Lads,

The best piece of advice you can have when dealing with the recruiters is to call them, email them, call them again, send about 5 more emails and then call just to check they received any of those emails... and one more email wouldn't hurt.

At every step of the journey, whether you're waiting for your assessment day or you've just passed FSP and waiting to hear back whether you got Army or Navy, keep in frequent contact with your case manager. If you don't do this, chances are you will find your paperwork lost in a pile or filed away somewhere out of mind. It took me a while to figure this out but once I did, I was usually getting in contact with someone if I didn't hear anything for a week. Just a suggestion but one I put great emphasis on.

Good luck :)

distribution
 

Just checking if anyone knows next distribution date for Navy Applicants in the distribution pool?

I've been reading posts on here for a few months now. I've got a question for you all.

I'm a British Citizen and I'm looking to join the Austrialian Defence Force, RAAF or Army as Pilot. I want to join the Aus Defence Force as my Family is moving to Aus.

Does anybody know how I go about this??

i.e. Application, Citizenship etc

Regards,

Cloudsurfer

You would be better speaking to them mate:

Contact / Locations | Defence Jobs

Mudrat,
You have to do your 'working' for questions like that out loud in the interview - they care about the process, not the correct answer.

So for me, 235000/12 would be:

235000/10 = 23500, so divide by 12 would be about 20000.

OR 240000/12 = 20000, so 235000 must be a bit less than that, say 19500-ish?

Seemed to work for me (long ago!!)

Sound advice Lt Dan. Shortly after reading your message I contacted my case manager, and low and behold they had never received my Medical Questionaire. If I had not contacted them I would probably be sitting at home scratching my head... :uhoh:

Fsp Slots
 

I have just passed assessment day about 2 weeks ago in brissy and I am wondering how closely FSP stick to the scheudule that is on the PSA website? because as it stands I believe there is only about 24 places left this year for DEO which makes me quite nervous to say the least. Just curious if any one has been given a place on the october courses???

Pretty close!

Thanks ScrumpyJ! I thought it was fine, just wanted to check.

Thanks again

Will

Army Pilot Questions
 

Hey guys,
I'm an Australian Citizen living over in New Zealand (moved here when I was 16 and am 22 now) and am just putting the finishing touches on my Civil Engineering degree (getting decent grades) but have always seen this as more of a means to an end i.e. to open up some doors. Im really interested in flying for the Australian Army as I have always been interested in the military and especially flying but have lacked the grades at high school to follow it up (had some nasty stuff happen in last year of school). I have a few questions that ive managed to ponder up and havnt been able to find an answer too (my case manager doesnt seem to really have a large amount of info). These questions are:

a) What is the difference between SSO and GSO schemes later in your career? More specifically does the SSO option hold you back later on?

b) What is the army looking for in the applicants? I heard sports is good ( I play squash but had to give up afl when i moved over here http://www.defencetalk.com/forums/images/smilies/a2.gif ) and previous flying experiance which I have none of as have never had the money.

c) I never took 7th form English (equivalent to year 12 English in Australia) as I really dont enjoy it. My case manager said that this will be a significant disadvantage for me even though throughout my degree I have had to write technical reports and deliver presentations, is this true? Or could I get a waiver of some sort? Should I consider taking a tafe course to get it?

d) I know this may sound basic but how often do military pilots get to fly? I read a while ago that one of the reasons the tragic accident that killed a number of SASR soldiers out of Townsville in 1996 was because the pilots had not had enough flight time (correct me if im wrong I just seem to remember reading it somewhere).

e) What do the pilots do when not flying/planning missions? i.e. do they have any other responsibilities?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Tom

The Hat Guy,

If you passed the Recruiting bit and your application was sent to PSA why the 12 month wait?

How to become a pilot or ACO in the RAAF?
 

Hi, i'm looking to join the Royal Australian Air Force as a pilot or an Air Combat Officer.
Right now i'm looking at doing a sponsored undergraduate scheme to get in, but apparently you can only get into flying through defence force academy and through direct entry.
Can i get in through a graduate scheme?
any raaf pilots know of the best ways to get in as an aircrew?
thanks

But do you know if I can get pilot from doing the undergrad scheme?

Did you try asking recruiting?- I know they're not much help most of the time :rolleyes:, but worth a try.

I dunno, I called them up, but the number doesn't work. but mostly I just want to hear from the experienced guys what I should do to be a pilot or ACO. Recruiting just gives you the diplomatic 'what i've been trained to tell you' answers that don't mean much.

Hi all,

I just sat and passed specialist testing this week, only to have my case manager call and tell me my high school results from 12 years ago were not good enough to continue. Although, some top references and a good resume might be enough for them to wave the high school results issue. Has anyone else had this problem and still progressed?

finestkind,

I'm not sure why it was 12 months, I was just told i wouldn't be able to apply until 12 months time...I just figured it was the generic time period for a rejection :\

THG

Mate I hate to tell you this but unless there is a specifc reason, then there is no reason to wait 12 months. Someone is screwing you around. If you are ADFA and missed the last FSP courses you can stay in the pool until your time is up. The same applies for DEO.

If you don't mind my asking, Throttle747, what about your marks cut you out? Were they below the minimum required grades outlined in the requirements? I'm just curious, because whilst I didn't have the best high school exit scores (all B's and B+'s), I have been averaging on High Distinction / Distinction at University and was just wondering whether that will do the trick. I know it doesnt really come down to marks of course, but if anyone else has any idea, would you consider that competitive (ie. would this be likely to render me at any sort disadvantage in the selection, assuming I did ok at their various tests and interviews)?


