Hi all,

Latest update is that hubby finished flight screening last week and was recommended, which was great news.

Now just waiting for the call/letter - lets hope there is one!

Cheers
Liz

That's awesome, congrats!
I can't wait for the inevitable day when I'll be doing the same.

Just a general question to anyone who wishes to contribute; how did you deal with the two weeks off from work? I imagine I will just tell the boss straight-up.

Dingo, this is my predicament at the moment. Basically I couldn't imagine any full time employer would appreciate an employee taking 2 weeks leave for FSP. I have asked for annual leave for travel reasons only (the less they know the better). It really depends on your situation.

If you do tell them, make sure your job will not be compromised. Best of luck.

Cheers
Dan

So guys I'm finally among the people that have got the call for the FSP ;)

Anybody going to the 29th April one? PM me if you are.

FYI to others, I never received a letter saying they had my file with a number to call or anything. Just got a call two months after my assessment day saying come on down.

Thanks to you all!

Having recently being lucky enough to attend FSP, can I just say what an amazing two weeks it is.

The flying you will do you will never forget (unless you get in :}), but to anyone that makes it to Tamworth for FSP, well done. The ADF are spending a lot of money to get you there, so sit back, keep your eyes and ears open, be a sponge, work hard and most importantly, enjoy yourself!

Know when to talk, and when to shut up.

Good luck everyone.

1Lern2Spel

Sorry, couldn't resist it!

grusome in some cases people post and their spelling is so bad that it's awkward and you can tell they have no chance with interviews etc based on their knowledge of the English language.

This however is not such a case and your post is both snobbish and unwelcome.

Well then, I guess he has just recieved his first helpful hint!:}

Sorry mate for that, I thought we were all friends here!

In regards to your original questions, I can't help much because I'm a DEO entrant and as such haven't been in the ADF before. But I can tell you about the standard tests for outside applicants, although it has been covered in a fair bit of detail in the thread already. I haven't spotted an in-service applicant yet on this thread, but maybe some of the experienced people who are actually in/have been in as pilots or have been involved in the process can comment?

Where are you up to in your process? As far as the normal applications go it's YOU -> Specific pilot testing -> Assessment day -> Any additional medical stuff -> FSP -> Service if all goes well. I don't know how it differs for you.

In-service App
 

1Live2Fly PM sent

Hi guys,

Has anyone recently had any interaction with Aviation Medicine in regards to Army pilot sitting height?
I completed my Assessment Day for this role on Thursday and was recommended, unfortunately my sitting height is 96.5cm and the max on Defence Jobs is 92cm but I know this has been jumping all over the place.
The doc is sending my profile to Av Med for the final word, my dimensions for everything else are fine.
The thing that surprised me was I recently visited Oakey and pretty much all the guys going through the courses were taller than me, I am around 182cm.
I know in previous posts this has been the nail in the coffin for applicants, I hope this is not the case.

Cheers,
Mooch

Mooch,

sitting height for ARA is in the process of being ratified. It will only be a show stopper if you are above the new limit and only want ARA.

Mooch,

I enlist tomorrow and I'm 95cm. I met a girl today who is also enlisting tomorrow but has sitting height of 97.5cm. She is going out to Oakey for a cockpit assessment in the Kiowa to see if she 'fits'

Thanks for your replies guys, this gives me hope.

cj0203, does that mean you're in the July RMC intake?

Is the only reason the sitting height is so low due to the Kiowa?
If so, why would they deny someone this role for something they will only beflying for 6 months in their career?

It’s interesting that they are going to see if she fits after she enlists, you’d think it’d be the other way around.

It's always important to remember that from their point of view, there is no shortage of applicants. Even if they said you had to get a huge facial tattoo and a couple of fingers amputated they'd probably still get too many applicants :P

Damn it, I thought the doctor was joking when he gave me a referal to the tattoo parlour to get med class 1...

During both my YOU Session and Assessment Day (29-Mar-12), there was a point where someone said, "Hmm... your sitting height is probably too tall for Army. We better check...". After finding I was 94.5cm, they went off and checked the details of the limit. Both times they came back and said I was okay, as the 92-95cm range is acceptable, though a waiver would need to be issued. I presume that waiver didn't have to come from AVMED, because the issue didn't come up again and I've already been told my file is ready to be sent to the PSA.

