A dream wasted...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: HIGH WYC
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A dream wasted...
I just wanted to see what the military folk on this forum think about my situation.
OK so im 21 in august just about to finish uni. I have an absolute passion for flying. Been through air cadets, done work experience at a local air park and been getting as many flights in aircraft as I can. Ive always been intrested in the RAF from a little boy where my dad took me to airshows etc.
My problem is one like a lot of people have. Eyesight! I am short sighted in each eye by -3.00 Now I know there is no way with that I would get in the RAF as a Pilot. So I thought to myself so what ill go in as a mechanic, still get to work on the aircraft and get passenger rides. But! I will never get that dream I always wanted, being able to fly and fight for my country. Something that I am passionate for and to be honest something I would probably die for. Even if it was in vain.
Surely if someone has a passion like mine, someone who wants to do this job they would take me on? It doesnt have to be fast jet. I dont mind flying a VC10 or a Herc.
Im just saying there are people out there who have perfect eye sight perfect fitness and who would be great for pilots but are mowing lawns for a job. Someone like me who has the passion who wants to do that job but has one slight defect but they will still turn you down.
A dream wasted!
P.S. sorry for the rant.
OK so im 21 in august just about to finish uni. I have an absolute passion for flying. Been through air cadets, done work experience at a local air park and been getting as many flights in aircraft as I can. Ive always been intrested in the RAF from a little boy where my dad took me to airshows etc.
My problem is one like a lot of people have. Eyesight! I am short sighted in each eye by -3.00 Now I know there is no way with that I would get in the RAF as a Pilot. So I thought to myself so what ill go in as a mechanic, still get to work on the aircraft and get passenger rides. But! I will never get that dream I always wanted, being able to fly and fight for my country. Something that I am passionate for and to be honest something I would probably die for. Even if it was in vain.
Surely if someone has a passion like mine, someone who wants to do this job they would take me on? It doesnt have to be fast jet. I dont mind flying a VC10 or a Herc.
Im just saying there are people out there who have perfect eye sight perfect fitness and who would be great for pilots but are mowing lawns for a job. Someone like me who has the passion who wants to do that job but has one slight defect but they will still turn you down.
A dream wasted!
P.S. sorry for the rant.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The RAF has more applicants who reach the standards required in all respects than vacancies. Your loyalty and enthusiasm is commendable (although not unique - in fact normal amongst armed forces applicants) but if you do not reach the medical requirements you won't get in. I know it sucks but that's how it is. Eyesight is a pretty important attribute for a pilot.
If your desire is to 'fight for your country' look at non-flying options in the services. If you just want to fly, see if you can get a CAA Class 1 medical and if you can, go civvy. Your choice.
Very noble of you to say you 'don't mind flying VC-10s or Hercs'. Many people would sell a testicle for the privilege or flying any military hardware.
And, RTF sticky thread at the top of the page.
If your desire is to 'fight for your country' look at non-flying options in the services. If you just want to fly, see if you can get a CAA Class 1 medical and if you can, go civvy. Your choice.
Very noble of you to say you 'don't mind flying VC-10s or Hercs'. Many people would sell a testicle for the privilege or flying any military hardware.
And, RTF sticky thread at the top of the page.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: France 46
Age: 77
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lytebyte2002
You have my sympathy; however the cost of training a would be Pilot up to the end of BASIC Flying Training is given as £3.1 million for the current financial year.
To spend £8500 per day (every day) on a Trainee who does not meet the necessarily high medical standards cannot be justified. That cost is the average daily cost whether you fly that day or not.
You have my sympathy; however the cost of training a would be Pilot up to the end of BASIC Flying Training is given as £3.1 million for the current financial year.
To spend £8500 per day (every day) on a Trainee who does not meet the necessarily high medical standards cannot be justified. That cost is the average daily cost whether you fly that day or not.
Last edited by cazatou; 7th May 2009 at 11:08.
lytebyte,
I sympathise with your situation - as you rightly say, your problem is not uncommon and 2 decades ago I found myself in the same position as yourself. You have a choice: you can either join up and have a career in that environment, and enjoy Service life and its challenges BUT without the flying, or you can turn to the civilian world where -3 diopters is not a show-stopper (-5 was the limit in my day, a bugger as I was -7). You need to decide what you want more, the flying or the military life.
One word of warning though, if you opt for the military as a ground-pounder, even 20+ years on you will still always feel that twinge of envy when you hear a Fast Jet roar down the runway!
I sympathise with your situation - as you rightly say, your problem is not uncommon and 2 decades ago I found myself in the same position as yourself. You have a choice: you can either join up and have a career in that environment, and enjoy Service life and its challenges BUT without the flying, or you can turn to the civilian world where -3 diopters is not a show-stopper (-5 was the limit in my day, a bugger as I was -7). You need to decide what you want more, the flying or the military life.
One word of warning though, if you opt for the military as a ground-pounder, even 20+ years on you will still always feel that twinge of envy when you hear a Fast Jet roar down the runway!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: HIGH WYC
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all your replies. I understand that other people want to do it aswell I really do. Do you think the RAF would ever let eye surgery be acceptable?
oh and Torque Tonight I would sell my body not just a testicle
Red Line Entry: FLying is definatly what I want to do I have been looking at OAA and want to start their first officer course. Its just I havent got £70000 neither has mum or dad and they aint willing to put their mortgage on the lineso that means no loan.
oh and Torque Tonight I would sell my body not just a testicle
Red Line Entry: FLying is definatly what I want to do I have been looking at OAA and want to start their first officer course. Its just I havent got £70000 neither has mum or dad and they aint willing to put their mortgage on the lineso that means no loan.