Edit: Thanks for the advice Cougar! Good to have some idea of what to expect

AP 3393 changed W/E 14th Aug allowing pilots up to 26th Birthday.

Hey Mudrat 02. I didn't do advanced maths and only got average marks in everything else, which is below the required entry level. (If i did do it i am sure i wouldn't remember it now anyway) They have asked for all further education documents so hopefully they will have some weight. I guess we will find out soon.

Thankfully I knew what I wanted to do back then, and subsequently tailored my subjects toward the goal. Wasn't the most enjoyable subject list, though :8

Well I passed testing again...so hopefully I can get another recommendation at assessment:}

Hi everyone,

I am interested in becoming a RAAF pilot in the future but I am a little concerned about the medical. While I do not have any current medical conditions I still need to complete my VCE and I am a little hesitant to put in another two years of study at TAFE to discover that I may not meet the medical requirements to become a pilot.

Has anyone been faced with any unexpected medical problems after they applied? Would it be an idea to look for a place that will do a similar medical?

Thanks,
Jessica

Jessica,
If you're within the height and weight requirements, and you don't have any major medical issues then the medical should not be a problem. Personally I don't think it's worth worrying about, best to save your thoughts for the things in your control (ie., Interviews and testing).

Thanks Blackbird,

I don't have any major medical issues and I meet the height and weight requirements without a problem. I guess I'm just a little worried about it as it is one of the only things out of my control. I suppose I should just focus on the more important things and just try to stay healthy.

I would like to know if anyone had any problems that they didn't expect in that regards though if anyone is up to sharing. :)

Stop worrying
 

Be brave, be positive and go boldy in the direction of your dreams. You are generating anxiety where none should exist.

Thanks DBTW,

I'm going to stop worrying about it and worry about the more important things. It is a rather silly thing to be worrying about considering.

Another question I have is about the instrument reading test that is part of the recruitment process. It appears to be one of the things that a lot of people seem to have a bit of trouble with. Does anyone have any ideas where I can get some practice for it?

Thanks,
Jessica

Thanks Tony,

I'll give that a go. It shouldn't be too hard to find a few images to work with. I wish I could manage 80+ hours myself but unfortunately I don't have that option.

Help in getting into the ADF
 

Just some help would be greatly appreciated.
I have always wanted to join the ADF but for one thing or another it just hasnt happened. I didnt do year 11 and 12 which is my concern,
I did complete a trade when I left school and am a light automotive mechanic and I also have a real interest in aviation, I went and completed my commercial pilots licence with a multi engine instrument rating and a instructor rating and as much as I am enjoying flying where I'm I still would like to join the ADF and fly there. Ideally I would like to fly C-130's or C-17's, is there any ways around the year 11 and 12 requirement or is there any courses the ADF accept as equal to 11 and 12 subjects?

Any help is greatly appreciated

Andy 05

october fsp
 

In response to October FSP, I think it is panelled in the next couple of weeks. I passed my assessment day back in late June but due to a couple of medical hiccups, my file didn't make it to PSA until early August which means I missed the August FSP(SSO).

I got a letter only last week saying my file was recieved. I rang them and was told that the October Course will be panelled in the next 2-3 weeks. So I have my fingers and toes crossed!

Chris

Me too I have been ringing them all the time hoping something has changed or come up.

Andy 05

There are a lot of smart people around,:ok: some with qual's some without. The ADF uses things like the Edu requirements to filter the mass wanting to be a pilot. I don't think there is any way around it. You need a YR 12 Edu in the right subjects. There maybe course that the ADF accept but I cannot help you there.

FSP
 

Guys & Gals,

Thought I might leave some information on here that maybe able to help future applicants out just like it has been an enormous help to me.

I started my application last September, and mainly because I don't live near a recruiting center, it took a while for things to progress. I was notified in July that I had been fortunate enough to be offered a spot on the August FSP. The 2 weeks were amazing and very challenging. I had a great time, met some great people and learned a hell of lot about flying and myself.

I wont spoil all the details for all you that are waiting to go down to Tamworth, but I will say that it is what you make of it. You can easily do nothing down there and just float by, but your scores will represent this and your only cheating the people that have not been offered a spot and who would of made the most of the oppurtunity. You are not going to be able to do what they ask of you 'perfectly'. But you need to show that you are capable of learning and able to listen. The more you work your ass off on the ground, the more this will help you in the air.

I was only home 8 days when I got the call from PSA advising that I had again been fortunate enough to be offered a spot in the October intake for the RAAF (as long as my eyes pass this Tuesday).

The flying you will do at Tamworth, you most likely will never get the oppurtunity to do again. So, enjoy it and make the most of it!!!!!
All the best.

Cheers.

Congrats Georgo:ok: ... and good luck with the eyes

FSP
 

Hey guys just letting you know for all of those intrested that Oct FSP is starting to be offered. I got my call this morning. WOOOOOO:):):):)

The Dos

What is the approximate waiting time between FSP and OTS (if successful)???

Hey The Dos.
How's it going? I just received my offer for FSP this morning as well. I'll be attending between the 10th and 24th. How about you?

Take it easy,

KuneDo.

John,
Depends on when the distribution dates are. I believe there are several OTS courses run a year. I was lucky because my FSP finished right when the distribution date was though you could wait as long as 6 months.

FSP
 

Hey Kunedo

I look foward to meeting you becasue I have been placed on the very same course:ok: I cant wait, I could hardly sleep last night after that phone call yesterday lol.

The Dos