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OASC 'CANDIDATES' and WANNABES, PLEASE READ THIS THREAD FIRST!

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OASC 'CANDIDATES' and WANNABES, PLEASE READ THIS THREAD FIRST!

Old 6th Oct 2005, 15:35
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Get yourself a Mensa 'challenge your IQ' book (available from all good book shops). They have pages upon pages of puzzles - visulaisation, alpha numeric, mental reasoning etc. Its a good way of getting your brain used to the type of questions the aptitude tests throw at you.
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Old 6th Oct 2005, 15:39
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OASC

Essentially it's the format same, some minor re-arrangements of procedures/timings etc.

There's now an Individual planning exercise, quite similar to the RCB planex (there's a practice one on the RCB website which infact used the same map!!), but it's no harder than the group exercise.

Really, speaking from experience(s), apart from reading (The Week, one a week stragely enough, The Econmist and flicking through the Torygraph website on a daily basis for the world headlines and opinion) there's only so much you can do. To a large extent you'v either got it or you havn't.
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Old 10th Oct 2005, 18:46
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Aptitude Tests

I found out after I'd already passed the aptitude tests that there is a near identical copy of one of the main pilot tests at the RAF Museum at Hendon. It is in the kids' section and involves keeping a hot air balloon in the centre of a screen by using rudder pedals and a joystick which moves in pitch and roll but only affects the balloon in pitch. A bit of practice on this, and it will almost certainly help. With not many slots this year or next, you're probably gonna need it. Even better, the museum is free and worth a visit anyway.

TeBoi

ps The real test does not involve a hot air balloon but the controls and principle are absolutely identical!
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Old 10th Oct 2005, 19:16
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Qualifications - pah!

LL,

Talking of thousands of qualifications, you've reminded me of the fact that you don't need 3.3 gazillion A* grades to be a jockey in the RAF.

The requirement for serving personnel is only 5 GCSEs, including Maths, English and Physics based science. This is reduced according to rank and time served down as low as just the basic 3 above. Also, the age limit is 26 on entering training for ground trades and 31 on application for NCO Aircrew.

I personally think NCO Aircrew is a good thing for people to consider at the moment if they are unsuccessful for pilot as it gets them airborne, in a job which gives them lots of scope to cross over in the future. No offence to anyone, but there are no real opportunities to cross over if someone comes in as a WSO or ground branch (bar the odd scheme when we're really short) but this is positively encouraged in NCA.

Anyone reading this thinking of applying at present may find this useful advice if they find they're losing out because of the current dearth of places and extremely competitive nature of selection at present.

TB
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Old 22nd Oct 2005, 09:54
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OASC sunday........Pilot & NCO Aircrew

Hi,

I have been reading the OASC posts on the forum for some time now and have decided to stick a post up to get some feedback before I go there on Sunday.

I applied for DE straight after 6th form and was told basically that I needed to get some life experience and build some confidence. I passed the Aptitude tests back then with 118 so I will be re-sitting them this time. My dilemma is this......

I am 21 now I have been to uni and I have applied for Pilot, WSO and WSOp. Due to the decrease in pilot recruitment I have a feeling that if I do well at OASC they might offer me WSOp. So.....if that was to happen, do I accept it and hope that I can crossover before I get to 30 or do I turn it down and apply for pilot again next year (which will be the last time I can apply to be in before the age limit.) ??

I have always wanted to be a pilot and although I have no doubt that WSOp is a great job, I am not 100% sure I would be happy sat in the back of a nimrod for years! But I don't know how they will look at it from a selection point of view if I was to turn it down!

Who knows if I wake up as a blonde with big tits on Monday morning I might stand a chance of pilot!

Thanks in advance for any advice or comments.

Rich.
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Old 22nd Oct 2005, 10:14
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As you said yourself, if you get offered WSOp that gives you 9 years to try for pilot. AFAIK WSOp is now the generic for all NCA (Non Commisioned Aircrew, not called NCO Aircrew anymore.) Good luck next week.
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Old 22nd Oct 2005, 10:48
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I think you will find that this will be the last time they let you have a go as pilot as you are only allowed to sit the pilot aptitude tests twice.
Just don't be in a hurry to say no to anything they may offer. Go home, sleep on it, and do some research before you decide it is not for... then say no.
Best of luck!
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Old 22nd Oct 2005, 13:20
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^ ^ Not so, once you have pass the aptitude, you have passed!
And 112 is the pass, so 118 is a low pass but still a pass.
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Old 22nd Oct 2005, 13:23
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Word of warning

9 years to apply for pilot may not be true

As well as all the training which will take a while, you may have to pay back (with productive service) your training costs, this could be anywhere between 3-6 years. It can be wavered, but if they are short of wsops and long on pilots, well !!

Hope this helps

R1a
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Old 22nd Oct 2005, 13:34
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Might not be relevant in today's aircrew recruiting climate, but when I did OASC in 1989 I applied for pilot only. Didn't want to end up flying 'in the boot', so told the board I had no interest in being a nav. Bit of a gamble, but it worked out and was given a place at Cranditz for pilot (direct entry BTW).

Factors which tipped the balance may have included being a bit older (21), having done some mil-sponsored assessed flying (30hr RAF flying scholarship) and the numbers going through flying training being slightly higher than at the moment....

Good luck anyway! Be yourself, speak-up and chill out.

