ACEY,

Did you apply for ADFA or DEO entry?

havick,

I applied for DEO - already have a degree and 1/2 way through a 2nd one so don't really need a 3rd one!

Besides, from what i hear any kind of aviation degree is pretty useless - you are better off getting something else.

But.. if I was just coming out of yr. 12 and was given the oppourtunity to do the bach. technology (aviation) through ADFA I would take it...

ACEY,

yeah, i also applied for DEO. What date did they give you for FSP? I am in the middle of an aviation engineering short course for my LAME subjects at the moment so i can add so i couldn't put in any preferences until that finishes end of next month. Should be on the november course though from what I have been told.

Which service did you apply for? ARMY, NAVY or AIR FORCE?

Well good luck, let me know how you go.

hey all,

Had my pilot specific testing today and I found it quite difficult, especially the maths, fuel, distance, time calcuations and hand-eye co-ordination tasks.

Also as I was doing the tests I questioned whether I knew exactly was required, which obviously may have brought down my results if I was doing the wrong things!

Unfortunately I did not meet the requirements for a pilot, and they offered me air defence instead, to which I declined.

Next shot at passing pilot testing is in 12 months, and I can only attempt this a total of 3 times.

It is very disappointing and I will be applying for my results through 'freedom of information' to try and work on the particular areas.

Good luck to anyone in the process - I would be happy to supply details of the test (don't have the time to post it right now... maybe some other time)

Has anybody received an invite for either of the Oct/Nov DEO/SSO FSP's? If not, when would we expect to have heard by? Gotta love this waiting game!

Hey guys,

I thought I'd post again as I have some information that may be of use, and also wanted to let everyone know that I'm back in the race now. My appeal was cleared. I could hardly believe it but they're willing to take a chance for now I guess. Worth the wait after all :)

Uhh Acey, did you get a chance to see that opthalmologist before getting the cut? For Acey and anyone else interested, I have been given a form titled "Information for ADF Candidates - Refractive Surgery". It's not a terribly detailed document and leaves a lot to be questioned. But as a summary aircrew applicants can have LASEK and PRK. Non-aircrew applicants can have LASEK, PRK, and LASIK. And it's important to note that pre-operative limits of -5 dioptres myopia and +7 dioptres hypermetropia apply. Any questions please PM and I'll try to help with what else I know.

Anyway I went for renewal testing earlier this week as my medical/psych/Defence Officer interviews had lapsed +12 months (aptitudes remain for 3 years). And just received the FSP preference form. I'll post that off Monday and join the ranks of those in waiting. Hopefully I'll get reselected. Right now trying to get fit and mentally prepare for the dreaded OSB. I'm on a hunt for anyone out there who has gone through the OSB and can possibly describe it. Especially looking for tips on how not to be intimidated by four officers looking down on you from larger seats, with, quite obviously, the intention of intimidating you. Oh the thought of it.....

:O

Haven't posted before but I can feel your pain. I went through FSP in May this year and got a Not Yet 12, so currently just doing what I can to improve my chances for when I go back for the OSB again early next year. Would be happy to share any info with you as the more you know now the less you have to worry about when you're down in Tamworth, and there is a lot to learn down there! For short anyway, know your general history of RAAF and aviation, also current ADF events (postings, aircraft upgrades, purchases etc.), why you want to be a pilot and an officer, why they want you. Just read as much and know as much as you can before you go down there. That means that you can then concentrate on the flying (OSB doesn't matter if you don't do well in your flying first!). Anyway ask me what you like, I don't mind sharing the wealth. However, they treat everyone differently and will find your weaknesses and strengths easily. Oh yeah, and in the OSB, the three officers are kids stuff compared to the psych.

As someone who has sat on a RAAF pilots board, may I suggest that TJF has some good advice.


.

Anyone get offered a place on the Oct30th - Nov13th FSP Course?
 

G'day everyone,

Just to let you all know how long the waiting game is, I just got called up yesterday and offered a spot on the 30th Oct - 13th Nov FSP. SO that's about a 3 - 4 month wait or so from the time you finish your psych, defence interview etc.... Also, that is only approx 2 - 3 weeks notice that you have been offered a place on the course before it starts.

If anyone else has been offered a place on the course please post a reply.

Cheers,
Havick.

Hey havick, congrats on being invited to FSP and good luck getting through!!

no, i haven't heard anything, but to be honest i don't think i stand much chance this year, not with how i went in the tests/interview. but it's not too far from my 12 months lapsing and this time round.... :ok:

Thanks olena,

Just finished FSP yesterday, all seven of us on our course got recommended. Hopefully (fingers, toes, arms etc.. crossed) I will be recieving an offer within the next few weeks for a start date in the middle of Jan.


