Chrisdaman

i had phase 1 of oasc today, the aptitude tests, and passed them for all branches except intelligence, and linguist WsOp, so i'm chuffed to pieces

got 127 for wsop
140 for atc and abm

the only thing that isnt so good is that they're working with "around september" for the earliest phase 2 oasc, and next april to start training should i be successful

rough with the good i suppose

Melchett01

[QUOTE] had phase 1 of oasc today, the aptitude tests, and passed them for all branches except intelligence, and linguist WsOp, so i'm chuffed to pieces

got 127 for wsop
140 for atc and abm

[/QUOTE

Congratulations, that's one hurdle over and done with. What branches were you actually hoping to go for? With 140 for ABM, and with the ABM and Int branches being 2 of the only branches I can think of that were completely untouched in way shape or form in round 1 of the recent redundancy announcements, you may well find yourself heading in that direction. Hopefully you would be happy with that.

Jamesandpie

I have my Aptitude on the 5th April and I got a call from OASC today to confirm I was still attending. I asked a few questions about coming back for phase two and she said that it would take up to 2 weeks before hearing back and it's likely to be around June/July before coming back again.

This doesn't seem to tie in with other peoples reports of a September onwards timescale...Also what are they going to do with everyone who successfully passes Phase 2 and are fit for Aircrew? Pick the top 10 candidates from a long list come April 2012?

I've been through OASC before and was thankfully successful through the whole thing and offered a Uni bursary, only hearing 2 months later I was temp medically unfit which has now been reversed back to fit. Since it was over 12 months since aptitude I now have to go through the whole process again, which is rather frustrating.

Surely they're not just queuing everyone who passes through OASC into a giant sift and then picking who they want a year later?

Chrisdaman

that would sound like what they're doing mate

my score for atc / abm was much better than the score for wsop, so i'm currently talking to the afco about adding another trade to my application, acting on the advice given to me at cranwell on monday

@ melchett - yes i'm looking at ABM and ATC (officers for both of them), it would be appear that i'm more "naturally apt" for those two choices than my original choice of Wsop lol, i would fancy ATC over ABM though, although both are cool in my eyes

AmyElizabethP

Just completed phase 1 of OASC at RAF Cranwell last weekend. I was expecting a much larger turn out I have to say! There was 5 of us in total, with myself being the only girl. The candidates mess looked set for in excess of 50 people.

Lets hope Phase 2 is busier!

Braddersb

I seem to remember from well over 5 years ago watching a TV documentary on a University Air Squadron. (probably BBC) Not sure whether it was a one off or a series. I am not getting confused with the BBC documentary series 'Fighter Pilot'.

Anyone remember the name of the program/ series?

Cheers.

NDW

There was a series called 'Combat Pilot' following a group of trainee Pilots at RAF Valley? Is that the one you were thinking off?

Braddersb

NDW - I've seen 'Combat pilot' series and it definetely wasn't that

Albanian Seahorse

It was called "High Fliers" and was broadcast on Discovery Wings. I had a bit of a search on the web a few months back, but could find any leads...

funkyt111

Hi people.

A short while ago the age limit for a military pilot in the RAF and NAVY was increased to 26. It was then lowered slightly to 25. Do people know why this age limit was lowered and if it is likely to be increased in the future at all?

Reason I ask is because I am 23 and going to university in September at Leeds University to study aviation tech with pilot studies. When I finish I will be 26 and approaching my 27th birthday. It is to my knowledge that you can be 25 and 365 days old when joining the RAF/NAVY as a pilot at the moment. However I will be outside the age limits when finishing uni unless the age limit is increased. I would apply for RAF/NAVY now but unfortunately I have been told I have to wait X amount of time before applying due to a past illness.

Any info is much appreciated.

Cheers.

airborne_artist

The Navy age limit has always been 25 and 11 months on the first of the month in which you join BRNC, so you could be 26 on the 2nd and join up to the 31st of the month and be within the rules.

The RAF may be similar. If you will be approaching 27 then you are knackered unless you can get a waiver, which seems less likely in the current environment.

You can join RMAS for the AAC up to 28, which may be your best shot, though you won't have confirmation of joining the AAC until your third term at RMAS.

funkyt111

Thanks mate.

So basically, unless the age limit is increased then its not going to happen? I wont be 27 for another 3 n a half yrs so hopefully things will have changed by then

airborne_artist

The age limit will not go up for either Service, trust me. The RAF have only just raised it, and the RN have had it at that level for at least 30 years. There are already far too many applicants, so the idea of raising it and thus having to handle even more is a non-starter.

Now you know that the RN and RAF are out of the way I'd concentrate on getting into the AAC. If you do all the right stuff you could get your grading done before you join RMAS and be as close as possible to a place when you complete. The AAC, like the rest of the Army, like to get to know their chaps before they turn up on day one. Get known.

Chrisdaman

i just had another filter interview regarding adding both ATC officer and ABM to my application, and i was successful

so now, when it happens, i'll be going to oasc phase 2 with 3 / 4 potential applications instead of one

buzzing at the moment

Flik Roll

You can join RMAS for the AAC up to 28, which may be your best shot, though you won't have confirmation of joining the AAC until your third term at RMAS.

All Regimental Selection Boards are done during inters now (second term). Plenty of 30 year olds kicking round the AAC pilot pipeline at the moment. There is no one under the age of 22. Everyone else is 25 or over; with 25 being considered young and 22 ridiculously young!

Eul0gy

funkyt111, you could always join up as a WSOP and then retrade to Pilot after a couple of years as you can retrade from wsop to pilot until your 33. I think you will be streamed to rotary or multi engine.

muppetofthenorth

Yeah, because joining as a WSOp is an absolute doddle these days....

Eul0gy

Did i say it was an easy alternative, just giving him an option that most people dont know about .

muppetofthenorth

There's a reason it's not talked about.

Yes, it happens, but it is the exception to the rule. It is making your life harder and it is by no means guaranteed. To suggest someone that they enter a career which they do not want and might then be stuck in for 20yrs... it generally doesn't end well.

The poster could try that route, but it is making his life far harder than it needs to be. Unnecessarily so, too.

Pontius Navigator

While I am broad agreement with Muppet I know of a Sgt AEOp that in fairly short order rose to become an Air Commodore (AEO). He avoided the greasey pole by standing on other's shoulders.

I also know of one or two other NCA that have crossed over to pilot but they are very rare beasts.