female pilot RN
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
female pilot RN
evening all have noticed a large part of this forum is pro crab and have been searching for advice on AIB and pilot, the sticky at the top is very OASC based... any pointers in the right direction?
After doing some travelling next year would like to apply to the RN as a pilot but would like to know more.... plenty of people are keen to shoot me down or look at me rather strangely and say 'you what..'?
I will as of june have a degree in International Relations, and absolutley LOVE my contemporary maritime power module that im taking this year (my lecturer is BRNC staff-influential perhaps!). My maths is ok but plan to work on my SDT stuff in the meantime. looked at the AIB indepth on the Navy website saw there were some tests on spatial orientation, non verbal etc anyone have any pointers or what they had to do for theirs? fitness, essay, current affairs are not a major problem. i think my maths is the only aspect im less confident in.
in the interview when they ask why i want to join- i cant turn around and say ive wanted to do this since i was 3 blahblah because i havent. the truth is i love to be challenged, too determined for my own good, would put in a 100% every step of the way and would love to be a part of the team knowing that i am doing something worthwhile- can i say that?? i cant say im the cliche type...suggestions anyone?
Though saying that if they ask how much i want this- im giving up getting married for christs sake and pretty much the end of my relationship for my career, now if thats not committment i dont know what is!!
are there any pilots (or female pilots) currently serving that can give me more of an insight in relation to the training/application process than the reading material can?! muchas gracias
After doing some travelling next year would like to apply to the RN as a pilot but would like to know more.... plenty of people are keen to shoot me down or look at me rather strangely and say 'you what..'?
I will as of june have a degree in International Relations, and absolutley LOVE my contemporary maritime power module that im taking this year (my lecturer is BRNC staff-influential perhaps!). My maths is ok but plan to work on my SDT stuff in the meantime. looked at the AIB indepth on the Navy website saw there were some tests on spatial orientation, non verbal etc anyone have any pointers or what they had to do for theirs? fitness, essay, current affairs are not a major problem. i think my maths is the only aspect im less confident in.
in the interview when they ask why i want to join- i cant turn around and say ive wanted to do this since i was 3 blahblah because i havent. the truth is i love to be challenged, too determined for my own good, would put in a 100% every step of the way and would love to be a part of the team knowing that i am doing something worthwhile- can i say that?? i cant say im the cliche type...suggestions anyone?
Though saying that if they ask how much i want this- im giving up getting married for christs sake and pretty much the end of my relationship for my career, now if thats not committment i dont know what is!!
are there any pilots (or female pilots) currently serving that can give me more of an insight in relation to the training/application process than the reading material can?! muchas gracias
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Great Britain
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I see you live in the SW so the best thing you could do is visit either Culdrose or Yeovilton for a look around and chat. Contact details on RN website under Fleet Air Arm.
Best of luck
Best of luck
Do a Hover - it avoids G
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Chichester West Sussex UK
Age: 91
Posts: 2,206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I was your age I wanted to be a test pilot. I made a nuisance of myself until I found somebody who knew the commandant of ETPS socially and so the great man agreed to see me. His first question was "Why do you want to be a test pilot". In the event my answer was good enough to get me to question 2 but my advice to you is to think hard how you would answer such a question.
I believe the "why do you want to be (whatever anyone is applying for)" is the best question you can ask anybody you are thinking of taking on.
Good luck - but in the end it is very important to appear sincere. For most of us the only way to do that is to be ourselves and mean what we say.
I believe the "why do you want to be (whatever anyone is applying for)" is the best question you can ask anybody you are thinking of taking on.
Good luck - but in the end it is very important to appear sincere. For most of us the only way to do that is to be ourselves and mean what we say.
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Somewhere in UK
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Suggest you do exactly as Bismark says then you will meet female pilots and observers. Any of the pilots at 824NAS/771NAS/702NAS/848NAS will all be able to offer advice. I am sure you are aware its a long path to become fully qualified.
To be privileged and good enough to fly from a deck is an awesome experience. Good luck - look forward to meeting you.
