etc.) before I agree to anything (assuming I get that far).
And thanks to everyone who has posted on this thread, I've been plugging away through it and the info here is invaluble well better than anything I'd get @ DFR.
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Hey Vandelay Industries,
I was in the exact same boat as you when I was in year 11. What i recommend you do is get in contact with a few people who have made it all the way through both worlds (civillian and military). Thats exactly what I did, and have been doing the last few years, and it has really helped me make that decision (which happens to be persuing the military). The insight of others is really helpful, and this thread is full of it, but remember at the end of the day its your decision and don't let people tell you what you should or shouldn't do.
What ever you decide to do stick to it 100%!
I was in the exact same boat as you when I was in year 11. What i recommend you do is get in contact with a few people who have made it all the way through both worlds (civillian and military). Thats exactly what I did, and have been doing the last few years, and it has really helped me make that decision (which happens to be persuing the military). The insight of others is really helpful, and this thread is full of it, but remember at the end of the day its your decision and don't let people tell you what you should or shouldn't do.
What ever you decide to do stick to it 100%!
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Cheers Nick for your advice
I've spoken to plenty of guys in civil aviation and I'm pretty sure of sussed most of it out, but the military is a lot more insular and harder get to info on. I'll stick at it and shouldn't be too difficult to find at least one guy who has been through thre system.
Good luck in persuing your career
I've spoken to plenty of guys in civil aviation and I'm pretty sure of sussed most of it out, but the military is a lot more insular and harder get to info on. I'll stick at it and shouldn't be too difficult to find at least one guy who has been through thre system.
Good luck in persuing your career
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Just a word of caution to those encouraging those without hours to fly as much as possible. There is a delineation of around 20 hours as to whether you will be placed in the Basic or Advanced course at Flight screening. This could make a big difference when it comes to assessing your scores post flight and to whom you are in competition with.
To all of those reporting that they had received a letter from the PSA regarding their dossier, I too got my letter last week. I've actually had quite a decent experience with DFR. I started my application in April/May and although I've had to make a few enquiring calls when it came to some medical stuff I have found both the medical and DFR staff to be quite helpful and promt in returning calls/emails. There are always good eggs in any bunch and it is just a matter of asking the right questions to the right people.
To all of those reporting that they had received a letter from the PSA regarding their dossier, I too got my letter last week. I've actually had quite a decent experience with DFR. I started my application in April/May and although I've had to make a few enquiring calls when it came to some medical stuff I have found both the medical and DFR staff to be quite helpful and promt in returning calls/emails. There are always good eggs in any bunch and it is just a matter of asking the right questions to the right people.
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I've heard that you can fail pilot's course based purely on officer qualities alone. I realise that you are an officer first and pilot second in the RAAF, but just seems a bit harsh to fail someone based on that alone. Can anyone confirm this?
Good officer qualities isn't that hard really. Most of it is commonsense and discipline. Considering today's ADF pilots are flying multi-million dollar airframes in complex environments, is it really "harsh" to ask that they do as they're told? If you are motivated, OQs won't be a problem.
but still tossing up between the civil or military.
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Response to Vandelay.........
Captain Sand Dune,
Perhaps you shouldn’t be so harsh on Vandelay. Someone who is still in high school, coming to this forum and asking people for information about a career that he is interested shouldn’t be branded as lack of motivation.
He is showing maturity and commonsense by trying to make an informed decision, hell I was “umming and ahhing” all the way up to signing on the dotted line and then some. It’s over a decade of your life, take the time to make the right decision.
And in terms of being kicked out for Officer Qualities, has happened in the past, is happening now and will continue to happen. Boys will be boys, just don’t get caught. For another one of your questions, if you go to ADFA and subsequently fail pilots course you do generally still owe the time back from your degree, however with the excess of pilots at the moment in the RAAF it can happen that you may just leave, but that is here and now and is on a case by case basis, in 4 years when you would likely finish your degree and start pilot’s course the RAAF could be screaming for people and in that case doubtful you would be able to leave, they shuffle you into another specialisation.
And lastly, flight screening doesn’t really provide too much insight into military life, it does however give you a good understanding of how BFTS will run. There will be plenty of guys from all 3 services which can fill you in on what it’s like to go to ADFA and be in the military.
Make up your own mind and take your time, after all it’s a big decision.
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CJ203 - Is that true in regards to the sitting height for Army Pilot being raised to 95cm? Did you hear this directly from DFR? It still says 92cm on their website 
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BurningDesire,
Yes, I was told this by DFR medical and it was confirmed by PSA. Those like me who were made medically unfit should be getting letters confirming the new height change soon.
Yes, I was told this by DFR medical and it was confirmed by PSA. Those like me who were made medically unfit should be getting letters confirming the new height change soon.
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hey all,
I stumbled upon pprune and this thread a few months ago and what a goldmine it has been. I am like many others here and am partway through the recruiting process for DEO pilot RAAF, with my assessment day being the 3rd of August. I can sympathise with others who have been through the medical appeal process, as it was 8 months between the YOU session and successfully appealing the class 4 medical.
Was just wondering if anyone had any insights for the assessment day apart from the dfr line of "there will be a medical, a phsychological interview, and an interview in front of a board.be prepared" have heard hints of an essay or writing task... ?
I have been studying up on the ins and outs of the raaf, force elements, wings, sqn's, a/c types & capabilities, leaders, ranks, bases, the training path, career progression, secondary duties, recent combat operations of ADF in general etc. also reading up on the notes given by dfr and preparing answers to expected questions "what if you fail pilots course what will you do?, what leadership qualities do you have/ examples. just trying to have all bases covered.
I stumbled upon pprune and this thread a few months ago and what a goldmine it has been. I am like many others here and am partway through the recruiting process for DEO pilot RAAF, with my assessment day being the 3rd of August. I can sympathise with others who have been through the medical appeal process, as it was 8 months between the YOU session and successfully appealing the class 4 medical.
Was just wondering if anyone had any insights for the assessment day apart from the dfr line of "there will be a medical, a phsychological interview, and an interview in front of a board.be prepared" have heard hints of an essay or writing task... ?
I have been studying up on the ins and outs of the raaf, force elements, wings, sqn's, a/c types & capabilities, leaders, ranks, bases, the training path, career progression, secondary duties, recent combat operations of ADF in general etc. also reading up on the notes given by dfr and preparing answers to expected questions "what if you fail pilots course what will you do?, what leadership qualities do you have/ examples. just trying to have all bases covered.