RAF Fitness Test
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I have heard a saying, attributed to the Royal Marines I believe, that says physical fitness is all in the mind. In which case I think I'll just go and lay down for an hour and think myself fitter!
Surely nobody can argue with that.
Fay
Surely nobody can argue with that.
Fay
PPRuNe Person
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So as I understand it you jump in the dinghy, do all the inflating/baling bollox then leap out and do 14 lengths??!!
Blimey - we were normally needed for triv on the Sqn - no time for sport!
(Unless it was a Sqn golf day)
Blimey - we were normally needed for triv on the Sqn - no time for sport!
(Unless it was a Sqn golf day)
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If spending time operating under a certain amount of G is fatiguing, then surely the answer is for more flying to get fitter! This will have the added benefit of raising aircrew hours, which in turn would probably help the forces retain them!
Quite so. Perhaps it's just that a fat bloke is less likely to attract the eye of some predator than some racing snake male model look alike.....or is it just that ladies like a cuddle. They do, Sir...ooh, yes...they like that, Sir!
And why would anyone settle for a mere six-pack when they could own a barrel??
And why would anyone settle for a mere six-pack when they could own a barrel??
Cunning Artificer
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As a mere grease monkey I figure that full bore rifle shooting and cross-country running are appropriate skills for those required to defend the airfield perimeter, then run for it when the aircrews get into their shiny machines and fly away from the enemy advance.
But don't you all need six-pack stomachs and rippling biceps to fit into the Superman Suits with dignity? I mean, Batman always looked a bloody fool with his flabby belly and saggy sleeves; I'd have thought the Winged Master Race could at least display a bit of pride in their appearance.
**************************
Through difficulties to the cinema
But don't you all need six-pack stomachs and rippling biceps to fit into the Superman Suits with dignity? I mean, Batman always looked a bloody fool with his flabby belly and saggy sleeves; I'd have thought the Winged Master Race could at least display a bit of pride in their appearance.
**************************
Through difficulties to the cinema
If an old fart like yours truly can pass the RAFFT with >30% more than the age-adjusted aerobic standard requires, then any bug.ger can!
It ain't hard - but I keep wondering why it's sooooo important to the squirearchy. Is it KPI or deployability driven, on demande?
It ain't hard - but I keep wondering why it's sooooo important to the squirearchy. Is it KPI or deployability driven, on demande?
Join Date: Nov 2002
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BEagle,
Can't fault you there old boy, I'm with you all the way.
I am now at the stage where, providing I can walk to the gym (un-aided of course) then I've passed!!
As for you Mr Sheep, black or otherwise, I am overweight yes, a bit on the ugly side, but I still look bl**dy good in my flying kit!!
As for all this rubbish about being fit for evasion if the unspeakable ever hapens, well what a load of old cobblers!!!When the RAF get round to taking it seriously themselves, then I'll take my fitness a bit more seriously
Until then, I'll keep plodding on, happy and contented, and let all those jock-strapping nutters enjoy themselves 
Best wishes
The swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, pass me another Lard pie please, followed by a large scotch I think!'
Can't fault you there old boy, I'm with you all the way.
I am now at the stage where, providing I can walk to the gym (un-aided of course) then I've passed!!
As for you Mr Sheep, black or otherwise, I am overweight yes, a bit on the ugly side, but I still look bl**dy good in my flying kit!!
As for all this rubbish about being fit for evasion if the unspeakable ever hapens, well what a load of old cobblers!!!When the RAF get round to taking it seriously themselves, then I'll take my fitness a bit more seriously
Until then, I'll keep plodding on, happy and contented, and let all those jock-strapping nutters enjoy themselves Best wishes
The swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, pass me another Lard pie please, followed by a large scotch I think!'
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I find it incredibly irritating to know that the medical requirements to become aircrew in any servicd are rigorous to say the least - with much emphasis placed on the individual's health, size and shape etc.
