RAAF Flight Screening Programme
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Age: 31
Posts: 16
Just while we're on the topic of video series. Another good one for applicants keen on fast jets is a Canadian Air Force documentary called 'Jet Stream'. It covers ONLY hornet convertion and training, and it opens your eyes as to how full on the training gets. I would assume (obviously with a few differences) that it is pretty similar to what the RAAF puts its pilots through, although any RAAF FJ pilots who've seen the series may be able to elaborate. Although it is Canadian i'd recommend it.
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Sydney
Age: 26
Posts: 25
do you remember Capt. Mike Lewis, who failed the centrifuge test 3 times (could not sustain consciousness at 6gs for 15 secs). Seeing how easily Lewis blacked out made me wonder - is the hypoxia training during AVMED in the hyperbaric chamber similar to what the crew in Jetstream faced? Lewis' failure ended his dream of being a hornet pilot...
Also at the end of the last episode they said Capt. Lewis had "6 months specialist training" (anyone know what this would be?) and was given one more shot, passed and completed his hornet training a year later. Just goes to show if you have the motivation there should never be an end.
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 27
You're now calling me CoodaKid 3? Ha!
lesnak, I completed my YOU session on the 13th September 2009, Spec. testing in early February, assessment day on June 3 and received a letter in the mail from PSA letting me know that my file had been received on the 30th June which put me out of contention for the first couple of ADFA FSP courses.
lesnak, I completed my YOU session on the 13th September 2009, Spec. testing in early February, assessment day on June 3 and received a letter in the mail from PSA letting me know that my file had been received on the 30th June which put me out of contention for the first couple of ADFA FSP courses.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Mackay, Qld
Age: 28
Posts: 13
Lesnak,
Had my YOU session on 9th March 2010, Spec Testing mid-april, assesment day mid-may and my dossier was sent up 3 weeks later, so have gone through pretty well.
Zulk, So you're heading up on the 25th too? Well done, I'll see you up there! Will be a fun 2 weeks haha.
Had my YOU session on 9th March 2010, Spec Testing mid-april, assesment day mid-may and my dossier was sent up 3 weeks later, so have gone through pretty well.
Zulk, So you're heading up on the 25th too? Well done, I'll see you up there! Will be a fun 2 weeks haha.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 45
Havn't been on in a while...
Good luck guys... Just a few pointers for young players.
Study hard whilst up there and prove to the OSB your competitiveness. Aim to be a stand out, but play as a team. Your ability to fly is not the be all end all, your rate of learning/ability to learn from mistakes and how fast you learn is the key with the flying component. Don't be afraid to make mistakes... Just learn from them.
For the OSB component... Just show that you have integrity, confidence and the ability to influence other members of the group (lead), Whilst showing that you are a team player.
I hope you make it and begin one of the most rewarding careers anyone could possibly have...
P.S. Jets aren't that great
Good luck guys... Just a few pointers for young players.
Study hard whilst up there and prove to the OSB your competitiveness. Aim to be a stand out, but play as a team. Your ability to fly is not the be all end all, your rate of learning/ability to learn from mistakes and how fast you learn is the key with the flying component. Don't be afraid to make mistakes... Just learn from them.
For the OSB component... Just show that you have integrity, confidence and the ability to influence other members of the group (lead), Whilst showing that you are a team player.
I hope you make it and begin one of the most rewarding careers anyone could possibly have...
P.S. Jets aren't that great
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 45
aus111c
Keep in there mate, my attempt to get into pilot training for the RAAF took 2 and a half years... Just be committed and hassle DFR at every chance. If you annoy them enough you'll go straight to the top of the pile (not a real guarantee but constant phone calls do annoy the recruitment teams). Squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Keep in there mate, my attempt to get into pilot training for the RAAF took 2 and a half years... Just be committed and hassle DFR at every chance. If you annoy them enough you'll go straight to the top of the pile (not a real guarantee but constant phone calls do annoy the recruitment teams). Squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Sydney, Aus
Age: 28
Posts: 27
Thankyou Spacemantan
I shall now be the squeaky wheel. I Am going to the williamtown airshow so hopefully I should be able to talk to a few pilots, get an idea of what it is like through training/ in a squadron.
In the meantime i was wondering if anyone out their had any answers to my question: While waiting for flight screening, would it be more beneficial for me to get flying Lessons or do aerobatic joy flights?
