Military Vs. Civilian
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Military Vs. Civilian
All,
I seemed to misinterpret my own commitment and did not quite phrase the question properly. I was just trying to establish what exactly life as an RAF pilot might be like, just in case I face the decision of choosing between Military and Civilian. Thanks for the advice, but please dont think I am some confused 18yo, hopefully I will soon be one of those graduates (with real dedication), and I have done alot of research, since I was 5. However there is only so much information about military life available to us civilian types.
Many thanks,
Lance
I seemed to misinterpret my own commitment and did not quite phrase the question properly. I was just trying to establish what exactly life as an RAF pilot might be like, just in case I face the decision of choosing between Military and Civilian. Thanks for the advice, but please dont think I am some confused 18yo, hopefully I will soon be one of those graduates (with real dedication), and I have done alot of research, since I was 5. However there is only so much information about military life available to us civilian types.
Many thanks,
Lance
Last edited by lancelevin; 3rd Feb 2003 at 07:58.
Pilot Officer PPRuNe
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Well me old, you are going to have to come up with something soon, because I can garuntee that those doing the interviews will see through any lack of commitement. There are always more applications than there are places and if you cannot prove to them that you want this more than anything you will not get in.
Think about how you will feel if you are unsuccessful. If you will not be totaly gutted then I suggest its not for you.
There is a huge difference between the two types of flying, and if you don't know that now, with two weeks to go, you have a lot of preperation to do for the interview. I doubt you will find the answer here, you just have to think closely about what you want out of life.
Tonks
Think about how you will feel if you are unsuccessful. If you will not be totaly gutted then I suggest its not for you.
There is a huge difference between the two types of flying, and if you don't know that now, with two weeks to go, you have a lot of preperation to do for the interview. I doubt you will find the answer here, you just have to think closely about what you want out of life.
Tonks
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RAF lack of pilots
Tonkenna - "There are always more applications than there are places"
If this is the case why is it that there is a shortage of pilots in the RAF. Is it that enough people are selected for training but not enough are good enough and or don't complete the training? Or is it to do with the RAF's trouble with retaining qualified pilots?
Any views would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
If this is the case why is it that there is a shortage of pilots in the RAF. Is it that enough people are selected for training but not enough are good enough and or don't complete the training? Or is it to do with the RAF's trouble with retaining qualified pilots?
Any views would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
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I suppose there are several reasons:
Lots of people apply, but not all get in.
Of those not all pass to get their wings.
Even after getting their wings not all get onto the front line.
Once there, lots leave and the training system can't always cope with the demand to fill slots.
It usually goes in waves, for a few years not enough, then too many.
I guess its the same for many big buisinesses.
Tonks
Lots of people apply, but not all get in.
Of those not all pass to get their wings.
Even after getting their wings not all get onto the front line.
Once there, lots leave and the training system can't always cope with the demand to fill slots.
It usually goes in waves, for a few years not enough, then too many.
I guess its the same for many big buisinesses.
Tonks
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With respect (though not too much) the reason you want to join the RAF as a pilot is that it is something you have wanted to do since you were about 8 years old. If it isn't tehn it may not be for you! As someone involved in the training of aircrew I can tell you that we are fairly sick if entrants (be they Graduates or DE's) who can't really be bothered if they pass or not. It should mean everything to you. If you are successful in ALL your training you may well be told to spend 6 months away from home at a time. To live in fairly sh**ty conditions, and may well be shot-at, gassed, bombed or crash your ac for a 'principle' that you may not believe in. If there is any doubt as to whether to go Civvy or Military then there is no doublt - don;t join. If you can't be that fussed - we don't want you!
Sorry to sound brutal there are a few facts of life there that may be worth knowing!!!
Sorry to sound brutal there are a few facts of life there that may be worth knowing!!!
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What a load of prehistoric ****. Commercial flying isn't that different to what the Air Force do on a day to day basis. Your'e not always at war. In fact, with the amount of time off you get it's probabaly easier than flying all sorts of hours commercially. As far as I can see the only real difference is the attitude that comes across, i.e if we dont like you you fail regardless of ability!!
