AAC or RAF crewman??
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AAC or RAF crewman??
Hi, I apologise in advance for a lengthy post and a lot of questions but i'm looking for a bit of help. I would like a career as a crewman on helicopters but am unsure whether to go for AAC or RAF. I'm 28 with a degree, active lifestyle and a keen interest in the military. I did try for RAF WSOp recently but did not pass OASC (failed exercise phase) - can try again but only once, and there's obviously a chance I might fail it again! Have started my army application and scored well on my BARB, pretty confident about the rest of it so hopefully be no issues with that. Problem is, with the RAF I could get streamed any way and don't know if I would really enjoy EW or ACO, as to me it really seems its pretty much a desk job in the sky (please correct me if i'm misguided here!) I'm really looking for a more active, hands on job. However with the army there is a chance I wouldn't get the opportunity for crewman - does anybody know how available places are for this? Also do you only spend a few years doing this job and then go back to ground duties? Can anybody tell me a bit more about the crewman's role in the AAC, is it as challenging and as involved as WSOp and is there opportunity for progression in that role? With the army there is also the possibility of pilot training down the line but is there an age limit for this? I know in the RAF that they spend quite a lot of time flying and on deployments at the moment, is this the same with the AAC? Sorry, a lot of questions I know but any help, advice, info or opinions would be really useful. Thanks
Red On, Green On
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AAC Rear Crew (as door gunner, systems operator or winch op) is not a direct-entry trade. It requires two years' service (normally in the AAC) and completion of Groundcrewman Class 1.
Soldier Career refers.
Frankly, you'd be bored for the first two years. Great guys, but not really a graduate-level role.
Soldier Career refers.
Frankly, you'd be bored for the first two years. Great guys, but not really a graduate-level role.
Have you thought of RN crewman? SAR, Junglie, Pinger?
AAC crewman are employed in the rear of the aircraft as Doorgunners and as Operators of the camera/Video kit, they do a great job but you cannot expect to spend your full career doing the job (unless you are very lucky).
However you can apply to go Pilot from the AAC once you become L/Cpl!
AAC crewman are employed in the rear of the aircraft as Doorgunners and as Operators of the camera/Video kit, they do a great job but you cannot expect to spend your full career doing the job (unless you are very lucky).
However you can apply to go Pilot from the AAC once you become L/Cpl!
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Too old for the RN as far as I can tell.
Preference would be winch op or door gunner, and I realise it's not direct entry which is one of the draw backs for the AAC.
Preference would be winch op or door gunner, and I realise it's not direct entry which is one of the draw backs for the AAC.
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Jackonicko,
You could work for the BBC with that level of factual accuracy! 
Mr P
P.S Before you reply, I am just taking the p**s.
What's your degree? Do you have any special facility with languages?
If so, WSO (S) might be an idea?
If so, WSO (S) might be an idea?
Mr P
P.S Before you reply, I am just taking the p**s.
AIDU,
Thanks for the correction. You're quite correct. The lads who used to wear the 'S' brevet.
Mr P,
I often do! And I post on PPRuNe with no attempt at research, checking, etc.
CBZZ,
So you want to be in the air, but not sitting down to work? You want physical challenge, not mental?
If you're g.ay, how about air steward? (Joke!) If not, then WSOp sounds just right.
Thanks for the correction. You're quite correct. The lads who used to wear the 'S' brevet.
Mr P,
I often do! And I post on PPRuNe with no attempt at research, checking, etc.
CBZZ,
So you want to be in the air, but not sitting down to work? You want physical challenge, not mental?
If you're g.ay, how about air steward? (Joke!) If not, then WSOp sounds just right.
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Which way to jump?....
Cbzz,
See pm.
Cheers
JR
PS AIDU - I had you in my ignore list but you have reappeared. I see you still contribute in a positive and constructive fashion. Will need to pop you back in the ignore box - you are the weakest etc etc
Bet your nickname is 'Thrush', eh?
See pm.
Cheers
JR
PS AIDU - I had you in my ignore list but you have reappeared. I see you still contribute in a positive and constructive fashion. Will need to pop you back in the ignore box - you are the weakest etc etc
Bet your nickname is 'Thrush', eh?
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At age 28 you are not in a position to choose. I have heard from numerous sources that OASC will fail a 'youngster' in need of some maturity knowing that he/she is motivated and will return, especially if already serving in a ground trade. However a civilian over 25 regardless of how well educated has little chance of sucess at OASC second time around.
The jobs of AAC v RAF WSOp are continents apart and had you done sufficient research into your 'chosen career' you would know this already. When I first saw this thread (as your first post) my thoughts were, "Military troll seeks AAC v RAF bunfight" and I am as much amazed that this has not happened as I am amazed that AIDU has not given you direction to the sticky at the top of the page.
