OASC 'CANDIDATES' and WANNABES, PLEASE READ THIS THREAD FIRST!
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OASC height restrictions for aircrew?
Hi everyone,
This is my first post on Pprune but i've been reading your discussions on here for over a year now. The advice you give is invaluable to "wannabes" like me who have always wanted to be a pilot in the RAF, so I hoped you guys could help me with a slight dilemma.
Last year I went to OASC and was succesful in gaining a Sixth Form Scholarship for the branch of pilot. However, I was told that I had only just managed to pass the medical as my buttock to knee measurement was only just within the boundaries (by 5mm!)
I have to return to Cranwell next month to complete the full selection process. Therefore, my question is this: If I have exceeded the height limit - even only by 1 or 2mm - does this mean I would fail the medical? If I perform well in other areas (e.g. the interview/aptitude etc) would the RAF take this into consideration? Or are these restrictions finite?
Any advice will be much appreciated,
Dan
This is my first post on Pprune but i've been reading your discussions on here for over a year now. The advice you give is invaluable to "wannabes" like me who have always wanted to be a pilot in the RAF, so I hoped you guys could help me with a slight dilemma.
Last year I went to OASC and was succesful in gaining a Sixth Form Scholarship for the branch of pilot. However, I was told that I had only just managed to pass the medical as my buttock to knee measurement was only just within the boundaries (by 5mm!)
I have to return to Cranwell next month to complete the full selection process. Therefore, my question is this: If I have exceeded the height limit - even only by 1 or 2mm - does this mean I would fail the medical? If I perform well in other areas (e.g. the interview/aptitude etc) would the RAF take this into consideration? Or are these restrictions finite?
Any advice will be much appreciated,
Dan
Dan
I had exactly same thing when I went through - meant I couldn't fit in a buccaneer!
If you are within the limit, then you are in, that's why they have the limits. But if they insist on re-measuring you, just make sure you really force yourself back into the seat to make sure the appropriate length is at its minimum - ooh err...
2P
I had exactly same thing when I went through - meant I couldn't fit in a buccaneer!
If you are within the limit, then you are in, that's why they have the limits. But if they insist on re-measuring you, just make sure you really force yourself back into the seat to make sure the appropriate length is at its minimum - ooh err...
2P
You could ask to be winched out of the aircraft to check measurements. For instance buttock-knee may be the limiting factor on the Harrier while functional reach is defined by a particularly hard to reach switch on the Jag etc etc, they don't just invent random limits. If a winch-out proves you fit the real aircraft then you are good to go.
Not sure how easy this will be to arrange as an OASC applicant but it has been done for serving aircrew swapping types for service reasons.
In any event I wouldn't worry too much. 5mm is plenty spare, it's almost half a centimetre
Not sure how easy this will be to arrange as an OASC applicant but it has been done for serving aircrew swapping types for service reasons.
In any event I wouldn't worry too much. 5mm is plenty spare, it's almost half a centimetre
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Hello, just a quick question I need answering if you guys would be so kind. I have my filter interview coming up very shortly and just need clarification as to how many serving RAF personnel I will be interviewed by, is it just the one or is there a board?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Does it matter?
At OASC a board is 2. There are many more AFCO than OASC boards. It would not be more at a filter interview.
At OASC a board is 2. There are many more AFCO than OASC boards. It would not be more at a filter interview.
Red On, Green On
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Adski - I'd be very surprised if any interview at the AFCO involved more than one interviewer. That's the way the RN do it, and I doubt the RAF has people to spare.
Red On, Green On
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FWIW the RN now don't call it a filter interview. So long as you have the min educational reqs. for the branch they have to let you attend AIB. The initial interview is an info gathering exercise only, and the officer completes a report which is forwarded to AIB.
The report is purely factual, and the interviewer is not asked or allowed to put any subjective info or personal views on the applicant.
The report is purely factual, and the interviewer is not asked or allowed to put any subjective info or personal views on the applicant.
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Pontius Navigator - Yes it does matter to me, I just want to be as prepared as possible. Fail to prepare, preapare to fail.
Airbourne artist/TonkaEngo - Thankyou very much for your replies, they are very much appreciated.
Airbourne artist/TonkaEngo - Thankyou very much for your replies, they are very much appreciated.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Mike, indeed they do. Just the system takes no notice 
You will be posted to the aircraft type for which you show most aptitude or the type where there is the greatest requirement.
You will be posted to the aircraft type for which you show most aptitude or the type where there is the greatest requirement.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
No, a ppl counts for zilch.
They test your aptitude by teaching you to fly. You may be 'so good' during EFT that they re-stream you to WSO(N) or even Flt Ops.
If you are a natural, have loads of spare capacity, and able to assimlate training quickly you might go straight to Harrier or Typhoon. If your flying is methodical, uninspiring but safe then you may find yourself assigned to something more agricultural. I won't suggest what as it might offend.
However an Argosy was likened to a wheel barrow. Go figure.
They test your aptitude by teaching you to fly. You may be 'so good' during EFT that they re-stream you to WSO(N) or even Flt Ops.
