OASC 'CANDIDATES' and WANNABES, PLEASE READ THIS THREAD FIRST!
First, check the big thread at the top of the page, it's not just similar, but identical.
Secondly, eyesight rules have recently changed so that the requirements for Pilot in the RAF are the same as Pilot in the RN, so it could be worth checking that out against your own prescription.
Ignore your Dad [well, to an extent]... If you want something, look into it and go for it.
Also check out http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk 's Armed Forces forum for other pearls of wisdom.
Secondly, eyesight rules have recently changed so that the requirements for Pilot in the RAF are the same as Pilot in the RN, so it could be worth checking that out against your own prescription.
Ignore your Dad [well, to an extent]... If you want something, look into it and go for it.
Also check out http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk 's Armed Forces forum for other pearls of wisdom.
Champagne anyone...?
Your father is clearly a legend! 
Seriously though and notwithstanding the banter, nav/WSO on fast pointy things would be a pretty rewarding job if you couldn't drive the thing.
Don't just default to fourth or fifth best and end up "working" in Ops going slowly mad without at least trying all the flying avenues. If Nav really isn't your cup of tea then what about WSOp? Crewman on a helo or loady on a herc/C17? Both good jobs well worth considering.
Seriously though and notwithstanding the banter, nav/WSO on fast pointy things would be a pretty rewarding job if you couldn't drive the thing.
Don't just default to fourth or fifth best and end up "working" in Ops going slowly mad without at least trying all the flying avenues. If Nav really isn't your cup of tea then what about WSOp? Crewman on a helo or loady on a herc/C17? Both good jobs well worth considering.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
How short sighted? WSO in the back of a GR4 have almost the same view as the guy in the front. This means they need to have eyesight to match. Regardless of the tests the real tests will come during training.
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I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
TS, I think your knowledge and perceptions are undeveloped. I think to benefit from Pprune you need to do a little more research into the roles of WSO/WSOp and the Ops Support Branch.
When you have a cleared idea what the differences are then you can start to ask more informed questions. For starters, you should find out about 6th Form Scholarships. Your Dad should have given you a better insight than appears the case, or is he testing your resolve?
When you have a cleared idea what the differences are then you can start to ask more informed questions. For starters, you should find out about 6th Form Scholarships. Your Dad should have given you a better insight than appears the case, or is he testing your resolve?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
El S, why do you ask?
I see a recent post
You were asking about asthma a year ago, have you resolved that issue?
Really, given your age, you should apply for both RAF and RN NOW! and let them sort out whether you are medically suitable. When you know the results you will know how essential a good result in your law studies will be.
I see a recent post
I haven't yet applied to either the Navy or RAF (I'm going to wait until I finish this year in uni).
Really, given your age, you should apply for both RAF and RN NOW! and let them sort out whether you are medically suitable. When you know the results you will know how essential a good result in your law studies will be.
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Hey,
Unfortunately I haven't had much of a chance to sort the asthma problem out because since I started my 4th year in law school (i.e. the Legal Practice Course) I've not had a minute to breathe (no pun untended!). I have a temporary rest bite from the end of June until September (when I have more exams) so I will probably go about sorting everything out then.
I appreciate that this might be a difficult question with any degree of accuracy but if I visited the RN/RAF offices in a few weeks how long would it take for me to know whether I'd been successful or not? I ask as I'm wondering whether to do this in June or September (I don't really want the application process to interfere when I've got exams).
Unfortunately I haven't had much of a chance to sort the asthma problem out because since I started my 4th year in law school (i.e. the Legal Practice Course) I've not had a minute to breathe (no pun untended!). I have a temporary rest bite from the end of June until September (when I have more exams) so I will probably go about sorting everything out then.
I appreciate that this might be a difficult question with any degree of accuracy but if I visited the RN/RAF offices in a few weeks how long would it take for me to know whether I'd been successful or not? I ask as I'm wondering whether to do this in June or September (I don't really want the application process to interfere when I've got exams).
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The word is 'respite'.
Get down to the careers office ASAP and don't waste time! You are not getting younger, competition is strong and you need to get the official answer on a few things.
Keep us informed - theres a good chap.
Get down to the careers office ASAP and don't waste time! You are not getting younger, competition is strong and you need to get the official answer on a few things.
Keep us informed - theres a good chap.
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Calum, the deadline for applications is around november, i have had the filter interview with the afco and he said that i will get the application form to send back around the beggining of june. I've heard that different regions do the process on a slightly different timescale thats why you may be applying in august
What branch you applying for?
What branch you applying for?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
AFCO routines.
Just a thought for you wanabees.
Remember that your results come through in the summer holidays. Then there is a rush on the AFCOs; you have to form an orderly queue.
AFCO are people too. They have children and they too expect to go on holiday in the summer. It follows that many will be short staffed as you queue at the door.
The sooner you start the better both you and they will be able to manage the process.
Many ask on time scales. They vary but one I know was graduation in July, an initial approach by the RN in October. First AFCO that week. RAF AFCO 4 weeks later. AIB in April and OASC 3 weeks later. Acceptance within 2-3 weeks in each case. Start OASC in September.
A very simple, straight forward process, but over 12 months from graduation and almost 12 months to start training. So, for all you wanabee pilots, you need to start a good 12 months before that age cut-off.
Just a thought for you wanabees.
Remember that your results come through in the summer holidays. Then there is a rush on the AFCOs; you have to form an orderly queue.
AFCO are people too. They have children and they too expect to go on holiday in the summer. It follows that many will be short staffed as you queue at the door.
