Kyuuki

The RAF are comming to my uni in march for careers meetings so i can book then. Would i reduce my chances of getting in if i mentioned that flying helicopters is what i would really love to do?

If i applied and got through, and then after the 3 weeks got posted for planes, would i be under obligation to stay?

Also when making the selection process what kind of qualities are they looking for to chuck you in that rotary pile.

Thanks for all the replies so far!

bad livin'

Where are you getting this 3 weeks thing from? And don't take this the wrong way, but why do you know you'd prefer rotary to anything else? I don't think I know anyone that didn't end up happy wherever they went.

And in answer to your question, it's the armed forces - you'll go where you're told...it's not a school elective module.

airborne_artist

Major Mark Hammond - Royal Marines seems to have what it takes - his is the last citation:

"On returning to base, four rounds were found to have hit Hammond's aircraft, one causing serious and almost catastrophic damage to a blade root. At this stage it would have been simple for him to declare that the threat was too high to return to Musa Qala. But without hesitation he decided to attempt another recovery using a new aircraft. The mission was an outstanding success under heavy fire."

Captain Ratpup

I understand that graduates joining commissioned branches are eligible for accelerated promotion. The thinking is that, by spending less time as a plt off, a graduate will end up in the same rank/financial position as a direct entrant who has served for the three years it takes to get a degree.
I have also heard that this only applies to graduates specifically from UK universities. Is this true?

Many thanks...
Ratpup

antonr

Does anyone know the approx time from intitial interview at AFCO to OASC to Training for NC Aircrew by any chance?

Pontius Navigator

Kyuuki, Underwater Basket Weaving is the apocryphal useless degree that a someone aspiring to become a pilot has. If you have a look at the post-nominals of IOT graduates iyou will see the types of degree held by the successful ones. There is a fair number of LLB, usually scribblies. There are many BSc and some BA and a large number of B Eng. The pilot graduates have a fair spread of BSc, MSc, B Eng etc with a comparatively rare BA.

A 2.2 BA (Hons)(UBW) would therfore be a rarity.

Graphic Design is not a class of degree that one would associate with a would be pilot. OTOH do not let that you you off if you have what it takes. Graphic Design may be a positive asset as an instructor when preparing training packages. There may also be a niche for you in camouflage.

As the Services become more network centric IT design may also be a niche for you.

On the V-force we had a co-pilot who had an aptitude in polystyrene modeling. He was attached to a team creating large sqn crests out of polystyrene. He was mis-employed for about 3 months. Shortly after he returned to operational flying he underwent a standards check. Unsurprisingly he failed. To our surprise however he was chopped and asked to resign his commission which he did.

Just be prepared to tell your interviewers how useful a degree in Graphic Design will be.

Kyuuki

So your saying dont bother....,

How is the navy route

Pontius Navigator

No, I am not saying don't bother, I am just trying to show that your position is not necessarily ideal. OTOH you may have buckets of attributes that they want and superb PQs.

As MJ said, don't necessarily push for RW too early. By and large all aircrew are recruited for FJ and only if they are deemed better suited to ME or RW would they go that route.

OTOH the timescales are such that there may be a push for RW pilots by the time you get there. Their airships are not renowed for their ability to plan far ahead.

Kyuuki

I agree your right, my situation is definatly not great.

Is the navy any different? in terms of applying for helicopter pilot.

If not i may persue it in the comercial sector.

Pontius Navigator

I don't know but I do know that the proportion of RW-FW in the RN is rather larger than in the RAF.

Also there is nothing to stop you applying to both RAF and RN. First, this doubles your chances of getting an interview. Secondly, the first interview will be great experience for the second. Finally, if one offers you a commission before you are interviewed for the other it will give you a tremendous confidence boost.

I know someone who went to OASC with an AIB offer in their pocket. OASC knew they were 1st choice and were also under pressure to make their minds up.

ProfessionalStudent

Kyuuki

If I were you, I'd not let on to OASC that you want to fly helicopters. Tell them you want to be a steely-eyed fast jet driver and why (yes, I know this kind of flies in the face of "telling the truth" at OASC, but you won't be the first to tell this particular white lie - and you won't be the last). I had a thing for helis too.

Get in, pass IOT, then "form your opinion", based on weighing up all the options (it won't even matter if you voice that "opinion" during IOT - nobody there will give a stuff frankly). Anyway, your mind may be changed when you actually start flying training - you may like going up-diddly-up-dup more than you imagine.

As Pontius said, there's nothing wrong with applying for the WAFUs at the same time, but if you're doing JEFTS in dark blue and you DO fancy a bit of fixed-wing action, your chances are lower than if you're in light blue.

