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RAAF Flight Screening Programme

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RAAF Flight Screening Programme

Old 23rd Jul 2010, 00:23
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Hi aus111c! Well done on passing the spec testing, I have heard a lot of people saying it's one of the hardest things during the recruitment process. As to your question about the essay: I had to write an essay first thing on my assessment day and the questions asked were 'why do you want to be a pilot, list some leadership positions held, what are your strenghts and weaknesses'. The questions are pretty much straight forward but what I found tricky was to write it all down during the timeframe given (if I remember correctly it was about 10 mins).
So just make sure you focus on your key points and keep it relevant! Hope this helps and good luck for the 3rd of August!!!

Cheers

Laroux
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Old 24th Jul 2010, 08:08
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Thankyou LaRoux.
The spec testing was difficult, as I didnt know the specifics of the testing, but I enjoyed it, and was glad to pass as I thought I hadnt done too well in some aspects. I had a simple approach when they were testing motor skills with the joysticks and they changed the orientation of the screen, i just turned my head to suit it, would have looked strange but it worked. .
Thanks for the info on assessment day, im trying to be as prepared as I possibly can, I want to really impress them.
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Old 28th Jul 2010, 07:04
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Hey Sashisruski

Goodluck first of all.

1. I hope it wouldn't be silly as thats what im planning to do, currently doing Ba Music, and I will dropout the moment I am accepted into the RAAF.

2. Im not an expert but from reading here and elsewhere if you have above 20 hours going into FSP you are judged differently to someone who has 20hrs or less. however ADFBFTS and 2FTS do not take this into account.

hope that helps.
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Old 29th Jul 2010, 00:44
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Hiya Sashisruski,

I'm going for DEO pilot but will try to answer your questions in any case. I'm still in the application process as well so I'm not an expert - feel free to disregard my advice!

1. It's really up to you as to whether you want to pay to undertake the first part of a uni course that you would essentially repeat were you to get into ADFA. Personally I would suggest that ADFA is the better option rather than an external degree if you really want to be an ADF pilot. You will be exposed to the military lifestyle, be paid to study instead of accumulating a big HELP debt (like myself), meet many other aspiring young ADF officers etc. The alternative is to undertake an external degree like what I did; this allows more flexibility, ability to travel overseas, etc. I think this was probably the best option for me as I don't think I was ready to go to ADFA straight out of high school. I now have that extra bit of life experience that I wouldn't have accumulated otherwise - but we'll see if that flies at OSB if I get a flight screening spot! Another option could be to work to fund flying time while you wait for your ADFA application to be processed?

2. Once you are on Pilots' Course your prior education should not be taken into account. There will be students there who have no tertiary education whatsoever whilst others might have PhDs in astrophysics - as far as I'm aware the course is the same for everyone. Obviously your AvTech degree will give you a bit of an advantage over others initially - my degree is in economics for example so I doubt whether that's going to help me much in the cockpit.

Hope this helps a little - good luck with it all mate,

Jimmy
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Old 1st Aug 2010, 23:16
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FSP 21.8.

Hey guys I am officially reviving this forum: just got off the phone with PSA and I am chuffed to say I am in for the 21st of August!! so make sure you keep an eye on that phone today...
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Old 2nd Aug 2010, 09:09
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Good luck in August LaRoux.

I got an "NR3" on my assessment day. Apparently I was too confident... among other things. Got a wrinkle with a health issue from 1977 that's holding things up for now as well.

Hope to have things resolved before I hit the magic 43 years old. Nothing like having an 18 month time limit for incentive!

Last edited by DrDave; 3rd Aug 2010 at 23:20.
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Old 2nd Aug 2010, 11:20
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LaRoux, good stuff.

Anyone here know when the next batch of offers from the RAAF for ADFA are coming out?

I've never watched the post box so intensely before. Still more entertaining than whats been on TV.
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Old 2nd Aug 2010, 11:27
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They should have already come out for adfa? I got mine like 2-3weeks ago.

The next batch arent until after the next school holidays.
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Old 2nd Aug 2010, 14:54
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Congrats LaRoux.

Looks like I will be seeing you up in Tamworth. I'm starting my course on the 28th. I actually missed the call on Friday and then tracked down the missed call number. There was a raft of expletives after I found out who the caller was. All sorted out now though
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Old 3rd Aug 2010, 04:51
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Congrats LaRoux and PF! My phone has stayed stubbornly silent the last few days so it looks like I might be waiting to see if I get a spot in October...

Good luck guys - leave nothing on the park!
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Old 3rd Aug 2010, 04:51
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Cheers everyone!! I am over the moon as you can imagine... Polymer Fox I'll see you in Tamworth!
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Old 3rd Aug 2010, 05:19
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Good luck LaRoux and Polymer Fox!

AlexanderB, I've heard the next DEO are probably going to be in November, but it won't stop me watching the letterbox in the meantime
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Old 3rd Aug 2010, 07:22
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thankfully I was recommended for flight screening today, massive relief. Now the medicals and the waiting by the phone begins.....
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Old 3rd Aug 2010, 07:43
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Exclamation

Hey guys,

I had my assessment day last tuesday and i was told to come back in 1 year's time because they wanted to see more "motivation" even though i scored a "band 1" in the pilot testing which the defence recruiter told me only 1-2 people a year get that high. Although he said i wasn't far off being accepted, mainly a lack of flying related activities on my resume held me back.