Given cj0203 has met an Amazonian (potential) Army Pilot, and that being 94.5cm didn't cause too much fuss, suggests all is not lost for you, Mooch. You have my sympathy, though. I know what it's like to have your case awaiting judgement at AVMED. :uhoh:

It's worth noting the waiver system is not simple... well, not from my perspective, anyway :). For example, I don't know if I've been issued a waiver, or just recommended for a waiver at some future point in the process.

Mooch,

I'm SSO and heading to RMC on the 21st of this month. BFTS course starts in August. As for the sitting height, yes it's due to Kiowa and the limit is in the process of being reviewed again.

Mooch, hilarious. You should get in on your sense of humour as a morale booster alone. I wish you luck with the sitting height. I'm a RAAF applicant so I think I'm OK with that height, didn't really pay attention because I'm not very tall to begin with. But best of wishes. Can you appeal to get measured again? If it's really that close it's the kind of thing you might be able to qualify for by taking the test at the end of the day having stood a lot and after having had your mate squash your spine for a bit!!!

Now the RAAF is an equal opportunity, non-discriminatory employer, AND we don't have the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, but do you have to rub it in everyone's face? (So to speak...) :yuk:

My appeal against my Class 4 has now been in the system for six weeks and I still have no response. After contacting the medical section in my DFRC, I was told that there is nothing I can do to speed things up and that sometimes it takes longer than the time limit they originally gave me (two to six weeks).
I am not pleased because my life is on hold until I know what is happening. All they have is a letter from me, an orthopaedic assessment and notes from a radiologist and everything says my elbow is perfect.

Regardless of what I have been told by the medical section, does anyone here know of anything I can do to speed up the process?

Unfortunately you're stuck in the DFR time vacuum now.

Bummer. How frustrating. :ugh:

Having watched this thread for quite a few years, I'm still blown away by the number of people that are too slack to sift through this thread for the gouge, yet claim that they'd do anything to realise their lifelong dream of becoming an ADF pilot... Its a fraction of the effort you'll need to put in before lunch during flight training, let alone the following decade of your career!

This thread is a goldmine of information, if you take the time then you'll know more than enough to tackle the selection process.

It is indeed a gold mine and definitely worth a read through.

But let's think of this thread like a crowded building and each page is a floor (that's a minimum of 108 floors to date). These floors aren't categorised or uniform in their distribution of information.
Now let's say, you are tasked with finding a specific piece of information on one of those floors, but you don't know which floor it is on. You're told there's a directory on the 108th floor (this 'directory' being the collective knowledge of the people contributing to this thread and an individual's ability to ask questions - just so there is no ambiguity).
Are you going to take the stairs and search each floor, or are you going to take the elevator first and ask at the directory?

Just to make things more complicated, there's always the potential to find outdated information. Asking could resolve such issues.

I have read this thread through from first to last page and I most certainly cannot remember everything, I also see the benefit in making sure that details are up to date. If people don't want to contribute then that is their prerogative, but there has recently been a negative undercurrent from a minority that has the potential to scare off newcomers who may wish to ask questions but feel discouraged by such negative comments. You may not have meant to discourage questions and I may have misinterpreted it, but this is the impression I got.

While I'm on this subject, thanks to everyone that has taken the time to share their knowledge with me (via the thread and PM) and answer my questions. I greatly appreciate it. If and when I am a pilot in the ADF, I will pass the buck down in kind :ok:

The tests and selection process haven't changed and won't be changing any time soon, which is what most are asking about. The first half (if that) of this thread will clear up those questions. The medical (ie. Army height restrictions) questions are different.

I enjoyed your amusing building analogy, even if condescending. Now what if I told you that building had a search function that could find anyone in the building, and that someone who is a current RAAF pilot is standing there at the bottom floor telling you that in order to give yourself the best shot you ought to check out each floor. I posted that advice because being one of the few that has been involved in this thread since the beginning and has used/contributed to the information it contains, I know that it has very specific details on all of the selection process. But hey it got me through a few years back and I have since helped a number of candidates that ended up getting selected, so what would I know.

If it was too direct for you, then you're going to struggle with debriefs. Get out a pen, go through the thread and write down all the things you think are important. Yes, the job is good enough to read 100 pages for, trust me.

I completely agree that it is worth a read through and I don't question your positive contributions. I merely think questions are good and productive.

They are.

If someone is outside of the system, they have no idea if the system has changed. They most certainly have and will continue to do so as capability, funding and manning change. Asking questions can help identify these changes.

