Advice for a prospective RAF pilot
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Advice for a prospective RAF pilot
Dear Ppruners, may I crave your indulgence for a few minutes? I'm looking for some knowledgeable advice for my girlfriend's 15 year old son.
He sits his final tranche of GCSEs next year, and wants above all else to be a pilot in the RAF. He's bright, personable, very intelligent, and is showing a talent for mathematics and science, amongst other things. His older brother got 7 "A"s and 7 "A*"s in his GCSEs, and this young man is expected to get somewhere near that himself.
Now, I realise of course that being a pilot is much more about aptitude than paper qualifications, but that can't be tested yet. He joined the ATC as soon as he was able, and is proving to be a keen and able cadet.
The current situation, as I understand it, is that the future requirement for RAF pilots is likely to be low...I think I remember reading on here that a figure of around 24 new pilots per year was about right. This obviously means that a lot of potential pilots will not make it simply due to the numbers game, even if they have the talent and attitude that would have got them a place in past decades.
So, in addition to any advice you might be able to offer as to how this young man might go about maximising his chances, I'd be grateful if you could help out with some advice regarding Plan B.
Currently, when questioned, the lad says that if he can't be a pilot, then he wants to be an RAF Regiment Officer. Now, of course, this would suit certain individuals down to the ground, but to be honest I don't think that he's cut out for that life. Additionally, one has to think of the future, and I'm not entirely sure what civilian career follows on naturally from a stint as a commissioned Rockape.
If I were in his shoes, I'd be planning to get a degree in something marketable (for the RAF as well as Civvy Street), such as engineering (my own background). I can't see that having an engineering degree could possibly hurt his chances of becoming a pilot - but would you say it would be an advantage? Prior to that, I wonder if it would be advantageous in steering him towards Welbeck for his sixth form education? I realise that they concern themselves only with potential engineering and logistics officers, but I think it would suit him down to the ground, it seems to be an environment where he'd thrive.
What does the panel think?
He sits his final tranche of GCSEs next year, and wants above all else to be a pilot in the RAF. He's bright, personable, very intelligent, and is showing a talent for mathematics and science, amongst other things. His older brother got 7 "A"s and 7 "A*"s in his GCSEs, and this young man is expected to get somewhere near that himself.
Now, I realise of course that being a pilot is much more about aptitude than paper qualifications, but that can't be tested yet. He joined the ATC as soon as he was able, and is proving to be a keen and able cadet.
The current situation, as I understand it, is that the future requirement for RAF pilots is likely to be low...I think I remember reading on here that a figure of around 24 new pilots per year was about right. This obviously means that a lot of potential pilots will not make it simply due to the numbers game, even if they have the talent and attitude that would have got them a place in past decades.
So, in addition to any advice you might be able to offer as to how this young man might go about maximising his chances, I'd be grateful if you could help out with some advice regarding Plan B.
Currently, when questioned, the lad says that if he can't be a pilot, then he wants to be an RAF Regiment Officer. Now, of course, this would suit certain individuals down to the ground, but to be honest I don't think that he's cut out for that life. Additionally, one has to think of the future, and I'm not entirely sure what civilian career follows on naturally from a stint as a commissioned Rockape.
If I were in his shoes, I'd be planning to get a degree in something marketable (for the RAF as well as Civvy Street), such as engineering (my own background). I can't see that having an engineering degree could possibly hurt his chances of becoming a pilot - but would you say it would be an advantage? Prior to that, I wonder if it would be advantageous in steering him towards Welbeck for his sixth form education? I realise that they concern themselves only with potential engineering and logistics officers, but I think it would suit him down to the ground, it seems to be an environment where he'd thrive.
What does the panel think?
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Still on the beach (but this one's cold).
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pass the GCSE and A levels well, apply for direct entry as a pilot and a science based University degree course at a university with a University Air Squadron attached. Be prepared to go to Uni if DE does not happen. Keep up the Air Cadets and try and get a gliding or flying scholarship. Get a Saturday job and use the money to pay for gliding lessons at a civilian club. Do DofE award. Apply through the AFCO for a sixth form bursary and do the aptitude test in advance. Do lots of mental mathematics prep for TIA, time/distance/speed calculations. Multiplication, division etc. be positive, numbers might be low but he only needs 1 spot.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Hard to better Mach's advice. Early yet but he should start to develop an interest in current affairs so that it becomes a habit. When reading of something, Mali for instance, look at a World map so that he starts to build up his general knowledge.
Look at activities that will increase his social and leadership skills. DoE is good as is the ATC. Consider some form of arduous adventure training and team sports.
The better rounded he is as an individual the better his chances.
Look at activities that will increase his social and leadership skills. DoE is good as is the ATC. Consider some form of arduous adventure training and team sports.
The better rounded he is as an individual the better his chances.
Good luck ...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for that...should have spotted it! When could he apply to sit the aptitude test, and at what stage can he apply for DE as a pilot? Is the window big enough for him to find out if he's been successful before having to take up a uni offer?
Red On, Green On
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Between the woods and the water
Age: 24
Posts: 6,487
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
So does he want to fly, or to join the RAF?
