OASC 'CANDIDATES' and WANNABES, PLEASE READ THIS THREAD FIRST!
seldomffp
I thought we ought to check out asthma & allergies first before pressing on to find out what sort of aircrew watch was desired and also if a P or Q oxygen mask - and, if the young man or woman eventually made Wg Cdr with a PhD, how s/he would like to be addressed.
[Sad really - I've had a slack week at work and have had the opportunity to read many of the threads in this forum]
I thought we ought to check out asthma & allergies first before pressing on to find out what sort of aircrew watch was desired and also if a P or Q oxygen mask - and, if the young man or woman eventually made Wg Cdr with a PhD, how s/he would like to be addressed.
[Sad really - I've had a slack week at work and have had the opportunity to read many of the threads in this forum]
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Hi mattd c152,
If you find that the RAF frown upon this matter then try the civil route.
I know of pilots that have had asthma and its not an issue in civvi street.
The CAA at gatwick are very helpful people and maybe worth a phone call just to run it by them.
All the best
If you find that the RAF frown upon this matter then try the civil route.
I know of pilots that have had asthma and its not an issue in civvi street.
The CAA at gatwick are very helpful people and maybe worth a phone call just to run it by them.
All the best
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hi matt
I am currently serving aircrew and had a history of asthma in the family before i joined, although hadn't had any attacks. My initial medical was borderline and i scraped through, although i was economical with the full story regarding the family history.
5 years in i failed the respiratory tests, but got my med cat back after extensive testing and about 4 months of agro.
The bottom line is you will have to pass a peak flow test and achieve a FEV1 mark of 70% or more (ask your doctor about this).
Bear in mind if you tell them about your asthma they will dig deep which can cause problems. I kept quiet, but nearly lost my med cat 5 years later, so it's a double edged sword.
As far as a civvy medical was concerned, my experience was that the CAA were very hard-lined about it whereas the military were more flexible (and they still are with me as i still can't pass the test!).
Either way, good luck!
VP
I am currently serving aircrew and had a history of asthma in the family before i joined, although hadn't had any attacks. My initial medical was borderline and i scraped through, although i was economical with the full story regarding the family history.
5 years in i failed the respiratory tests, but got my med cat back after extensive testing and about 4 months of agro.
The bottom line is you will have to pass a peak flow test and achieve a FEV1 mark of 70% or more (ask your doctor about this).
Bear in mind if you tell them about your asthma they will dig deep which can cause problems. I kept quiet, but nearly lost my med cat 5 years later, so it's a double edged sword.
As far as a civvy medical was concerned, my experience was that the CAA were very hard-lined about it whereas the military were more flexible (and they still are with me as i still can't pass the test!).
Either way, good luck!
VP
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Childhood asthma is not uncommon but often dies away after puberty. The doctors refer to it as pre-pubertal asthma for this reason.
I suffered from pre-pubertal asthma, which I remember as being particularly uncomfortable and incapacitating for several years during my younger life. It did die away, however, and has not stopped me from military and civilian commercial flying as a pilot ever since. My peak flow test has never been strong but I have always declared my childhood condition and the doctors have never been particularly worried.
Post-pubertal asthma is a different matter, though, and the doctors, miltary or civil, will want to be absolutely sure that there is no chance that it may incapacitate you in flight. You will, therefore, be subjected to much more stringent questioning and medical checks to ensure that this does not happen. Even the slightest risk of an incapacitating attack in flight will jeopardize your chances of passing an aircrew medical.
Be very wary of being economical with the truth about your past. You will invariably find nowadays that you have to sign an authorization permitting the relevant doctors to check your GP's records. If they then find you have lied, they will not be sympathetic.
I suffered from pre-pubertal asthma, which I remember as being particularly uncomfortable and incapacitating for several years during my younger life. It did die away, however, and has not stopped me from military and civilian commercial flying as a pilot ever since. My peak flow test has never been strong but I have always declared my childhood condition and the doctors have never been particularly worried.
