dave_perry

My interviewer told me straight away that he was going to recommend me. I did get a letter after about a week, however I knew that I had been recommended. It was then around 2 months later that I went to OASC.

Raptorstick

pilot is 112 aptitude.
what is air traffic controller?

also, navy is age limit 26.
Any ideas or rumours that RAF might up the age limit to 26 also, ever?
would be good if so.

airborne_artist

You must be under 25 and 11 months at the start of the month of entering BRNC.

Not unless the recession recedes so fast that applications dry up completely from the under 24 y/o's

ScrumpyJ

I think ATC is 100, but the tests are different i think.

muppetofthenorth

Pass mark for ATC is indeed 100, but getting 112 for pilot will not mean you've got 112 for ATC.

I got 136 and was told that if I were ever interested, that that score is very competitive - I hadn't gone for ATC, but for Int.

FNU_SNU

Hi everyone.

I'm currently in the process of transferring/commissioning into the RAF and am awaiting a date to attend OASC. I have put dowm 3 choices, all in the Ops Support Branch, Int, ATC and Aerospace Battle Manager.
I know there is currently a requirement for ATC and Aerospace Battle Manager officers, so does this mean I am likely, if successful, to be ring-fenced into one of these jobs?
The reason I ask is I am currently in the Intelligence Corps and a trained analyst and have also trained as an IA. I have deployed in the IA role with the RAF so have experience in the relevant field. I'd like to think this would inprove my chances of getting my first choice as I have heard there is a high turnover of officers in Int, does anyone know any better?

As an aside, a while back I saw an electronic version of a booklet aimed at potential officers explaining the dress code in the mess with photographic examples. DOes anyone know where I can get a copy or who can e-mail one to me? I am currently looking to buy a new suit anyway so may as well get something decent that would fit the bill.

All help is greatly appreciated.

Amnesia180

Hi All,

I've yet to even attend the 2 hour presentation from an officer at my local AFCO.

However; I've started to prepare prior to this, to give myself the best possible chance (if sent to Cranwell).

Anyway, for others that may be interested... I've found a few websites that may offer some guidance. I'm not saying they hold any "answers" but they do have some useful information.

• The Student Room offers some advice on how to prepare for your interviews.
• Some Speed/Distance/Time calculations (as well as some useful links to other resources to help prepare for OASC).
• There is also some preparation literature, entitled "Succeed at RAF OASC". I haven't purchased this, but some may find it useful.
  
• Further information regarding Airman/Aircrew training can be found on the RAF Website.

I have also picked up a lot of tips from reading through this thread (and searching the forum as well as a couple of others) and it is a priority that you have a knowledge of Current Affairs/Operations (not just the standard Afghan and Iraq) and also NATO.
It's also common sense to know the training schedule (which is outlined in the 'Further Information' link above, and I believe you also provided with literature after your presentation at the AFCO). Also know the aircraft you could be assigned to (and it wouldn't hurt to know the rest of the functional aircraft).

Apparently group sporting activities can go in your favour, so make sure you are ready to mention those at a given opportunity! I don't do any group sport, but do swim and play squash (so this is something I'm going to add to ASAP).

If anyone else has anything to add, please feel free to add. I've tried to bring a very brief summary of what has been discussed over these past 154 pages.

Hope this helps!

FNU_SNU

Hi Everyone,

I am currently in the process of transferrring/commissioning, I have passed my filter interview and am waiting for a date to attend OASC. I am currently in the Int Corps and a trained IA. My preferences are all in Ops Support; Int Officer, ATC, and Aerospace Battle Manager.
I know this is a big requirement at the moment for ATC and Aerospace Battle Manager so does that mean if I am accepted and meet the required standards I am likely to be pused into one of these jobs bearing in mind my first choice and current experience?

As an aside, I once saw an electronic guide to dress standards for officer cadets with phtotgraphic examples, does anyone know where I can get a copy? I am looking for a new suit anyway and may as well get something that is decent quality and would fit the bill if I am accepted.

Cheers, all help is greatly appreciated.