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
Do you think the RAF would ever let eye surgery be acceptable?
Lytebyte,
Your situation is pretty much where I found myself 22 years ago. At 17, my left eye was borderline short-sighted, and I was rejected for military aircrew. Having wanted to do nothing else but the RAF since I was 12, it was pretty shattering. Like you I thought about becoming a technician for the same reasons; I joined as an airframe mechanic, and have spent the last 20 years doing what I think is the second best job in aviation, and in all honesty have loved it most of the time. It's not flying, but it's the next best thing.
On the point you made about civvy flying, a friend of mine also wanted to fly from an early age. Eyesight also ruled out the RAF and he couldn't afford to pay for a CPL/ATPL either. He became a fireman, worked for his PPL, and from there built his hours up in any way possible, scrimping and saving, until he achieved his CPL. He's now an A320 captain for a leading UK airline. He put the work in, made sacrifices, didn't have vast finances, and it took a while, but he certainly got there in the end.
I guess the point is, rejection for RAF aircrew is not the end of the world, and neither is shortage of finances, there is always a way. Good luck in your endeavours.
JG
Your situation is pretty much where I found myself 22 years ago. At 17, my left eye was borderline short-sighted, and I was rejected for military aircrew. Having wanted to do nothing else but the RAF since I was 12, it was pretty shattering. Like you I thought about becoming a technician for the same reasons; I joined as an airframe mechanic, and have spent the last 20 years doing what I think is the second best job in aviation, and in all honesty have loved it most of the time. It's not flying, but it's the next best thing.
On the point you made about civvy flying, a friend of mine also wanted to fly from an early age. Eyesight also ruled out the RAF and he couldn't afford to pay for a CPL/ATPL either. He became a fireman, worked for his PPL, and from there built his hours up in any way possible, scrimping and saving, until he achieved his CPL. He's now an A320 captain for a leading UK airline. He put the work in, made sacrifices, didn't have vast finances, and it took a while, but he certainly got there in the end.
I guess the point is, rejection for RAF aircrew is not the end of the world, and neither is shortage of finances, there is always a way. Good luck in your endeavours.
JG
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Detroit MI
Age: 66
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But! I will never get that dream I always wanted, being able to fly and fight for my country.
You definitely get to do the "fight" bit which you wouldn't get on a VC-10, (other than possibly arguing with the hotel receptionist about their choice of room for you), and you get to spend hours down the back of a Herc sweating you're arse off, throwing your guts up as it does a low level "jolly" for the crew to the DZ where they, unceremoniously, throw you out with 150lbs of kit and parachutes and leave you to your own devices while they poke off back to the mess for tea and biccies...
Maybe not the "romantic" vision you had but the fact that flying isn't your daily duty makes those trips all the more memorable...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: HIGH WYC
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
jobza guddun thanks so much for that advice. I appreciate what you have said because it fills me with a sense of hope.
I think after to uni im just going to go to an AFCO and ask them what the can do for me.
I guess no one knows what the future holds.
I think after to uni im just going to go to an AFCO and ask them what the can do for me.
I guess no one knows what the future holds.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NOTTINGHAM
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would sell my body not just a testicle
I am afraid that all that has been said above does apply. However, there are many happy individuals in the RAF who wished for a flying career but never made the grade either for medical or ability reasons. Look at the other branches and go for it - what about air traffic?
Foldie
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You definitely get to do the "fight" bit which you wouldn't get on a VC-10,
It doesnt have to be fast jet. I dont mind flying a VC10 or a Herc
Good luck with whatever you end up doing
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The RAF has recently lowered the required standard for eyesight. I can't tell you off the top of my head what they are but depending on how bad your eyesight is you might still be in with a chance.
Best bet is to ask the AFCO for the latest gen.
Best bet is to ask the AFCO for the latest gen.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: HIGH WYC
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The RAF has recently lowered the required standard for eyesight. I can't tell you off the top of my head what they are but depending on how bad your eyesight is you might still be in with a chance.
thanks
I wouldn't trust the rumours about eyesight standards being lowered - they're always, but always, wrong.
If you're that keen on flying jobs, specifically mil, why not consider FAA?
If you're that keen on flying jobs, specifically mil, why not consider FAA?
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BASINGHOLE
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pointless focus on a meaningless aspect of a candidate
The question here should be 'Can this candidate's eyesight be corrected to 20.20?'. If the answer is yes then why can't they then take up a place on flying training given that if your eyesight detiorates during training then you simply get corrective lenses. The RAF is worse off for losing good officers and pilots (sorry, silly me, that should be the other way round) for this anachronistic view. I wear contacts and am pretty blind without them, hasn't stopped my military avn career one bit.
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: somewhere special
Age: 46
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Similar situation; I was granted a flying scholarship, but was hopelessly short sighted - no flying for me in the regular RAF! Truth is, eyesight is a great natural filter. There are countless people out there capable of meeting and exceeding officer and FJ/ME/Rotary aircrew standards. Why would you take someone with less than ideal eyesight when you have multiple candidates, all equally able with perfect eyesight?
The RAF is in a situation where it does not have to take people with correted sight; simple supply and demand.
The RAF is in a situation where it does not have to take people with correted sight; simple supply and demand.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Herc-U, absolutely right.
Funny thing though, no one has had Asthma for a few months. It is just eyesight now.
Same with anthromorphics. They build aircraft for the average plus/minus a bit and if you don't measure up then the next person will. Sad but true.
Funny thing though, no one has had Asthma for a few months. It is just eyesight now.
Same with anthromorphics. They build aircraft for the average plus/minus a bit and if you don't measure up then the next person will. Sad but true.