It is galling then to see pilots and navigators (for my example I will refer to those of the Light Blue fraternity in Northern Ireland) who are clearly clinically obese and unable to pass even the most basic of fitness tests / assessments, RAF or otherwise. I am not saying they should all be ninjas, but if the requirements to become aircrew in the first place are considered so important, why are they so blatantly ignored later on down the line?
Get running - you are taking up valuable space for fuel or pax.
It is galling then to see pilots and navigators (for my example I will refer to those of the Light Blue fraternity in Northern Ireland) who are clearly clinically obese and unable to pass even the most basic of fitness tests / assessments, RAF or otherwise. I am not saying they should all be ninjas, but if the requirements to become aircrew in the first place are considered so important, why are they so blatantly ignored later on down the line?
Get running - you are taking up valuable space for fuel or pax.
Join Date: Mar 2000
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Once upon a time, when I was a younger officer, one of my ground tours involved chasing recruits up hills and teaching them pine pole technology on windswept peaks in the Yorkshire Dales. At lunchtime we would go for a run up the same hills and then in the afternoon walk another two or three exercises just to prove our prowess and set an example to the troops.
I ran marathons and believed in the mantra of health and fitness, twenty years later I am now plagued by arthritis, can't even walk the golf course.
I just can't believe how lucky I am to have this opportunity thrust upon me to claim an extra 68p a month on my pension.
I ran marathons and believed in the mantra of health and fitness, twenty years later I am now plagued by arthritis, can't even walk the golf course.
I just can't believe how lucky I am to have this opportunity thrust upon me to claim an extra 68p a month on my pension.
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Fitness. It's a good indicator to the type of person that they actually are. What is the first thing that you think when you see a lardy? Lacking self-respect, self-discipline and a blatant dis-regard for everything that the military stands for. Absolutely the case, and an embarrassment to everybody else in uniform, regardless of cap badge.
It's the easiest way to make your name or to lose your name, depending on which end of the scales you lie. I don't care what service you are in, the lads and lasses in the ranks will judge you on what you look like and how you cope under physical stress and duress. Surely that is an important thing for us officer types.
Get a grip on yourselves and sort your health out to a reasonable standard. There are too many 30 somethings trying to cling on to their Krazee student days in the bar and in their pit!
It's the easiest way to make your name or to lose your name, depending on which end of the scales you lie. I don't care what service you are in, the lads and lasses in the ranks will judge you on what you look like and how you cope under physical stress and duress. Surely that is an important thing for us officer types.
Get a grip on yourselves and sort your health out to a reasonable standard. There are too many 30 somethings trying to cling on to their Krazee student days in the bar and in their pit!
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I N Balance,
Steady on there old boy, it sounds like you're just about to topple.
Being physically fit when you join up is just one of the many attributes that are required to become military aircrew, pilot Nav or otherwise. Simply because someone is letting one of those attributes slip in later life, namely applying a few extra pounds, is hardly cause for such rash coments.
It is a fact of life, that the majority of us, with age, will put on weight
As for taking up space for fuel and pax, what on earth are you talking about??
My seat, up at the front, is for ME. It is not an alternative for fuel or another pax. Without me, the bird 'aint going nowhere!!
Klingon makes a really good and most valid point, and I too suffer like he does. I genuingly wish I hadn't done all that 'jock-strapping' in my early years. God knows I'm paying for it now
Have a nice Christmas, presumably without mince pies
Kind regards
The Swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, only 2 mince pies for me tonight, but a very large scotch also please'
Steady on there old boy, it sounds like you're just about to topple.
Being physically fit when you join up is just one of the many attributes that are required to become military aircrew, pilot Nav or otherwise. Simply because someone is letting one of those attributes slip in later life, namely applying a few extra pounds, is hardly cause for such rash coments.
It is a fact of life, that the majority of us, with age, will put on weight
As for taking up space for fuel and pax, what on earth are you talking about??
