Fray

I never even considered such a thing! Of course. If i was successful however, is a starting date mutually agreed? and would i be able to postpone joining until i have graduated. I never considered this as i thought that would leave too much time between application and availability.

airborne_artist

Your application form will probably give you a preferred start date box to fill in (the RN one does).

Bear in mind that 6th form scholarship applicants are applying for a place up to 30 months early in the case of the RN's 2 yr scholarship, 18 months early for an RN/RAF one year award.

RAF IOT has six entries a year, IIRC.

kyle5000

Hi, I'm booked to go to Boulmer in June for a preview of FC. I'm just wondering what to expect, its for 3 days so I assume it will be quite comprehensive. But time was short when I met the squadron leader who booked me in, so I didnt get a chance to ask much about it.
Also what am I supposed to wear?

ProfessionalStudent

Kyle

Tip up in a suit but take some "smart casual" stuff with you too (ie shirts with a collar, and other trousers). The suit will set a good impression to begin with and then if you change for the subsequent days you will find it more appropriate and more comfortable whilst still being acceptable around the mess etc.

Assuming you'll be staying in the Officer's Mess, give the mess a call (get Boulmer's number and ask MOD (Mis-)Directory for the Officer's Mess reception) and find out the mess dress rules. Being an Army mess, I'd imagine you would have to wear at least a collar and trousers in and around the public rooms. When all said and done, don't fret too much about it and if in doubt ask someone. They may be FCs, but some of them will still be able to string a sentence together.

Ask lots of questions, appear interested, ask lots of questions and enjoy yourself - that way you'll get the most from it.

Shemy

Don't be such a patronising little arse. I'ts not so long since you were posting here asking bone questions.

Ninj43

On the subject of suits, I vaguely remember reading a thread recommending 3 button, single vent as the preffered option. Have I imagined this? as I can no longer find said post.

Not that I would worry too much if it isn't (clean, pressed and correctly worn being more important), but might be a good starting point if anyone needs to buy a fresh one.

Rgds

NJ

Wader2

Ninj43 Any smart suit would do. As you say the important thing is that is must be clean, pressed and correctly worn. That last can also cause problems.

White shirt hanging over trousers is 'correctly' worn by some people. However when I asked a 12 year-old nephew he confessed that it was only 'cool' and worn out when not in school.

On the interview techniques course we watched a film of one interview. The lad had on a very loud shirt, pointed collar, kipper tie etc. All he was picked up on was the button down collar was not buttoned down. It was cited as lack of attention to detail.

So, dress smartly and dress to the occasion.

Ninj43

I agree, just thinking, could even have been the IOT joining instructions (not mine!) I read it in, same para as leather soled shoes for the mess in the evening.
Rgds
NJ

05c4r

Hi, im in my last year of high school and am set to get good GCSE's, unfortunatly im not in ATC and my school has only just started running the DOE award so i dont have that either. However i will have had some hours flying by the end of the summer.

I am mature for my age and i have never taken drugs, im confident and believe that if you want something bad enough, with enough work, you can get it.

I am certain that i want to be pilot preferably in the RAF, otherwise the FAA. My question is would i have a chance of gaining a sixth form scholarship as i know that competition is extremely fierce and although i think/hope i have what it takes, would the fact that i have not been in ATC and not done a DOE award etc practically rule me out? Im asking this as i know that there are bound to be people there who have been in ATC since they were 13, have a DOE gold award, have PPL's, have been head boy/girl at high school, etc.

Although i am dedicated, mature, enjoy meeting new people and having a challenge, would my application be too weak to compete simply because there will be people who have achieved more than me

Or would you recommend not applying, joining ATC whilst im in college and doing more to boost my application for when i finish college, which will give me a better chance plus some great expieriences?

Im going to go to the local AFCO in a few weeks and have a chat there.

Do you think i have any reason not to apply? The worst that could happen is that i get turned down, right? Theres not a limit to how many times you may apply is there?

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks for reading!

ProfessionalStudent

Oscar

You have absolutely nothing to lose by applying for a 6th Form Scholarship. You may get it. You may fall short and get a Flying Scholarship (if that's the way it still works). You may be unsuccessful. In any case you will earn valuable experience of the selection process.

I failed to get a 6th Form Schol and HAD been an air cadet. I DID get a flying schol and was graded as "average" from that and so didn't get a stab at pilot when I left school. But I AM a pilot now, so it can't have done me too much harm.

Just remember that you only get 2 goes at the pilot aptitude tests. Full stop. So hone those eyes and thumbs on your playstation.

Whatever you decide, good luck.

Pontius Navigator

05c4r

There is a lot of information for 6th Form Scholarships and further opportunities. You can even ring AFCO now to get the information.

You should apply now for consideration next spring and a potential for an award in Sep 08 when you enter the Upper Sixth. The award is paid to your parents.

Then depending on whether you go to university or become a direct entrant you will receive different levels of award. In other words you are not committed at the 6th Form stage.

There is no flying scholarship as such but there are other opportunities to fly. Speak to the AFCO.

airborne_artist

Just for reference, here's what my 16 y/o daughter who is applying for an RN two year sixth form scholarship with an FAA add-on has been offered pre-AIB:

3 days at sea in HMS Albion (Liverpool -> Plymouth) - not a proper flying platform, but the Ark Royal offer clashed with exams.

Potential officer acquaint course (POAC) at RNAS Yeovilton - 4 days

Place on an SCC SNCO leadership camp at BRNC - a week in late July (despite the fact that she's in the ATC already..). Department of Naval Recruiting has about 30% of the places for 6th form scholarship applicants.

