How old is too old for Air Combat Officer -WSO (F18f back seat nav) realistically to start?

And also for any pilot role?

Would be good to hear from those completing/completed flight screening if there were any 30+ guys on it in the mix.

thanks for the reply I'll consider that.

Air training
 

autoflight,

It's a shame though as I am already in my schools Cadet corps and there are restrictions on joining others if you're already participating (I'm in the army cadets).

Hamish.

Hamish,

You're grouped into one of three levels based on your "residual" flying experience. The documentation explains how this all will work(as well as this thread). Basically the three courses have slightly different syllabi that assume a different starting point. This will all be sorted by PSA from the hours you declare on your sheet, so be honest. As MajesticCasual said, the assessment is not of your flying ability, but rather of your learning ability.

Everyone in this thread makes different claims here. In my personal opinion, having two hours in the air before heading to Tamworth was very helpful. This also helps to demonstrate some motivation. Gliding experience is counted as half time because it is naturally different to powered flight. I would suggest if you are keen to do it, give gliding a go at the very least.

The previous flight experience will help develop your control skills of an aircraft and build up some instincts on how to "feel" what the aircraft is doing. You'll find the intensive two weeks at FSP will develop these skills markedly.

ADFA entrants are usually coursed with other ADFA entrants. If you're finishing Year 10 now, you'll want to start your application process at the end of this year so you can go on Flight Screening during a holiday in Year 12. Be mindful that this will be difficult and affect your study, so be prepared.

If you have any questions about the application process, I am all ears. Naturally those who have been on Flight Screening will be tight lipped over the assessment and OSB elements, but everything else is fair game. the guys over at ausmilitary forums have fantastic threads about the application process too. I highly suggest you give them a read.

Tracer,

I wouldn't say you're too old, there were guys at BFTS in their 30s for Air Force and Army while we were on Flight Screening. Give it a crack and see how it pans out.

Hey Flyingsoon,

Thanks for your reply. I will definitely take up some gliding lessons and give it a go. I feel like there's something about gliding that makes it seem really interesting. From reading about gliding, I think it gives you better control of the aircraft because of the finer inputs required when there isn't an engine and hence I feel like it will actually help me more anyways apart from being a lot of fun.

Thanks for the reply.
Hamish

From what I remember a lot of the questions were time based. If you're worried about maths, my recommendation would be to practice your basic arithmetic (focus on times tables) and approximation skills. Aside from that, my memory is that you need to be able to read and interpret information (gauges) quickly and also conceptualise aircraft orientation. I'm not sure if theres much prep you can do for the latter of these.

Hi Taylor

Suggest your contact case manager and confirm your application has been sent to PSA.

Geff89,

To be honest I would not recommend it for the cost. The aircraft they will put you in (a Robin) is not a Constant Speed Unit governed aircraft like the CT4B. I would instead recommend getting General Flying lessons from other reputable pilot training organisations, or not at all.

I went in to Flight Screening with very little flying experience (1 sortie) and found that the learning curve is designed so that you are catered for if you have 0 flight experience. The experience of lesson 1 of the CRAM helped me gain an understanding of the aircraft's operation, however it is not worth the cost and provided very little benefit other than the ability to demonstrate motivation.

Thanks All
 

Hi, new to this forum and want to say thanks to everyone who has contributed here. It's a lot to read through but there seems to be plenty of gold in them there hills.

I'm 25, ex-Army. I was unfortunately medically discharged, unfit for infantry due to persistent shin-splints...followed by a period of being diagnosed with depression after having to leave the ADF.

Did quite well back at my YOU session and had all jobs available for application, however I had done General Maths not 2-unit so I thought aviation was off the table (didn't realise I could do bridging courses etc), anyhow it seemed like a dream only fit for those greater than I. Army it was. Set my sights and got on a good course. All was well until it wasn't.

Looking back, as one sometimes does, I have regretted not chasing the dream to fly, as well as questioning the sense in not choosing a role that was potentially more suited to my attributes. (I'm 170cm, 70kg, and apparently somewhat flat footed, but with a good general fitness, focus and a love for learning)

Not wanting to live life wondering, I am going to see if there is any way that I can convince a board to let me in to show what I can learn and do.
Either way at least there may be some closure and I will have tried.

I see my hurdles as:
Medical history:
Physical component - Must determine suitability based on past injury and current status. Pack marching ability / Orthodics may not be such a big issue for aircrew.
Mental component - Must determine what they consider my current status and how long to have gone on fine without medication etc for.

