stegriff

thanks for the heads up! i am looking forward to going to OASC. Just going to set out a strick routine to stick to and make sure i cover all areas. What branches you going for?

Pontius Navigator

Quick, accurate, simple mental arithmetic, - no trig or things like that but it might be useful to know your units too - pounds kilos litres gallons

No idea. I would need to look at the sites and know exactly what is required at OASC. I am not going to look at the sites nor do I know what they will ask of you at OASC. The sticky will give you some good pointers.

JohnV85

Regarding age on entry for a pilot officer (18-26), does this have an effect on the likely career path, type of aircraft you will be placed on, if succesful, or does age become an irrelevant factor after entry, i.e. down to personal performance, etc?

Aerouk

Doesn't matter, as long as you meet the grade for the particular aircraft. I seen a navigator in his late 30s (after a number of years service as a nav) get onto fastjets. In fact I think it was a TV programme.

airborne_artist

I wrote:

Pleased to report that he got the letter with the good news five days ago. The award is for years 2 and 3 of his three year course, which slightly surprised me, as I though he'd get the sum in each of his three years. FWIW he got A, C and D at A-level and has a place at Newcastle University which he has just taken up.

JNH

Good evening all,

I haven't posted here or actually viewed this thread for sometime now as I am just over the upper age limit for Pilot entry.....or so I thought!!

My personal life and academic path resulted in me graduating university at just above the previous age limit last year and I was pretty sure that I wouldn't be given some special acceptance unless I were absolutely perfect in all required criteria, which I'm sure I'm not. Clearly from the recent posts and then confirming for myself via the RAF Careers site, the age limit has really been increased to 25!? Recently I have decided to return to the career path of my degree and have made a late application to study an MSc from this October which I have just received acceptance for....however finding out what I have leaves nagging doubt about whether this could be a second chance I'm sure I'm not the only one!

My actual questions are (apologies if I haven't read back far enough),

1) Why the age increase??

2) Is the limit like the previous in that the exact limit is 25 years 11 months and 29 days on entry to IOT??

Apologies for the essay and thanks all for your time.

onrey_oleuk

Hi all,

I am new to this site but have joined to find out some more info about what is required for OASC.

I have done previous interviews with the RAF for sponsorship but missed the boat, only making it onto the 'national register'. I have many qualifications in leadership and also GCSE grades no lower than a 'B'. I have taken my AS levels and gained 4 good grades.
I am continuing with English, PE and Politics which i think will be relevant for my chosen path.

I would like to train as a fighter pilot. I am farily fit and healthy; I have previously done the Bleep Test and gained a 12.8. I have also completed a 1.5 mile run in 9 minutes 32 seconds, 38 press ups in 1 minute and 52 sit ups.

I was just wondering if anyone had any tips for me about OASC, IOT and the Training i would have to do.


cheers

onrey_oleuk

airborne_artist

1. No idea, but it brings the RAF into line with the Royal Navy, though the AAC is still 28.

2. Almost certainly.

soundwave

A little off topic, but are we allowed calculators in our math based examinations for OASC?

muppetofthenorth

No.

You won't be given any calculations to do that you can't do in your head. The difficulty arises from the pressure you put on yourself.

Pontius Navigator

Nope.

Why do you think we tell you to learn your 25x table or practise mental speed/time/distance problems?

Polling you fast-jet at warp 6 you will have one hand on the stick, one on the throtle and the other for any odd bits and pieces. You won't have 2 spare to operate a calculator, especially with gloves on.

Same in training, Pilot or WSO, use the tools provided an dno calculators.

soundwave

Another random question - Does it matter which hand you use on the control stick of the aircraft?

Pontius Navigator

Yes. Flying is a 2-handed game. One on the control column and one for the throttle or cyclic. Depending on the aircraft or the seat, you will be required to use either hand on the control column.

Stan 24v

Just thought I'd drop back in to say thanks!

It looks like I passed OASC as I am now awaiting results of final boarding for the BES. I had a couple of nice PMs from serving members on here too - thanks.

I'll let you know when I find out.

Thanks

Stan

Braddersb

I recently passed a filter interview for the RAF sixth form scholarship scheme, however stumbled on question:

Why do you want to join the RAF?

As I want to be a pilot and I have heard of 'Officer first, pilot second' I said something along the lines of I feel that I would be suited to the officer lifestyle, and love to fly, therefore the RAF is for me. However the AFCO told me that I gave a poor answer for that question.

Would anybody who has been through the same process, Uni sponsorship or OASC be able to spell out the answer they are looking for with this question?

Melchett01

Sorry to disappoint you, but there isn't an answer in the sense you are asking about. 100 different people could get asked the same question, and 100 different answers could come back. Each of them could get a tick or a cross.

All I will say is this. When I went through OASC, I was asked about the types of ac we operated - RW, multis, FJ etc. The Wg Cdr interviewing me commented that that as soon as I mentioned FJ my face lit up and there was a spark in my eye - it was obvious what I was really there for. Now that was a different question to the one you were asking about, but it makes the point:

There is no right or wrong answer. What is important is HOW you answer, how you come across, your reasoning, your ability to get across that enthusiasm for joining, that there is nothing else on earth that you would rather be doing and you will fight all the way. If you can get that across in an intelligent and articulate manner, you could quite easily be giving them the racing results from the 4.50 at Kempton, you will be half way there.

switcher

Hi im in my last year of uni and am seriously considering joining the Royal Navy as a pilot.

Few questions:

Assuming I am accepted into the royal navy as an officer;

what are the chances that I will become a pilot if I apply for a pilot position?

what are the chances that i will become a fast jet pilot ( Harrier gr9 pilot for example)?

Is the aptitude test at RAF Cranwell taken before officer training, during officer training or after?

would appreciate any responses.

Jack

BoeingMEL

... I'm not in a position to provide accurate answers to your question but, no doubt, someone will soon. In the meantime you could try to shake-off your yoofspeak... it's not attractive or endearing and will earn you no brownie-points during selection. Good luck anyway bm

Mr C Hinecap

switcher - I'll be the first to point you at the 'sticky' at the top of the page. It contains most all of the information you could ever need regarding wanting to be a military pilot. Aptitude testing takes place before any training takes place.

foldingwings

1. Officer first/aircrew second is the mantra these days.

2. OASC Cranwell comes before entry (that's why it's called Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre), if you are successful and very few are.

3. If you've only just come to the idea at the end of uni you will need to show a lot more commitment to a military career than you are displaying here (it ain't just a fanciful notion) and sustain it throughout the rigorous officer training and then very demanding pilot training (if you are successful at every stage).

4. That's a little too late and not an ideal position to be in when you put yourself forward for selection. Try the words 'determined to become'.

5. If you want to fly FJs, then why restrict yourself to a force that predominantly flies helos thereby reducing your chances of being successful.

Foldie
(in his trying to be helpful mode but doubting your current credentials as suitable for the life)