Notwithstanding what I have said, and if this is a genuine enquiry, you cannot go through life wondering what 'may have been'. Therefore my advice FWIW is for you to apply for OASC again, and at least if you get chopped you can put that aspect of your life into the archives. If doubt as to which service remains, remember that an application alone is not a commitment, and you can choose what to do with a positive outcome.
The jobs of AAC v RAF WSOp are continents apart and had you done sufficient research into your 'chosen career' you would know this already. When I first saw this thread (as your first post) my thoughts were, "Military troll seeks AAC v RAF bunfight" and I am as much amazed that this has not happened as I am amazed that AIDU has not given you direction to the sticky at the top of the page.
Notwithstanding what I have said, and if this is a genuine enquiry, you cannot go through life wondering what 'may have been'. Therefore my advice FWIW is for you to apply for OASC again, and at least if you get chopped you can put that aspect of your life into the archives. If doubt as to which service remains, remember that an application alone is not a commitment, and you can choose what to do with a positive outcome.
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Hi, thanks for all the replies guys. This is a genuine enquiry and I have done a lot of research into both jobs but I've found getting info on the crewman role in the AAC a bit harder than WSOp which is why I posted here. I realise there is a big difference between the jobs but I see positives in them both which is why I'm having trouble deciding what to do.
Also does anybody know if I do try OASC again and fail, and then apply for AAC, would I be able to apply for pilot training if I get in (dependent on age restrictions and rank, etc) as I only get two shots at the aptitude tests at cranwell? Due to my age I know I didn't do the aptitude tests that were specifically for pilots but I don't know if some of the tests I did were generic for all roles. I have been told age for NCO pilot training in the army is 34 at the moment but varies with requirements, can anybody confirm this or put me right?
Also does anybody know if I do try OASC again and fail, and then apply for AAC, would I be able to apply for pilot training if I get in (dependent on age restrictions and rank, etc) as I only get two shots at the aptitude tests at cranwell? Due to my age I know I didn't do the aptitude tests that were specifically for pilots but I don't know if some of the tests I did were generic for all roles. I have been told age for NCO pilot training in the army is 34 at the moment but varies with requirements, can anybody confirm this or put me right?
Red On, Green On
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Ring them up - they won't bite:
Soldier Career
SO3 Soldier Recruiting
HQ DAAvn
Middle Wallop
Stockbridge
Hants
SO20 8DY
Tel: 01264 784182
Soldier Career
SO3 Soldier Recruiting
HQ DAAvn
Middle Wallop
Stockbridge
Hants
SO20 8DY
Tel: 01264 784182
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However I am told that pilot aptitude increases from age 18 to 24 and thereafter declines; that is why the RAF places a limit of 24 on entry into training.
At 28 you are considerably older than many recruits, even perhaps a year or 2 older than many who leave the army having done 9 years. You need to look at the career length options. Do you anticipate being in the Army at age 50-51 and eligible for a full pension? Do you anticpate jumping ship and joining civil aviation (don't answer that)?
As an aside, the average age of the seamen on Ark Royal is 23.
I know of some AAC aircrewmen who try to transfer to the RAF when their army engagement ends, often at age 38. They are often judged too old and as there is no direct read across from AAC Aircrewman to WSOp they are not accepted.
As Tiger_Mate said, give it a go but don't think the two are interchangable.
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Regarding the RN as an Aircrewman you are not too old, A recent fella who applied but failed Grading was 33, You could either join the RN or RM in another trade, before requesting to transfer to Aircrewman, specialising in either Commando role or Anti Submarine Warfare role, both on Helicopters. There is a plan to allow direct entry in the near future for the ASW specialisation only.
Of the three services you may wish to consider this as an option. The training pipeline is much more swift with a great deal of emphasis placed on single pilot operations and Navigation, including DR.
PM me for more detail.
Of the three services you may wish to consider this as an option. The training pipeline is much more swift with a great deal of emphasis placed on single pilot operations and Navigation, including DR.
PM me for more detail.
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Hi Tiger mate,
I'm intrigued to know more about the following statement:
"However a civilian over 25 regardless of how well educated has little chance of sucess at OASC second time around."
I'm in a similar position to the thread starter and was looking for more info and your post has got me wondering......
Also does anyone know the required aptitude for AAC pilot, ie, both the mimimum and what they realistically look for?
I'm intrigued to know more about the following statement:
"However a civilian over 25 regardless of how well educated has little chance of sucess at OASC second time around."
I'm in a similar position to the thread starter and was looking for more info and your post has got me wondering......
Also does anyone know the required aptitude for AAC pilot, ie, both the mimimum and what they realistically look for?