Thanks H-Dog,

I am heading up to FSP on Saturday and this was one question which has continually gone round in my head as to how much 'officer' responsibility can they give you as PLT/FLG OFF fresh out of training (and for the first couple of years also) and what those responisbitlies actually are.
I have spoken to a couple of relatively new RAAF pilots along the way who were very helpful but only thought about this specific question after the fact.

JFW - I am going to look into your previous post now

To anyone waiting on an Army offer. Word is offers were meant to be out late October but have been delayed for some reason but will be out within the next week or so.

Quick question - Anyone know the oldest person in recent years to have gotten a pilot seat with no previous flying experience?

I'm pushing 28 and would like to know if there have been others that have broken through that late.

Hey Septerra - some people who made it through my recent FSP course were a lot older than you. I doubt it will be a problem.

Septerra,

I did flight screening in August and there was a guy on BFTS (RAAF) and he was in his 30s or 40s? I'm not sure what his story was and whether or not he had a flying background but I imagine you'd have to be quality enough to be worth their while.

As they say, age ain't nothing but a number.
TILA

That rumour is completely off :8 Aviation is only getting bigger, especially in the RAAF with the new platforms coming in. :ok:

I agree that it's counter intuitive given the new aircraft but allegedly it's due to a decrease in the number of hours expected to be flown.

I'm not sure if this is because our involvement in overseas Ops is winding down or the maintenance:flying hours ratio with the new airframes or the greater involvement of sims as a substitute for actual hours or a combination of all of them.

I can't take the rumour any further than saying it came from a guy who told he was slated for an SSO offer but then subsequently told it was going to be withdrawn due to the powers that be shutting down SSO completely; as part of that conversation it appeared that the shutdown was going to extend beyond SSO/Army.

TILA - I understand from a similar source that a back log of Army pilots in the training pipeline is why SSO has been canned for the foreseeable future.

nrs108,

Did Ash get that story as well then? Do you know who got distributed out of your group?

What about Aviation Cadetships for GSOs? Are they still in place?

TILA - Yeah he got the same story. By distributed do you mean files sent to Canberra? If so I know of myself and one other for sure. Although I assumed everyone's is sent? What about your group?

FLFS - As far as I know they are. I think the SSO positions are there to fill the GSO gaps. There just appear to be no gaps to fill currently.

Yeah that's what I meant, that's good news! AFAIK distribution from the pool of candidates with recommendations is a good sign of getting an offer for the next course(s) although I wouldn't say it's a guarantee.

Yeah at least 1 (maybe 2) other civvy from my course and I got distributed. One of the in-service guys as above had their own news re SSO so i'm not sure if they'll let him be available for this round of offers etc.

Best of luck to you both. I'm happy to say that I picked up a GSO Pilot offer late last week.

Congrats FLFS! That's what you wanted then, with the aviation cadetship?

Did it say anything about the cadetship on the offer?

Awesome news FLFS!

Thanks lads, I've PMed you both.

Congrats - was army your first preference? When's your intake?

Thanks Boltyy, first preference and Janurary start

Hey everyone,
I was wondering if anyone knew when the first Initial Officers Course starts next year? I've got things going on until early to mid February and just want a general idea. I have been in contact with my case manager but she is unaware as of yet.

Hey Carrot21 - Feeling quietly confident? :P

I understand there are two IOC courses early next year. Mid Feb and mid March. Each taking 15 pilots.