Should I sacrifice my braces to attempt to become a pilot in the RAF?
Joined: Sep 2006
Aviation Qualifications: Military
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From: Somewhere flat
"It has been my dream to become a pilot in the RAF for a very long time."
You have one question to answer: what is more important - my dream or my vanity?. You make the decision!
You have one question to answer: what is more important - my dream or my vanity?. You make the decision!
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Johannesburg
excuse my ignorance, but how does wearing braces affect the selection process, ?
What effect does braces have on the mental and physical ability, how do wearing braces affect the training process ?
and by the time that the selection process is done and the actual courses start, the time of braces treatment might be over anyway.
educate me, but this sounds a bit draconian
What effect does braces have on the mental and physical ability, how do wearing braces affect the training process ?
and by the time that the selection process is done and the actual courses start, the time of braces treatment might be over anyway.
educate me, but this sounds a bit draconian
Joined: May 2003
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From: Outbound
I'm a bit surprised by some of these responses; I mean, it's not like it's now or never. He might fail some other aspect of selection, and he has a lot of hurdles to get through before he sees any cockpit at all!
A one year delay gives him arguably a better chance of success, AND the pretty teeth. He's going to feel a bit silly if he causes himself all sorts of dental grief, then gets chopped at IOT....
A one year delay gives him arguably a better chance of success, AND the pretty teeth. He's going to feel a bit silly if he causes himself all sorts of dental grief, then gets chopped at IOT....
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Llandudno
Thank you for all the replies!
If I was guaranteed a place, I wouldn't have to think twice about getting rid of these braces. I'd have them straight off. If I get them off, I'm going to have to take a risk as I may not be accepted into the RAF. That risk is what I'm having difficulty deciding on. I am confident I am what they are looking for but I have my doubts. My eye sight is good, but not perfect. I have been told by an optician that I have a "very high standard of vision", although I am in the slightest bit short sighted in one eye.
And as for the team leading and group discussions. Am I going to be able to stand out above everyone else who I am against?
It is a tough decision but I don't want to look back in 1 year as I'm waiting for the recruitment to reopen "I wish I took that chance". But then again I don't want to be thinking "I wish I kept my braces" as I'm returning home knowing I've not been accepted....mind you I may regret if I don't go for it now!
If I was guaranteed a place, I wouldn't have to think twice about getting rid of these braces. I'd have them straight off. If I get them off, I'm going to have to take a risk as I may not be accepted into the RAF. That risk is what I'm having difficulty deciding on. I am confident I am what they are looking for but I have my doubts. My eye sight is good, but not perfect. I have been told by an optician that I have a "very high standard of vision", although I am in the slightest bit short sighted in one eye.
And as for the team leading and group discussions. Am I going to be able to stand out above everyone else who I am against?
It is a tough decision but I don't want to look back in 1 year as I'm waiting for the recruitment to reopen "I wish I took that chance". But then again I don't want to be thinking "I wish I kept my braces" as I'm returning home knowing I've not been accepted....mind you I may regret if I don't go for it now!
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Llandudno
What I have been led to believe is that since I would transfer to the NHS to the RAF's health care, they don't want to take on the responsibility. They don't have orthodontists...:L Why I can't simply tell them I will have them taken off if I am accepted I do not know, however they definitely won't.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 587
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From: Outbound
The OP seems to believe his chance of success reduces if he waits a year. He can get his teeth fixed post training anyhow.
I think a realistic attitude is better than all the "reach for the stars! Follow your dreams! The sky's the limit!" stuff bandied around. If he passed the aptitude tests well, he'll almost certainly pass them next year. With an extra year's maturity and growing up behind him, he might do better at the leadership selection and interview stages. An extra year's prep won't hurt!
They might recruit less next year. On the other hand, they might recruit more, meaning he'll have an even better chance!
If he was bouncing off the age limit and about to turn 26, then yes, take the risk. But at 18?