Age - I realise that this window may close on me before I can get cleared for the above issues, depending on how harsh the AvMed Class 1 timeline requirements are.

Education - I will enrol in a qualifying bridging course AERONAUTICAL MATHEMATICS,Mathematics Bridging,Maths Bridging,Physics Bridging,HSC Mathematics,HSC Physics | Aeroscience
(This one looks ok I believe)

In summary, this is a statement of my intention to get back to what I have always felt was right, performing effective service in the ADF.
If there is anyone who can shine a light for me on any of the above points in particular, it would be much appreciated.
Information regarding if I would be uncompetitive on entry or unable to serve in certain capacities would be especially useful. I shall continue reading and searching these forums in the meantime, and pursuing other avenues for direct sources of information.

Regardless, I appreciate your tolerance of the above brain-dump, it feels good to have said it all out loud, so to speak.

Take care, take risks.
- RecoveryMode

Recovery Mode.

I would suggest confirming your medical status before putting effort into fixing what is fixable.

I would also suggest that if recruiting indicate that you are not medically fit to pursue all avenues to confirm or overturn.

Thanks for the response finestkind.

1. Am going back to all related specialists to determine injury/illness status.
Is this what you mean?

2. Will get in touch with Aviation Medical to see what they think about my chances of getting cleared to fly (class 1)

3. Have contacted recruiting to hear back from their medical side about what they would require in terms of remission, acceptable conditions.
Hopefully they can also give me some indication of how problematic these 'black marks', even if resolved, would be for actually getting selected.


Considering I see my options as either getting cleared and having the chance to fly for the country, or building a time machine to go back and make some changes...you can bet that I'll busy myself doing whatever I can to get a green light. :p

RM.

Yes basically you need to determine what if any barriers are in front of you so that you can prioritise the show stoppers.
If its medical and there is no way to correct than fixing your academics is not going to help.

Understood, not much sense in jumping over hurdles if I'm about to hit a brick wall.

Related question, my son is soon to go for his assessment day. He's starting to have second thoughts about joining as an Engineering Officer via the ADFA scheme. Would really like to get in touch with a serving EngO for him to have a talk to about typical career path, work type etc. Located in Perth would be awesome but we'll take what we can get.
Thanks.

RE: Screening waiting time
 

Hello ojscott,

Last year it took 2 months from when my dossier was complete (including Aircrew Selection Form and other material sent to my EC) till I hit Flight Screening. This was also about 2 and a bit months from when I finished my medicals, however as far as I know medicals can be completed after FSP, some of my fellow Flight Screeners got recommended but then failed the medicals :/

Waiting is the name of the game with Pilot selection. The longest wait will be from recommendation to a potential job offer(if you're recommended and competitive enough!).

Best,
fs

chute packer check your PMs - I can help.

Im after some opinions regarding previous flying experience and the ADF Flight Screening Process. Im currently working up to my solo license with a few hours under my belt now and have been advised to be careful about doing too much. I understand there are beginner, intermediate and advanced bands for Flight Screening. What is the cut off for each one and how different are they all? I've been told its not good to get lessons because you form bad habbits. Can anyone elaborate on that? Are there any ways to keep flying without logging too many hours? I'm dead keen to keep flying because i love it and dont want to put it on hold until november (assessment day). However, if it is going to be absolutely detrimental to my RAAF application i'll consider it. Cheers!!

cheers ojscott

I wouldn't say age "restrictions" as such, but i am aware that age/maturity is a big factor when it comes to Direct Entry pilots. I just think id be giving myself the best chance by being 20. I'm currently employed at 3 jobs to pay for flying, playing 2 team sports, boxing, volunteering and living independently. I think having all that under my belt for more than one year looks a bit better than rocking up as a teenager. I did my first year of a science degree last year (with great marks) and deferred it for this year. I'm open to any suggestions on how to make myself a more competitive candidate. just trying to show DFR i'm made of the right stuff.

The reason i was still going to consider pursuing my PPL is because i want to be able to fly outside the ADF. Do the wings you get after 2FTS mean anything in the civ aviation world as far as licensing goes? or do CASA take no notice at all?

Of course the training is recognised, it is just planned so it is only recognised after you have commited to your ROSO. That way you can't resign just before 2fts finishes and walk away with all these hours. You will leave with a cpl being recognised by casa at the very least.

When it comes to instrument ratings etc the military does them differently as they dont don't do a broad IFR rating but focus on individual ones for each aircraft and apparently that doesn't translate to a general IFR rating with Casa.