hightower1986

F.A.O Onefifty, do you know what the fitness test involves at OASC? Is it 1.5mile run plus best effort push ups/sit ups in 1 minute, ? Or is the bleep test also included with this? thank you

Treebeard04

the current oasc fitness test is a 1.5 mile run on a treadmil (there is a sheet with what to set the treadmil to run the ditsance in a certain time) followed by as many press ups and sit ups you can do in 1 min. you need to get into the amber sector to pass which is the run in 11.15mins, 20 press ups and 25 sit ups with the green sector being the run in 10.15mins, 40 press ups and 41 sit ups.

Treebeard04

firstly apologies for the disgusting spelling above!

I posted a few months back stating my problem with joining with a migraine on my records. It took me 3 specialists, 2 GP's and then finally a letter from the doctor who initially diagnosed me all those years ago. This got the attention of the medical board (who have the inability to talk to eachother and pass on new information between departments and with me). I was referred to a military specialist who took all of 5 mins to realise i was no risk and that the entire thing was a joke. I have now been passed clear for aircrew with my application (i visited oasc in june 2009) still being used. I go back in the pot pending the release of the intake numbers for the next year and become competitive again with the other applications. I have to take this as a good thing as although i was selected and had it taken off me for this now cleared up medical problem, at least I'm still in with a shout and I have everything crossed to hope there is a space for me when the numbers come out.
If you have a similar medical problem and want it as much as I do, I recommend hounding the medical board ( dont wait for them as you will be waiting forever) and trying to get talking to the right people asap (you'll find yourself talking to a lot of med board recepionists otherwise) Make a nuisance of yourself and hopefully they will finally take notice.
Keep your fingers crossed that theres a space for me and I am happy to answer any questions regarding medical issues!

OneFifty

I would suggest that making a nuisance of yourself isn't the best way to make yourself favourable to those at OASC! All too often we get people telling us that they most definitely are suitable and the system is wrong. Be careful not to fall into this trap. People sometimes forget that this is a selection process like a job interview. With selection now as tight as it is, the last thing you want to do is upsetting the very people who might select you.

NDW

Afternoon all,

Does anyone know the reason why the AST was introduced to the WSOp selection?

I undetook the test 2 two months ago and failed for WSOp by very little marks.

I was always under the impression that for WSOp you would undertake Aptitude testing and other other nesseccary testing at OASC?

Thanks

OneFifty

NDW

AST was introduce for WSOp because far too many people, although educationally qualified, were getting to OASC despite not having a cat in hells chance of being suitable. It's easier to weed these out at the AFCO before they get to OASC.

Interestingly, we are about to start a trial where potential officers sit AST, which they must pass before being put forward for OASC.

NDW

OneFifty,

Thanks for your reply.

Fully understandable reason & in many ways, I'm glad I had failed because thinking about it, I probably was not ready for what I was going into.

At least now I have more time to get fit, study/revise (If I get the oppurtunity again) and to try and get more experience, I'm currently in the process of helping out local charities with fundraising .

Will be interesting to see what the Officer AST brings and shows in pontential RAF Officers.

Thanks

OneFifty

Information released today gives clarification on the change of education requirements for Officer/Non-Commissioned Aircrew applicants:


OFFICER

Due to the fewer officer vacancies currently within the RAF, it has been decided that for applications processed from 1 Jan 1011, the academic requirement will be increased to 2 x 'A' levels grade A-C and 5 x GCSC grades A-C. For the aptitude branches (Pilot, ABM, ATC & Int), the maths must be at least grade B.

NON-COMMISSIONED AIRCREW/SNCO ATC

The withdrawal of the Nimrod aircraft has seen a reduction in the requirement for WSOps hence for the foreseeable future we will not be recruiting for this role. When we do recommence, the academic requirement will remain at 5 x GCSE Grade A-C, one of which must be maths at grade B. NCO ATC will also have this increased academic requirement.

A note on Pilot recruitment:

Due to the withdrawal of the Harrier and Nimrod aircraft from Service it is not envisaged that any new recruit pilots will commence employment in the RAF before July 2012. Potential pilots may still be processed by RAF Recruiting and passed to OASC, providing they meet the new educational criteria, but they are to be informed throughout the process that even if successful they will not commence Initial Officer Training until at least 2012. The age restrictions on pilots will not be waived so a candidate who will be 26 prior to starting training in 2012 will unfortunately not be eligible.

NDW

OneFifty,

Thanks for the head's up.

I'm surpised for the Aircrew roles that only the Maths grade has increased to a grade B, which is a bugger for me as I was only 7 marks away from a grade B in Maths .

So not looking good for any roles then for the foreseeable future.

Pontius Navigator

I have been reminded that a Grade A or B is only available to students opting for the higher level paper.

If at the age of 14 you opt for a safer course with a top grade of C then you will automatically be disbarred from aircrew selection. How many potential applicants have determined to go for an aircrew or aptitude related career at the age of 14?

