RAAF Flight Screening Programme
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Hi all, I passed my assessment day back in February and have been waiting for a spot at Flight Screening. Has anyone been given a spot or any info lately? I was given the impression they were trying to force as many candidates through quickly as they could...
Thanks, Philk
Thanks, Philk
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Hi all, I passed my assessment day back in February and have been waiting for a spot at Flight Screening. Has anyone been given a spot or any info lately? I was given the impression they were trying to force as many candidates through quickly as they could...
Thanks, Philk
Thanks, Philk
On a side note is anybody on here going to officer training in June? I am off next month and it would be nice to know of a couple of names before getting there, pm me if you are!
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Hey philk12 I am in the same boat as you. I've been waiting since end of February as well for a date for flight screening. Some people on here seem to have very short waiting periods between assessment day and flight screening. I just hope we aren't waiting so long because we are lower on the ranking list....
Join Date: Jun 2015
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Flight Screening
Hi everyone!
I have been reading this thread for quite some time now, since the days I was only considering becoming a RAAF Pilot. It has at times, scared me silly, and most importantly, motivated me, always providing a wealth of information for me to seek guidance.
It's pulled me through the YOU session, and assessment day. Yesterday I received my call for a PSF Course from the 4th - 18th July. (ADFA)
I am from WA and was wondering if anyone else is booked for this course, it would be nice to know someone beforehand and break the ice! I know it has been covered before, but also if anyone has recently gone onto FSP and has any top tips regarding getting noticed and the OSB interview.
Good luck everyone, you are all so well informed and this thread has been a lifesaver.
I have been reading this thread for quite some time now, since the days I was only considering becoming a RAAF Pilot. It has at times, scared me silly, and most importantly, motivated me, always providing a wealth of information for me to seek guidance.
It's pulled me through the YOU session, and assessment day. Yesterday I received my call for a PSF Course from the 4th - 18th July. (ADFA)
I am from WA and was wondering if anyone else is booked for this course, it would be nice to know someone beforehand and break the ice! I know it has been covered before, but also if anyone has recently gone onto FSP and has any top tips regarding getting noticed and the OSB interview.
Good luck everyone, you are all so well informed and this thread has been a lifesaver.
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Preparing for your sorties would be a good start. In your instructor asks in the preflight brief a simple question like "what's the attitude for a medium level turn?" or "what's the airspeed in a cruise descent?" and your answer is "I don't know" then you probably shouldn't bother turning up.
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Out of vegemite,
do the instructors at flight screening expect us to know technical knowledge like that about flying (I know in the OSB there will be a lot of knowledge based questions)? I was under the impression they teach/show us things and see our learning curve and how much we retain. How would one go about preparing for a sortie before they get to flight screening? Not trying to challenge what you're saying, just tying to get as much info as possible for flight screening.
Cheers.
do the instructors at flight screening expect us to know technical knowledge like that about flying (I know in the OSB there will be a lot of knowledge based questions)? I was under the impression they teach/show us things and see our learning curve and how much we retain. How would one go about preparing for a sortie before they get to flight screening? Not trying to challenge what you're saying, just tying to get as much info as possible for flight screening.
Cheers.
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Out of vegemite,
do the instructors at flight screening expect us to know technical knowledge like that about flying (I know in the OSB there will be a lot of knowledge based questions)? I was under the impression they teach/show us things and see our learning curve and how much we retain. How would one go about preparing for a sortie before they get to flight screening? Not trying to challenge what you're saying, just tying to get as much info as possible for flight screening.
Cheers.
do the instructors at flight screening expect us to know technical knowledge like that about flying (I know in the OSB there will be a lot of knowledge based questions)? I was under the impression they teach/show us things and see our learning curve and how much we retain. How would one go about preparing for a sortie before they get to flight screening? Not trying to challenge what you're saying, just tying to get as much info as possible for flight screening.
Cheers.
