Sh*fted!!
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: north west england
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bad livin
One assumes that a crafty butcher is a someone who takes his meat through the back door...........and not someone who enjoys eating sushi from the barbers shop floor.
One assumes that a crafty butcher is a someone who takes his meat through the back door...........and not someone who enjoys eating sushi from the barbers shop floor.
Not knowing the upper age limits for RN selection I will assume 27 (just for the sake of a figure).
If you applied at age of 26 and had read all the bumph sent with your application forms, you will have realised that this was your ONLY chance at selection, and if you failed then that was it.
The Armed Forces WILL make an exemption on the upper age limit but ONLY for VERY EXCEPTIONAL candidates. From what you say you failed miserably first time and that would set the selection board's mind frame when reviewing your later application.
Sorry you have been disapointed, but that (as has been said) is life.
Wish you better luck in your next choice.
Doc C.
If you applied at age of 26 and had read all the bumph sent with your application forms, you will have realised that this was your ONLY chance at selection, and if you failed then that was it.
The Armed Forces WILL make an exemption on the upper age limit but ONLY for VERY EXCEPTIONAL candidates. From what you say you failed miserably first time and that would set the selection board's mind frame when reviewing your later application.
Sorry you have been disapointed, but that (as has been said) is life.
Wish you better luck in your next choice.
Doc C.
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: ISLE OF MAN
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The poor sod at the start of this post will , with time, become one of a burgeoning club of us who eventually accept we weren't good enough for military aircrew. I passed my pilot bits, but failed my nav selection, and for the RAF that was 'Forget Flying Mate' I took a short service commission only to end up an a war pension gratuity for injuries recieved in training. Not very illustrious, is it?
Every time I see a fast jet, miliary helo, tanker or transporter pass by, it still tugs at the heart strings. However, you get over it eventually, and end up grateful for what you have got. If I had been successful with a mil flying career, I wouldn't be living on a wonderful island, I wouldn't have met my missus and wouldn't have these two wonderful kids.
Your hours building seems to be going well. Still jobs out there in the commercial sector! Find a niche and you might even get someone to pay for it.
Whatever you decide - make it count cos it aint a dress rehersal mate.
Every time I see a fast jet, miliary helo, tanker or transporter pass by, it still tugs at the heart strings. However, you get over it eventually, and end up grateful for what you have got. If I had been successful with a mil flying career, I wouldn't be living on a wonderful island, I wouldn't have met my missus and wouldn't have these two wonderful kids.
Your hours building seems to be going well. Still jobs out there in the commercial sector! Find a niche and you might even get someone to pay for it.
Whatever you decide - make it count cos it aint a dress rehersal mate.
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Aerobatfink
I’m was sorry to read that you weren’t selected as a pilot candidate; it’s certainly a disheartening experience. From my own background, I’ll try to provide you with a better understanding of your situation.
Having failed both Pilot aptitude tests and AIB, the fact that you are a little older and, possibly, because you have been identified as a potential X officer (who are also desperately in demand), these factors in combination will have conspired to preclude from you the opportunity of making a second attempt as a pilot. However, to be certain this should have been promptly communicated to you.
The board knows from years of experience that test scores change very little with second attempts and therefore only individuals whom they feel would have a very good chance of putting their combined Pilot and AIB scores into the “successful” pilot selection range might be put forward again. This might be because an individual has a good AIB pass, and pilot pass but needs a few extra points on the pilot pass to gain stand a good chance at final selection or vice versa, in which case they will send you back to the AIB.
Though you might be within the printed age limit, the practical age limit seems to be below 23 (with odd exceptions), simply because they want someone who is going to spend as long as possible being productive, that’s to say; not in training. The younger an individual is, the less chance he has of developing a medical deficiency and the less likely he is to leave the service for personal reasons: Today you want to fly fighters at Mach 2; tomorrow you’ll want to be home at 5 o’ clock for tea with the kids and Mrs.
As unfortunate as it is, the AIB and selection board are forced to play almost exclusively with the numbers, which are more consistent than gut feelings about an individual even though, in your case, you have displayed a significant amount of enthusiasm and commitment to becoming a pilot by taking flying lessons. It may be helpful to imagine yourself in the shoes of the RN officers who have to decide how to allocate an under-funded training budget. Even the trip to Cranwell costs the RN time and money. Assuming you want the best for the service one hopes that you’d choose options that carry the least risk. If you haven’ t already noticed, much of the “debate” on this forum revolves around the small financial resource of the British Military and who should get it.
What this all means for you, is that you should accept whatever celestial reasons have blocked this path to you and the fact that the Navy made a mistake (genuine or contrived) in not keeping you fully informed as to your status. It is completely impersonal. You might help future candidates by writing a reasoned letter to the AIB, explaining your disappointment. However, may I suggest that you do not begin with “Sh@fted!” which tends to obfuscate the balance of the composer to the reader!
