ElSupremo

They do seem to be a bit useless sometimes. I went to see a new GP about 18-24 months ago in order to discuss my asthma. I explained how I though I didn't need any more asthma pumps and probably never needed one. He sort of agreed but gave me a new pump (without me wanting one) without re-testing me or doing any sort of investigation. It made me a little angry as I realised at the time that it could've ended my hopes of joining the forces. How would the forces perceive this? Would they simply test me themselves? Would the fact that I have only ever been tested once probably about 15 years ago and not since be proof enough that I don't have the condition anymore?

For anyone wondering if this poster will ever get off his backside and apply to the forces I will be doing so shortly! I'd just like to have an idea of my chances of getting past the medical hurdle!

Pontius Navigator

Stripped to its essentials, your GP logged you as asthmatic 18 months ago. The AvMed Docs may then require you to return in 2 1/2 years time.

Your word against his. As you say, only by getting down to the AFCO will you find out.

ElSupremo

Hopefully they'll be sensible and look at my situation properly. I imagine the GP noted my comments about not having asthma and additionally see that I have only ever been tested once which was many years ago. I've never been hospitalised or seen a GP due to an asthma attack. I'm just hoping that they give me a chance to argue my case... my lawyer training will then come in handy!

muppetofthenorth

If it's on your record that you recieved treatment for asthma 18months ago then no amount of arguing is going to solve anything. They're the judges and their ruling is final.


But yeah, depends a lot on what your GP noted down and the exact records.

CleartoFire

El Supremo,

If the GP agreed that you no longer needed asthma medication why on earth did he prescribe you more medication? Furthermore why did you accept it? Surely the lawyer training you have received would help there, or is the GP a more persuasive orator than you?

If I were you I would seek out specialist advice and if the specialist says you don't have asthma then you will be able to take that to the medical board.

ElSupremo

How would I go about getting an appointment with a specialist? Would I do it through my GP? If that were the case I'd feel that I'm wasting the GP's time with a non urgent medical matter.

Pontius Navigator

Yes.

You have a very low opinion of yourself. The purpose of a GP is to serve the community and the country by getting the work force fit for work and maintaining the quality of life for those retired.

Should you be successful in becoming an operational pilot you will have undergone training equally as long and demanding as that of a GP and joined a profession where you will be checked and reported on continually.

Flik Roll

El Supremo,

If you really believe you do not have asthma, request a lung function test. The Army do it as standard for anyone who's ever been prescribed and inhaler, regardless of whether it was asthma or not or anyone who has ever had asthma diagnosed. The RAF should do it, they did it for a case a few years back that I am aware of and that person was cleared of childhood asthma after passing the LFT.

ElSupremo

Thanks for the advice everyone however I have hit a bit of a problem. I've started the online application form and it says that I will be asked whether or not I meet the basic medical requirements (i.e. not had asthma for the past 4 years). Obviously I think that I meet the basic requirements but if they were to check my medical history they may think that I'm not telling the truth on my application by saying so. In other words, should I say that I do meet the medical requirements or should I visit my GP and AFCO first and explain my situation personally?

Thanks.

Pontius Navigator

Do the last first. Simple. They will then tell you to see your GP. Your GP will say you have been clear for 4 years. You fill in the application.

Or, your GP says maybe, maybe not, you ask for a specialist opinion. Depending on that you fill in the form or not.

muppetofthenorth

Online application is a waste of time, all it does it registers your interest then tell you to go to an AFCO, so either way you'll end up there eventually.


The AFCO is only going to tell you to make sure you know what your GP has said, so might as well start there. He's the one who's written the notes on your condition[s] that are going to affect your application, go talk to them and see what they've said.


However, like has been said numerous times, you have received medication for an illness that is a bar to entry in your recent history, so I wouldn't hold your breath*.


*Pun not intended

Mr C Hinecap

Hold HIS breath? I've been on the edge of my seat shouting at the computer screen WILLING El Supremo to just walk through the door of a bl00dy AFCO!

stuart955

Just a quick one.

During an Air Experience Day at RAF Leeming, a trainee on 727NAS said that now of all times is best apply for pilots, as they are at an all time shortage with the impending introduction of about 100 new jets - "although we don't have them yet, we need trained pilots ready, as opposed to new planes and no one to fly them."

So I'm wondering, when he says now is a good time to apply, what sort of time span is 'now'? I've read varying accounts which generally seem to suggest the new planes will be here between 2010 - 2014. My problem is that I'm looking to get myself off to university this year, so won't be applying for another 3 years (or 2 or 1 if I feel ready and prepared to apply for a bursary and Direct Entry)

Can anyone provide any hints as to weather I might be slimming my chances by not applying ASAP? (I don't want to apply right now as I've come to realise I'm not ready yet - I'm going to join a UAS or URNU to get myself more confident and capable with the people and environments I would be encountering during selection)

muppetofthenorth

Nothing wrong with applying for a bursary now before going to university, by the time you've graduated the training pipeline might be sorted out, but certainly at the moment, pilots are still constrained by the limits of what's available to train them.