If you are a natural, have loads of spare capacity, and able to assimlate training quickly you might go straight to Harrier or Typhoon. If your flying is methodical, uninspiring but safe then you may find yourself assigned to something more agricultural. I won't suggest what as it might offend.
However an Argosy was likened to a wheel barrow. Go figure.
Red On, Green On
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OASC 'CANDIDATES' and WANNABES, PLEASE READ THIS THREAD FIRST!
I suppose having a PPL (A) would pretty much rule out being posted on a heli?!
I had 40 hours when I joined, and I can honestly say it was a waste of money.
Just as well it was the RAF who gave me that flying scholarship
Red On, Green On
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Ungrateful ***
You can't say you didn't enjoy it though.
You can't say you didn't enjoy it though.
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I just came across this article on pilot training while searching on google:
http://education.independent.co.uk/c...icle330383.ece
"Although RAF pilots are strictly graduates only..."
What? since when!?
Got me thinking though, what is the ratio of RAF pilots who went to uni, compared with those who didn't?
http://education.independent.co.uk/c...icle330383.ece
"Although RAF pilots are strictly graduates only..."
What? since when!?
Got me thinking though, what is the ratio of RAF pilots who went to uni, compared with those who didn't?
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Non Commissioned Aircrew
Hi Guys,
Was looking for a bit of advice. I last went through OASC in Jan 2004 for WSOp but was unsuccessful and told to re-apply the following year, I didn't and joined the Civvie Police, where I've been since. The problem is that I've still kept an interest in life in the RAF and am in a bit of a quandry with what to do with myself. The thought of joining as 'rearcrew' is something that I can't shake. I wouldn't want to go through life thinking 'what-if'
I get the distinct feeling from the threads that the job isn't what it used to be, and in the same way the Police is, there is too much red-tape and internal politics
up against everyone. If I decide to pack up and re-apply, what can I reasonably expect to happen?
I'm in no doubt the reality of overseas operations and the possiblity of being involved in a conflict. Should I pack up my life, house and fiancee' and go for it? Or is it a young/single man/womans game?
Just for your info, i'm 26 live in the North Of Scotland and was in the UAS at uni ( albeit that was 5 years ago and probably have forgotten which hand to salute with)!
I would appreciate any advice going.
Thanks
TF
Was looking for a bit of advice. I last went through OASC in Jan 2004 for WSOp but was unsuccessful and told to re-apply the following year, I didn't and joined the Civvie Police, where I've been since. The problem is that I've still kept an interest in life in the RAF and am in a bit of a quandry with what to do with myself. The thought of joining as 'rearcrew' is something that I can't shake. I wouldn't want to go through life thinking 'what-if'
I get the distinct feeling from the threads that the job isn't what it used to be, and in the same way the Police is, there is too much red-tape and internal politics
up against everyone. If I decide to pack up and re-apply, what can I reasonably expect to happen? I'm in no doubt the reality of overseas operations and the possiblity of being involved in a conflict. Should I pack up my life, house and fiancee' and go for it? Or is it a young/single man/womans game?
Just for your info, i'm 26 live in the North Of Scotland and was in the UAS at uni ( albeit that was 5 years ago and probably have forgotten which hand to salute with)!
I would appreciate any advice going.
Thanks
TF
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I am not sure of the numbers but you can get a feel by looking at the commissioning graduation lists published in the Daily Telegraph Court and Social. It lists graduates by rank, branch, and degrees.
A significant number of pilot graduates have BEng. A significant number dstined for the Admin Sec have LLB. There is a not insignificant number of acting pilot officer graduates too. I would hazard a guess at 60-40.
The non graduate (ie school leaver) brings youth and ability whereas the unversity graduate brings experience. The youth is often more malleable than the graduate.
If you can impress at OASC, improve during IOT and absorb what is taught at FTS you will have no problems.
A significant number of pilot graduates have BEng. A significant number dstined for the Admin Sec have LLB. There is a not insignificant number of acting pilot officer graduates too. I would hazard a guess at 60-40.
The non graduate (ie school leaver) brings youth and ability whereas the unversity graduate brings experience. The youth is often more malleable than the graduate.
If you can impress at OASC, improve during IOT and absorb what is taught at FTS you will have no problems.
Red On, Green On
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The RAF went all-graduate crazy in the 80s, ISTR.
The RN had also been quite keen - all those skills learned late at night writing essays would make excellent staff officer material.
The Falklands had an interesting impact though. Quite a few of the bright, sociable, well-educated younger officers went to pieces in the battle, while the slightly dull, ordinary guys stuck to the task, carried on, and showed what they were made of. A number of careers slowed to a halt post 1982.
The RN had also been quite keen - all those skills learned late at night writing essays would make excellent staff officer material.
The Falklands had an interesting impact though. Quite a few of the bright, sociable, well-educated younger officers went to pieces in the battle, while the slightly dull, ordinary guys stuck to the task, carried on, and showed what they were made of. A number of careers slowed to a halt post 1982.