It's of course very natural to be nervous about FSP, but, as hard as it may seem, try to enjoy it. Because, it is actually tonnes of fun! I remember thinking to myself, "Wow, this is the first time I've gone flying where someone else is paying for it!" And the CT4 is a great little aircraft.
I am not completely familiar with the current order of events, but when I went through the process, FSP was the last hurdle - we did our OSB (I think that's what it is called now?) before being sent off to FSP. A WGCDR told me, "During FSP, you'll get one day off (Sunday in the middle, I think...) and everyone will go to the pub on Saturday night. Don't do it, stay in your room and study."
Respectfully, he was wrong.
Do go to the pub - socialise, meet people, enjoy a beer if you want to (of course you don't have to) and bond with your future course mates. Maybe you'll get a chance to chat to some of the instructors. You are ALWAYS being watched on FSP and everyone wants to fly with a sociable, friendly person who is confident, but not arrogant, around others.
FSP was of course stressful, but also heaps of fun! Enjoy it and good luck!
(Obviously my suggestion of a nudie run was TIC - they don't rate that sort of behaviour these days...)
I am not completely familiar with the current order of events, but when I went through the process, FSP was the last hurdle - we did our OSB (I think that's what it is called now?) before being sent off to FSP. A WGCDR told me, "During FSP, you'll get one day off (Sunday in the middle, I think...) and everyone will go to the pub on Saturday night. Don't do it, stay in your room and study."
Respectfully, he was wrong.
Do go to the pub - socialise, meet people, enjoy a beer if you want to (of course you don't have to) and bond with your future course mates. Maybe you'll get a chance to chat to some of the instructors. You are ALWAYS being watched on FSP and everyone wants to fly with a sociable, friendly person who is confident, but not arrogant, around others.
FSP was of course stressful, but also heaps of fun! Enjoy it and good luck!
(Obviously my suggestion of a nudie run was TIC - they don't rate that sort of behaviour these days...)
A young chap I know is one of the nine members of 239 Course who graduated from 2FTS last week.
Twenty started together at BFTS.
It's been a lot of consistent, hard work for 18 months. However, his observation is that those who spent every waking minute poring over the books and worrying about every little thing are the ones who dropped out.
One of the graduates even managed to succeed while living off base and helping his partner raise their two children.
I'd say my friend would agree with JosephFW's advice.
Twenty started together at BFTS.
It's been a lot of consistent, hard work for 18 months. However, his observation is that those who spent every waking minute poring over the books and worrying about every little thing are the ones who dropped out.
One of the graduates even managed to succeed while living off base and helping his partner raise their two children.
I'd say my friend would agree with JosephFW's advice.
Excellent news, terrific to hear of your mate's success! Don't be put off by the high failure rate, people - the odds are in your favour at the moment - the RAAF/RAN/Army NEED pilots! The guy who graduated whilst helping to care for his 2 kids says much about his character and particularly his partner's.
Awesome.
In my post above, I say "bond with your future course mates" - try to see them as that, even at the early stage of flight screening. The course that sticks together, graduates together.
No room for gouge-hoarders.
Awesome.
In my post above, I say "bond with your future course mates" - try to see them as that, even at the early stage of flight screening. The course that sticks together, graduates together.
No room for gouge-hoarders.
Another excellent point Joe.
The instructors commented that 239 was the most closely bonded course they'd seen.
The guys on course reckon it was due to the presence of several young ladies, whose presence kept the more extreme displays of male competitive aggression under check.
For the record, one of the young ladies has gone to Wedgetails, the other to Hawks.
They reportedly did it by working hard, being themselves and not thinking they had to outmacho the males. At the end of the day, it's a team effort.
The instructors commented that 239 was the most closely bonded course they'd seen.
The guys on course reckon it was due to the presence of several young ladies, whose presence kept the more extreme displays of male competitive aggression under check.
For the record, one of the young ladies has gone to Wedgetails, the other to Hawks.
