Pontius Navigator

Spuk, 10-12 is not startling. Don't worry about the standards, just aim at 9-30 and you will be OK.

Spearmint-R33

Looking at my chart on the wall which arrived with my invite to the OASC, an under 30yr old male does indeed have to run the 1.5mile in at least 10min 12secs for a green pass.

I'm shortly leaving to attend the OASC later today so by Friday I'll have the most up to date info if it has indeed changed.

muppetofthenorth

The problem is OASC and OACTU do not always sing off the same hymn sheet.

spuk87

Pontius- that's my problem, I can only manage 11m36s at the moment! At best I think I will get below the 11m11s time in the next 5 weeks.

Spearmint- good luck, and it would be much appreciated if you can shed some light on the above. My OASC letter (I'm going in 5 weeks) also says the same as yours.

Spearmint-R33

Spuk87, you have 5 weeks to get that time down. Use it wisely.

I thought I was fit before I started with my training for a Wannabe WSOp what with station circuits 3 times a week, being a boxercise instructor and the odd run. I was also quite comfortable with my running although when I realised just how fit you had to be (55(R)Sqn was a real eye opener!) just to get noticed I soon changed my regime.

So 5 months ago, out went the booze and crap foods. Off came 11Kg in weight and the running got a hell of a lot easier. 11 weeks ago, half way through my new regime I was running the 1.5mile in 11mins 12secs, I now do it in 9mins 45secs. I'm still cracking out 60 press ups in a minute if I push my self and around 45 sit-ups so I know I've dropped the right kind of weight. My Wife appreciates it as well!

So just get out there and get running. Plot a 1 mile route to a hill which takes you a minute to get up it, jog there and sprint up the hill 10x then jog back. Go for nice long runs as well to build up your stamina so you do have something in reserve when called for on short distance runs.

Find a running track and run laps around it at a 1min 32sec pace. Try 1x lap, 30 sec rest - 2x lap, 30 sec rest - 4x lap, 30 sec pace then 6x lap, collapse.

If you want to pass hard enough you will put the effort in. Best of luck.

Pontius Navigator

Spot on Spearmint. My comfortable weight is around 82kg but my racing weight a long time ago in my early 30s was 69kg.

A doc once gave me some dietary advice as I was up to around 89kg in my early 20s. He started by asking what I had for breakfast - it totalled near 3500 calories - after lunch, tea and dinner, a few pints of the amber nectar rounded off the day. He gave me a traffic light calorie sheet and told me I should cut back to 1000 cal per day.

It was hard but it worked.

I no longer take sugar in drinks. I do not drink sugary drinks. I do not add salt to my food.

So Spuk, in your own hands be it - just keep the food out of your hands.

iranair777

Hiya all, I'm currently 19, just finished off my a levels and was about to start uni doing a pilot studies course until it hit me how much it was actually going to cost (although I probably could have continued with the amount I had already). I've decided to take a gap year and find some work (which hasnt been successful) to gain experience. mainly cause i had social anxiety until around a year ago and havent got any, if at all, experience in anything. I have now started contemplating joining the RAF to become a pilot as I don't really mind how I become any type of pilot as long as I am in the air and around aircraft. I know it might sound like I havent done research into all the options, but I have and at the moment the RAF is sounding like a really suitable choice for me, but what I'm worried about is the physicals and am worried about failing the many steps (other than physical, as I can run 1.5 miles in less than 10 mins) involved in becoming a pilot within the RAF. Anyone got any advice and information on well anything within the pilots training within the raf? Also how would it fit with someone who hasn't had much social experiences but is willing to start fresh?

iranair777

what about my nickname? whens the next time I can apply?

NDW

Good evening all.

Received some good news this afternoon regarding my WSOp application form in which I applied for online.

My application has been forwarded to my local AFCO and I should hear back within two days regarding selection tests.

They also supplied forms for me to complete, which I have completed .

Fitness is improving and I feel ready for the challenge ahead.

Thanks again

Nathan

Pontius Navigator

good luck Nathan

KF

Unchecked

Awesome, just awesome!

