Winco

Felix,
I'm afraid you have just blown it with that little outbust.
The pathetic excuse about a bike ride, and then the 'superfluous bollocks' comment does little but show your lack of maturity and failure to grasp comments which are both true and accurate. Whilst TSM might have been a bit abrupt in what he said, the fact remains that he is correct, sorry.

The Winco

Northern Circuit

felix

have a look at the RAF's career website.

http://www.rafcareers.com/?flash=yes&

phone your local career information office and ask for details on minimum qualifications

If you are sucessful, when you are ready for interviews there is much more work to be done in swotting up on current affairs/NATO etc (the CIO will give you advice on these matters)

apoligies to me for lack of brevity

Felix Saddler

I don't want to be achieving the minimum qualifications, i would just like to know if i was to resit a year and achieve around 4A's, i would still have a good chance?

Northern Circuit

I suggest you phone the CIO and ask them directly. 0845 605 5555

A2QFI

Qualifications: 5 GCSEs/SCEs and 2 A-levels or 3 Highers or equivalent. GCSEs/SCEs at Grade C/3 minimum to include English language and maths
Nationality: British citizen since birth or holder of dual British/other nationality
Then pass a lot of very demanding physical and mental selection procedures plus a medical. Have you ever had asthma, are you even slightly colour blind? You are beginning to see what the targets are, now make a plan to achieve them!

DSAT Man

Felix


I shall try and point you in the right direction.

First of all, make sure that you have the right qualifications; your Armed Forces Careers Office or the RAF Careers website will give you the details.

Next, make sure that you can show that you have what we want. If you can see through the jibes already posted, you will already have some idea.

At your filter interviews and, if selected, OASC, be smart, polite, punctual and positive. Look confident and composed. Speak up, speak well and sound the part. You will need to show that you have something special that sets you apart from all the others who apply. For example, show that you have lots of interests, tell them how you keep yourself fit (no bull**** because you will be tested) and know as much as you can about the military, (the RAF, our inventory of aircraft, our work) and current affairs.

You will need to be good and you will need to impress. Over to you.

DSAT Man

Felix Saddler

thankyou very much, i would like to resit my As year so that i can achieve my predicted level of performance, 4 or 5 A's. Would this be frowned upon?

Mr C Hinecap

That is why the vast majority of those out there will never get to join the RAF. We are quite a picky bunch and the numbers are reducing. This means the entry is tougher, so you may as well accept that from the start. There are also a number of 'old and bold' on here who will chunter on about how things used to be and how standards have dropped. Sometimes I do agree with them.

Nobody will look down on you in any way for going back and ensuring you get the grades you feel you deserve. It shows determination, strength of character and a high level of personal resolve. These and a thick skin you will need to hang around here!

GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU

Felix

Go to the link http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=235274 that A2QFI gave you. This will do 2 things:

a. tell you most about what you want to (need to) know

b. make you feel better. Some other poor bugger got toasted worse than you did!

Best of luck,

G B Z

South Bound

If you feel the need to prove something to yourself then crack on dear boy. Otherwise, if you have achieved the required standard, join up as quickly as you can and start enjoying the life. Most of us come from an era when no-one did more than 3 A-levels (4 if you did extra maths or had a home tutor). In 5 years' time the A-levels will be worthless - they are purely a means to getting a job - if you have achieved the standard, why bother striving for more.

As to the Red Arrows, no harm in having ambition matey, just keep it to yourself, because as you have no doubt already found out we are a harsh bunch and will rib anyone will aspires to be better than average - go for it.

As for Superfluous Bollox - I thought it was a good call, give some of it back!

rarelyathome

Felix. Work hard to get the grades you need and give it a go.
While you're at it, re-read your last post (Ser 20!) and stop giving your detractors so much ammunition!
RAH

teeteringhead

Some sound advice here Felix, but it may be difficult for you to find it amongst some amazing waffle/pedantry etc etc. The minimum academic standards are just that - there are few points to be scored (I strongly suspect) by exceeding them. The choice as to whether you are acceptable or not is unlikely to hinge on grades.