The sooner you start the better both you and they will be able to manage the process.
Many ask on time scales. They vary but one I know was graduation in July, an initial approach by the RN in October. First AFCO that week. RAF AFCO 4 weeks later. AIB in April and OASC 3 weeks later. Acceptance within 2-3 weeks in each case. Start OASC in September.
A very simple, straight forward process, but over 12 months from graduation and almost 12 months to start training. So, for all you wanabee pilots, you need to start a good 12 months before that age cut-off.
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I'm applying for pilot. I was told to apply after I've had my GCSE results back, on the 27th of Aug, but before Nov.
I made my CO laugh when I said I'd go straight to the AFCO as soon as I had my results
So he basically said I can't start the app process at all without results
Also, I had my results back for part 1 of the BTec CVQO diploma in Public Services, and I got a distinction which equates to an A*. However, I'm told I can choose to have 4 GCSE A*'s or one whole A level (I assume A*), which would be more beneficial?
I made my CO laugh when I said I'd go straight to the AFCO as soon as I had my results
So he basically said I can't start the app process at all without results
Also, I had my results back for part 1 of the BTec CVQO diploma in Public Services, and I got a distinction which equates to an A*. However, I'm told I can choose to have 4 GCSE A*'s or one whole A level (I assume A*), which would be more beneficial?
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"However, I'm told I can choose to have 4 GCSE A*'s or one whole A level (I assume A*), which would be more beneficial?"
I doubt it would make a huge difference, which one you chose. When you say your CO do you mean to do with CCF? I am also applying for pilot. Has your afco mentioned whether you are a required to to go to oasc before the scholarship, because i have heard that some applicants last year didnt have to undergo a medical for example...?
I doubt it would make a huge difference, which one you chose.
When you say your CO do you mean to do with CCF? I am also applying for pilot. Has your afco mentioned whether you are a required to to go to oasc before the scholarship, because i have heard that some applicants last year didnt have to undergo a medical for example...?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
calum, I agree with Bradder, as long as you get the 5 GCSE A-C incl Eng/Maths and any 2 A-level then you are qualified to go to OASC.
What your choice actually offers is a good interview argument. "So Calum, why did you opt for . . . ?"
What your choice actually offers is a good interview argument. "So Calum, why did you opt for . . . ?"
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Bradders, yes, CCF. Are you in cadets?
The AFCO cpl wasn't particulaly helpful, he simply said about 70 people apply nationwide but only 4 get the scholarship - but - if you try and fail there's no harm done. He also said there is a presentation involved, and that I need to know everything eg: current A/C, future A/C (JSF and Sentinel) and stations etc, which I'm really clued up about after NGTC finals at Cranwell.
PN, I think I may go for the GCSE's, I'm currently doing 10, I'm estimating 2 A*, 4 A's and maybe 4 B's. I only got 2 C's in the mock, and I've fixed that now and have been told I'm at a B for art and german, so I'm not too worried
The AFCO cpl wasn't particulaly helpful, he simply said about 70 people apply nationwide but only 4 get the scholarship - but - if you try and fail there's no harm done. He also said there is a presentation involved, and that I need to know everything eg: current A/C, future A/C (JSF and Sentinel) and stations etc, which I'm really clued up about after NGTC finals at Cranwell.
PN, I think I may go for the GCSE's, I'm currently doing 10, I'm estimating 2 A*, 4 A's and maybe 4 B's. I only got 2 C's in the mock, and I've fixed that now and have been told I'm at a B for art and german, so I'm not too worried
The AFCO cpl wasn't particulaly helpful, he simply said about 70 people apply nationwide but only 4 get the scholarship
When I applied for the 6th Form Schol [unsuccessfully, I might add] there were upwards of 400 applicants with only 4 winners. Of that 400 about 50-70 were sent to OASC, but I'm lead to believe that stage doesn't happen anymore.
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"400 applicants with only 4 winners."
Wow now they are odd, i still will apply though. When you say 4 winners was that for all branches, or 4 winners who selected pilot. If not then i suspect that out of those '4 winners' that it would be lucky if any applied for pilot.
"Of that 400 about 50-70 were sent to OASC, but I'm lead to believe that stage doesn't happen anymore."
Hopefully that isnt the case as i feel oasc would be useful, as there may be something beyond my control i.e medical that could prevent me from being a pilot, which would be a huge blow, but if it is inevitable, better to get out of the way now than later.
Wow now they are odd, i still will apply though. When you say 4 winners was that for all branches, or 4 winners who selected pilot. If not then i suspect that out of those '4 winners' that it would be lucky if any applied for pilot.
"Of that 400 about 50-70 were sent to OASC, but I'm lead to believe that stage doesn't happen anymore."
Hopefully that isnt the case as i feel oasc would be useful, as there may be something beyond my control i.e medical that could prevent me from being a pilot, which would be a huge blow, but if it is inevitable, better to get out of the way now than later.
Forgice me if I'm hazy with the details, but it was [academic year] '00-'01 when I applied, but yes, four winners. Three pilots and one engineer.
Again, I'm a bit out of touch with the processes for a 6FS, having not looked into it in any serious way for about seven years, but I seem to recall that applicants for it no longer took part in the whole OASC, but a shortened segment. ie [something like], aptitude and hangar exercises only.
Again, I'm a bit out of touch with the processes for a 6FS, having not looked into it in any serious way for about seven years, but I seem to recall that applicants for it no longer took part in the whole OASC, but a shortened segment. ie [something like], aptitude and hangar exercises only.