Cheers
I shall now be the squeaky wheel. I Am going to the williamtown airshow so hopefully I should be able to talk to a few pilots, get an idea of what it is like through training/ in a squadron.
In the meantime i was wondering if anyone out their had any answers to my question: While waiting for flight screening, would it be more beneficial for me to get flying Lessons or do aerobatic joy flights?
Cheers
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Adelaide
Age: 36
Posts: 12
aus111c,
I've been doing some flying lessons and have done one aerobatic flight so far out of about 10 hours (I think around the 7 hour mark). Just did some basic manoeuvres inc. barrel rolls, loops and hammerheads and to be honest I've been much more sketchy at times flying circuits and when it gets a bit rough/windy due to my inexperience. Personally I would feel much more confident going to FSP having done some actual lessons, done a few hours in the circuit, made some radio calls, learnt some checklists, etc. - just getting used to the environment and the types of procedures you will be using. I thought I would have no problems with this sort of thing but I have found you very quickly run out of brainspace in an unfamiliar environment when trying to do a number of new things simultaneously. The aero stuff was relatively easy compared to all that and I'd be happy to go to FS without having done any if I couldn't afford it - I just did what my instructor showed/told me and it worked out... most of the time. I guess it's a good idea to do a flight if you can though - plus it's awesome fun
Hope this helps mate!
- Just my opinion though - I'd be interested to hear what other people have to say as well, anyone else?
Jimmy
I've been doing some flying lessons and have done one aerobatic flight so far out of about 10 hours (I think around the 7 hour mark). Just did some basic manoeuvres inc. barrel rolls, loops and hammerheads and to be honest I've been much more sketchy at times flying circuits and when it gets a bit rough/windy due to my inexperience. Personally I would feel much more confident going to FSP having done some actual lessons, done a few hours in the circuit, made some radio calls, learnt some checklists, etc. - just getting used to the environment and the types of procedures you will be using. I thought I would have no problems with this sort of thing but I have found you very quickly run out of brainspace in an unfamiliar environment when trying to do a number of new things simultaneously. The aero stuff was relatively easy compared to all that and I'd be happy to go to FS without having done any if I couldn't afford it - I just did what my instructor showed/told me and it worked out... most of the time. I guess it's a good idea to do a flight if you can though - plus it's awesome fun
Hope this helps mate!- Just my opinion though - I'd be interested to hear what other people have to say as well, anyone else?
Jimmy
Last edited by Jimmy Recard; 14th Sep 2010 at 02:12.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Age: 31
Posts: 16
I agree with Jimmy in regards to your question aus111c - however completing a few aerobatic flights can't hurt either (well, only your wallet..). I flew in a Tiger Moth today and did some aerobatics - I've done some in a glider before but it's a totally different feeling being in an open cockpit. I would recommend seeing how your body deals with lots of positive G's though (and a few negatives thrown in). It is expected that a few pilots - even on 2FTS - will feel a bit quesy in the PC9 but if you come down from an aerobatic flight feeling green and reaching for your sick bag every time then you might want to ask yourself if it's a one-off occurrence or if it's a more serious problem. Of course, this is only my opinion - but a few loops and barrel rolls can't hurt
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Sydney, Aus
Age: 28
Posts: 27
Thanks guys,
I think I will go with the lessons, even though a flight in a Pitts special seems very attractive. I have previously had 2 TIFs out at camden. One in a citabria, did a loop and hammerhead, kept my stomach inside, lots of fun. And then a standard TIF in a Cessna 172, My instructor that day was unbelievable, took the time with me to go over the whole plane, inside and out (systems, engine, materials etc), explained most of the instruments and then continued explaining every detail throughout the taxi and flight. Turned a half hour flight into a 45 minute flight and an hour of talking, very enjoyable.
I think I will go with the lessons, even though a flight in a Pitts special seems very attractive. I have previously had 2 TIFs out at camden. One in a citabria, did a loop and hammerhead, kept my stomach inside, lots of fun. And then a standard TIF in a Cessna 172, My instructor that day was unbelievable, took the time with me to go over the whole plane, inside and out (systems, engine, materials etc), explained most of the instruments and then continued explaining every detail throughout the taxi and flight. Turned a half hour flight into a 45 minute flight and an hour of talking, very enjoyable.
