Lou DeCrosse

Flick - that is diabolical. Psychologists do not understand pilots (completely) - the worrying thing is they THINK they do. If they have never actually been there, then their understanding is 'text book'. You just 'know' if the stude 'has it' - it's not (IMHO) that objective, it's instinct, it's experience, it's subjective.

I understand the need for 'systems operators' as Typhoon is easy to pole, but it is still about good old SA and having a grip.

Ooooh, nurse - SCREENS!!!!!

Flik Roll

Tell me about it...........

Lou DeCrosse

Flick, yes, in fact I would upgrade this to 'MATRON!' screens.

I think the selection process is bolleau (by and large) - it has become too touchy-feely, HF, computer geeky any specialist who wants a bit. Even when I did it it was (IMO) hatstand.

Lou

Guth

Hi Guys, i left school early in January before my higher exams to be a marine engineer but i am not enjoyin it and wish i persued my dream to be an RAF pilot.

I dont have the best of grades
Computing - A
Maths - B
Phy. Ed.- 3
English - 4
Graphic. Comms. 4
Chemistry - 5

despite my rubbish grades i was told that i could easily have top marks in all my subjects and i know i could have but i never applied myself in school.

I've applied to do evening courses in Higher Maths and English, if i pass them would i be taken into consideration for being a pilot.

my grades are rubbish but i can pass all the aptitude tests etc. i have tried, wish i had tried in school.

is there any hope for me?

i just turned 17

Mr C Hinecap

Sort out your academics. That is the first step to applying to be an RAF Pilot - or anything else for that matter. Do some re-sits if you have to, but get them squared away. Being 17 means you have time to sort them and prove you have the ability to get better grades.

Pontius Navigator

Guth, the short answer, on your plans, is no chance. Ignore the aptitude requirements. You must first get the mandatory GCSE-A-Levels. If you got good grades in Higher Maths and English this would give you just 3 GCSE is Maths and Higher Maths counted for one, or 4 if they count separately - you might have to argue that point.

This still leaves you wit one or two GCSE to get. Your hand here is weak as you need to convert that Chemistry 5 to a C and one other. I don't know how and upgrade to the Phys Ed 3 or Graphic Comms 4 would sit.

Then you need 2 more passes at A-Level.

However you still have time and youth on your side.

You need to start over, possibly get the 3 GCSE and 2 A-level in the next 2 years and you will be set at age 19. At the same time you will need to follow all the other advice on this thread to make yourself stand out from the crowd - join and run an organisation, get a job, get in a sports team etc.

Finally work up a really good story to explain what went wrong to start with

I won't wish you good luck. Good luck will have nothing to do with your success. WORK HARD.

Guth

Pontius Navigator, Thank you for your reply.

I just really wish i had tried in school, I have a job working 9-5 as a Marine Engineer so the only time i could learn is at nights unless i quit of course, i'm just now sure how i can get 2 highers and 3 gsce's in the 2 years as i have left school, il have to find out if i can do them at college, i really hope i can!

Im not too sure about sports teams, im not good at much sports although i do go to the gym every second night i just cant play football and the likes!

I play in a pipe band which may also help, il have to phone the local careers office and see what my options are, think i should have though of this before i left school.

dave_perry

Yeh thats the best idea...AFCO will know exactly what you need and help you all the way. Doesn't matter too much about sport. They look for your personality more than anything to make sure your an all rounded person.
All the best though mate, in whatever you do

Pontius Navigator

Guth, I agree with Dave about sport, to a point.

Playing sport is one way of demonstrating and achieving fitness. As important is it shows your abilities to work as a team player. Playing in a band however will, to some extent, help with fitness and demonstrate team work.

On your gym work, could you organise something like a squash or badminton ladder?

If you can take on some administrative role within the band too then that is all grist to your CV.

I said 2 years as that would have you entering with more maturity than a school leaver but under the age of direct comparison with university graduates.

If that is too fast, remember you have until age 24 on entry.

StevenAFC

Hi All,

I've been considering a career in the RAF, and whilst researching I came across this site.

Ive just finished university completing my degree in law, and have spent the last few months working whilst trying to find a career that I feel really fits me.

Being born in the same year as Top Gun, its always been a dream of mine to be a pilot, but Ive always considered it in the same light as becoming a professional footballer or an F1 race driver, more of a pipe dream than an achievable profession. I am passionate about planes, love going to air shows, love engineering, and like most guys anything fast.

I guess what I am trying to ask is what chances do I have, Im mainly concerned with the fact that I did a degree in law, and not in something like physics. I've looked on the RAF site and they dont specify any degree type, im also surprised to see that they urgently need pilots, Im wondering what are my chances? Is this my calling ?

Wigan Warrior

I get the impression your eyesight may not be up to the required standard for a Pilot.

dagowly

LMAO!!!!


Though back to topic - i've got a degree in Music Technology and i'm starting IOT next month to become an Air Traffic Controller. It doesn't need to be relative. But you need to be passionate about the RAF and want to be an officer first, otherwise they have a tendency to pick that up in the Interview at OASC.
Steve

StevenAFC

Ah right sorry guys ill give it a read!

Laarbruch72

You won't be the only one that's surprised by that!

Seriously, applications for pilot in the RAF are massively oversubscribed, by thousands in fact. Those few that make it through are the most dedicated, the most determined, and the most outstanding applicants. It's not something you can just have a crack at because you like aircraft.

Have a read through the sticky entitled "Joining the RAF / OASC" at the top of the forum page, you'll probably find that all your questions will have been answered before.

Slightly off topic: (Quoting dagowly)

Alexluis

Hey guys...
I´m a bit confused about one case!
I know I´ll need GSCE´s and A levels to apply as an RAF pilots.
Although, my first interview will be next year (when I´m 16), will I just need the GCSE´s or "equivelent" for the 1º interview, or both (GCSE´s ans A levels) ?

Thanks
Alex

Pontius Navigator

A fair number of Admin officers are LLB.

While you may apply for Pilot if you are interested in the RAF as a whole then consider applying for admin too.

dagowly

unfair, i'd just got up!! lol 'passionate' my bad.

dave_perry

If your interview is next year, then I assume you applying for you sixth form scholarship. In this case, you will go to OASC and have a full application process to see if you are fit for pilot. From there if successful, you will be sponsored through your second year of sixth form (therefore stil doing you A Levels). Immediately after you exams in year thirteen you will take the PJFT and commence IOT.

BluntM8

Steve,

My brother and my other half are just ending their Training Contracts with "Golden Circle" law firms in London and Birmingham respectively. His mate who is a year ahead got a £60k bonus this year. He is on £36k at the moment, so is she.

Sometimes I wonder if I should have done Law rather than fly! Are you sure you wouldn't want that much money? Have a look at the RAF pay scales and consider it! www.rafcom.co.uk

Seriously though, it's an amazing job and I love it! Wouldn't swap it for the money.

Well, maybe a little bit.

Blunty

Oh, and read the sticky first next time!

kiwi chick

Guth

If you want it bad enough, you'll find a way to sort it.

I too, got average marks, but knew I "could do better if I applied myself" so... I studied at night time to repeat the subjects I needed for the RNZAF.

It's amazing what a little motivation can do to one's grades...

Good luck, but remember, there ARE other avenues and not everyone is designed to fly really cool fast jets

Kiwi Chick