About time the RAF joined the 21st century and started to understand the new generation of young people.
About time the RAF joined the 21st century and started to understand the new generation of young people.
Ho ho ho...... Simon says what???
I hope that was a joke post from Simon. Either that or I must presume that you have never set foot on an RAF station and Daddy paid for your ATPL.
"Commercial flying isn't that different to what the Air Force do on a day to day basis" .....
.... I hope you are not refering to the FJ or RW fleet! And even if you just mean the ME fleet then you are still WAY off the mark. The high standard of professionalism of the air transport boys and others in operational theatres is not something I would expect your average shag student at Oxford to be able to cope with. If we are talking about what is expected of a junior officer compared with a random ATPL holder.... then your advice to lancelevin is ****.
"with the amount of time off you get it's probabaly easier than flying all sorts of hours commercially" .....
..... Been anywhere near an ops room recently? Or tried to get leave?
"As far as I can see the only real difference is the attitude that comes across, i.e if we dont like you you fail regardless of ability"....
.... And do you base this opinion on the down to earth advice given by the pro's on this thread? Or were you knocked back by HM Forces for aircrew......?
"About time the RAF joined the 21st century and started to understand the new generation of young people.".....
..... You must have had a bad night or something.... we are willing to help anyone to the max who is committed to joining up....and not afraid to re-brief those who display maybe just a little hesitance in committing themselves to a very demanding job.
"Commercial flying isn't that different to what the Air Force do on a day to day basis" .....
.... I hope you are not refering to the FJ or RW fleet! And even if you just mean the ME fleet then you are still WAY off the mark. The high standard of professionalism of the air transport boys and others in operational theatres is not something I would expect your average shag student at Oxford to be able to cope with. If we are talking about what is expected of a junior officer compared with a random ATPL holder.... then your advice to lancelevin is ****.
"with the amount of time off you get it's probabaly easier than flying all sorts of hours commercially" .....
..... Been anywhere near an ops room recently? Or tried to get leave?
"As far as I can see the only real difference is the attitude that comes across, i.e if we dont like you you fail regardless of ability"....
.... And do you base this opinion on the down to earth advice given by the pro's on this thread? Or were you knocked back by HM Forces for aircrew......?
"About time the RAF joined the 21st century and started to understand the new generation of young people.".....
..... You must have had a bad night or something.... we are willing to help anyone to the max who is committed to joining up....and not afraid to re-brief those who display maybe just a little hesitance in committing themselves to a very demanding job.
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Lance Levin,
Don't even bother.
I was chopped by HM almost 15yrs ago and am still gutted. It was something I had really,really wanted and even then didn't get through despite all my determination. If you're not sure now how will you feel when you go for a chopride? Ars*d or not? I think we all know the answer.
Ps I now fly freight for a living,earn 70k and dont have a mortgage but know where I'd much rather be. If you want to find me on a day off,I'm spending my (not very hard earned) cash on something that has a slightly higher workload than a bus. Apologies in advance to anyone offended by that but you really can't compare mil to civvy flying. Unless you just want to hours build.
Nuff Said.
Don't even bother.
I was chopped by HM almost 15yrs ago and am still gutted. It was something I had really,really wanted and even then didn't get through despite all my determination. If you're not sure now how will you feel when you go for a chopride? Ars*d or not? I think we all know the answer.
Ps I now fly freight for a living,earn 70k and dont have a mortgage but know where I'd much rather be. If you want to find me on a day off,I'm spending my (not very hard earned) cash on something that has a slightly higher workload than a bus. Apologies in advance to anyone offended by that but you really can't compare mil to civvy flying. Unless you just want to hours build.
Nuff Said.
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Well that hit the spot TR I guess!! My ATPL was so long ago now that I can't remember who paid for it, certainly not Daddy.
So on a day to day basis what are those Pumas doing flying through the heliroutes or the Chinook landing at Thruxton to visit a car dealer display of Porches? Over to you matey!! Hours to waste I suppose?
