Training Pipeline Clogged
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Vikingdriver - makes sense:
AOC 22Gp's giving a briefing to all trainee pilots at Valley, Shawbs and Linton this week. (All on Thursday, apparently). Cranwell is Friday.
Linton and Cranwell are gen. Don't know about the other two yet.
I'll post up if there's anything useful.
AOC 22Gp's giving a briefing to all trainee pilots at Valley, Shawbs and Linton this week. (All on Thursday, apparently). Cranwell is Friday.
Linton and Cranwell are gen. Don't know about the other two yet.
I'll post up if there's anything useful.
Last edited by Kohima; 8th Feb 2011 at 15:12. Reason: Clarification
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Strawbs's MEARW Pilot Trg to re-commence in Mid-March 2011. Not quite so full on as last year but at least it's a start to clearing the backlog. Let's 'hope' that the OCUs will 're-open' to take the output and the aforementioned Chinny's appear as planned.
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I took my FATs yesterday at Cranwell, passed for all three branches. I was told during my debrief that the RN was only taking 3 pilots this year and 3 next year, but that they've already been selected. There were two serving AEO's who said they were applying for a transfer (I think they called it an 'MTP course'?) and they seemed to think that they were just going to drop into grading after they'd finished their current AEO courses.
Disappointingly, I was told that my scores would have put me at the top of the list if I had taken them a year earlier, but that there's just no chance right now. So... Observer or ATC?
Disappointingly, I was told that my scores would have put me at the top of the list if I had taken them a year earlier, but that there's just no chance right now. So... Observer or ATC?
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Northernsky
Definitely wait if being a pilot is what you want to do.
Don't make the mistake of thinking I'll go Observer/ATC and then transfer. While there is/was a very small chance of that happening I think those days are well and truly gone. If you would be happy being an Obs/ATC then go for it.
As for the AEO guys, and I am about 10 years out of date, it used to be that about 2 or 3 a year would be selected by competition from AEO training to be Maintenance Test Pilots. They would complete the normal pilot training route (fixed or rotary) , complete a tour and then be the maintenance test pilot for the unit. This does not mean that they are test pilots, rather the same as check test pilots the RAF uses, at least did on the Harrier and Im sure do on other types, for aircraft that have come out of maintenance. Check Test Pilots were just the more experienced guys on the Sqn who took a short course . In these days of austerity it seems a bit crazy for the RN to recruit specific MTPs having just trained them as AEOs.............................
Anyway, if you can wait, push to be in the next intake of pilots.
Definitely wait if being a pilot is what you want to do.
Don't make the mistake of thinking I'll go Observer/ATC and then transfer. While there is/was a very small chance of that happening I think those days are well and truly gone. If you would be happy being an Obs/ATC then go for it.
As for the AEO guys, and I am about 10 years out of date, it used to be that about 2 or 3 a year would be selected by competition from AEO training to be Maintenance Test Pilots. They would complete the normal pilot training route (fixed or rotary) , complete a tour and then be the maintenance test pilot for the unit. This does not mean that they are test pilots, rather the same as check test pilots the RAF uses, at least did on the Harrier and Im sure do on other types, for aircraft that have come out of maintenance. Check Test Pilots were just the more experienced guys on the Sqn who took a short course . In these days of austerity it seems a bit crazy for the RN to recruit specific MTPs having just trained them as AEOs.............................
Anyway, if you can wait, push to be in the next intake of pilots.
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Northernskyuk,
I have had it confirmed that my reply (http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...ml#post6189116) is still correct.
I agree with the rest of the advice. Wait for pilot slots which will apparently be becoming available again as of May 2012. The upper age limit is 26(?). In this climate, I agree that there would be no real prospect of a transfer from the generalist warfare branch to the pilot specialisation.
Have the RN informed you of how your application would/could be processed once the intake reopens (given your success at FATs)?
DS24.
I have had it confirmed that my reply (http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...ml#post6189116) is still correct.
I agree with the rest of the advice. Wait for pilot slots which will apparently be becoming available again as of May 2012. The upper age limit is 26(?). In this climate, I agree that there would be no real prospect of a transfer from the generalist warfare branch to the pilot specialisation.
Have the RN informed you of how your application would/could be processed once the intake reopens (given your success at FATs)?
DS24.
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Thanks to everyone who has offered their advice. The issue is that I'm 23 in June this year, and the debriefing officer told me that even though I got exceptional marks at the FATs, by the time they're looking for the next pilot intake I'll be 24 or 25, and in his experience they'd probably select a 21-22 year old with a lower FAT score rather than someone like me who'd be approaching the age limit upon entering BRNC. I haven't spoken to my ACLO yet about the way forward so maybe she'll offer a different opinion.