My seat, up at the front, is for ME. It is not an alternative for fuel or another pax. Without me, the bird 'aint going nowhere!!
Klingon makes a really good and most valid point, and I too suffer like he does. I genuingly wish I hadn't done all that 'jock-strapping' in my early years. God knows I'm paying for it now
Have a nice Christmas, presumably without mince pies
Kind regards
The Swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, only 2 mince pies for me tonight, but a very large scotch also please'
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Swinging Monkey,
It is you I fear who has missed the point. I am fully aware that you have your own seat at the front; my point was that overweight aircrew, by virtue of the fact that they are obese are taking up space with their lard that could be better used for additional fuel etc.
Your attitude of "without me the bird aint goin anywhere" I am not surprised about. I don't know your Service, but it sounds like a standard RAF attitude. I would remind you that the SH Force ultimately only exists to support green troops. Without them, you aint goin anywhere.
It is you I fear who has missed the point. I am fully aware that you have your own seat at the front; my point was that overweight aircrew, by virtue of the fact that they are obese are taking up space with their lard that could be better used for additional fuel etc.
Your attitude of "without me the bird aint goin anywhere" I am not surprised about. I don't know your Service, but it sounds like a standard RAF attitude. I would remind you that the SH Force ultimately only exists to support green troops. Without them, you aint goin anywhere.
I. N. Balance,
sorry old chap, still wrong
Because individually weighing all the aircrew everytime and then working out fuels etc takes too much time etc, we simply allow 80 kgs for each crewmember. You can be an Ethiopian or Bernard Manning, you weigh 80kgs - it makes no difference to the fuel calcs
It is for the same reason that you won't find a set of scales by the door every time your brown job colleagues get on one of Her Majesties finest fling-wing flying machines, you all (whether you are Harry Potter or Arnold Schwarzenegger) weigh 100kgs.
Have to agree about the RAFFT test though, if a lardy bucket like me can pass it without having to break sweat, it may be a teensy bit too easy!
sorry old chap, still wrong
Because individually weighing all the aircrew everytime and then working out fuels etc takes too much time etc, we simply allow 80 kgs for each crewmember. You can be an Ethiopian or Bernard Manning, you weigh 80kgs - it makes no difference to the fuel calcs
It is for the same reason that you won't find a set of scales by the door every time your brown job colleagues get on one of Her Majesties finest fling-wing flying machines, you all (whether you are Harry Potter or Arnold Schwarzenegger) weigh 100kgs.
Have to agree about the RAFFT test though, if a lardy bucket like me can pass it without having to break sweat, it may be a teensy bit too easy!
a training sqn that i operated on did indeed have a set of scales that were to be used prior to every sortie.
very few people weighed 80kgs, most were surprised by this, the staff certainly weighed considerably more :o , in most cases.
me - i came in close to 100kgs fully dressed in flying rig complete with navbag, lsj and sandwiches!!
stop whining and get a moderate degree of fitness, you'll feel and look better for it.
very few people weighed 80kgs, most were surprised by this, the staff certainly weighed considerably more :o , in most cases.
me - i came in close to 100kgs fully dressed in flying rig complete with navbag, lsj and sandwiches!!
stop whining and get a moderate degree of fitness, you'll feel and look better for it.
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Amusing topic this!
I find it funny that the Army chaps who decide to post on here continue to slate our fitness levels. Yes I would be the first to admit that I probably dont do as much fitness as I should probably do. But as for having it rammed down my throat, no thanks.
Im sure most of the drivers on here can say fairly confidently that they can adequately cope in whatever flying role they carry out, whether thats air combat or an 8 hour transit down route. Professionallism would dictate that we do this to the best of our ability.
As for the E&E argument that has been banded about.
Join the Army - Expect to do fitness because you cover lots of miles on foot carrying all your kit and then have to be an effective fighter at the far end.
Fly aircraft - Expect to fly (sit) and yes it is more tiring than you would imagine. Then carry out all your other hundreds of secondary duties that pile up on your desk. Most normal people would then rather have a relax than a beasting session at the gym!