Academics are the very coarse mesh filters that exclude those who couldn't do basic maths without a calculator. Much more important to the selectors at OASC is the whole person (hence the time it takes!). Fitness, team sports, ATC and D of E are plus points, and practical rather than academic knowledge is good (not A*s, but how long would 17 miles take at 180 kts). Sadly you must also have flying aptitude, which (probably) you're born with or not. To fly as a pilot in the RAF you will be part of a tiny proportion of those who fly, to fly fast jet a smaller proportion, and to be a Red even smaller - there are only 3 hotly contested vacancies each year.

But hey - why not you? Don't mention the Reds unless and until you're a 2 tour FJ pilot with display experience. Keep wanting it though, and search through these threads, there's lots of good stuff to be found.

And everyone was a wannabee once. Good luck! ... and don't worry too much about the academics!

SiClick

Hi Felix
I have to agree with southbound, unless you want to prove something to yourself, I wouldn't waste time re-sitting exams. If you have the minimum entry requirements the selection team will be more interested in your D of E etc.
As for English, I was crap at English, and still am. I got the required English "O" level, because you couldn't join without it. Thereafter I joined the RAF and was one of many RAF pilots who were crap at English.
Start with the Careers Information Office, and don't give in. I would say the one characteristic that marks out pilots from other people, is that Pilots are more determined to make it as a pilot, than other people, and they are prepared to do whatever it takes to get there.
Good luck, and remember that some of the more critical folk on this thread are the same sorts of people that you'll have to get through, at Cranwell etc, to succeed, so smile, and think arsehole, without saying, or writing, anything.
SiClick

saudipc-9

Well i'm an A2 Qfi and I dont speel good either. but i doo drunk beer good.

Go four it i saw. Flyun an aeroplane got nuthin to do weth gud english.

Felix Saddler

Thanks for the sound advice folks, I'm choosing to ignore the speculation as to my mistakes in my previous threads as it's not getting me anywhere, and take note of the sound advice available. I am grateful for your responses with respect to the qualifications, as it has been a great burdon to me the last couple of months.

FS

flipster

Felix

I resat my poor first attempt at A levels, as I believed they were not a true reflection of what I could do. It was a matter of principle to me and I said as much in my OASC interviews; whether it counted for much I don't know but I felt better having got 4 good results under my belt.

Ignore the banter, smile and send it back with interest - As I said before, go for it but don't underestimate the 'steepness of the curve'.

Good luck

Flipster

Felix Saddler

Thankyou, i just read the poor guys post, (Gareth123) and to be honest I can see why you retort like you do, I mean I know my fundamental post was ghastly but there is no comparison… He could have never received such grades he’s a lightweight.

Skeleton

Two and a bit pages of in the main drivel about grammar and spelling. Yes in the context of the OP's original question, spelling and grammar are important but this could have been pointed out in a more mannerly way and his questions then answered, but this thread is no longer about his questions, it has turned into yet another debate about spelling and grammar!!!

Can we please keep on track - This weeping and wailing about spelling is getting boring now.

I for one will not be spell checking any reply from now on. Its a forum not a classroom. (Does that make me sound hard)

Laarbruch72

I'm glad Felix that Maths is your strong point.

I'm also sorry that you have taken a kicking on here re: your English. But take on board what other posters have said, and take it in good grace. If you speak in "textspeak" you lose gravitas straight away.
You are not on MSN now, or texting your buddies.
Look at what you write, and CHECK it.

I'm only a dumb copper, but I was Grammar School educated and I make damn sure no-one will pick me up for spelling etc in here. It's a personal pride thing, and also it's only basic English anyway.

While you are re-taking your A levels, try to get out of the habit of "textspeak" and "MSN speak". Write some letters by hand, read the papers. Get to know and love the English language.

You stand a far better chance then at OASC.
Good luck anyway, reach for your dreams.

Regards,
Laar.

Felix Saddler

Thank you, I have taken on board what you folk have taught me, that is the transition between one spectrum to another that makes a heap of a difference, and one must strive to perform professionally at all times in order to succeed, particularly in the vicinity of others with a superior rank. Graft and determination are the key here, and are ought to be used wisely.

Many Thanks Guys,

Kind Regards,

Felix Saddler.