RAAF Flight Screening Programme
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Australia, NSW, Lismore
Age: 31
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jorocketoz- If you're having your spec. testing on the same day as your assesment day then your in for one hell of a time. It might pay to look back through the thread and see what you can dig up, the spec testing is much more challenging than the YOU testing.
Good job on passing.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Theedmancometh- I've heard that same general statement from a few other guys although I've been particularly lucky with recruiting. My application has gone through the Melboure DFR centre and I've always been able to get honest and accurate answers, some of the recruiters have even gone out of their way to help out and I've found them to be a friendly bunch.
It might be that you're talking to the wrong people, try asking the senior recruiters or simply trying to seek out answers in person.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Sigh, that's actually a really good question, I can't imagine a candidate not being asked it. My answer was very similar to yours in most aspects.
Good job on passing.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Theedmancometh- I've heard that same general statement from a few other guys although I've been particularly lucky with recruiting. My application has gone through the Melboure DFR centre and I've always been able to get honest and accurate answers, some of the recruiters have even gone out of their way to help out and I've found them to be a friendly bunch.
It might be that you're talking to the wrong people, try asking the senior recruiters or simply trying to seek out answers in person.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Sigh, that's actually a really good question, I can't imagine a candidate not being asked it. My answer was very similar to yours in most aspects.
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: N.S.W, Australia
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@ sigh: Glad it helped mate, yeah sounds like u got a good understanding now.
@ AlexanderB: Hey mate, I think it is a misunderstanding on my part and in fact its just my Spec testing, but I will ring them to double check. Just that they talked of it all at once with the career interview so I assumed it was all happening on the same day ( but my letter does just say "...next step in the DFR selection process is to attend specialist testing on...).
Yeah I will "get my read on" and go back through it all cheers.
Best of luck to everyone else in their various stages of the process.
JoRocketoz
p.s. Gotta love the Pprune
@ AlexanderB: Hey mate, I think it is a misunderstanding on my part and in fact its just my Spec testing, but I will ring them to double check. Just that they talked of it all at once with the career interview so I assumed it was all happening on the same day ( but my letter does just say "...next step in the DFR selection process is to attend specialist testing on...).
Yeah I will "get my read on" and go back through it all cheers.
Best of luck to everyone else in their various stages of the process.
JoRocketoz
p.s. Gotta love the Pprune
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ah the joys of DFR. You've just got to use your own good judgement, because honestly they see so many people that in some cases you're just a number, and they probably don't loose too much sleep about 'trifling' matters in your rather ambitious career choice. eg. when I first applied they told me straight out that I don't have what it takes to be a pilot or an officer, and that I'd be wasting my time pursuing it further - and that was emphasised with regards to making it to fsp, let alone selection!
Well all those years down the track and my dossier is in the pool competing for an offer, and DFR have still managed to have a bit of fun at my expense, though thank goodness its mostly PSA I have to deal with now.
Well all those years down the track and my dossier is in the pool competing for an offer, and DFR have still managed to have a bit of fun at my expense, though thank goodness its mostly PSA I have to deal with now.
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Melbourne
Age: 35
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Im not the only one to hate DFR then. They managed to misplace a Speed post with all my documentation to prove that my qualifications meet the minimum criteria, when just a couple of days back I was told by another person that it has been received and just not updated yet. So I have had to resend the entire bunch of about fifty pages through fax, and I have no idea about what now happens to my application form that they misplaced. It really is frustrating when you actually take a couple of days off work to try and get your documentation organised and sent asap and know a week later that they lost it. 
PS: Got my pilot specific testing booked today for the 25th of next month.
Update: Does the specialist testing involve mechanical applications such as pressure and surface area and electrical circuits as mentioned in the ARCO books for the USAF tests?
PS: Got my pilot specific testing booked today for the 25th of next month.
Update: Does the specialist testing involve mechanical applications such as pressure and surface area and electrical circuits as mentioned in the ARCO books for the USAF tests?
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Sydney
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Update: Does the specialist testing involve mechanical applications such as pressure and surface area and electrical circuits as mentioned in the ARCO books for the USAF tests?
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: N/A
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've read over it in the ARCO Books, it's not obscenely hard as long as you get the logic, e.g. If gear 2 moves clockwise, which of the gears will be moving in the same direction? + a picture.
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Melbourne
Age: 35
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yea the basic ones are alright. I was just having trouble with the more advanced ones but they wernt all that difficult once you had a few formulas nailed. I was mainly worried because I came across this website, which has a link for a mechanical test which was quite tough:
Navy Officer info on Scholarships, ASTB, BDCP, Pay, and NUPOC
But yeah, thanks for the info. Im glad its not a part of the specialist testing.