Melchett01

Probably the determined ones who want nothing else! In that sense, this probably shouldn't be an issue for those, but it may put off / act as a filter for those who amble in to the careers office on the off chance. However, still a timely reminder for those looking to take their exams in the next year or so.

Not entirely sure why you would need a B at GCSE maths for Int though .... does the BBC website now have maths questions on it ?

muppetofthenorth

There are many facilities available both online and via nightschools for those with less-than-ideal GCSEs or A levels to gain the qualifications they need. One would surmise that if they wanted the job enough that such steps would not be beyond the wit of man.

NDW

Heard from another source that apparently 55(R) Squaddie is closing down? No longer need for WSO's and WSOps are not needed for a few years!!

Also I noticed today that the role of WSO has been removed from the RAF Careers section also.

What a horrid day!!

Wander00

Glad that was not the academic requirement in the early sixties. Passed GCE Maths and Advanced Maths, but failed Maths A Level. Was offered and accepted a deferred entry to Cranwell (Sep to Jan) and then they told me I had to take and Pass A Level Pure and Applied Maths in 2 terms, never having done Applied Maths. Did it too, and A Level Economics.

4015

OneFifty

Does the freeze on pilot applicant training apply with immediate effect or is it related to the January 2011 date reffered to in your post? Put another way, will this affect those already in the selection process?

Also, is the B grade requirement for GCSE or A-level, and would this be waived were the applicant be able to display a suitable level of mathematics aptitude above that needed? For example if the applicant has a grade C at GCSE, grade C at A-level, but achieved a 2.1 in a maths related degree would that be accepted in lieu of a B grade at A level?

Cheers,

4015

Jollygreengiant64

Can anyone who has knowledge answer whether or not the RAF still take online applications or is it now being done through the post, on paper? Looking at the website all there is is a phone number to call, but google seems to come up with a form, though the likelihood is that it is now defunct. I'm just looking for the fastest way to get an application through.

Sorry for posting this here, but as I am aiming for Wsop I'd put this as my best bet.

Thanks in advance,

Jolly

4015

Jollygreengiant64

I'd point you to OneFifty's post above.

"The withdrawal of the Nimrod aircraft has seen a reduction in the requirement for WSOps hence for the foreseeable future we will not be recruiting for this role."

The only way to apply as far as I am aware is to phone the number. They will take your details and email you the forms to fill out when they are recruiting for the position.

I may stand corrected, however.

4015

Jollygreengiant64

4015,

Thanks for pointing that out to me, I had read that post a couple of days ago and I'd imagine that in my dismay of how dire the recruitment process is getting to be for me that I hadn't actually digested the information completely. At the moment I have the GCSE's sans the maths grade (I got a C), though if I had to go back to get the 'B' I guess I would. After doing 2 years of A levels, including physics, I think my GCSE level knowledge has improved tenfold. Having not been much of an academic type I don't think my strengths lie in my grades. I do have the 2 A levels at grades which would currently get me through the door, until the new year that is.

Has anyone heard of someone in my present academic situation getting anywhere in an application for Pilot as of late? Either way I'll get this application in and hope it gets processed before the new year. I guess this is how Indiana Jones feels when he gets in just in time... Or not.

Thanks again 4015, that was a good heads up which could have been quite embarrassing!

OneFifty

4015

If you have already started the process, and have already applied via the Careers Information Line (CIL) (the 0845 number) and being dealt with by the AFCO, then your application SHOULD be safe as your application was accepted (for processing) under the current regulations, before the change was announced. However, even though the change doesn't come into play until 01 Jan 2011, we (AFCOs) have been instructed to apply the new rules to all those making enquiries as of last week. Just to reiterate, if your application has gone through the CIL and has been passed to the AFCO, then you should be OK. Bear in mind that any pilot applicant who is successful wont start training until 2012. This includes those going through the system now.

The B grade for maths is for GCSE. The subjects taken at 'A' level remain irrelevant as long as a grade C or above is achieved. A degree can be used to offset a deficiency with an 'A' level and sometimes with a GCSE, although this would be the exception and not the rule. It depends heavily on what maths content the degree had. In any case, the details of the degree would passed up to the education specialist at RAFC Cranwell by the AFCO staff for a decision to be made. The AFCO can't, and wont make this call.

As any successful pilot applicants wont start training until 2012, please also bare in mind that no waivers will be issued with regards to age. You still have to be eligible age wise in 2012 ie 25 years and 364 days old or younger on the first day of Initial Officer Training.

Jolly

Applications for the RAF are made via the Careers Information Line (CIL) who, once a position is available for you to apply for, E-mail you the application forms and all other relevant documentation to you.

4015

OneFifty,

Thanks for the clarification. I should be ok, gutted about having to wait until 2012 if I'm successful though. Oh well, travelling for a few months maybe

Jolly,

More than happy to help. Looks like I was right which is always good. On a personal note, if you have to go to evening class or something in order to get the grades then do it, even if the RAF doesn't work out you have those grades for the rest of your life!

Thanks all,

4015