She's taking the lot, of course. For all of these she will be given return rail warrants, so there's no cost either. Make sure you badger your contact for what is available. I know some have had some really good ship visits for example.

Wannabe Flyboy

05c4r/anyone in a similar position to him... PM me, I've been in a similar position to you and just got to the other side (i.e. post selection) now. I'll give you a bit of advice from someone who's just done it if you wish.

Wannabe Flyboy

05c4r, I'm trying to reply to your PM but it won't let me... check in your forum settings that you can recieve PMs.

nickystate

My husband (RAF wg cdr) has just transferred to the RAAF and I know an RAF guy who is transferring to the RCDF and one just joining the RNZAF. It works with all branches and specializations of the military both enlisted and commissioned as a lateral transfer, don't know about direct entry. My suggestion is to contact the commonwealth country and ask the question. They need experienced operators and personnel are leaving the RAF in droves due to the downsizing and frankly unacceptable conditions across the board and joining other commonwealth armed forces. I guess they also need new recruits. Believe me, the whole package is light years ahead of the UK military and I was once one of them. Check it out!

smallfries34

Hello, I have recently been through OASC at Cranwell for selection under the branch of pilot. I was delighted to hear that i have been offered a place on IOT. However, i have also been offered a university bursary. This has left me with the hard decision of choosing between going to university to study aeronautical engineering for 4 years or beginning IOT in September therefore beginning pilot training sooner. Does anyone have any advice on which would be the better option - University or Direct entry? and what effects will either of these have on promotion?

I have also heard a rumour that the RAF is training more fast jet pilots at the moment and that there will be less fast jet places in 4 years. Is this just a rumour?

afrahams

smallfries,
Firstly, congratulations!! I have also just passed OASC, possibly the best feeling in the world. However, I'm in my final year at uni (last exam tomorrow - possibly should be revising!) and, in reference to your question, I'd say go with whatever your gut instinct is and whatever route feels best to you.
Personally, I've had an amazing time at uni. I've been on a UAS for two years and have been given such an array of different opportunities and experiences through this that I wouldn't want to have missed it for the world. As I'm sure you know, bursars have to become members of a UAS, you get the opportunity for 'free' flying, meeting people from every area of the raf, every kind of sport and expedition imageinable (we have been dog-sledding in Sweden, hiking in the Grand Canyon, skiing in France etc.). You'll also get that additional money every year.
However, I'm also doing a slightly 'mickey-mouse' course (theology), and therefore have tons of time on my hands, whereas engineers definitely don't.
As I said, in the end, weigh up both options and go with what feels best.

Melchett01

SmallFries,

This will probably sound cynical and I have no doubt that there will people on here that would have me strung up for saying this, but in any decision you make now, you need to have one eye on the future. And for that reason alone I would say go to university and then come into the Air Force.

If you go to university, you will have a bloody good time and as well as getting a qualification that will stand you in good stead in whatever you do, you will pick up life experience which will also help you out in your earlier days in the RAF. I noticed a huge difference on my IOT between some of those who had come straight in from school, whose mothers had been doing their laundry for them the day before they started IOT and those who had had to stand on their own 2 feet for a few years at university.

Also you need to consider what might happen if you aren't successful in pilot training. The RAF will always look after its own interests and there are no guarantees that you will make it through the training system in one piece, either in your branch of choice or even any other. Having a degree in your back pocket-something that is almost a necessity these days for any half decent job should soften the blow should the worst happen, and make it easier. There was an in-service degree scheme a couple of years ago for guys like yourself, designed to get people facing your dilema into the trg system and out as productive pilots earlier on, whilst still giving you the chance of getting a degree. I don't know if this is still in place, but bear in mind, you won't have time to do it during professional trg and given the current op tempo, when you do have a few spare momoments to yourself I would suggest you would be wanting to spend it with your family and friends rather than with a head in a book doing course work.

If the RAF really wants you, they will be happy for you to go off to get a degree and then do IOT - you will be a much better position, both as a person and having a safety net. In all this, remember to look after yourself your future aspirations - the RAF won't do it for you.

muppetofthenorth

Don't forget too, that with a University Bursary you'll be admitted to the UAS.

This means that you'll start flying almost straight away in a no pressure environment which will help massively when you do later begin EFT.

victor83

I am 23, and am so keen to join the RAF as an officer and to become a pilot.

I have just finished my degree in economics at Manchester metropolitan university, and earlier on today, I had a meeting with a Sqn Ldr who was on a university careers visit. I didn’t want to come across as “being a pilot is my sole intention in the RAF”, but I did make it clear that I was very interested in being one. He said, however, that because I am 23, and 24 in December, by the time my application was sorted, I would most likely be beyond the age cut off point. He also said that because I am dyslexic, I would find it hard to reach the high marks of the aptitude tests required to become a pilot. After this the pilot branch wasn’t mentioned and we talked of Fighter controller and traffic controller roles. Both of which seem interesting, but do not cater for my dream of flying.

Can anyone give me some advice as to whether I should continue with an application or not? Will they really say "sorry, to late" if I am just over 24 when they review my application and selection scores?

Although I am dyslexic, I find aptitude tests are not so hard, and my numeric skills, verbal reasoning and hand/eye co-ordination is not really affected, it just sometimes slows my reading and spelling.

Any advise would be really appreciated, as i don’t want to look back and think "Oh I should have done it anyway"

Thanks

Vic.

Secret Squire

Try it! There is nothing to be gained by just not bothering and then spending the rest of your life wishing!

Alternativlely, both the Army Air Corps and the Fleet Air Arm have much higher maximum ages.

Good luck!