Cheers
Navy Officer info on Scholarships, ASTB, BDCP, Pay, and NUPOC
But yeah, thanks for the info. Im glad its not a part of the specialist testing.
Cheers
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flight Screening Course 8th of May
Hi Romper (Dean),
I am also going up to Tamworth for the Flight Screening Course on the 8th of May, so i'll see you there!
As for preparation; are you just going over all the usual stuff (base locations, units, current and past operations, finer details of training and conversion etc)?
Either way i'll probably see you on the same flight.
Elliot.
I am also going up to Tamworth for the Flight Screening Course on the 8th of May, so i'll see you there!
As for preparation; are you just going over all the usual stuff (base locations, units, current and past operations, finer details of training and conversion etc)?
Either way i'll probably see you on the same flight.
Elliot.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: wollongong N.S.W
Age: 45
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PSA 8th may
gday elliot,
Thats pretty much what im studying mate, Also doin a basic aerobatics endorsement just to get familar with unusual aircraft attitudes.
Hopefully see you on the way up there, and good luck!
Dean
Thats pretty much what im studying mate, Also doin a basic aerobatics endorsement just to get familar with unusual aircraft attitudes.
Hopefully see you on the way up there, and good luck!
Dean
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Out of interest
I have asked someone I know at BFTS, but I haven't received a reply as he is hard to contact these days:
Any tips on preparing for the FSP? Is the material fairly difficult? Does it stray much from basic handling (turning, takeoff, landing, climbing and descending, basic aerobatics)?
Since you aren't flying all day every day, what else do you do during your days there???
Any other tips or advice that would help?
Also, out of interest; What is the max altitude reached during the flying at the FSP? And is the CAP 10 much different from the CT4?
I have been reading through this forum which is fairly long, so forgive me from asking a question that has already been asked!
Elliot.
Any tips on preparing for the FSP? Is the material fairly difficult? Does it stray much from basic handling (turning, takeoff, landing, climbing and descending, basic aerobatics)?
Since you aren't flying all day every day, what else do you do during your days there???
Any other tips or advice that would help?
Also, out of interest; What is the max altitude reached during the flying at the FSP? And is the CAP 10 much different from the CT4?
I have been reading through this forum which is fairly long, so forgive me from asking a question that has already been asked!
Elliot.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: victoria
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ellioy,
Do yourself a favour and don't even try to prepare flying wise! You will only set yourself up for a fail with pre-conceived ideas and probably bad habits. Just turn up there keen to learn, listen to what they teach you and work your hardest to apply it airborne. Talk to your BFTS friend about chairflying and prepbooks as these are tools that will help you alot once you are there and supplied with the learning material.
If i were you, i would concentrate your prep on your OSB as that is something you can do.
You most likely wont get above 5000', because it just takes way too long to get up there.
While you are not flying, you are studying!!!!!!!!
Hope that helps a bit
Do yourself a favour and don't even try to prepare flying wise! You will only set yourself up for a fail with pre-conceived ideas and probably bad habits. Just turn up there keen to learn, listen to what they teach you and work your hardest to apply it airborne. Talk to your BFTS friend about chairflying and prepbooks as these are tools that will help you alot once you are there and supplied with the learning material.
If i were you, i would concentrate your prep on your OSB as that is something you can do.
You most likely wont get above 5000', because it just takes way too long to get up there.
While you are not flying, you are studying!!!!!!!!
Hope that helps a bit
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Tamworth
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Advice, Stick to studying for the board before you go.
The flying or should I say the pace of it is quite demanding and it's not unusual to fly twice a day, but it's not something you can really prepare for, it's matter of applying the techniques they teach you to the best of your ability. I personally didn't have time to even think about the board until the flying was done. Example ; I had my CT-4 checkride and my first Cap-10 flight within a couple of hours of each other! That's not uncommon. It's a lot of information to digest so you spend most of your nights studying for the next day's flying.
On the altitude question, I did my Cap-10 checkride on a beautiful morning and I think we got up around 6000-6500ft at one stage.
The Cap-10 is quite different as you will experience(he he!) and therefore a lot of different information needs to be taken on board.
The flying or should I say the pace of it is quite demanding and it's not unusual to fly twice a day, but it's not something you can really prepare for, it's matter of applying the techniques they teach you to the best of your ability. I personally didn't have time to even think about the board until the flying was done. Example ; I had my CT-4 checkride and my first Cap-10 flight within a couple of hours of each other! That's not uncommon. It's a lot of information to digest so you spend most of your nights studying for the next day's flying.