I was wondering what sort of things did you guys that made it to FSP have on your resume?
  • Did you have gliding experience?
  • Did you have any experience in trial flights?
  • What leadership or officer qualities did you have to show?
  • How exactly did you show determination/burning desire to be a pilot?
this would really help a lot
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Old 3rd Aug 2010, 14:27
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Blackprince77,

I had a notch under each of those points you mentioned and a few extras, including a previously unsuccessful attempt at the ADF pilot selection process!

I'm not qualified to judge what it takes to get through that interview, so I'll say this: I think all of the above helped me to some degree (I have no idea how much), but showing determination by coming back after taking the failure as an opportunity to improve myself was the difference I felt. Having said that, I'm post FSP/OSB and just waiting for a call, so I'm not "in" yet.

Best of luck!
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Old 4th Aug 2010, 00:26
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Good to hear people are snapping up places at FSP. I hope to join you soon.

I just got off the phone with my case manager out at Parramatta and i'm all booked in for an assesment day on the 16/8. Having being recommended previously (mind you for applying for ADFA entry pilot as opposed to DEO) i'm feeling confident this time round and i hope to bring you good news that evening. That said there will be lots of study done in the next 12 days.

A question, first time round i was placed in medical class 3R due to a few issues which were then resolved, however now, being greater than 12 months the medical has expired, does anyone know if the doctors and specialists statements clearing me medically back then are still valid for this time round? Especially considering that they are not reoccuring issues and mostly from my early childhood.

Cheers

Nick
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Old 4th Aug 2010, 10:18
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Cool

@Tony360
Well i believe having not held many leadership positions in my past did partially effect the outcome at least. Although i studied heavily on all topics regarding the RAAF including extra things like what leadership is, what makes a good leader, role of an officer etc. My interview went quite well besides having nothing to show i loved planes, i had an answer for his every questions, and quite good answers too

@MudRat_02
I've been reading every single page of this 70+ page thread over the last few days copying to word every useful hint and link that will help me for next time. Congratulations on getting as far as possible, its now just up to them to call and enlist you You can bet 1000000% i will have things for each of those points next July when i go back there for assessment day again.


Overall, recruiter did also say i was a little young too, especially only just turning 18 (compared to most guys he said were 19/20). At the time he told me to come back i was quite devastated (almost broke down) , but i am glad he did now because if he had let me through i would have had to face the OSB with a ****ty resume with no leadership experiences and the recruiter told me that even if i was the best pilot in the world and scored perfect at FSP the OSB wouldn't care as they would "think" i have no officer potential which i DO, but have nothing to prove it so i would have got knocked back anyway. Now i will do everything i can to show off my qualities (especially leadership), i believe that by next July i will be so prepared that i really don't see how i won't make it into FSP Especially since i almost did this time (so he said) with nothing special to show (in writing).


@NicKM91
Well i was classed as 3R too i think, everyone on assessment day will get 3R, 3T or 3M i think (not sure exactly) but i believe unless those medical conditions you had or symptoms are recurring there's no reason why you wouldn't pass the medical now. They might ask you about them to see how its going with them, but if they are not recurring like you say there shouldn't be anything to worry about.


Thanks guys.
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Old 4th Aug 2010, 10:24
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Oh btw on assessment day you cannot get above class 3 (e.g. to get to class 1) you need to have further tests in detail (eyes, ears, dental, blood etc) The class most of us got put in was one of the class 3 groups which means we are on the way to class 1 pending these further tests and/or and other medical issues are completed or resolved.

Also why class 3? I don't know why that number, but i do know that class 2 is something totally unrelated to pilots (medical guy told me i just can't remember the name), they jump from class 3 to 1.
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Old 4th Aug 2010, 20:45
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BlackPrince77, don't take the non-recommendation too hard because not everyone gets through on the first go. Take it as an opportunity to improve on all of the areas that you think you might be deficient. You have to remember that you only get one shot at FSP but you get three shots when it comes to the testing process prior to FSP. It will be much better for you when you can blitz your way through the testing process and defense interview and then when you get to the OSB you will much more confident in yourself and your personal and professional qualities.

I was initially knocked back when I first attempted the testing process and I was only 18 at the time. I'm in my mid 20s now and when I think back to myself when I was 18 I can fully understand why I didn't get through. I was very confident in myself but I really did lack the life experience, flying experience and demonstrative leadership. I'm not saying that you necessarily are deficient in those areas but you want to be the best candidate you can be when it comes to the OSB. So a knock back now might not seem the best but when you come to the stage you were at again and go further you will be personally better for it and also better for the RAAF on the other side.

Thanks for the well-wishes everyone. I'm off to go and bust a few aerobatic moves this morning to get myself ready for FSP. It is a stunningly beautiful CAVOK morning and I can't wait to get out there.
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Old 5th Aug 2010, 00:37
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Sounds awesome PF! I did my first aerobatic flight last Sunday and absolutely loved it - didn't quite have a yack when I got back down which was nice... Can't wait to get back up there again this weekend and have another crack.

I have a follow up question to one I asked a few weeks ago about flying experience before FSP. I have about 10 hours at the moment and understand that once I go past 20 or so I will have to complete the advanced course. Currently doing 4/5 hours per fortnight (and spending every cent I'm earning) which means I will be well and truly over that by the earliest I can get a spot in October. Despite this I have taken InTheWeeds advice to heart and think that as much flying as I can get is the best approach and haven't been too concerned about the basic/advanced stuff. Plus I'm absolutely loving the flying so don't want to cut back just to be under some mark to make it "easier" at FSP. I've been flying tail draggers as well so I'm not too worried about the CAP 10... or should I be?

Haha I think I've just answered my own question but anyone think differently to the above?

Also congrats aus111c for passing your Assessment day - hopefully see you at FSP sometime soon!

Jimmy
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