The SF guys in DS1 did bloody well because yes they were fit, but the E&E was an integral part of their day to day job. Its not the case with us. We do get very well taught in what to do but not much practice at actually doing it. Would being fitter have actually helped the unfortunate few downed aircrew 10yrs ago. I doubt it. They did fantastically well by themselves.
As for the RAFFT. Is it a test as such? Hmmm.
For whoever asked about levels too. Its 9/10 for <25yrs. 9/4 for 25-29 I think.
So what I meant to actually write was, Hoiii Army guys stop moaning about our fitness levels, it hasnt let you down has it.
A few of my mates I know in NI might not be so happy to pick you up in that crappy weather next time if they read your ever so nice physical description of them!
See you down the gym - NOT!
Mines a lager!
I find it funny that the Army chaps who decide to post on here continue to slate our fitness levels. Yes I would be the first to admit that I probably dont do as much fitness as I should probably do. But as for having it rammed down my throat, no thanks.
Im sure most of the drivers on here can say fairly confidently that they can adequately cope in whatever flying role they carry out, whether thats air combat or an 8 hour transit down route. Professionallism would dictate that we do this to the best of our ability.
As for the E&E argument that has been banded about.
Join the Army - Expect to do fitness because you cover lots of miles on foot carrying all your kit and then have to be an effective fighter at the far end.
Fly aircraft - Expect to fly (sit) and yes it is more tiring than you would imagine. Then carry out all your other hundreds of secondary duties that pile up on your desk. Most normal people would then rather have a relax than a beasting session at the gym!
The SF guys in DS1 did bloody well because yes they were fit, but the E&E was an integral part of their day to day job. Its not the case with us. We do get very well taught in what to do but not much practice at actually doing it. Would being fitter have actually helped the unfortunate few downed aircrew 10yrs ago. I doubt it. They did fantastically well by themselves.
As for the RAFFT. Is it a test as such? Hmmm.
For whoever asked about levels too. Its 9/10 for <25yrs. 9/4 for 25-29 I think.
So what I meant to actually write was, Hoiii Army guys stop moaning about our fitness levels, it hasnt let you down has it.
A few of my mates I know in NI might not be so happy to pick you up in that crappy weather next time if they read your ever so nice physical description of them!
See you down the gym - NOT!
Mines a lager!
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I N Balance,
Too late, you have toppled old boy
Pray do tell, what has the physical size/weight of aircrew got to do with the amount of gas you can load up with?? Are you guys that fuel critical?? If you are, and it patently worries you, may I suggest that you change colours and join the real aviators and find a machine that is not quite so pathetic??
What about a nice big E-3D, bags of space (for more pies of course) Bags of power from 4 nice big blow jobs, and bags of fuel. And just in case you run a bit low, you cn fill her up inmid air Maybe an Albert? come on INB, you cannot be serious??
As for supporting green troops, well good show and all that, and a very well done to you - tick vg, Hoorah
You really must learn to take things a bit easier INB. This is all BANTER - try not to gorget that
Just because you are green and like a good weekly beasting dose not mean that the rest of the forces have to follow suit. I don't spend five minutes flying a little green hoverfly each day. I spend slightly longer, flying a great big yellow egg whisk, very often pulling your tired and exhausted 'super fit' colleagues off mountains when they stuck, or lost!!!
In the meantime, regards to all and have a happy new year
Regards
The swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, just one more scotch old boy'
Too late, you have toppled old boy
Pray do tell, what has the physical size/weight of aircrew got to do with the amount of gas you can load up with?? Are you guys that fuel critical?? If you are, and it patently worries you, may I suggest that you change colours and join the real aviators and find a machine that is not quite so pathetic??