Pontius Navigator

Spuk, et al, I just dug out my RCAF 5BX exercise plans. It has a graduated series of exercise with a number of charts. Between ages of 20-29 it is recommended that 2 days is spent at each level. Would be applicants for aircrew would be expected to achieve the required level for in about 4 months. There are 5 levels in a chart and aircrew under 25 should attain Chart 5 level B+. However if you have trouble at any level then you should remain at that level until you can easily move up to the next level.

This plan has been around for 60 years but bears a close similarity to what is required for the RAF Fitness tests.

So, what is the maintenance exercise regime for young aircrew?

The first exercise lasts for 2 minutes and execises 2-4 follow on immediately and take one minute each. Exercise 5 lasts 6 minutes and the whole should take only 11 minutes.

Exercise 1 is a warm up.
Chart 5 level B+

It starts with 28 reps of stretching, touching the outside the left foot, between the feet and press once, outside the right foot, swing up, circle bend backwards and repeat, reverse after 14.

exercise 2 is a sit up with your arms behind your head, touch your right elbow to left knee and reverse each rep - 36 in a minute.

exercise 3 is lying face down, full length, raise arms and raise legs, thighs should come completely off the floor. 47 reps.

exercise 4, press ups, claping your hands in each rep, 40 in a minute.

exercise 5 may be a stationary run for 6 minutes. Knees waist high, with 10 semi-spread eagle jumps every 75 steps (one step every left foot) 465 which therefore includes 60 jumps.

An alternative was a one mile run in under 6 min 12 sec.

Warning:
Things change - the current fitness industry has labeled some of the exercises unsafe

http://gregsadetsky.com/_files/5bx-plan.pdf

Jamias

Spuk87, I agree with Spearmint-R33 that you'll need to spend your 5 weeks wisely.

I'm also getting fit for selection at OASC and about 6 weeks ago I did a bleep test and got 9.8, which is pathetic. I then started interval training.

I warm up for around 4-5 mins with a gentle jog, sprint for 30 secs and then jog for 60 secs, repeat this 12 times, then cool down for 4-5 mins. It should take around 30 mins including warm-up and cool-down and when done properly you should berely be able to walk by the end of it.

I've been doing this for about a month, 2-3 times a week, and have seen a dramatic increase in my fitness. Doing this has cut my 3 mile time down by 1.5 mins to 20.40 and my 1.5 mile by about a min to 10.07, these times definitely weren't possible 6 weeks ago.

This is very similar to Spearmint's advice to find a hill to run to and then run up 10x. I just thought I'd reinforce how good this training is. It will increase your speed over a short distance which is good for OASC because as far as I'm aware long distance runs aren't done there. Another benefit is that it's a lot more interesting then just running at the same pace which usually means that you'll stick at it.

If you want any more info on this and have got a spare half hour then just google interval training, there are loads of good websites.

Best of luck

NDW

Quick update from me again.

AFCO have been in touch and I've been booked in for Aptitude testing for WSOp next thursday.

Ball is finally rolling.

I shall let you all know how I get on then.

Thanks again

Nathan

OASC

In this bulletin, we would like to clear up a couple of issues that have been raised recently regarding medical, fitness and aptitude aspects of the selection process.

Medical

We see recurring comments about eyesight standards and anthropometric measurements for prospective aircrew. The bottom line with both of these areas is that you, as an individual, cannot do anything about your size or eyesight. Therefore, we will not be publishing the anthropometric measurement criteria in this thread because, unless you are a qualified medical technician and have the appropriate measuring equipment, they are meaningless. Clearly, we would not want to encourage individuals to take their measurements using a tape measure in order to help them make a decision as to whether they should apply for a career in the RAF. Likewise, we will not be publishing eyesight standards because, again, they are meaningless unless you are a qualified optometrist. However, the medical staffs at OASC have recommended that individuals, especially those who think that their eyesight might be of concern, should go to a reputable high street optometrist and have their eyes assessed. Then, the individual should send their results, through their AFCO, to the OASC medical staff who will be able to assess them and provide an opinion as to whether it is worth pursuing an application in a chosen branch.