Post-pubertal asthma is a different matter, though, and the doctors, miltary or civil, will want to be absolutely sure that there is no chance that it may incapacitate you in flight. You will, therefore, be subjected to much more stringent questioning and medical checks to ensure that this does not happen. Even the slightest risk of an incapacitating attack in flight will jeopardize your chances of passing an aircrew medical.
Be very wary of being economical with the truth about your past. You will invariably find nowadays that you have to sign an authorization permitting the relevant doctors to check your GP's records. If they then find you have lied, they will not be sympathetic.
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Just try hard!
You need to do the bleep test only at OASC, you need to pass the level for your age but you will get extra board points if you do well so DO NOT STOP until you genuinely can't do anymore - an extra board point or 2 may make all the difference if you are borderline or trying to join a branch with stiff competition. There is loads on web about the OASC process, jst google it. And recruiting figures are doubling in the coming financial year
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interview help
Hello,
Can anybody help me, as I have an appointment to attend the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre at RAF Cranwell in March, because I am trying to get into the defence sixth form college at Welbeck, to become an Engineering Officer.
The problem is I’ve not had much experience at interviews and I was wondering if you had any tips to help me?
Cheers
Neil
Can anybody help me, as I have an appointment to attend the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre at RAF Cranwell in March, because I am trying to get into the defence sixth form college at Welbeck, to become an Engineering Officer.
The problem is I’ve not had much experience at interviews and I was wondering if you had any tips to help me?
Cheers
Neil
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Military Flying
Hi All,
Another Newbie
I am looking at joing the services as a Pilot if I do do not go Civil. I am however unsure as to which service I would like to fly for, as I can see both good and bad points in all of them.
I would idealy like to fly helicopters, although I know I cannot choose. However, I am 6'1" and still growing. Would this mean I could fly rotary or multi-engine only?
I am planning to go to university to study Aeronautical engineering, although I do not intend to become an engineering officer.
Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated,
Thank you very much
SH
Another Newbie
I am looking at joing the services as a Pilot if I do do not go Civil. I am however unsure as to which service I would like to fly for, as I can see both good and bad points in all of them.
I would idealy like to fly helicopters, although I know I cannot choose. However, I am 6'1" and still growing. Would this mean I could fly rotary or multi-engine only?
I am planning to go to university to study Aeronautical engineering, although I do not intend to become an engineering officer.
Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated,
Thank you very much
SH
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Sorry?
I'm not quite sure how you interpretted my post. I didn't relly want sarcasm, so that post didn't help. I have looked at all options and am unsure as to which I should join. I am enquiring as to whether people can help inform me of the benefits of the different organisations (RAF, FAA, AAC) not mock me.
Thanks
SH
Thanks
SH
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SH... The reply might sound "sarcastic". However, military pilot recruitment have the benefit of applicants who are 100% dedicated to achieving the position, and have often wanted as much as since they could walk 
Both the recruitment process, and the initial training, quickly weed out those who see it as "another job in the job market", and pick one branch of the military based on "the benefits of the ..... organisation".
Maybe life has changed since I joined, or you can pull the wool over their eyes better than most, or even motivate yourself to the degree of dedication required. However, statements such as:
It might sound harsh, but it might help you in the long run
And as an aside, life in the services has it's own characteristics, and a whinge like
I am afraid would just be replied with "if you can't take a joke, you shouldn't have joined 
"
Both the recruitment process, and the initial training, quickly weed out those who see it as "another job in the job market", and pick one branch of the military based on "the benefits of the ..... organisation".
Maybe life has changed since I joined, or you can pull the wool over their eyes better than most, or even motivate yourself to the degree of dedication required. However, statements such as:
- I have looked at all options
- am unsure as to which I should join
- I am looking at joing the services as a Pilot if I do do not go Civil
It might sound harsh, but it might help you in the long run
And as an aside, life in the services has it's own characteristics, and a whinge like
I didn't relly want sarcasm.... not mock me.
"
Does anybody " need " French for a job
Sierra Hotel - I don't think you need to worry about any of the Services as an option - as had been said before you either really really want to join for example the RAF or you don't. If you don't have that burning desire then you probably won't pass the interview.
