dan_

Hello all, I am new to this site and have been reading various threads. I am interested in becoming a pilot in the RAF and have been for many years.
I am fairly confident that I could gain a good understanding in current affairs and I also feel I could handle the interviews, however, I am concerned about the aptitude tests - in particular maths. I feel confident doing maths calculations on paper, however, my mental maths is fairly poor - is this a major aspect in the aptitude tests for pilot?

Would appreciate any advice.

SaddamsLoveChild

Mike Jenvey - no never have and never will be Flt Cdr at sleaford, praise be to God ,

Allan 907 - top answer mate, you have renewed my faith .

Yeargh

Hey, back again!

I am just pondering about what service I should go for. Obviously piloting is my goal, but the only military experience I have is the Officer Training Corps which is army - the AAC seems the obvious choice. Considering the invariably competitive nature of gaining a commission in any service as a pilot, what service would you guys recommend, especially considering my less than suitable acadmic record - moderate achievements at A level and studying a BA degree (should have 2:1 or a 1 by the end)? I feel that I have potential to be a great officer and pilot in the forces, but a realistic look at my academics makes me question which route to attempt. I would love fast jet, but I feel that a career in the AAC is slightly more attainable.

Is there any stories of pilots from the AAC joining the RAF and switching to fast jet? I know i sounds far fetched, but I thought it was worth asking.

Also I was considering studying an Open university course in a more pilot friendly course (maths, engineering or physics), do you think it would be worthwhile doing this while still at university?

Thanks

Pontius Navigator

Yeargh, No.

The OU is not an easy option. Just get your BA Distinction. That will speak for itself.

thenaughtyaviator

Yeargh - if you are looking for the "attainable" option, or have any real desire to go fast jet, you must first look at the RAF, then the RN/RM and finally AAC. The AAC is notoriously difficult to get in, as a large number of students during initial training at the RMAS will put it down as one of their two choices - and remember, you have NO GUARANTEES of getting AAC even if you do manage to get into the RMAS. The RN is slightly easier when it comes to aptitude and medical requirements, however, their current FJ requirement is low (around 25%). Meanwhile, the RAF maintains a good number of FJ slots (currently somewhere around 35%) and if you do unfortunately fail pilot training you can rebranch as a WSO(N) - not an option in the Army. Also, no pilots will ever swap streams between branches of the service, its a rare event that people swap streams in the RAF - poor streaming decisions and injury being thankfully rare occurences. Finally, a BA will stand you in fine stead for a career in the armed forces, after all, its qualities, not qualifications.

antonr

Hi all,

I read that once you are in RAF service yo can apply for pilot commission up to the age of 26. Anyone have any more information on this, as I don't have any A-Levels so I am joining non-commisioned then studying in my spare time so I might be past the 23 max age for pilot by the time I have the right qualifications.

bad livin'

Naughtyaviator - you're doing this guy a disservice by stating that re-branch to nav/WSO(n) is in any way a sure thing on chop from GD(P). 5 of us were chopped around the same time - 1 got a rebranch and is now an F3 back seat (a triumph which he celebrated in the Linton bar in front of the rest of us with sickening smugness), the rest of us were slapped around the chops and kicked out the door. I was lucky and went on to serve proudly in dark blue and one of the others went the NCA route.
I'm not bitter (anymore)...it was a looong time ago...but there are no guarantees.

**EDIT**

Just realised, Naughtyaviator, that it's highly likely you've absolutely no first hand knowledge on which to base your advice. Base your comments on what you know...which in your case is likely to be very little indeed.

thenaughtyaviator

Bad Livin' - Appreciate the fact that not all people who get chopped will get rear seat, and with the fact theat PCs are no longer on offer for WSO it's probably less likely, however it's still a possibility if another cockpit isn't on offer, however, anything past IHT at Linton (I'm not au fait with RW/ME streams,apologies) is normally just that.

And I appreciate the somewhat needless personnel comment about my first hand knowledge, you're probably correct, I haven't been around the block a great deal. But I'm in the current flying training system, so I'd say I'm pretty well placed to assess it - and just for your own reference, its not a GD(P) commission, its FLY(P).

Pontius Navigator

Naughty, just a little inject on your chances of getting GD/N or whatever

The recruitment target for WSO(N) is one sixth of that for Pilot. They recruit to fill the slots; they do not rely on pilot failures. If their chop rate is standard then it follows there will be very few back fill slots available.

Seldomfitforpurpose

"Having seved in both services RN/RAF, I can clearly say that RN is the way forwerd. Chat to me over a pint and you will know it makes sense. Expeditionary warfare - way forward.

RAF - Formed soley to defend the UK....enough said."

Just checked me watch and your about 28 days early, I mean this must be an April Fools jape...................surely

thenaughtyaviator

Absolutely agreed, as far as I understand there are no more WSO(N) left on RW fleet, which is why the rest of the air force is teeming with them in admin slots, but at the same time - I haven't been chopped yet.

Gainesy

Nah, Senior Service having a Senior Moment.

TheWizard

If your spooling and grammer is an example of the standard you are recruiting in the FAA then crack on, we don't need them!
ACLO = Air Cadet Liaison Officer (ie RAF)
If you are indeed in the Navy, then you should realise that you need bigger bait on your hook these days to catch anything.
See that was easy wasn't it?

talk_shy_tall_knight

What is downselecting?

Irish Tempest

filtering by another name

Seldomfitforpurpose

And there was me thinking it was one of two possible selections whilst in an elevator

charliegolf

Wiz,

Is 'grammar' sometimes used instead of 'grammer'?

CG

PPRuNe Pop

It does say in the title of the OASC thread, that it includes various discussions - that is why it was merged. As this one will be.

You will find that the responses will be easy to see.

TheWizard

It is when trying to make a point!!

antonr

Hi all,

I read that once you are in RAF service yo can apply for pilot commission up to the age of 26. Anyone have any more information on this, as I don't have any A-Levels so I am joining non-commisioned then studying in my spare time so I might be past the 23 max age for pilot by the time I have the right qualifications.