To be privileged and good enough to fly from a deck is an awesome experience. Good luck - look forward to meeting you.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
''I see you live in the SW so the best thing you could do is visit either Culdrose or Yeovilton for a look around ''
yes although i now live in plymouth my hometown is falmouth, so Culdrose is only up the road, although i thought it was less active(?) than it used to be... would you say yeovilton would be more beneficial??
To arrange visiting bases do you contact them directly or do it through AFCO?
yes although i now live in plymouth my hometown is falmouth, so Culdrose is only up the road, although i thought it was less active(?) than it used to be... would you say yeovilton would be more beneficial??
To arrange visiting bases do you contact them directly or do it through AFCO?
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: London
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Both Culdrose and Yeovilton are Front Line, fully active air stations. You may find that Yeovilton is slightly busier and has more aircraft though.
You can either arrange to visit via the AFCO or why not write to the Base and they will arrange it.
You can either arrange to visit via the AFCO or why not write to the Base and they will arrange it.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
ME, nothing wrong with either statement and actually both excellent phrases to use at interview leading, as you have picked up, to a question whose answer can be prepared.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
... love to be challenged ....
Some might think that a bit narcissistic.
Wouldnt necessarily agree with that at all- think that was completely taken out of context. It was meant in the sense that i like a challenge, like to do something that means i have to push myself
too determined for my own good ...
What does that mean?
and this.. im very stubborn in that i will do what ever it takes generally to prove to the people that think im not good enough wrong. when i want something so bad il work my ass off to get there by giving it a 110%
Some might think that a bit narcissistic.
Wouldnt necessarily agree with that at all- think that was completely taken out of context. It was meant in the sense that i like a challenge, like to do something that means i have to push myself
too determined for my own good ...
What does that mean?
and this.. im very stubborn in that i will do what ever it takes generally to prove to the people that think im not good enough wrong. when i want something so bad il work my ass off to get there by giving it a 110%
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tullahoma TN
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If I were interviewing,. I wouldn't mind you sounding somewhat brash, even cocky. However, I would hope you avoid saying anything giving the impression you think being in the mil. is any way about YOUR feelings. No statements that sound New Agey or therapeutic, please.
As far as "Love a challenge," the old[er] boy interviewing you might think to himself, 'We'll find out about that, love."
If you said, "I think I can be a good pilot and a good team player, and I deserve a chance to try," that's good.
What sort of aircraft do you want to fly?
As far as "Love a challenge," the old[er] boy interviewing you might think to himself, 'We'll find out about that, love."
If you said, "I think I can be a good pilot and a good team player, and I deserve a chance to try," that's good.
What sort of aircraft do you want to fly?
Join Date: Jun 1996
Location: Check with Ops
Posts: 741
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
in the interview when they ask why i want to join- i cant turn around and say ive wanted to do this since i was 3 blahblah because i havent
PS: The verbal reasoning test (used to) have a great section on the use of apostrophes. Mind you, Nelson was the Captain on my AIB
Red On, Green On
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Between the woods and the water
Age: 24
Posts: 6,487
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
My guess is that calls to CU and VL on a careers matter will in the first instance be referred back to your local ACLO. Once the ACLO has confirmed your broad eligibility, they should be able to get you a ship visit (about a week, as available) and a place on a Potential Officers Acquaint Course at CU or VL, each of which run about eight a year. The course at VL includes a full run through the dunker.
You are also just within the age range for an FAAOA gliding scholarship course which are run at CU, VL and Lee-on-Solent (near Portsmouth) in the Easter and Summer each year. Well worth it, and will get you free stick time.
Plenty of girls now entering the RN as aircrew, though interestingly more have Observer skills than Pilot, which is opposite to the boys. Get on the PlayStation etc. to hone the hand/eye/brain ability.
You are also just within the age range for an FAAOA gliding scholarship course which are run at CU, VL and Lee-on-Solent (near Portsmouth) in the Easter and Summer each year. Well worth it, and will get you free stick time.
Plenty of girls now entering the RN as aircrew, though interestingly more have Observer skills than Pilot, which is opposite to the boys. Get on the PlayStation etc. to hone the hand/eye/brain ability.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: London
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Plenty of girls now entering the RN as aircrew, though interestingly more have Observer skills than Pilot
Wannabee 87
Somewhat tongue in cheek.
