ElSupremo

I pretty much have the same story as you. Have a look at some of my recent posts on this thread. I'm seeing my doc soon to have a look over my record and to see whether he can vouch(sp?) for me or not.

airborne_artist

The Special Flying Award : 727 : Naval Air Squadrons : Fleet Air Arm : Operations and Support : Royal Navy

Good as it is, it's not make or break in terms of getting into the FAA. Ask your ACLO when you are ready.

Think about joining the university gliding club if you want to get flying for its own sake. Good team environment, you'll learn to use your feet as well as the stick, and you'll get the cheapest flying there is.

muppetofthenorth

To both of you: by all means, attempt to apply and you're quite right, you are by no means the first.

But conversely, you're by no means the only applicants they have.

Tens of thousands of people apply for the position, many of them won't have had anything in their history and in the RAF's eyes - whether that's right or wrong, it's their choice and their decision to make, not yours - they'll pick the lesser risk.

I'm not trying to destroy your dreams or convince you it's hopeless, I'm just trying to inject some realism into this thread.

I've seen many of my friends get turned down for this reason, but that's life.

The people on this thread aren't talking out of their bottoms. They're all trying to help you out, but it just seems that you're not taking a blind bit of notice.

Saracen87

Hi all. This is my first post on pprune and need a little advice. Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere but did search on this site and dont have an answer. I have just finished uni and want to join the air force as a pilot. As this is the case a friend of the family who is a civvie instructor and member of the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators directed me towards taking the pilot aptitude tests run by said organisation at RAF Cranwell (am looking at taking next months or October's next intake) whether or not I go civvie aviation or mil, the latter much preferred. What I am wanting to know is whether taking this independent test could cause probs for my actual application to the RAF i.e. does having prior experience at the aptitude test provide a barrier to my prospects. Additionally would anyone know if there is much deviation between GAPAN's aptitude tests and those you may encounter at OASC, bearing in mind that GAPAN is providing a service for potential civil aviation pilots. I know that the tests will focus on hand, eye foot coordination, spatial awareness and multi tasking abilities but will speed distance time calculations be tested as well or is that looked at else where (just so can swot up). Sorry bout the essay and if not all my questions are answerable but thought it was worth a try.

muppetofthenorth

Firstly, unless you've already been to OASC - which judging by your post it doesn't look like you have - there's no way you're going to make either of the next two IOTs. If you started your application process this week then if you're lucky you might get on the first course of 2010, but I wouldn't hold your breath, it's extremely busy.

A previous undertaking of the aptitude tests is no bar to an application, but it could have an effect on how soon you'd be able to retake them. Chances are, though, that the GAPAN tests are sufficiently different to the RAF's that you'll be able to do it again whenever.

In terms of content, I can't help you much, except to say that yes, you are required to do calculations as part of your OASC aptitude tests.

Saracen87

Thanks. That is helpful. I knew it was busy but didnt know it was quite that busy for OASC. When it comes to things such as speed distance time calculations I am only slightly worried as I havent done much mathematics since GCSE, sure will be fine but just need to hit the books again.

Aerouk

Saracen87,

Your not the only one! I haven't done any maths in a while been using a calculator for too long now so I'll be hitting the books as well.

muppetofthenorth

It's always busy. In extreme cases, you could be waiting less than 6 months from the handing in of your application to starting IOT, but the norm is more akin to my case: paperwork handed in June '08, IOT start date Aug '09.

SDT isn't difficult, and doing it quickly just comes with practise.

Saracen87

I know, seems such a long time since I exerted my brain in that way that I am probably a bit slow on mental arithmatic. Hopefully a little revision will set me straight.

Saracen87

muppetofthenorth,

thanks for the insight, dont suppose you know what sort of numbers get thru as pilots nowadays, and if having a degree is much of a boost. I know its a very competitive area.

muppetofthenorth

Very approximately, the numbers often bandied around work out that for every 10,000 or so people who walk into an AFCO wanting to be a pilot, 1 makes it to the operational seat [ie, all the way through training].

How the numbers work as it's being whittled down I couldn't be sure about, but I know there are usually around 50-60 prospective pilots on an IOT. I think the pass rate of piloting in general is pretty high [80-90%], but obviously the numbers getting through to the 'holy grail' of a fast jet seat are nothing like that.

Degree... The degree itself isn't likely to be of much use. An engineering degree could give you an easier time of groundschool, but not massively. What it does, allegedly, give you is a bit of life experience. Having lived away from home and survived to tell the tale is better than nothing. Of course, what you got up to while at university - extra curricular-wise - will be as scrutinised as much as your degree results, so you better have some good stuff.
The degree is also handy for getting you extra money post-IOT, as a graduate entrant you'll become a Flying Officer, rather than a Pilot Officer, once you finish IOT.

Aerouk

Does anyone know what the limits are when joining the UAS? I've got a friend whos entering 3rd year (4 year course) whos interested in joining but isn;t sure if he's too late or not?

Saracen87

Thanks again muppetofthenorth. Very interesting

Saracen87

Aerouk,

From what i am told UAS likes to have its recruits for at least 2 yrs. As your friend is on a 4 year course it sounds possible that they may take him. Although dont bank on it. Priorities will most likely go to first years especially as UAS have small numbers especially when compared to OTC. Its still worth a shot anyways. Other people on here probably know better when it comes to this.

muppetofthenorth

Offhand I can't quote the exact limits as they changed the year I left, but they changed in favour of your friend.

Tell him to apply - if he's good enough he'll get in.

Aerouk

I've passed the information over to him. He's working with the police at the moment as a Special Constable, which hes enjoying but it's not military relate, so not sure what the military would think of it.

muppetofthenorth

He's in the Specials and thinks that won't look good on an application form?!

Aerouk

Not that it won't look good, just wasn't sure if the military would prefer those who are UAS/OTC.

muppetofthenorth

I'm fairly positive that recruitment bods in any of the services would be more than happy with someone who's decided to join a uniformed public service that actually makes a difference rather than a glorified drinking club.

If he's happy in the specials, tell him to stay put.

airborne_artist

Aerouk - you are confusing the role of UAS/OTC/URNU - they exist to give undergraduates a taste of military life, in the hope that they will carry this knowledge into their careers and be supportive of the military. They are not recruiting organisations, and the interviewers at OASC/OASB/AIB don't award special points for membership of them. They award points to people who get off their backsides and make something of their time as undergraduates - being Captain of the surf club is just as good as being a good boy/girl in UAS.

Frankly, being a Special probably beats all of the above into a cocked hat. Dealing with rapidy-developing, threatening/dangerous situations involving a wide range of people while remaining professional and in control, all as a volunteer sounds like a near-perfect set of experience. Tell him to stay there, I'd say. He'll get bored in a UAS, I expect.

There was Ppruner on here recently, MattB, a full-time copper, a Sergeant at 21 (no mean achievement) who was lapped up by the RAF - as a pilot. He'd not been to university, and as far as I know had little/no flying experience.