You've missed the point. "Hey guys I just started the process, what sort of tests are at YOU session and specialist testing?" isn't an attempt to ascertain whether the system has changed.

On a lighter note, congrats oneflewnorth. Waiting in the pool is pretty excruciating, but no doubt you'll get the spot you worked for.

Agreed, Mudrat.

1103 days after initially applying I have finally been offered a flight screening spot! Anyone else on the 5th of May course? PM if you are. To everyone else, best of luck! Patience really is a virtue you know.

Hi all,

First post. In the process of being processed.

I have heard that the FSP course has been changes. Does anyone have any idea on if this is true.

Out of curiosity, is it common to take this long to get to Flight screening?

Im in year 12 currently and just wondering what subjects and extra curricular activities the average RAAF pilot would of done when they were at high school? (i know the minimum requirements and i do meet them, just interested to see what could help me be more competitive).

I also would prefer to go through direct officer entry but i do realize that they usually dont accept the younger ones in because of "lack of life experience" but have they accepted anyone in who is 18, 19, 20 year's old recently?

Hi pull-up

1103 days is definitely not the norm, while I am not aware of Zeddy's specific situation, he may have had medical or educational problems to overcome before being put into the flight screening pool. Generally those who have good grades, perform well at the YOU session and assessment day and are deemed a competitive candidate will be given priority for a slot at flight screening.

As for extra curricular activities, my suggestion is to take on as much as you can without sacrificing your grades. Having a busy schedule is a good look as life in the military can be quite hectic. I would suggest air cadets, a team sport and a community service of some description. Hobbies are a good way to show your enthusiasm, for instance, remote control models, plastic modelling (VERY handy for the selection process ;)) or even reading magazines.

And don't worry about your age, I personally know a couple of blokes who have been selected recently for DEO who are 17 years of age.

Hope this helps and good luck...

Cheers, thank for that. I have that covered.

Just wondering, after completing your training in the RAAF what is the chances of ending up on the 737 BBJ or the new A330 as a pilot (as in are those planes least popular because everyone probably wants to fly the FA-18's)?

Well it took 8 weeks, but I finally got a response from DFR Medical Section/Chief Medical Officer/Aviation Medical that my appeal was successful!

So for those that may be concerned in the future, it is possible to be a pilot if you have broken your elbow in the past! I know someone far back in this thread mentioned that their friend didn't get in because of the same thing.

Now I'm off to have a great weekend after a very stressful two months :}

Migraines
 

Hey all!

Firstly, thanks to everyone who has made posts in here! As everyone has stated, its a great place to pick up information!

I have one question in particular that i am curious about... I am just beginning my application for DEO, and i am worried about a medical issue.. migraines.. now i realise this could potentially take me out of the hunt.. however i suffered from them primarily when i was 14/15 going through puberty etc.. I am now 24 and over the past 8/9 years have had less than 3.. I do however no what causes them to be brought on..

Any information/advice?? :ugh:??

Thanks

Mate, two things:

1. Mate of mine was classed 3R over migraines (temporarily unfit for mil service, pending specialist medical reports) and after a spec medical report was reclassified to 1 (fit to serve), so I think you should be fine. He had about the same amount of migraines as you've had in your life and was about 7 years younger. He's currently a Reserve Rifleman so I think if he was alright with that, you should be alright with yours.

2. Be careful about what else you put down on your questionnaire. I was offered a position as a part-time GSO by my selection board but a week before my appointment date was Class 4'd because I have an allergy to peanuts. It was erroneously classified as severe when in actual fact it's mild, but as some very recent posts have alluded to, the medical appeal process is long, stressful, and expensive and I would avoid going down that route at all costs.

Cheers for that mate!

Yeah that was the main thing that i was concerned with.. so i think i will just get ahead of the game and book in with a neurologist so i have the report good to go and hopefully save myself a bunch of time!

That's a VERY good idea!

I don't have the form with me anymore but I found basically an ad verbatim copy of what the ADF like addressed by specialist medical reports, so hopefully this'll help when you rock up:

Of course a simple letter that doesn't say too much other than 'this man is basically fine' that you hand to your doctor at the medical may do the trick. Either way, I hope it goes well for you mate.

That's interesting because when I went to an orthopaedic surgeon for an assessment, he expected a letter with details of what they wanted to hear but DFR never sent me anything to that effect.