When asked the question as to: "Why do you want to fly with the navy?"
you could of course answer: "If I have to go into battle, I prefer to do it sitting down!"
(As recounted to me by a neighbour who once drove tanks in the Army).
Somewhat tongue in cheek.
When asked the question as to: "Why do you want to fly with the navy?"
you could of course answer: "If I have to go into battle, I prefer to do it sitting down!"
(As recounted to me by a neighbour who once drove tanks in the Army).
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
have seen a few posts on here that have said to not put both observer aswell as pilot down if you only want pilot. what if i didnt get pilot would they offer me obs even thought i didnt put it down.
Obs does interest me, just not as much and i want pilot more but given that theres very limited number of spaces for pilot. should i take obs or stick with it in the hope that something might come up??
Obs does interest me, just not as much and i want pilot more but given that theres very limited number of spaces for pilot. should i take obs or stick with it in the hope that something might come up??
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: uk
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RN Pilot vs Observer
Think carefully about what you really want.
When I applied to the RN I put down both. I'd been in the University Air Squadron and completed EFT with good scores, so hoped they'd take that into consideration, but in the end I was only offered Observer. It was only after I'd entered that I found out that if I'd stuck to my guns and said no to Observer, my scores were easily high enough to be accepted as Pilot, it's just they were desperate for Obs numbers at that point.
That said, I had a great time in Observer Training, best fun I've had in the Navy so far!
When I applied to the RN I put down both. I'd been in the University Air Squadron and completed EFT with good scores, so hoped they'd take that into consideration, but in the end I was only offered Observer. It was only after I'd entered that I found out that if I'd stuck to my guns and said no to Observer, my scores were easily high enough to be accepted as Pilot, it's just they were desperate for Obs numbers at that point.
That said, I had a great time in Observer Training, best fun I've had in the Navy so far!
Red On, Green On
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Between the woods and the water
Age: 24
Posts: 6,487
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
The offer of places is driven by the aptitude scores of the people in the pool, which you enter after passing AIB, and can only stay in for 12 months after passing AIB. Places are offered top down, so if you have one score much higher than the other then it's likely you'll get offered that first. The realistic minimum score for a place is about 130, despite the fact that you only need 112 (I think) to pass.
More pilots are recruited than observers, but more people want to be P than O!
More pilots are recruited than observers, but more people want to be P than O!
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Inside the roster matrix
Posts: 617
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
During your year of travel, you will change your outlook on this. Ask yourself whether it is the Navy that you want, or to becone a Pilot. I always wanted to be an RAF pilot, but when the reality of the task ahead set in and facing failure, there was no way I was going to spend years doing a sh#t job in the RAF being barked at.
My point - if you want to fly, do whatever it takes to get there. I spent years telling myself that I wasn't good enough after the careers office rejected me over a poor comp. test - shattering a childhood dream.
After passing my ATPL and flight tests first time, becoming a flying instructor and now Airline Pilot based in London City, I am glad they did. I love my job and recommend flying for a living - civil or mil -to anyone. And civil has many perks too.
My point - if you want to fly, do whatever it takes to get there. I spent years telling myself that I wasn't good enough after the careers office rejected me over a poor comp. test - shattering a childhood dream.
After passing my ATPL and flight tests first time, becoming a flying instructor and now Airline Pilot based in London City, I am glad they did. I love my job and recommend flying for a living - civil or mil -to anyone. And civil has many perks too.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Qualifying what A_A said, in my case they were clearly requiring more pilots than navs and were taking acceptable pilot scores ahead of better nav scores.
That was many years ago but more recently, still a long time ago, the same rule applied. The aptitude tests are a good but not foolproof method of selecting aircrew. If you need more pilots than observers then you may indeed have to dip into the observer pot to fill the vacancies and vica versa.
That was many years ago but more recently, still a long time ago, the same rule applied. The aptitude tests are a good but not foolproof method of selecting aircrew. If you need more pilots than observers then you may indeed have to dip into the observer pot to fill the vacancies and vica versa.