On the altitude question, I did my Cap-10 checkride on a beautiful morning and I think we got up around 6000-6500ft at one stage.
The Cap-10 is quite different as you will experience(he he!) and therefore a lot of different information needs to be taken on board.
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the reply.
Yeah, I thought that was the case; the actual flying component being hard to prepare for (if not impossible) as they are assessing potential. I just thought I'd ask anyway, just in case there were some tips that could give me more of a chance.
I'll def be preparing for the OSB when I get a chance (being in late Uni semester and all); usual stuff I asked Romper (Dean) about (base locs, past and present Ops, leadership vs Management and training stuff).
I am familiar with the concept of chair-flying, so I'm sure we'll be employing that study technique when we (us candidates) get a chance.
I am really looking forward to it, and enjoy the idea that it is like a very mini BFTS!
Thanks for your responses, I'll post up any other questions I have before May the 8th!
Elliot.
Thanks for the reply.
Yeah, I thought that was the case; the actual flying component being hard to prepare for (if not impossible) as they are assessing potential. I just thought I'd ask anyway, just in case there were some tips that could give me more of a chance.
I'll def be preparing for the OSB when I get a chance (being in late Uni semester and all); usual stuff I asked Romper (Dean) about (base locs, past and present Ops, leadership vs Management and training stuff).
I am familiar with the concept of chair-flying, so I'm sure we'll be employing that study technique when we (us candidates) get a chance.
I am really looking forward to it, and enjoy the idea that it is like a very mini BFTS!
Thanks for your responses, I'll post up any other questions I have before May the 8th!
Elliot.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: shivering in the cold dark shadow of my own magnificence.
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
cj0203 & keenas are on the money.
The Flying component is very much monkey see monkey do. Pay attention to the mass briefings. Learn the power settings and the flight attitudes but most of all try to take a deep breath, relax & try not to strangle the joy stick. It's ok to enjoy flying. Be positive about control movements (don't let the plane fly you) & think "command". Also do lots of armchair flying. I also used a laptop with flt sim to help with armchair flying.
Never ever be late for a flight, or anything else for that matter. And don't let your mates be late. On time is late. Early is on time.
Also learn how to do quick mental time / speed / dist calculations for the panel interview.
Most importantly work together & get along with the other flight screeners. remember that you are not in competition against these people, but with these people. Aim to get everyone through, with the strongest helping the weakest, just as in the military. Trust me, if you don't work together the psych will quickly determine the loner's & prickly personalities & pull all of you to pieces. As they'll tell you on your first few days at OTS, "Individuals don't make it through officer training; Only people who work as a team make it through officer training".
Lastly, everyone studies for the board, but a lot let themselves down with their personal presentation. Remember that you are being watched from day one. Here's a tip, try ironing that sh!tty orange jumpsuit that they give you. Why? because no-one else does. And for gods sake wear a propper suit to the interview. Not a borrowed suit, but one that's been tailored to fit you. Try to remember that you are entering an ultra conservative organisation; "Get a bloody haircut" is not what you want the board to be thinking.
By now you might have realised that your picture that recruiting took way back on your initial assessment day has been clipped to your file the whole time & up to now it is the only pictorial reference that the board has of you. If you were smart enough to wear a suit on that day then you are streets ahead. If not, then try to make up for it with the best suit & linguistic skills that you can muster & may god have mercy on your soul.
Have fun.
The Flying component is very much monkey see monkey do. Pay attention to the mass briefings. Learn the power settings and the flight attitudes but most of all try to take a deep breath, relax & try not to strangle the joy stick. It's ok to enjoy flying.
Be positive about control movements (don't let the plane fly you) & think "command". Also do lots of armchair flying. I also used a laptop with flt sim to help with armchair flying. Never ever be late for a flight, or anything else for that matter. And don't let your mates be late. On time is late. Early is on time.
Also learn how to do quick mental time / speed / dist calculations for the panel interview.
Most importantly work together & get along with the other flight screeners. remember that you are not in competition against these people, but with these people. Aim to get everyone through, with the strongest helping the weakest, just as in the military. Trust me, if you don't work together the psych will quickly determine the loner's & prickly personalities & pull all of you to pieces. As they'll tell you on your first few days at OTS, "Individuals don't make it through officer training; Only people who work as a team make it through officer training".
Lastly, everyone studies for the board, but a lot let themselves down with their personal presentation. Remember that you are being watched from day one. Here's a tip, try ironing that sh!tty orange jumpsuit that they give you. Why? because no-one else does. And for gods sake wear a propper suit to the interview. Not a borrowed suit, but one that's been tailored to fit you. Try to remember that you are entering an ultra conservative organisation; "Get a bloody haircut" is not what you want the board to be thinking.