If he's really set on flying for HMG then he can increase his chances by applying for the FAA and the AAC in due course. We've seen PPruners who have done at least two applications in parallel.
If he's really set on flying for HMG then he can increase his chances by applying for the FAA and the AAC in due course. We've seen PPruners who have done at least two applications in parallel.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would suggest he also develops skills and a track record that would look favorable at P2 filter level (AFCO) and OASC.
Specifically:
Volunteering, community work
Duke of Edinburgh's Award (ATC) good for this
Lots of team sports and sport outside of school.
OASC especially will be looking for a bit of "get up and go" outside of what the school organises. Evidence of self starting - not just going along with an ATC or school organised activity.
I was told recently by a boarding officer that a lot of applicants now have superb academic skills, but lack "spark". Whether you agree or not, OASC will want to see Officer material first and a pilot second.
Specifically:
Volunteering, community work
Duke of Edinburgh's Award (ATC) good for this
Lots of team sports and sport outside of school.
OASC especially will be looking for a bit of "get up and go" outside of what the school organises. Evidence of self starting - not just going along with an ATC or school organised activity.
I was told recently by a boarding officer that a lot of applicants now have superb academic skills, but lack "spark". Whether you agree or not, OASC will want to see Officer material first and a pilot second.
Gentleman Aviator
not just going along with an ATC or school organised activity.
A Gold D of E is the best non-academic item you can have on a CV - and better than many academic ones!
"Additionally, one has to think of the future, and I'm not entirely sure what civilian career follows on naturally from a stint as a commissioned Rockape."
I can recall one who left at his 38/16 point and went on to be Chief Exec with Waitrose.
I can recall one who left at his 38/16 point and went on to be Chief Exec with Waitrose.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gold D of E. Agreed.
Had a chat with a University Milk round recruiter, no military connections and he said the same thing. Everyone has a 1st or 2:1, sometimes a MA/MSc, and how can you differentiate them. He basically said a Gold D of E was worth more than a degree grade.
One young Auggie I knew (got rejected for aircrew at OASC because her legs were proportionately too long compared to her torso...) went for a civvy graduate job feeling smug because she had a MSc. Turned out, the other candidates all had PhD's!
I would love to report that she now models stockings but regrettably she has a city job and is a loss to both the RAF and the modelling industry!
Had a chat with a University Milk round recruiter, no military connections and he said the same thing. Everyone has a 1st or 2:1, sometimes a MA/MSc, and how can you differentiate them. He basically said a Gold D of E was worth more than a degree grade.
One young Auggie I knew (got rejected for aircrew at OASC because her legs were proportionately too long compared to her torso...) went for a civvy graduate job feeling smug because she had a MSc. Turned out, the other candidates all had PhD's!
I would love to report that she now models stockings but regrettably she has a city job and is a loss to both the RAF and the modelling industry!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh, don't get me wrong, ICM, I have great respect for anyone (commissioned or otherwise) who chooses to do a job that I could never have done, either now or in my callow youth. I would imagine that 99.9% of ex-Rock zobs go on to good things afterwards...management skills are management skills, after all. It's just that you wouldn't necessarily feel that to be a Waitrose Chief Exec you'd need the specific skills that one might learn as a Rock. My local One Stop though...now that's a bear pit when the pubs kick out! 
Gentleman Aviator
(got rejected for aircrew at OASC because her legs were proportionately too long compared to her torso...)
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Miss PN was a Auxiliary Rock. Worked for her. Picture a bunch of recalcitrant trainees being lectured by a chick. She was doing the mandatory fire fighting indoctrination. "You pull the pin out so, it's no different from a hand grenade." Pregnant pause, eyes pop, attention riveted.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Apparently, the legs/torso proportions were something to do with an ejector seat issue if she'd gone FJ. Despite my slightly leery post, I thought she would have made an excellent Officer in any branch. Sadly her experience, and my own three day visit to OASC 25 years after I had previously passed Biggin Hill, proved that a high proportion of very good candidates are turned away for even the slightest reason.
Still, the Auggies are recruiting like mad! (but no aircrew.....)
Still, the Auggies are recruiting like mad! (but no aircrew.....)
Advice for a prospective RAF pilot
Don't take no for an answer and don't listen to nay-saying bull****ters! Someone has to do it and it might as well be your boy. Hell, they let me in!
Sounds like he's doing all the right things. Degree choice is immaterial. I did a four year Primary Teaching degree. My GCSE's and A levels weren't exactly sparkling either. I did, however, spend five years in the ATC doing everything I possibly could including Nijmegen marches four times š³.
13 years and 2200 fast jet hours later I think I've done alright!
Good luck to him.
BVš
BV
Sounds like he's doing all the right things. Degree choice is immaterial. I did a four year Primary Teaching degree. My GCSE's and A levels weren't exactly sparkling either. I did, however, spend five years in the ATC doing everything I possibly could including Nijmegen marches four times š³.
13 years and 2200 fast jet hours later I think I've done alright!
Good luck to him.
BVš
BV
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When does the RAF start recruiting pilots again? I have heard it could be many years before it ramps to any meaningful level. The lad will probably be better off looking at the RN and AAC which are more exciting and enjoyable Services anyway.