OASC 'CANDIDATES' and WANNABES, PLEASE READ THIS THREAD FIRST!
Red On, Green On
Join Date: May 2004
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My course was the second RN EFTS course to have one person streamed Harrier, way back in 1979.
Essentially they are looking for someone to whom flying comes very easily at that stage, and who is confident, but not cocky. They'll need a strong academic background as well to cope with the learning rate. It's argued that the RN is, in its single seat FW pilots, looking for at least as much as the RAF, and probably more. As an aside most RN RW aircraft are single pilot too.
I was not streamed Harrier, and the guy from my course who was streamed FW got chopped very late on, despite the fact that he was meant to be the first Sea Harrier Engineering TP.
Charlie Gilbert went Harrier from the course after mine, and he was/is very bright. He was already a qualified barrister when he joined the RN, and he's a now a grand fromage in BAe, I think.
Essentially they are looking for someone to whom flying comes very easily at that stage, and who is confident, but not cocky. They'll need a strong academic background as well to cope with the learning rate. It's argued that the RN is, in its single seat FW pilots, looking for at least as much as the RAF, and probably more. As an aside most RN RW aircraft are single pilot too.
I was not streamed Harrier, and the guy from my course who was streamed FW got chopped very late on, despite the fact that he was meant to be the first Sea Harrier Engineering TP.
Charlie Gilbert went Harrier from the course after mine, and he was/is very bright. He was already a qualified barrister when he joined the RN, and he's a now a grand fromage in BAe, I think.
Last edited by airborne_artist; 25th Jun 2008 at 17:16. Reason: Punctuation
Join Date: Jan 2007
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I am commonly told that, joinng as an Officer at 18 is alot harder as the individual doesnt posess certain "life" skills?
NOTE: I applied for the sixth Form schoalrship but didnt get an offer.
How does this fair out?
------ 1A 9B 1C (GCSE) /// Predicted 3D (AS level) (hope to redeem myself at A2 standard!)
------I have a job (Golf club gardener :P)
------Volunteered at a Scuba diving school (gained a qualification as well /PADI 15M)
----- Volunteered over the last summer period for the council in a beach clean up scheme
------Cadets (gliding (gold wings)/3 uk camps/1 overseas/staff cadet (BTEC) /D of E silver / comms training etc the usual /Not an NCO yet after 4 years )
-----Sports leader award level 1 - Instructed people i had never met before.
-----Through cadets organised the complete D of E syllabus for a gold award but havent started yet.
----Have raised £100 for Cancer Research UK in the form of a sponsored bike ride from Canterbury to Hythe (roughly 30 miles)
-----Played cricket on a team and COUNTY level (captain and general player respectively)
----Swimming for a club (various distance awards and galas)
-----Set-up and Run a school Cricket team on one weekday after school. Covered all notices and admin work as well as light coaching
-----Belong to a sailing club and again raised money by sailing 10 miles for cancer reaserach uk
-----currently a senior student at school in Geography.
-----Former Prefect in sports and awards.
-----Work experience with BAE systems (quality engineer department ("shop floor" Typhoon HUD production)
Is that life experiene?!
I am in the dilema of whether to apply DE or for a UNI bursary?
Help please
I plan to complete a degree in Geography (F800) and join a UAS if i took the Bursary route?
NOTE: I applied for the sixth Form schoalrship but didnt get an offer.
How does this fair out?
------ 1A 9B 1C (GCSE) /// Predicted 3D (AS level) (hope to redeem myself at A2 standard!)
------I have a job (Golf club gardener :P)
------Volunteered at a Scuba diving school (gained a qualification as well /PADI 15M)
----- Volunteered over the last summer period for the council in a beach clean up scheme
------Cadets (gliding (gold wings)/3 uk camps/1 overseas/staff cadet (BTEC) /D of E silver / comms training etc the usual /Not an NCO yet after 4 years )
-----Sports leader award level 1 - Instructed people i had never met before.
-----Through cadets organised the complete D of E syllabus for a gold award but havent started yet.
----Have raised £100 for Cancer Research UK in the form of a sponsored bike ride from Canterbury to Hythe (roughly 30 miles)
-----Played cricket on a team and COUNTY level (captain and general player respectively)
----Swimming for a club (various distance awards and galas)
-----Set-up and Run a school Cricket team on one weekday after school. Covered all notices and admin work as well as light coaching
-----Belong to a sailing club and again raised money by sailing 10 miles for cancer reaserach uk
-----currently a senior student at school in Geography.
-----Former Prefect in sports and awards.
-----Work experience with BAE systems (quality engineer department ("shop floor" Typhoon HUD production)
Is that life experiene?!
I am in the dilema of whether to apply DE or for a UNI bursary?
Help please
I plan to complete a degree in Geography (F800) and join a UAS if i took the Bursary route?
Join Date: Jan 2007
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thanks
Just wanted to put in a thanks to the guys who answer everyones questions....... You know who you are!