ST
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Old 22nd Oct 2005, 22:02
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They may ask why you applied for WSOp as well as the Officer branches. They like to think as it as Officer first then branch second. Be prepared to answer questions on why you considered not being an officer as WSOp.
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Old 22nd Oct 2005, 23:04
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True, you can only have two pops at the aptitude, but once you have passed, you can keep going back until the cows come home and they'll take your highest score from the first two attempts each and every time.

Have a little inside knowledge as to a good aptitude score, and without trying to dishearten you, 140 is what you need to aim for this year to be competetive.

Like yourself, I went for pilot aged 18 and was offered AEOp (forerunner to WSOp) and took it. I certainly haven't looked back and have had an absolute blast. Time to move on though, and this year sees my 5th attendace of OASC for pilot application (think they're trying to tell me something).

Whatever you are offered, take it. No need to cut your nose off to spite your face as my mother once told me. Sitting in the back of the mighty hunter is not as bad as some people make out.

Always on the end of my PM's if you need any more advice.

Good luck.
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Old 23rd Oct 2005, 10:08
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Guys,

I've an OASC report that I'd like a comment/advice on it if possible. I've been trying to deal with the AFCO but they're as helpful as a chav assisting old grannies crossing the road!!!

Any takers who might be able to help??

Cheers all

BC
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Old 24th Oct 2005, 07:57
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I would worry about your aptitude scores. Aptitude scores count for a lot - they are a very good indication of your ability to earn your wings and progress well hence OASC takes them heavily into account.

118, even though a technical pass is not really that competitive, considering todays climate of fewer slots.
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Old 24th Oct 2005, 11:44
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Big Cheese,

The report should be fairly self explanitary (the important bits that is!)

PM me if you like and I'll give you my twopence.

kipper.

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Old 24th Oct 2005, 14:36
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Who knows if I wake up as a blonde with big tits on Monday morning I might stand a chance of pilot!
I have an inkling that ladies such as myself have to work just as hard as you boys at OASC. Just an inkling mind...

due to the decrease in pilot recruitment I have a feeling that if I do well at OASC they might offer me WSOp. So.....if that was to happen, do I accept it...
Well, it depends what appeals to you first about becoming a pilot. Is it the flying or being an Officer? Either as a WSOp or Pilot you\'ll be flying 2 or 3 hours a day. What do you want to be doing for the other 22/21 hours a day?

Personally I wouldn\'t join up as a WSOp for the chance to be a pilot, I would join as a WSOp if that was the job I wanted to do and something I was very interested in.

Perhaps get youself sorted with a base visit where you can look at both of these branches in depth and talk to those who do the job. I found them quite invaluable and hope to go to Leuchars sometime soon to see a working F3 squadron.
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Old 25th Oct 2005, 06:46
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Anyone who goes for Wsop that is not particuarly interested in doing so and treats it as a 'back door' entry (easy!) for other opportunities may be surprised to spend at least 3 years (payback of training) being fairly miserable, especially if you go down the maritime route... You actually have to do sh*t loads of work to gain and retain your cat at first...lots of, unless it's your thing, quite boring number retention and BSD regurgitation..

Been away from the 'office' for a while but last time I heard (and this is not set in stone but from a source I trust) we were 3 overborne at the cold place with a small to medium queue forming at the door..Can't comment on the other parts of the Wsop world but when has rotary ever been up on numbers?... So chances are they may well offer you that option.

Really think hard on how important it is to you to just get airborne...You have probably researched officer flying positions to the N'th degree...if you are wavering on what to do take a couple of weeks to check out where you could end up as a Wsop...look before you leap
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Old 25th Oct 2005, 22:46
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I do admit then when I first started looking into the RAF a few years ago I heard stories that becoming a WSOp was an easy way to Pilot, and they were tempting. Thankfully with the help of others I have looked in depth at the different branches and the roles within them, and been sufficently re-educated! Flying is immensly important to me, but something I would sacrifice in order to become an Officer.

It is frustrating though, for example, when you chat to other candidates who only want to use the RAF as a platform to commercial flying. You just think 'I'm busting a gut trying to get this as a whole career and you'd rather be at BA?'

Not that I've had that experience recently or anything....
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Old 27th Oct 2005, 09:32
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Talking Back from OASC!!...........

Hi,

I got back from OASC yesterday. All seemed to go well, I improved my aptitude to 128 (not sure whether that would be competitive enough), I had a great interview, didn't get caught out anywhere and was able to talk in depth about my current affairs as well as the RAF and training etc. Phase 2 went pretty well too, leaderless ex was a bit of a shambles but I managed to get my ideas forward and we made some progress. The individual planning (which I didn't have to do last time) was difficult but I got the correct plan with a few calculation errors that I was able to correct during the questioning. The command task went fine I didn't have much of an idea about how to do it but I briefed the syndicate fully and then gave them 20 secs to have a think before asking them each for their ideas. From that I was able to decide on a plan and we got on with it. Again we didn't finish the ex but I remained in control and used the team well.

Thank you all for your advice and comments in my previous post, I decided to leave WSO and WSOp on the list to keep my options open as I was informed that if I turned them down this year to apply for pilot again it would be no problem. Just awaiting the letter now!!

Rich.
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Old 27th Oct 2005, 10:40
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The command task went fine I didn't have much of an idea about how to do it.....
Again we didn't finish the ex...
You young man, are a future CDS.
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