Just an observation... Your previous posts seem a little negative. Stay POSITIVE and you'd be amazed what can happen...

garywoodrow

Hi, I am just concerned that I will not be good enough for the RAF, which is what i have always wanted to do and would appreciate some advice.

I actually gave up on this dream a few years ago due to various reasons . Recently i have decided that this is what i want - not being an airline pilot -, am not very fit at the moment but i am making great progress getting fit again and I'm currently doing 3 A-Levels, Maths & ICT & ICT Double and being predicted E, B/A, B respectivly. My GCSE grades where not all that great, I got 8 Total, 1B, 6C's and a D. I have spoken to 2 people from the RAF but that didnt help much lol. I was told my GCSE grades where nowhere near good enough but then also told by the other RAF guy my GCSE's are good enough and if i acheive my A-Levels predictions in ICT it will show that i have improved . I am also joining the TA for 1year in march to start understanding what the military is like and also to get really fit.

I know nobody can say.. Yes you will be accepted.. or.. No youre not good enough but i am just wondering if i really do stand any chance at all.

Beethoven

Gary mate...no-one on here can tell you whether you stand the chance of being an RAF pilot. No-one knows you or you aptitude and this is the wrong forum anyway. Try the military forum . If you want it, just apply and become one if they will have you...if not, hopefully see you here in the future...best of luck chap.

Beet.

galeforcewind

Hi Charlie

I completely get what you're saying but in this day and age, when is that really likely to happen? I wouldn't think very often....
No concerns from my family, dad is in the Air force and mum used to be in the RAAF. My father agrees that the peanut thing is ridiculous and he has been in for about 35yrs so he knows the life and doesn't see how me having a peanut allergy is a problem....especially as there ARE people in the Air Force with the allergy.

Wader2

Having been where Charlie is let me paint the picture a little clearly.

A favourite nibble was peanut butter and pilchard sandwiches with marmalade.

You are offered one and you decline. The chef du jour them makes you a fat ham sarnie instead. He has used the same, miniscule, preparation service, he has never done a city and guilds food hygenie course and he cleaned the knife on a slice of bread.

Do I need to go on?

londonmet

The military forum has had lots on this thus far. My advice would be to do a search within that forum first. Lots of it should still be up to date.

Best of luck.

L Met

Wee Weasley Welshman

The plain truth is that you have little to no chance of succeeding in an application for the Pilot branch of the RAF or RN.

You don't need to ask on the Military forum.

Competition is immense and they really do only take the best of the best of the best at the moment. Using my personal history might underline the scale of the problem for you..

In 1991 I was sponsored through my A-levels by the RAF to become a pilot. I attained A,B,B. This was back when A-levels were hard. To get the sponsorship my GCSE's were AAAABBB and I was a Flight Sergeant in the ATC and a Staff Cadet at a Volunteer Gliding School. At 17 I did a PPL under another RAF sponsorship. At University I did a degree suggested to me as being useful be OASC careers. I was in the UAS and completed the syllabus.

In the end, I still didn't make the grade for entry because they need so few and they have so many terrific people to chose from that were slightly more terrific than I. Since 1996 (when I left Uni) the RAF has become quite a bit smaller..

Personality goes a long way so don't get too hung up on grades. Luck plays a big part. Determination goes a long way.

But the reality is you have crap GCSE's very mediocre A-levels and a wavering commitement to Service life.

You are nowhere.

Best someone tells you straight.


Cheers

WWW

TACHO

But then a more slightly 'positive' way of looking at it,

"If you dont put your hands out then you will never catch the ball",

In my opinion its better to have tried at something and failed than to have never tried at all. Whats the worst they will say?...'no' and what have you lost? Nothing.

Tacho

edited 26th January 2007 at 10:27

Whirlygig

Well said Tacho! You wouldn't want to go to your grave with the regret of not trying!

However, if you join the RAF, is it to join the RAF or as a means to become a pilot? The RAF has many other careers to which you may be suited so best go and have a chat with them.

Cheers

Whirls

boogie-nicey

Why not go the 'process' at least you'll have an idea of whether you have the aptitude for flying. If nothing else you can use that to help direct you in civilian flying, otherwise you'll be going to Jerez, Oxford, etc wondering whether you can pass their aptitude tests.

Unfortunately competition is indeed extreme but then again it's a spectacular job to have with REAL training so of course they'll be a long line in fornt of you of eager people wanting that cockpit seat.

Whatever you choose to do, good luck and keep at it.