Every single one of my friends who's graduated from IOT over the past 12-18months has had holding posts between IOT>EFT>BFJT. Until that gets sorted it doesn't matter how many jets are available at the end of the OCU.

If you don't get a bursary, don't let it put you off, they don't hand out many of them.

stuart955

Oops, should have mentioned I'll be going FAA as I'm 21 now so will be too old for the RAF when I graduate.

I thought that applying for a bursary and Direct Entry was exactly the same process as applying to join straight away, the Navy process being Interview, FATs, AIB. As I said in my previous post, I don't feel ready, particularly for AIB if I were to get there, as I don't have enough demonstrable examples of leadership or organisation. Or if I do have those skills, I haven't the ability to sell them yet at interview, as the whole military environment is new to me so I tend to go a bit introverted. Hopefully UAS or URNU will sort that out.

My main concern was that pilot places will suddenly go to a premium after they do some kind of recruitment drive with the F-35s coming in, and so I'd cut my chances drastically.

Wader2

Last, first, by apply NOW do you mean stop your university course? If that is what you meant, simple, don't, get your degree.

As for spoiling your chances by not applying now, no.

I know someone who joined the RAF to fly Typhoon - same deal, we are short of pilots.

I met him on his sqn ldr command tour at Leeming about 6 years or so ago. He was OC YUAS and his potential for ever flying a Typhoon out of the window.

Will we get the aircraft before the carriers? Will we get the aircraft? Will we get the carriers? Will Labour win the next election?

muppetofthenorth

Might be worth looking again at the RAF, there has been lots of talk recently of a rules change regarding age-on-entry [to match that of the FAA].

You've got your wires crossed a little. If you have been to university, you would no longer be a Direct Entrant, DE refers to those entering with 'only' A2s and doing so direct from school. Once you've got a degree, with or without bursary, you'd be going Graduate Entry. But yes, the application procedure is the same.

Pilot places, especcially fast jet, are always at a premium. There are always thousands of applicants for every spot. I've been lead to believe that - for the RAF at least - there are currently 10,000 applicants for every one pilot who finishes the OCU.

Remember, even if you do go Navy, you'd still use a lot of the RAF's pipeline if you manage to make fastjet.

airborne_artist

I don't really buy the "we need loads of pilots right now" bit - I don't think that BRNC is taking many, if any more, and as Muppet says, the training pipeline is chokka as it is.

I'm pretty certain that university bursaries for RN pilot are very limited. It's a recruiting tool, and they never have a problem finding enough applicants for aircrew. £1,000 a year is nice, but it's not make or break.

You can apply for a bursary after you start your degree course, of course. Frankly you'd be better off on UAS/URNU or OTC, where you get paid anyway, and pick up useful military skills and knowledge. You could even join the RNR/TA, as you can't be mobilised while an undergrad, but the training and experience will be very good. A lad from Pprune was in 4 Para (TA), and found OASC and AIB quite straighforward. He's now back at Cranwell on groundschool before he goes to EFT.

Get the degree, get the military experience, and go back to the ACLO in 2.5 years time. Looking at the defence spending muddle I can't see that you'll be too late for the F-35-inpired recruiting drive - if you are good enough you'll get in. Don't forget the AAC, either. Max age 28.

stuart955

Right, I understand what Direct Entry is now. So I'll be going for a bursary, which includes the exact same process, only a bit harder as I have to prove that in 3/2/1 years time I'll still be the same sort of person.

And Airborne Artist, excellent advice and that's exactly what I'm planning to do.

The one thing that lead me to fail my initial interview with the ACLO was that I had no knowledge or experience of the military, and felt unsteady about what I was talking about and that they wanted to hear. Any kind of university group or something similar will multiply my confidence ten fold. It's good to hear about your friend who found Cranwell a doddle after taking a route similar to what I am thinking of doing.

Anyway I'm going off topic now. Thanks for the advice!

Wader2

Off the cuff, I think it was nearer 12,000 into the AFCo which was immediately filtered to about 4,000. Some 1,000 make it to OASC for, most recenlty, 160 slots in to training.

I can't speak for the present washout rate at EFTS etc but it is not insignificant and washout continues through the OCUs but at that point it is usually to re-stream to a different, and presumably, less exacting type.

Once through the OCU it is not ended there as you then have 6 months on the sqn to qualify.