By now you might have realised that your picture that recruiting took way back on your initial assessment day has been clipped to your file the whole time & up to now it is the only pictorial reference that the board has of you. If you were smart enough to wear a suit on that day then you are streets ahead. If not, then try to make up for it with the best suit & linguistic skills that you can muster & may god have mercy on your soul.
Have fun.
Last edited by psycho joe; 28th Apr 2010 at 11:24.
Join Date: May 2009
Location: East Sale
Age: 37
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey guys,
Just got home from DFR after a difficult Assessment Day, eventuating in a recommendation. Just letting people know, that in the defence interview you will be required to talk for long periods on your motivation for the job. So be very clear in your own mind what these motivations are!
Now on to flight screening!!
How long did the majority of candidates wait untill a call up???
blackbird
Just got home from DFR after a difficult Assessment Day, eventuating in a recommendation. Just letting people know, that in the defence interview you will be required to talk for long periods on your motivation for the job. So be very clear in your own mind what these motivations are!
Now on to flight screening!!
How long did the majority of candidates wait untill a call up??? blackbird
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Tamworth
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I waited about 4-5 months. Had a couple of specialists to see. But from when my file was received at Tamworth, It was a month or two I think. But remember, not everyone gets to FSP, It's an anxious time waiting for that call so good luck! Oh and get good at modeling aircraft! You'll see!
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Australia, NSW, Lismore
Age: 31
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good to hear you passed,
My assesment day was fun but I also had a little trouble describing my motivations, what they want is really detailed. Its a bit hard to try and sell yourself without sounding slightly cocky. My interviewer was happy with my performance though, apparently this type of highly detailed question troubles lots of candidates and its easy to see why. I could probably do with a polish up of these types of thing before FSP.
In the photo that DFR took of me I had a pretty big grin on, the recruiter had just cracked a joke about one of the guys there with last name seaman who was going as an able seaman. One of those "you had to be there" things, I couldn't help but smile.
I'm still waiting to hear from PSA or DFR about an FSP slot and I had my assesment day in February (Keep in mind that I'm an ADFA entry candidate and courses are only run on school holidays, DEO is probably a whole different world)
I'm also waiting to hear from DFR about a base visit to Amberley some time in the next month with one of the other pilot candidates. Should be a blast.
CJ, Modelling aircraft? Sounds interesting...
My assesment day was fun but I also had a little trouble describing my motivations, what they want is really detailed. Its a bit hard to try and sell yourself without sounding slightly cocky. My interviewer was happy with my performance though, apparently this type of highly detailed question troubles lots of candidates and its easy to see why. I could probably do with a polish up of these types of thing before FSP.
In the photo that DFR took of me I had a pretty big grin on, the recruiter had just cracked a joke about one of the guys there with last name seaman who was going as an able seaman. One of those "you had to be there" things, I couldn't help but smile.
I'm still waiting to hear from PSA or DFR about an FSP slot and I had my assesment day in February (Keep in mind that I'm an ADFA entry candidate and courses are only run on school holidays, DEO is probably a whole different world)
I'm also waiting to hear from DFR about a base visit to Amberley some time in the next month with one of the other pilot candidates. Should be a blast.
CJ, Modelling aircraft? Sounds interesting...
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congratulations Blackbird14!
As for waitings times; I got a call from the PSA a few weeks after my assessment day. So from the sounds of it, the waiting time varies quite a bit (I've heard of people waiting up to 8 months)!
Elliot.
As for waitings times; I got a call from the PSA a few weeks after my assessment day. So from the sounds of it, the waiting time varies quite a bit (I've heard of people waiting up to 8 months)!
Elliot.
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OSB Speed Distance Time questions
Hi Guys,
Just another question regarding OSB; how difficult are the speed/dist/time questions the board asks you? This is one (of many) aspects that is freaking me out... slightly. It sounds like their decision isn't based entirely on the outcome of this part of the interview, but how have other people handled it in the past?
Elliot.
Just another question regarding OSB; how difficult are the speed/dist/time questions the board asks you? This is one (of many) aspects that is freaking me out... slightly. It sounds like their decision isn't based entirely on the outcome of this part of the interview, but how have other people handled it in the past?
Elliot.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: shivering in the cold dark shadow of my own magnificence.
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
how difficult are the speed/dist/time questions the board asks you?
It could be something as simple as "you're doing 180kt, how long will it take to do 15nm". (5 min @ 3 miles/min)
CJ, Modelling aircraft? Sounds interesting...
Last edited by psycho joe; 29th Apr 2010 at 13:05. Reason: yay dislexia for cure found