Being a Service Pilot is a hard earned honour and not handed out to people who are looking for options!!
HF
Sierra Hotel - I don't think you need to worry about any of the Services as an option - as had been said before you either really really want to join for example the RAF or you don't. If you don't have that burning desire then you probably won't pass the interview.
Being a Service Pilot is a hard earned honour and not handed out to people who are looking for options!!
HF
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Ok, thanks guys, I understand, will take it more light heartedly in future.
I may sound unsure as to whether I am prepared to fly military, but thats not how it is. I want to fly military - flying big aircraft from A to B doesn't appeal as rewarding. I am just flexible as to which service I coud fly for, as I see each of them as having benefits.
thanks
SH
I may sound unsure as to whether I am prepared to fly military, but thats not how it is. I want to fly military - flying big aircraft from A to B doesn't appeal as rewarding. I am just flexible as to which service I coud fly for, as I see each of them as having benefits.
thanks
SH
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degree??
mate, personally i believe if you really want to be a pilot then an engineering degree isn't the way. i can see the boarding officer turning to you and saying "well we haven't selected you for pilot. however, X engineering officer is open to you" unless you really are te bee's knees! 
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I know the military aren't too fussed over Aero degrees for pilot, but prefer it to any other. Would give me a quicker promotion rate and higher seniority early on though, in the RAF anyway.
It is useful for if the RAF say no to aircrew, and I don't join at all. i knew someone intent on it, was turned down twice, so used their aero degree, and now has a great job with airbus.
It is useful for if the RAF say no to aircrew, and I don't join at all. i knew someone intent on it, was turned down twice, so used their aero degree, and now has a great job with airbus.
Red On, Green On
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i knew someone intent on it, was turned down twice, so used their aero degree, and now has a great job with airbus.
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OASC- Eye sight question
Guys,
Some advice please - if you can. My son has just gone through selection and passed app tests/interview etc for pilot, but has been failed on being 'borderline' short sighted. He was told that he doesn't need glasses but has not met the req standard for pilot - but is OK for Nav (WSO). They have offered him direct entry post his A levels.
Q. Can he get an independent test done and will it carry any weight with them?
Q. One for the medics out there maybe - Can he do anything, exercise wise, to improve his short-sightedness?
Any, useful, advice gratefully received. And yes, I've accepted that he wants to join the 2 winged master race!!
Some advice please - if you can. My son has just gone through selection and passed app tests/interview etc for pilot, but has been failed on being 'borderline' short sighted. He was told that he doesn't need glasses but has not met the req standard for pilot - but is OK for Nav (WSO). They have offered him direct entry post his A levels.
Q. Can he get an independent test done and will it carry any weight with them?
Q. One for the medics out there maybe - Can he do anything, exercise wise, to improve his short-sightedness?
Any, useful, advice gratefully received. And yes, I've accepted that he wants to join the 2 winged master race!!
Red On, Green On
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Q. Can he get an independent test done and will it carry any weight with them?
[QUOTE][Q. One for the medics out there maybe - Can he do anything, exercise wise, to improve his short-sightedness?/QUOTE]
Wear boxing gloves in bed
Seriously, I'd doubt it, but you'd be better off starting in the opticians, and/or GP and working your way along from there. My guess is that once failed he'd struggle to convince them he'd got far enough the right side of the line to stay there for enough time. Their approach may well be that it's a permanent "weakness" that can not be "cured".Has he checked his eyesight against the RN's standard? Info is here. Just think, he could still join the master-race, and be in the Senior Service at the same time. What we call a win-win situation
Red On, Green On
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As many former member of the Andrew, myself included, will attest, the RN is a top Service. Just watch the recently re-published Queen spoof on YouTube to see that the Dark Blue have loads of fun.
Royal Marines instead of Rocks and an officer training college handily placed for the surf/sun/sand in the South West are just two of the obvious benefits.
Royal Marines instead of Rocks and an officer training college handily placed for the surf/sun/sand in the South West are just two of the obvious benefits.