Mr C Hinecap

FNU - just buy a suit - just a lounge suit. Nothing fancy, nothing shiny, nothing 'fashionable'. Just a plain suit. The guide was exactly that - a guide - not a prescriptive document.
Don't buy black - there you go - sartorial advice from a mostly aircrew forum - who'd a thunk it?

FNU_SNU

Cheers Mr H. The reason I was asking is what actually constitues a 'lounge suit'? ie A decent wool suit, 2 or 3 buttoned - does it matter? Does it have to be a certain style? I have been looking a some grey and navy suits at T M Lewin.
I remember the guide mentioned some companies that visit Cranwell at the start of IOT and do mod discounts, do you or anyone else know who these are?

Thanks for replying!

Mr C Hinecap

They will be fine. This is the RAF we're talking about here - most there will have terrible shiny fashion suits on - especially the future aircrew! Just be smart and conservative (with a small 'c'). Forget anyone visiting and buying their kit - you need a suit for interviews/OASC etc and won't need 2 of them in the long run! Worry about the bigger things - not which suit!

Pontius Navigator

No, you will not be pushed. First, remember you volunteered for ATC or ABM! Secondly, assuming you are suitable for all 3, you may be better suited to one or the other. As you have not put these as first choice then you would certainly be asked how you would react if offered 2nd or 3rd choices. For some the choices would all rate equal, for others they may be choices of last resort - see the point?

What was true a few years ago however was that competition for Int O was very fierce.

FNU_SNU

Thanks or the replies guys!
I was wondering if it's worth starting a new thread about OASC? This thread is now over 150 pages long and started in 2004! Things have changed since then and a new thread prevents people from sifting through countless pages to find what's up to date and pertinent. I just went to the last page and worked back but I'm sure not everyone would think of doing it like that.

(Sorry about the double post, one of them appeared hours after I tried to post it, it must have been in pre-mod).

Pontius Navigator

FNU, one of the recent points makes the point that not a lot has changed since WW2. The hangar exercises and the interviews are really fixed in stone . The tyo of person we are looking for is virutally unchanged too.

One problem is that our standards have not changed whereas the national education system has changed. Aircraft have become more sophisticated whereas the school output less so.

Only in 1991 did we introduce the electronic calculator instead of log tables but many baby navs had never done trigonometry at school. I had to write a trig primer for the maths and science booklet at Nav School.

As for a new thread, feel free. One brave soul offered to edit the existing thread but the task was rather too difficult. If a new thread was begun the opening gambit would inevitably be, read the other thread first. Your best bet is, as you say, trawl through the recent posts and also use the Search engine, Google will search pprune too.

FNU_SNU

Fair one, I'll get back in my box.

goatmanni

FNU

With respect to a suit, don't get too concerned about it. You do not need two of them, you will only need to wear it in the candidates mess. Contrary to what Mr H says, at the moment the interview is conducted wearing overalls! As far as your choices are concerned, I believe that you could well be selected into your 2nd or 3rd choices if you achieve the grade in the aptitude tests and are deemed suitable.

Goat

Crazy_Kayaker

Hi

I have my FAT's for the FAA comming up very soon and was wondering if any one could give me more information on the memory tests involved in the testing ? how many digits etc.

Also does any one know what is involved in the pilot aircrew medical?

I would apreciate any advice people could give me.

Thanks

dave_perry

There is a test whereby you have to memorise letters, do mathematical calculations, and colour co-ordinate dimonds and boxes; all at the same time. Then, there is, a test of scenarios, whereby multi-coloured spitfires fly across the screen. You have to memorise which colour flies past first, which coulour does 4 loops and which enter from the top etc...

Off the top of my head - I can't recall any other memory tests. However, the FATs test natural ability so I don't think you can do alot of preparation before hand to improve yourself. You are either born with it or not. Good luck anyway!

On the med. question, that's something I would like to know also...

Dave

airborne_artist

CK - check PMs.

Aircrew medical is very thorough - ECG, EEG, etc. Nothing to prepare for, though.

Benjybh

What are ECG and EEG?