They reportedly did it by working hard, being themselves and not thinking they had to outmacho the males. At the end of the day, it's a team effort.
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Joseph and Cooda,
thanks a lot for the advice/stories. I don't think I'll have a problem with the socialising part haha. I am trying to calm my nerves, but it is a little hard. Everything is on the line for me, and it's the final test. Both of you are right though. My friend and mentor in the RAAF who is a pilot (he went through this process a long time ago though) gave me the exactly same advice. "Relax and enjoy, and you will pass with flying colours."
Thanks again.
I am looking forward to flight screening.
thanks a lot for the advice/stories. I don't think I'll have a problem with the socialising part haha. I am trying to calm my nerves, but it is a little hard. Everything is on the line for me, and it's the final test. Both of you are right though. My friend and mentor in the RAAF who is a pilot (he went through this process a long time ago though) gave me the exactly same advice. "Relax and enjoy, and you will pass with flying colours."
Thanks again.
I am looking forward to flight screening.
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Thanks for the advice, with screening only three short weeks away the excitement is at maximum levels.
Can't wait to finally see what all the fuss is about, it sounds like a great taster of life on pilots course.
Can't wait to finally see what all the fuss is about, it sounds like a great taster of life on pilots course.
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Long Time Reader
I first started reading this forum when I began highschool with a passion and dream for one day hopefully becoming a military aviator.
Having gone through the process I can confidently say that the information on this forum is invaluable.
I successfully went through the recruitment process only last year.
My biggest word of advice is to be passionate and determined to reach for your goals (literally reach for the sky). Flight screening was the biggest test for this motivation, dedication and passion some may "claim" they've got. Although stressful, flight screening was the best two weeks of my life. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the opportunity it provides. Nothing beats the feeling of sitting in a bug smasher next to someone who you aspire to be.
The next word of advice is to create a strong bond between your fellow course mates. It's inevitable. You all have a love for aviation and you all want to be flying in the military. Study together, work hard as a team, the instructors notice this!!!!
Lastly, know your stuff. Know all the aircraft across all the services. Know where you can be posted and the squadrons that are associated with these postings. Know the ranks.... The more you know the less stress you'll be for OSB. Get your course mates to test your knowledge!
At the end of the day if it's your dream and passion to fly military aircraft and you can demonstrate a clear learning progression then you'll smash it.
Good luck!
Having gone through the process I can confidently say that the information on this forum is invaluable.
I successfully went through the recruitment process only last year.
My biggest word of advice is to be passionate and determined to reach for your goals (literally reach for the sky). Flight screening was the biggest test for this motivation, dedication and passion some may "claim" they've got. Although stressful, flight screening was the best two weeks of my life. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the opportunity it provides. Nothing beats the feeling of sitting in a bug smasher next to someone who you aspire to be.
The next word of advice is to create a strong bond between your fellow course mates. It's inevitable. You all have a love for aviation and you all want to be flying in the military. Study together, work hard as a team, the instructors notice this!!!!
Lastly, know your stuff. Know all the aircraft across all the services. Know where you can be posted and the squadrons that are associated with these postings. Know the ranks.... The more you know the less stress you'll be for OSB. Get your course mates to test your knowledge!
At the end of the day if it's your dream and passion to fly military aircraft and you can demonstrate a clear learning progression then you'll smash it.
Good luck!
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I just got a call from PSA today for the course starting on the 19th/07. I am unsure if I will be able to make it to these dates due to work... does anyone know what happens if you can't make the date they give you? Do I go back to the line (will I be waiting another 5 ~ 6 months?) or will they try and put me in the next available course dates??
Thank you!
Thank you!
Relax and enjoy, and you will pass with flying colours
Relaxing on pilots course is a great way to get scrubbed! As for passing with flying colours... How about you just worry about passing, and let the instructors worry about what how you are scoring!
Anyone who is relaxed on course is either an ace or an idiot! And trust me, most people aren't aces!