After a year struggle with the RN, I have been offered a place with the RAF (blessing in disguise???
). Just waiting for medical clearance now.
To anyone worried about their FAT's results, 126 wasn't good enough for the RN but got me a place in the RAF.
Once again thanks!
After a year struggle with the RN, I have been offered a place with the RAF (blessing in disguise???
). Just waiting for medical clearance now.To anyone worried about their FAT's results, 126 wasn't good enough for the RN but got me a place in the RAF.
Once again thanks!
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: in my combat underpants
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Hangar 9 - go for the degree. Always better to come in as a graduate than a non-graduate. As a non-grad, I can comment fairly objectively. You fill your days and evenings, but it isn't just about that. Go to uni and enjoy that - even more if you can get some sponsorship!
Join Date: Jul 2008
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OASC Question
Hi, i have recently failed AIB in hope of becoming a pilot. My second option, therefore, is the RAF. My question is, will failing the AIB have any effect on my application to the RAF and will it prevent me from reaching OASC?
Secondly, i've passed my FAT's in my Royal Navy application. If i applied for the RAF, would i have to resit my FAT's and would this count for my second and final attempt if I did have to resit.
Cheers
Andy
Secondly, i've passed my FAT's in my Royal Navy application. If i applied for the RAF, would i have to resit my FAT's and would this count for my second and final attempt if I did have to resit.
Cheers
Andy
Red On, Green On
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Between the woods and the water
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Andy - what feedback did you get from AIB? I believe that if you fail you get one of two letters 1) come back in 12 months or more and 2) don't bother to re-apply for a long time. Your ACLO should be able to get you more detail.
If you got a 1, then you could apply for the RAF once you have sorted the issues they failed you on. If you got a 2, then look hard at where you went wrong, and think of what you need to do before even thinking of applying for the RAF.
I see that you are 18 - my advice would be to go to university, join the RN unit, or the OTC/UAS, and then take a view when you are closer to graduating.
What scores (pilot and observer) did you get at FATs? The RN is being quite fussy, and a bare pass will not get you into BRNC even with an AIB pass. You need 130 or above to get in, even though a pass is 112, I think.
You can take FATs twice, and only twice. If the RAF ask you to re-take them, then that is it, for ever. My guess is they won't unless you apply some years later.
If you got a 1, then you could apply for the RAF once you have sorted the issues they failed you on. If you got a 2, then look hard at where you went wrong, and think of what you need to do before even thinking of applying for the RAF.
I see that you are 18 - my advice would be to go to university, join the RN unit, or the OTC/UAS, and then take a view when you are closer to graduating.
What scores (pilot and observer) did you get at FATs? The RN is being quite fussy, and a bare pass will not get you into BRNC even with an AIB pass. You need 130 or above to get in, even though a pass is 112, I think.
You can take FATs twice, and only twice. If the RAF ask you to re-take them, then that is it, for ever. My guess is they won't unless you apply some years later.
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Unfortunatley, it was number 2, and i know where i went wrong. I met my ACLO yesterday which has suddenly put me in a life crisis about what to do next. Unfortunatley, I havent applied for university, not something that i was interested in at the time.
I now have a lot of time on my hands, and i have considered the Royal Navy Reserve or joining as a rating with a view to turn officer later on, OR to apply later on as a RAF officer. Now i am researching the best possible option for the future, but am undecided!
My FAT pass was apparently "not fantastic, but above average".
I understand that it's my decision, but what would be the best option to persue in your opinion?
Cheers
Andy
I now have a lot of time on my hands, and i have considered the Royal Navy Reserve or joining as a rating with a view to turn officer later on, OR to apply later on as a RAF officer. Now i am researching the best possible option for the future, but am undecided!
My FAT pass was apparently "not fantastic, but above average".
I understand that it's my decision, but what would be the best option to persue in your opinion?
Cheers
Andy
Red On, Green On
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Between the woods and the water
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Right - here's my advice:
Be honest with yourself about where you went wrong. Sounds as though you have some work to do to rectify the issue, and I doubt it was just an error on the day on your part (unless you admitted to smoking dope/worse...).
If you honestly think you can make the grade at university, then get to work on the application now. Find out what you can do, and if it makes sense, apply in the autumn for 2009 entry. A year off will give you the time to sort out some of your reasons for failure, get you working in a full-time job, and give you time for some voluntary work.
Think out of the box as far as reservist service is concerned. There's a lad who was on Pprune recently who was offered pilot by the RN and the RAF, who was a Para TA soldier. Not saying jumping out of working aircraft is everyone's bag, but he clearly had gained a great deal from his TA service. He is a graduate though, and that too must have given him maturity. The Royal Marines Reserve is also worth looking at, and will go down well at AIB, especially if you have got the green lid by the time you get there again.
An above average FAT pass is enough right now, and so worth parking. By all means contact me via PM if you'd rather keep your AIB failure issues off the public board.