What about a nice big E-3D, bags of space (for more pies of course) Bags of power from 4 nice big blow jobs, and bags of fuel. And just in case you run a bit low, you cn fill her up inmid air
Maybe an Albert? come on INB, you cannot be serious??As for supporting green troops, well good show and all that, and a very well done to you - tick vg, Hoorah
You really must learn to take things a bit easier INB. This is all BANTER - try not to gorget that
Just because you are green and like a good weekly beasting dose not mean that the rest of the forces have to follow suit. I don't spend five minutes flying a little green hoverfly each day. I spend slightly longer, flying a great big yellow egg whisk, very often pulling your tired and exhausted 'super fit' colleagues off mountains when they stuck, or lost!!!In the meantime, regards to all and have a happy new year
Regards
The swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, just one more scotch old boy'
The SM - if you're fit enough to cope with the rigours involved in SAR work, that's certainly good enough, one would have thought? Far more useful in your job if you're a few grammes on the cuddly side than hopping around with some jockstrapping induced injury.......perhaps you played enough spurt as well as working hard enough at school to be selectable for aircrew?
Are you going to give Caruthers the evening off tomorrow?
Are you going to give Caruthers the evening off tomorrow?
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BEagle,
I have found that to be a few grammes on the cuddly side has most definately been an ADVANTAGE in my game
Immersion suits are great, but it still gets bl**dy cold, and an extra bit (well quite a bit now) of fat certainly does help.
I can assure you, and everyone else, that a mans most precious assets do begin a migration northwards when they are subjected to the severe cold that the Atlantic offers, and I have been grateful on more than one occasion for that extra bit of 'insulation' around me
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against those who wish to maintain a high level of fitness - good on them, however.......
the vast majority of us have all been there, and done that at some stage in our lives. But those of us on front line squadrons simply can no longer get the time off anymore, and age, lack of sport blah takes it's toll. It's not an excuse (it is really!) but a fact, and I for one would rather have a squadron full of 'cuddlies' that are 100% reliable, than a squadron full of racing snakes, who 'cannot fly today Boss' because they have pulled a muscle'
As for Caruthers, well, he is such a loyal chap, I'm not sure he will cope with a night off!! Maybe we will share a few scotch's together tomorrow, and recall happy times
Best wishes to all
The swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, better get two glasses old boy!'
I have found that to be a few grammes on the cuddly side has most definately been an ADVANTAGE in my game
Immersion suits are great, but it still gets bl**dy cold, and an extra bit (well quite a bit now) of fat certainly does help.
I can assure you, and everyone else, that a mans most precious assets do begin a migration northwards when they are subjected to the severe cold that the Atlantic offers, and I have been grateful on more than one occasion for that extra bit of 'insulation' around me
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against those who wish to maintain a high level of fitness - good on them, however.......
the vast majority of us have all been there, and done that at some stage in our lives. But those of us on front line squadrons simply can no longer get the time off anymore, and age, lack of sport blah takes it's toll. It's not an excuse (it is really!) but a fact, and I for one would rather have a squadron full of 'cuddlies' that are 100% reliable, than a squadron full of racing snakes, who 'cannot fly today Boss' because they have pulled a muscle'
As for Caruthers, well, he is such a loyal chap, I'm not sure he will cope with a night off!! Maybe we will share a few scotch's together tomorrow, and recall happy times
Best wishes to all
The swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, better get two glasses old boy!'
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Funny how the Army poke fun at our larger crew, yet the only time I've seen takeoff weight compromised was with the good old TeenyWeeny Airways.
Refuelling at an unpleasant fwd location over the water. Huge WO Pilot lands & tells young SAC to 'fill her up'. Comes back 1 hr later & berates the SAC for filling the tank - the fat knacker could not take off vertically with a full tank, so we had to drain 10 litres out.
Be the best.
Refuelling at an unpleasant fwd location over the water. Huge WO Pilot lands & tells young SAC to 'fill her up'. Comes back 1 hr later & berates the SAC for filling the tank - the fat knacker could not take off vertically with a full tank, so we had to drain 10 litres out.
Be the best.