Aptitude

Recently we received an enquiry about whether a set of aptitude scores for the Royal Navy would count towards an RAF application. The answer to this question is yes in part. The RN and Army employ exactly the same aptitude test batteries for pilot but have opted to not employ the revised RAF pilot aptitude battery yet. This means that for an individual who has undertaken the RN/Army pilot aptitude batteries and subsequently wants to apply for RAF pilot, then they would need to revisit the OASC to undertake the additional RAF pilot tests. Please note that aptitude results last for 12 months before they expire and a retest is required – unless an individual is selected for training beforehand. Equally, a candidate may not re-take any of the aptitude tests within the 12 month period. The latest information regarding the revised RAF Pilot aptitude test can be found at OASC Bulletin 30 (#587).

Fitness

Earlier this year, we published details of the OASC Selection Fitness Test (SFT) in Post 79; the SFT replaced the standard RAF Fitness Test as the physical fitness selection tool on 1 Apr 10. All of the information in Post 79 is still current; moreover, we require candidates to achieve at least an Amber standard before they will be considered suitable for selection. However, you should strive for the best performance in order to make yourselves as competitive as possible and give yourselves the best chance of sustaining your fitness throughout training and your career.

The OACTU Fitness Assessment (OFA) is slightly different in that the 1.5 mile run is undertaken outside on grass (rather than on a treadmill as at OASC); this is slightly more difficult than running on a treadmill – but otherwise the standards required for a pass are unchanged. Nevertheless, OACTU staff will expect individuals to have prepared to such a level where they are aiming to achieve the Green standard - although Amber is still classed as acceptable. Consequently, the more fitness preparation that an individual puts in prior to Initial Officer Training, the more likely they are to succeed because they will have more reserves of energy and are potentially more resistant to injury.

For more information regarding any of these areas highlighted, please contact your AFCO and they will be able to give you more detailed information regarding specific cases.

Please note that, although OASC will endeavour to answer generic questions that arise, we will not be engaging or commenting on individual cases. In those cases, the individual is advised to contact their nearest AFCO who will be able to deal with any queries. All information published is for information only.

Information regarding a career in the RAF can be found at http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers

NDW

KF,

I should have probably made it slightly clearer, my apologies.

I have to take an A.S.T (Airman Selection Test) to determine whether I have the right aptitude for WSOp.

If successful, I shall attend the P2 presentation and after that if I wish to continue with my application, book my Filer Interview.

OASC still do their own Aptitude, Medical, Fitness & leadership training, I think the AST is a new test that has been taken (Please correct me if I'm wrong).

All the best

NDW

muppetofthenorth

It might be, on paper, 'acceptable, but if you're on IOT and consistently only getting Amber, you will not be highly regarded and you will be warned - facing possible sanctions - for poor performance.

This is from direct, recent experience of the OACTU system (and I'm not for one minute suggesting that it's a bad thing, either, just letting people know).

tb231

I was applying as a pilot but have just had my application terminated before my formal briefing as i have had acl repair surgery. Despite mentioning this through the entire process right from the beginning, any all recruitment officers saying it was absolutely fine, it is now apparently not.

Since then (Thursay 16/9) i have been looking online and found various articles stating that the RAF had changed it policy along with the army and now looked at ACL repairs on a case by case basis. THese are just rumers and there is nothing on the website, it just states that is (subject to single Service policy) which is exactly what it says on the Mod application form and does not state the RAF serivce policy.

So i was wondering if you could help me clear this up, i dont want to miss out on this opertunity just because of the possiblity of my recruitment centre being behind the times.

muppetofthenorth

Ask your AFCO to enquire with the President of the Medical Board at OASC as to the official, current, rules.

You could ask yourself, but not without learning how to spell 'rumours' or 'opportunity'. Don't be surprised, however, if they come back with a no, the RAF is taking fewer people than it has for a long time and it can afford to be very picky.

Whatever you do, do it quickly, as you're running out of time with regards to your age.

NDW

Good Morning all,

I undertook my WSOp aptitude test with a dissappointing outcome, I was out of the score zone by 7 marks !!!!

The AFCA advised me if I wanted to re sit the test, I can do in 6 months time, but I was wondering what are the RAF Officer Aircrew selection tests like? Are they mainly computer based (Joystick, rudder pedals, moving dot)?

I am dissappointed but I have learnt a great deal and I'm not giving up just yet .

Would it be possible for me to complete my A Levels, apply for WSO and if selected at P2 stage, go to Cranwell to undertake my Aptitude Testing there?

OR

Is it the end of the road for me as a Aircrew career?

Many thanks for all help and guidance

NDW