Good luck.
Be honest with yourself about where you went wrong. Sounds as though you have some work to do to rectify the issue, and I doubt it was just an error on the day on your part (unless you admitted to smoking dope/worse...).
If you honestly think you can make the grade at university, then get to work on the application now. Find out what you can do, and if it makes sense, apply in the autumn for 2009 entry. A year off will give you the time to sort out some of your reasons for failure, get you working in a full-time job, and give you time for some voluntary work.
Think out of the box as far as reservist service is concerned. There's a lad who was on Pprune recently who was offered pilot by the RN and the RAF, who was a Para TA soldier. Not saying jumping out of working aircraft is everyone's bag, but he clearly had gained a great deal from his TA service. He is a graduate though, and that too must have given him maturity. The Royal Marines Reserve is also worth looking at, and will go down well at AIB, especially if you have got the green lid by the time you get there again.
An above average FAT pass is enough right now, and so worth parking. By all means contact me via PM if you'd rather keep your AIB failure issues off the public board.
Good luck.
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Thanks for the sound advice. Much appreciated.
Its probably best to leave the information about my failures on the public board for others in similar circumstances to look at and learn from.
Cheers
Andy
Its probably best to leave the information about my failures on the public board for others in similar circumstances to look at and learn from.
Cheers
Andy
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: EGFF
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Advice on joining as aircrew
Hi guys i'm after some advice. I'm thinking about applying to join the RAF as a "Weapon Systems Operator Crewman". My original desire was to join up as a pilot, however these dreams were dashed when i found out i was red/green colourblind. I'm 27 now and the desire to fly hasn't gone away, so i was thinking of joining as some form of aircrew. Would colourblindness be a factor as aircrew? Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on what would be the best role to apply for, if not the above?
Thanks,
Taylor.
Thanks,
Taylor.
Last edited by "Taylor"; 6th Jul 2008 at 13:39.
Red On, Green On
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Between the woods and the water
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You won't make it as a WSOp with red/green deficiency.
http://www.assoc-optometrists.org/up...af_july_07.pdf for fuller info.
Give it another go. (Can you lose anything?)
The colour perception test can vary in results, even OASC's. I have been CP1 then CP4(OASC) then CP2 (OASC) and CP3.
Without wishing to offer false hope, another test could yield a differing result.
Good luck.
The colour perception test can vary in results, even OASC's. I have been CP1 then CP4(OASC) then CP2 (OASC) and CP3.
Without wishing to offer false hope, another test could yield a differing result.
Good luck.
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Cheers guys, i was worried this may be an issue but hoped it wouldn't be. The test i had was just a basic pick out the numbers from a selection of dots, so maybe if i did a more in depth test i could attain better results.
My hopes were re-ignited when i recently had my first flying lesson and the instructor said that although i couldn't go on to become a commercial pilot i could do my PPL and that by the time it would take me to qualify, they are looking to make it so that people with colourblindness could become PPL instructors but only under VFR conditions.
My hopes were re-ignited when i recently had my first flying lesson and the instructor said that although i couldn't go on to become a commercial pilot i could do my PPL and that by the time it would take me to qualify, they are looking to make it so that people with colourblindness could become PPL instructors but only under VFR conditions.
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Applying to be a RN Heli Pilot
Hey, this is my first time on the site. I was told about it by a flying instructor. I'm currently halfway through applying to be a Helicopter pilot in the RN, my next stage is the FATS at RAF Cranwell and I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what to expect!?
I've spoken to a couple of Recruitment officers and flying instructors and they all say playing computer games helps alot for the simulators, and I've been studying A LOT of maths, but if anyone can give me a clue of what to expect I'd be most grateful!!
I've spoken to a couple of Recruitment officers and flying instructors and they all say playing computer games helps alot for the simulators, and I've been studying A LOT of maths, but if anyone can give me a clue of what to expect I'd be most grateful!!
Join Date: Dec 2007
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OASC 'CANDIDATES' and WANNABES, PLEASE READ THIS THREAD FIRST!
Please note - you are not applying to be a helicopter pilot in the RN. They decide where you go, and they do not do this until you finish EFT. If this is your preference then you are able to state it, it may even be slightly taken into account (probably not!), but with JSF due over the next 8 years just be aware they are going to need an awful lot of FW pilots. I just wanted you to be in full possession of all the facts.
The FATS - you may find computer playing helps, some practise with speed/distance/time and possibly maps etc for spatial awareness will also help. However, the big thing to remember is that they are good tests - you can either do it or you can't. Therefore try not to worry about them, relax and enjoy it. That way you'll get the best results you can.
Good luck.
The FATS - you may find computer playing helps, some practise with speed/distance/time and possibly maps etc for spatial awareness will also help. However, the big thing to remember is that they are good tests - you can either do it or you can't. Therefore try not to worry about them, relax and enjoy it. That way you'll get the best results you can.
Good luck.