airborne_artist

Larss - so long as you sound keen, go for it. Just don't sound as though you are whinging

Pontius Navigator

Larss, on the other hand you could use the time productively. While I would not disagree with A_A, if you apply to another AFCO it is perhaps unlikely that you would get an interview sooner. OTOH it would show keeness.

So, your call. More prep and relax or go for it. In the great scheme of things, at at your age, 3 weeks is nothing.

airborne_artist

Agree with PN, three weeks is not much, but if three becomes six, then that's annoying, so keep your options as open as possible.

However, if the AFCO is struggling now, how much capacity will they have as you progress through the system?

Good military people find workable solutions in challenging situations and achieve their goals despite things going against plan or not having the ideal tools for the job. This is not the last test you will have...

Tomo83

I only remember doing to beep test for OASC, level 9.10 is the pass. But the 1.5Mile run we did during IOTC, was something like 10mins (male) 12mins (female).

Just call up Cranwell they will tell you what you need to know.

airborne_artist

It makes no difference at all - the RAF's system is aimed at people with no practical flying experience, and once in flying training it's perhaps easier if you've not flown before, as you have no bad habits/incorrect techniques.

It's certainly not worth paying for flying lessons on the basis that it might get you in. Go gliding - great for developing stick and rudder skills, good for team-work, and cheaper too.

matt 3840

Just got a couple of questions. Just been doing some late night reseach because i've applied to the RAF and RN for pilot. However this is not what I would like some advice on. My passion in life is flying and i do alot of it already, and if for any reason I don't have the aptitude to get into the forces as a pilot. I would like to know what NCO aircrew is like as i would look at it as an option.

I know there is a big differnce between having a commission and going the NCO path. I've got a good idea of what the officer side is like as my dad is still serving within the RAF. But would just like a bit of info on what the NCO aircrew side of the house is like.

kind regards

Matt

Pontius Navigator

Matt, read this thread. It will probably answer your questions as recently there have been many NCO aircrew questions.

airborne_artist

C-R

In the bad old days there were plenty of people who applied with 30+ hours SEP, as they'd had a flying scholarship from the RAF/RN - it did them no harm, as far as we can tell, but equally it probably did not improve their chances, but it most certainly improved their motivation.

The point I was making is that there's no point chucking £6,000 at a flying school in the hope that it will improve your chances of getting a P place at Cranwell/Dartmouth - you'd be better off buying an Xbox and using that to practice your hand/eye/brain co-ordination. The other skill that can be improved with training is mental maths - speed/time/distance calcs.

Pontius Navigator

In today's papers is an article that states that the Services are at 97.2% of full strength.

The Under Secretary of State for Defence is cautious suggesting that it is too early to say whether the current economc crisis is the cause of buoyant recruitment. Well, from the number of older wannabees that are appearing on pprune, who do not have a track record of wanting to join the RAF, I think Kevan Jones is being overly cautious.

In today's financial climate there is no possibility of the Services 'banking' a few extra recruits above the 100% figure. If you want to join the Services you will have to convince the recruiters that you are not simply looking for an easy ride and that you are bringing essential skills to the party.

crp246810

Hi im 19 have applied to be a wSOP in the RAF - i passed my filter interview in norwich AFCO and i have just received the date to go to cranwell - April the 19th 2009! Has anyone been recently for the same occupation and can anyone tell me in as much detail as they can of what i should be expecting! private email me or reply on here or email my personel address [email protected] - Cheers to anyone that can help - Im sh*tt*ng it! lol

Mr C Hinecap

crp - you should be expecting to read this thread, visit the Student Room website, read the RAF Careers website, read what you got from the AFCO and actually understand the lot. I doubt you'll get too many people willing to e-mail you the 'everything I know' solution.

crp246810

Cheers mate - Didnt realy want to search over 100 plus pages especially when some of them are so old, things may not be the same as they where. I will try the student room, im just looking to get as much info as possible before i go there. Really worried about the interview as my knowledge of the RAF is limited and the same with my knowledge of current affairs. Im also worried about the fitness. I play football and i box so im hoping there not looking for na superhuman if u know what i mean. If anyone has recently been to OASC for wSOP and would like to help me please email. Cheers.

Mr C Hinecap

What I'm trying to say is that you need to help yourself. People will help you with specifics or problems, but 'tell me your experiences' isn't going to get you anything at all. You need to use the search function, read and then pose any questions. The RAF expects self-starters and those who show initiative and a desire to prove their worth in the interview and selection stages.

Pontius Navigator

Mr Hinecap has been very patient and gentle with you, especially as you completely ignore the advice he offered in his first post.

You are quite right, things do change. Where you are wrong is in the pace of change. Let me assure you that much of what you will be expected to undergo has been unchanged for many years. Only after 50 years did they drop the question "So how old does that make you in years and months" as it tended to put the candidate at a disadvantage.

WSOp may not be a commissioned rank but if anything competition and standards will be even higher than for an officer. Read my previous post; you will see you have lots of study to do before you go to OASC.

At interview, knowledge of the RAF is vital. How else can you show us that you have what we want if you don't have any idea what we need?

Perhaps not so vital for a WSOp but never-the-less we are looking for people with a broad idea of what is going on. If you know nothing of middle east politics how do you know what the role of the RAF will be?

football - box - at what level? These will certainly be interview points. Now do go away and read the thread as advised.

PS, if you do get in, when something is advised or suggested or hinted you would be well advised to treat it as a mandatory instruction or order.

Mr C Hinecap

You could tell I didn't have a 3rd nice one left in me couldn't you?

goatmanni

CRP

Good advice so far from Mr H and PN. One thing I suggest is to arrange a visit to a station where they have WSOps. Ask the AFCO or contact the Community Relations Officer at a station directly. You'll get a good overview of the role and it'll look good at OASC that you have bothered to travel to find out more about life as a WSOp and the RAF in general.

ScrumpyJ

Does anybody know what range of scores out of 180 for Pilot tend to result in an offer of service, presuming the rest of selection went well?

airborne_artist

RN FAA - typically greater than 130, though 125 may be enough.

RAF - 120 is enough, or was recently for Blimy, who got 120, and could not get an RN place, but got an RAF place.

112 is a pass, officially, but that does not mean it's enough to get in.

Pontius Navigator

For various reasons the number of applicants has increased. This means that the proportion of candidates achieving 112 or more will also increase although the numbers required have not.

While 120 might be sufficient for one candidate it does not follow that it will be sufficient for another. Compare, for instance, a graduate with a 1st class honours with a direct entrant applicant with 2 A-level. Even there the issue is not clear cut as the nerd or geek factor will also be considered.

What is pretty certain however, and everything else being equal, the higher the score the lower the training risk.

Bzz1

Do you think the benchmark figure of 130 for FAA aircrew acceptance would differ significantly (if at all) for ATC?

I'm curious because I've got an RN application for ATCO in progress, however I've been told that I probably won't need to sit FATs as I sat them in February last year and achieved a score of 127 for ATC. My ACLO reckons they will probably just carry this score over. However, if it turns out that I'd realistically need 130+ anyway, then I would definitely want to have another crack at them, and as it's been over a year, I don't see why I couldn't anyway. What do you reckon?