simonpo

Howard Hughes - I first went to my AFCO in early November, had my P2 presentation on 14th of December, had my filter in mid Jan and found out my OASC date on 15th of Feb. I didn't know a thing the first time I showed up at the AFCO, so you have plenty of time to revise if you pay them a visit soon. I've now got a place on IOT 10 in November, so the whole thing took about a year.

Pontius Navigator

ALM in Waiting,

Yes shake hands but please, firm and dry, not brutal, wet, or limp fish.

Howard Hughes,

24 on first day of training. Less than 23-6 at AFCO no worries, much over that and all the dates need to jell. Don't worry about Simpo's time scale. If needs must.

My daughter presented at AFCO in October, OASC in April, IOT in, I think, July. She was not going aircrew. Some many years before I presented at OASC in June and initial training in October.

ALM In Waiting

Thanks PN. Forgot to ask, handshake for both Officers or just the senior one?

mike172

Hi,

I've just finished college with the equivalent of 3 A levels at grade C.

I want to apply as a pilot and I am currently doing my PPL. I've logged about 34 hours so I should be done in a few months.

I havn't done Air Cadets or the D of E Award and was wondering if I should do the D of E Award now I have more time on my hands.
What would the RAF think of me taking a year out to partake in something like this?

I know some of the things you can do as part of the Award include leadership and military history, which I think would make me more desirable to the RAF. I've also wanted to skydive for years and the Award seems like a good excuse to finally do it.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Cheers

Pontius Navigator

Both. Follow their lead.

Pontius Navigator

I think they might like to see you sooner rather than later. However you can use your plan as a ploy.

Enroll for DOE, enroll for Sky Diving, start whatever you like.

Be prepared to explain why you have only just started. What you hope to achieve by it etc. It is all good CV/Interview stuff. Once in you can carry on or not as the case may be. If you do not get in first time then enjoy what you started and it will still be in your CV, but with more credits, the following year.

mike172

Ok, thanks a lot PN, that sounds like a good idea.

ProfessionalStudent

Mike

As PN has alluded to, enrol on your activities and apply now. As long as you can justify your actions, all will be rosy. If you fail to get in this time round, nothing lost and you can re-apply. Take a year out and get turned down, you've wasted a year. And how keen can you be if you delay your application a year to skydive and walk around Dartmoor? Just playing Devil's Advocate.

And well done on your results.

mike172

Thanks PS, the results aren't amazing, but they'll do!

Your point makes a lot of sense too, so thanks.

serf

and get fit............are you prepared to do your fitness test twice a year?

Fray

This question has been buzzing about in my head for while now.

What is it after DEFTS that determines what stream a pilot goes down? Is it simply a case of, if you're fantastic at flying planes then you go on to further training towards FJ and if you aren't too good, they suppose you would be best as a helicopter pilot?

I'd have thought that both require different skills which people may posess or could attain and it isn't this simple!

I'd appreciate if anyone could shed some light on the process from actual experience.

Thanks in advance.

Fray

WizzopWannabe

well, i'm starting ncaitc on sunday, (8th july) so i just wanted to say a big thanks to everyone, i've sat for hours reading all kinds of threads on here and i have really found it helpful. so i'm a jt for one more day and then i'm aircrew cadet. sounds far too much like air cadet, as everyone has already pointed out! once again thanks to all and any last minute tips would still be greatly appreciated!

Sinjmajeep

Good luck to you. Keep your head down. Keep a sense of humour. See you when you do your station visits.

Pontius Navigator

You have really answered your own question. The other major factor is demand led.

If we needed 10 RW and 10 FJ and we had 15 pilots capable or FJ and 5 for RW what would you do?

Fray

So you are saying that regardless of if a pilot would be best suited to helicopters they would put him on Fj or twin-prop if that quota needs filling. Implying that it is not specific to the performance of the trainee pilots?

MWarby

Hi all.

Just wondered if anyone can advise what the medical requirements are that arent mentioned on the RAF careers website? it gives some details but says there are other conditions which may cause exemption from being taken on. Anyone have the guideline notes?

Only wondering because my old GP basically accused me of being depressed the other year because i went back a few times with a recurrent hearing problem. I declined any prozac or treatment and it turned out i was right, i was deaf due to excess earwax!

Just wondering what they will ask from my existing GP.

Cheers

Mark

coolblackcat

Hello; it's Matt again .

Well! I've finished my lower A levels (and proudly have 80%). But no time for celebration; I've got to choose 6 Universities before september. I'm also looking at all 14 UAS (University Air Squadrons) around britain.

Now, hopefully UAS will cover the qualifications I didn't achieve due to Spain's lack of ATC or scouts, so I'm eager to join one.

I've realized how difficult it is to get in a UAS (more difficult then I expected, at least); they don't want to spend money on someone that won't get in the RAF.

Compared to the RAF entry requirements; How hard is it to get in the UAS?
Does anyone know what porcentage of people that apply DO get in?

Thanks a lot (for answering the questions that an AFCO could answer, because I live in Spain)!!
Matt D. Lewis

5 Forward 6 Back

Those are some pretty arbitrary questions, Matt. I'm sure people who have been through the new-style UAS system can give you some advice on how to get in, but does it really matter "how hard" it is to get a space or how many make it?

All you need is one space, so apply and do your best. Are you likely to change your preparation if we say 10% or 90% make it?

coolblackcat

No, you're right, you're completely right.
I should of thought properly about this before posting it

Anyone here in or have been in UAS?

PPRuNeUser0211

Doesn't matter how many people apply for how many slots so long as you're the best one there!