DS24, many thanks for getting that reconfirmed. I was told that as the FATs are changing slightly in the next few months I would have to come back and retake them, but that doesn't really bother me. I wouldn't be sent to the AIB until the intake was reopened, and in all truth I think I'll find that much more difficult than the FATs. I'm happy to wait, but it'd be even more heartbreaking to wait a year or more and then fail the AIB. At least if I go for Observer or ATC I'll find out one way or the other in the next couple of months, and even if an offer for Observer was made, is there any reason I couldn't go back to them and say I'd rather wait?
I don't want to dilute this thread any more than necessary, but I do really appreciate all your advice.
Many thanks,
DS24, many thanks for getting that reconfirmed. I was told that as the FATs are changing slightly in the next few months I would have to come back and retake them, but that doesn't really bother me. I wouldn't be sent to the AIB until the intake was reopened, and in all truth I think I'll find that much more difficult than the FATs. I'm happy to wait, but it'd be even more heartbreaking to wait a year or more and then fail the AIB. At least if I go for Observer or ATC I'll find out one way or the other in the next couple of months, and even if an offer for Observer was made, is there any reason I couldn't go back to them and say I'd rather wait?
I don't want to dilute this thread any more than necessary, but I do really appreciate all your advice.
Many thanks,
Last edited by Northernskyuk; 10th Feb 2011 at 12:18.
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Cully 58 - I know that's sarcasm, but I'm not being arrogant, I'm not looking to brag to anyone here, and I'm not going to rise to the bait. I appreciate the experience and the wisdom of the forum members here, and I'm just looking for a little advice. I was obviously disappointed to be told "last year you could have achieved your life ambition, but you can't anymore." The information in this thread is going to be invaluable in helping me make a decision, but I apologise if you or anyone else thought I was just looking to brag.
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NorthernSky
Your scores were not exceptional.
They might have been good, but they were not exceptional.
How do I know this?
Because they would have made an exception in your case to let you in if they were, or would let you in when you are a bit older over a less exceptional candidate.
That is what the word exceptional means.
Why are you on here?
If you want to be a pilot enough you would just wait it out rather than whining on here.
If you are willing to accept observer, then you really are not that fussed about piloting.
Man up and do what you want, dont let others talk you into something else.
Your scores were not exceptional.
They might have been good, but they were not exceptional.
How do I know this?
Because they would have made an exception in your case to let you in if they were, or would let you in when you are a bit older over a less exceptional candidate.
That is what the word exceptional means.
Why are you on here?
If you want to be a pilot enough you would just wait it out rather than whining on here.
If you are willing to accept observer, then you really are not that fussed about piloting.
Man up and do what you want, dont let others talk you into something else.
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Look, I don't want this topic to be taken any further off topic, so I promise this will be my last word on the subject. Whoever wants to lay into me afterwards can continue to do so. I'm not looking to be talked into or out of anything, I'm just asking for the opinions of members like yourself who have more experience than I do. I don't see what's wrong with wanting to get as much information as possible before making my own decision. Apologies if it seems like I'm whining.
Take care,
Take care,
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Northernsky - good luck to you, and dont get put off by the posts on here. You are not the first to ask a sensible question and get abused by the bored has-beens who tend to enjoy that sort of thing on the forums.
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On_Loan, I concur.
NSUK, for your peace of mind and the most reliable advice (by reliable I mean not via an anonymous forum), I would pursue the issue with your AFCO/ACLO and the AIB, asking as many questions as possible.
Don't let the corrosive nonsense exhibited on here put you off, especially when you have recognised any topic-drifting and been polite in the face of counter-productivity.
[My own apologies for continuing an off-topic element, but I see no reason to kick someone while they are down...especially given that there are many in the military feeling 'down' at the moment, whereas they have in-service (and thus in the know(?)) colleagues to help alleviate, even to a tiny extent, the not-knowing and doubts].
NSUK, for your peace of mind and the most reliable advice (by reliable I mean not via an anonymous forum), I would pursue the issue with your AFCO/ACLO and the AIB, asking as many questions as possible.
Don't let the corrosive nonsense exhibited on here put you off, especially when you have recognised any topic-drifting and been polite in the face of counter-productivity.
[My own apologies for continuing an off-topic element, but I see no reason to kick someone while they are down...especially given that there are many in the military feeling 'down' at the moment, whereas they have in-service (and thus in the know(?)) colleagues to help alleviate, even to a tiny extent, the not-knowing and doubts].
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Cully, taking your post at face value, thos escores are exceptional. The minmums are well below that even with the 10% increase in the RAF bottom level.
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NSUK
I agree with On Loan and DarkSide24.
Do NOT be put off by the negative comments from anonymous contributors who have not had to produce any proof of their qualifications prior to pontificating.
You appear to have faced up to the dilemma that, through no fault of your own, has suddenly confronted you and I wish you the best of luck in the future.
I agree with On Loan and DarkSide24.
Do NOT be put off by the negative comments from anonymous contributors who have not had to produce any proof of their qualifications prior to pontificating.
You appear to have faced up to the dilemma that, through no fault of your own, has suddenly confronted you and I wish you the best of luck in the future.