With regards to planning your future, the aptitude tests, all be they reliable, are simply an indicator of your potential performance, not a set in stone statement. Failing to pass simply means that you are unlikely to be successful within Royal Navy’s time and budget constraints, not that you are unable to fly. So, don’t feel too disheartened there. Training may indeed be difficult for you, but don’t take them completely to heart and become a desk jockey because of them!
You should always have options in life, but if you’re meant to be a pilot (especially a civilian pilot) your options should be something like this.
A- Pilot
B- Pilot
C- Pilot
If you have another choice, then it tells me that it’s more of a whim or lifestyle choice than a genuine commitment. You’ll find advanced training tough and boring, not to mention beating your way to the airlines. The lean times can be excruciating.
All the best.
I’m was sorry to read that you weren’t selected as a pilot candidate; it’s certainly a disheartening experience. From my own background, I’ll try to provide you with a better understanding of your situation.
Having failed both Pilot aptitude tests and AIB, the fact that you are a little older and, possibly, because you have been identified as a potential X officer (who are also desperately in demand), these factors in combination will have conspired to preclude from you the opportunity of making a second attempt as a pilot. However, to be certain this should have been promptly communicated to you.
The board knows from years of experience that test scores change very little with second attempts and therefore only individuals whom they feel would have a very good chance of putting their combined Pilot and AIB scores into the “successful” pilot selection range might be put forward again. This might be because an individual has a good AIB pass, and pilot pass but needs a few extra points on the pilot pass to gain stand a good chance at final selection or vice versa, in which case they will send you back to the AIB.
Though you might be within the printed age limit, the practical age limit seems to be below 23 (with odd exceptions), simply because they want someone who is going to spend as long as possible being productive, that’s to say; not in training. The younger an individual is, the less chance he has of developing a medical deficiency and the less likely he is to leave the service for personal reasons: Today you want to fly fighters at Mach 2; tomorrow you’ll want to be home at 5 o’ clock for tea with the kids and Mrs.
As unfortunate as it is, the AIB and selection board are forced to play almost exclusively with the numbers, which are more consistent than gut feelings about an individual even though, in your case, you have displayed a significant amount of enthusiasm and commitment to becoming a pilot by taking flying lessons. It may be helpful to imagine yourself in the shoes of the RN officers who have to decide how to allocate an under-funded training budget. Even the trip to Cranwell costs the RN time and money. Assuming you want the best for the service one hopes that you’d choose options that carry the least risk. If you haven’ t already noticed, much of the “debate” on this forum revolves around the small financial resource of the British Military and who should get it.
What this all means for you, is that you should accept whatever celestial reasons have blocked this path to you and the fact that the Navy made a mistake (genuine or contrived) in not keeping you fully informed as to your status. It is completely impersonal. You might help future candidates by writing a reasoned letter to the AIB, explaining your disappointment. However, may I suggest that you do not begin with “Sh@fted!” which tends to obfuscate the balance of the composer to the reader!
With regards to planning your future, the aptitude tests, all be they reliable, are simply an indicator of your potential performance, not a set in stone statement. Failing to pass simply means that you are unlikely to be successful within Royal Navy’s time and budget constraints, not that you are unable to fly. So, don’t feel too disheartened there. Training may indeed be difficult for you, but don’t take them completely to heart and become a desk jockey because of them!
You should always have options in life, but if you’re meant to be a pilot (especially a civilian pilot) your options should be something like this.
A- Pilot
B- Pilot
C- Pilot
If you have another choice, then it tells me that it’s more of a whim or lifestyle choice than a genuine commitment. You’ll find advanced training tough and boring, not to mention beating your way to the airlines. The lean times can be excruciating.
All the best.
Join Date: Nov 2001
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Aerobatfink
What complete nonsense, shafted does not equate to dissapointed. Shafted implies some malevolent force against you per se. Not just the fact you failed a difficult test they wont let you resit. please grow up.
Ah, sorry you're too old.............how odd!
What complete nonsense, shafted does not equate to dissapointed. Shafted implies some malevolent force against you per se. Not just the fact you failed a difficult test they wont let you resit. please grow up.
Ah, sorry you're too old.............how odd!
Just a numbered other
Cavu
Well said.
ABF. I went through this process at the age of 25, very aware that it was my one and only chance. I was lucky to pass, and went on to enjoy the career of my choice.
Had I failed, I would not have sulked into my beer, but gone looking for something to which I was suited.
When you come across one of the many cowpats which strew the path of life, you can either dive in face first, or step around. Step around, mate.
Well said.
ABF. I went through this process at the age of 25, very aware that it was my one and only chance. I was lucky to pass, and went on to enjoy the career of my choice.
Had I failed, I would not have sulked into my beer, but gone looking for something to which I was suited.
When you come across one of the many cowpats which strew the path of life, you can either dive in face first, or step around. Step around, mate.