So on a day to day basis what are those Pumas doing flying through the heliroutes or the Chinook landing at Thruxton to visit a car dealer display of Porches? Over to you matey!! Hours to waste I suppose?
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Simon Says, do you live in a bubble, do you watch the news. Aside of what is happening in the world at this moment, I have flown in an aircraft in Bosnia, Iraq on ONW and OSW and my Sqn was involved in Afganistan. Even though I personally don't fly over the shooting area if we can help it, (large a/c, HVA and no need but too close for comfort sometimes) there are many that do. They get shot at a lot more than people realise, a low intensity conflict has been going on in N/S Iraq since the end of the Gulf war. When did you last get shot at? Your comments are those of some one with no idea of the reality of the subject they are talking about. Why don't you offer practical advice about being a commercial pilot an area where you should at least have some knowledge.
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Lance, you should be able to form an opinion and make a decision now of what to do. For what it's worth I don't think your initial post deserved such a hostile set of replies so I thought I would stir it up a bit!!
Enjoy your flying wherever you do it.
Enjoy your flying wherever you do it.
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Roundel & S.S 
Escapee.... I think you should remember the original post. Do you want a f***ing prize for being shot at? Why not moan some more....job satisfaction? You signed the papers! Suck on it.... You have all painted a fairly negative image of a fine institution for the guy. Seems to me £110,000 tax free with a blow job at the yoke is the way to go. Iv'e seen lots of ex RAF guys in the R.H seat, most good blokes but some of the attitudes here leave alot to be desired (be warned though most airlines fly more than ten hours a month as they CAN afford to buy fuel!) Oh and NO I'm not an OASC reject before the S**t flies in, far from it!
Escapee.... I think you should remember the original post. Do you want a f***ing prize for being shot at? Why not moan some more....job satisfaction? You signed the papers! Suck on it.... You have all painted a fairly negative image of a fine institution for the guy. Seems to me £110,000 tax free with a blow job at the yoke is the way to go. Iv'e seen lots of ex RAF guys in the R.H seat, most good blokes but some of the attitudes here leave alot to be desired (be warned though most airlines fly more than ten hours a month as they CAN afford to buy fuel!) Oh and NO I'm not an OASC reject before the S**t flies in, far from it!
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..Without trying to swing my rather tasty Loius Vuiton too far back......
Does anyone know the number of people who have tried to enter Civi Flying world, failed and then decided to go into the military instead???????.. Just curious!?!!?!?!?
Does anyone know the number of people who have tried to enter Civi Flying world, failed and then decided to go into the military instead???????.. Just curious!?!!?!?!?
Stellair Simonthingy
I don't think you'll find anyone on this forum complaining about being shot at (neither will you find anyone who likes it!!). You do find lots who get pi$$ed off when some civvie-luvvie claims his job is just as demanding!
The image that's being painted of the RAF for any new recruit is that you're not going to get 110k a year and a blow-job from a trolleydolley, so your commitment needs to be faultless. Mentioning the unpleasant but true parts of the job are necessary to make a fully informed decision - you won't get piccies of helicopters flying at LL with small arms fire being pointed at them on any of the glossies you can pick up at the careers office!
Stay flying more than 10hours a month in your job that has nothing in common with ours except you have to go up diddly up to start.
I don't think you'll find anyone on this forum complaining about being shot at (neither will you find anyone who likes it!!). You do find lots who get pi$$ed off when some civvie-luvvie claims his job is just as demanding!
The image that's being painted of the RAF for any new recruit is that you're not going to get 110k a year and a blow-job from a trolleydolley, so your commitment needs to be faultless. Mentioning the unpleasant but true parts of the job are necessary to make a fully informed decision - you won't get piccies of helicopters flying at LL with small arms fire being pointed at them on any of the glossies you can pick up at the careers office!
Stay flying more than 10hours a month in your job that has nothing in common with ours except you have to go up diddly up to start.