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Falling off the end of the thread
The world is full of " why didn't I do that" people, you know you have the chance now, it may never ever happen again. To look back in the future and think why why why didn't I take the chance on something you had been working towards for most of your life to me seems strange. Heck you can always get a brace done privately if needed later on.
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Newcastle Upon Tyne
I don't get this. Why would braces be an issue at such an early stage, or at all?
Even if there was a risk of some adverse effect surely that's a long time down the road?
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Even if there was a risk of some adverse effect surely that's a long time down the road?
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Joined: May 1999
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From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Most of our pilots have wonky teeth - part of the British charm.
jackocooper mate, suggest you talk to your gnasher-basher before you make any firm decision.
Last edited by BEagle; 20th March 2014 at 20:04.
Joined: Jul 2003
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
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From: Near the coast
Three issues as far as I can see.
1. Why the hell are the RAF even bothered that he has a brace? I am an RAF pilot and I can't think for the life of me why it would make the blindest bit of difference.
2. If we're recruiting pilots right now it is probably not a short term thing. I would imagine the gates are open again and will remain that way for the foreseeable future, so why rush?
3. If you have passed the aptitude tests there is no reason to think you won't again. If it was touch and go first time round and you did fail them on a re-test then you may not have had the required skills to pass flying training anyway.
Bottom line in BVs eyes. Make whatever decision you are happy with. There will always be those that will try to knock you back (this website is full of them) but you'll never know unless you try. An extra year won't make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things and could just give you valuable time to mature (and live a little before the hard work starts) and learn what you need to in order to pass with flying colours.
If you are not good looking they will probably send you to multi engines which is not a terribly bad career. Only the most dashingly handsome of individuals get to fly the fast pointy machinery.
Best of luck and I hope it works out for you.
BV
2. If we're recruiting pilots right now it is probably not a short term thing. I would imagine the gates are open again and will remain that way for the foreseeable future, so why rush?
3. If you have passed the aptitude tests there is no reason to think you won't again. If it was touch and go first time round and you did fail them on a re-test then you may not have had the required skills to pass flying training anyway.
Bottom line in BVs eyes. Make whatever decision you are happy with. There will always be those that will try to knock you back (this website is full of them) but you'll never know unless you try. An extra year won't make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things and could just give you valuable time to mature (and live a little before the hard work starts) and learn what you need to in order to pass with flying colours.
If you are not good looking they will probably send you to multi engines which is not a terribly bad career. Only the most dashingly handsome of individuals get to fly the fast pointy machinery.
Best of luck and I hope it works out for you.
BV
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 573
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From: England
Having sung the praises of the RAF Dentist, my most memorable visit was when I travelled over to an appointment with a Wg Cdr at the Swinderby surgery. I had a large molar filling to be done and he just wouldn't have it from me that he had injected anaesthetic into the wrong side of my mouth.
The filling was duly done with me leaping around like a tasered burglar and receiving a lecture about the damage that could be done with a drill bit going at 4000rpm. I'm sure they're better when dealing with braces...
The filling was duly done with me leaping around like a tasered burglar and receiving a lecture about the damage that could be done with a drill bit going at 4000rpm. I'm sure they're better when dealing with braces...
Joined: Jul 2003
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
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From: Near the coast
P6
I was holding at RMB Chivenor after IOT before JEFTS and had reason to visit the RN dentist for a filling. He proceeded with the drilling stuff with no aneasthetic at all. I sat there, mouth agape, feeling sure he knew what he was doing and would get a needle out eventually, but no. The whole bloody thing with no drugs. Since it was a Marine base I figured this was SOP (Marines don't need drugs I'm sure!) and grimmaced as he got on with it. Looking back I wish I'd chinned the bugger!
BV
BV
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: cardboard box in't middle of t'road
And what if you get the braces taken off but they say you're too young/inexperienced and should go to university first? Which is fairly likely.