I do know that they are running 2 more FSP's between now and the end of the year but I think they are for ADFA.

Good Luck.

P.S. Hornetboy also got reccomended.

Just trying to keep this thread alive,

As posted before, any other applicants starting OTS or NEOC early 2005?

FSP 8th Jan
 

well, now i have a legitimate excuse to resurface this thread again- i've been invited today for the first FSP in 2005.

Anyone else got the call?

i suppose it's back to the books now for me :D

and if i can collectively ask those of you already having been to FSP for permission to PM you with a few questions - thanking you in advance!

(what a difference to the day one phonecall makes!!! and it's even miles away from a job offer!)

Olena,

Congratulations! I know the feeling ;)

Of course I'm willing to help ya out, as people on here have helped me in the past, but there are limits as to exactly what we can answer, as we were all warned about divulging information online.

I've been mostly staying off PPRUNE lately for that reason, but now would be a good time to say a big thank you to all the people who contributed to this thread to give me some of the best advice anyone could hope for. If you guys are reading, Surditas, Trash 'n' Navs, Cougar, Scran, and especially Rene/Kev Rivkin - I printed out your advice and lived it out. Also should thank an anonymous Sqdn Leader for advising me through all the way.

Now comes the hard bit I suppose :)

Guys, thanks once again!!

just 3 weeks to go and i'm looking forward to posting here again. (and doing my best so that i actually do so bursting with joy rather than self-pity)

just one more (extended) question - i am applying for the navy, having the other two as second preferences. Up to this point i haven't really researched them knowing quite strongly that i really only want to go navy (and posting on a RAAFie thread, :E ).
A good point has been raised that since the basic training is the same for all, it may make more sense to take whichever offer i may get and then transfer.

those that i've spoken to haven't indicated any difficulties in changing over. Would anyone here disagree with that?
and should i expect many questions at the OSB on the other services?

the more i find out the more i am assured that there isn't much else that i would want to do with my life, and it is an awesome feeling!! :8

Olena wrote

Here's where the problem lies for many who don't know exactly how the system works.

(1) First false assumption......... you have to pass flight screening AND be recommened for all 3 services before you can decide to change your preferences. Not everyone who makes it through the board is recommended for all 3 services. If for instance, you are only recommended for the navy and not the other 2 services, then you may not have the opportunity to change.

(2) Second false assumption.........."it may make sense to take whichever offer..........etc" When you fill out the forms and show your first preference, then, providing you are accepted into that service, eg. navy in your case, then you will go into the navy pool. At no time, whilst you are in the navy pool, will you be even considered in the other services. You won't even be considered for your second or third preferences UNLESS you change them to your first preference. So, please don't hold your breath waiting for an offer from the services which you don't have as your first preference. You can only be in one pool at a time. Meanwhile you are not even considered in the other services whilst you are in the pool of your first preference.

I suspect that most are not informed of this little "hiccup" in the system.

(3) Third false assumption......."that since the basic training is the same for all". No, the basic training is NOT the same for all. Air Force and Navy have the same training. Army is protracted.

I have decided to post this information as I am not a member of the military (so sue me!!) but I believe that those who need to know should know. Having been through all this for the last 18 months with a close relative, I believe that others who are going through the same process should be informed of the very simple basics that no-one ever bothers to tell you until it may be too late.

Good luck guys.

Bzulu

Bzulu

Check six

Make certain your false assumption are really false.

Guess which one isn't

finestkind wrote:

Sorry, but I'm not into guessing games......nor are most of those who are trying to find a career as a pilot. That's what makes it so damn difficult for those trying to get through flight screening and into the services as pilots. It's all one big guessing game that no-one really wants to talk about.

If you have somethiing to offer, please feel free to contribute your knowledge. As far as I'm aware, everything I've said is FACT from recent experience. If you have a problem with what I've said, feel free to correct me here on line so that others may learn.

I've only tried to tell it as I know it and to help others who are constantly left in the dark about how the system really works.

People, may I just butt in for a second with a few words of advice.
I was a military pilot for 22 years, mainly RAAF but about 5 years working with and then in the Army.
I'm not familiar with the details of changing between services in the current training world prior to wings, but would highly recommend taking whichever you can get.
Naturally most people will have a preference, and you should go for it strongly, but be aware that the training you will recieve is very good in all three.

As has been said, the RAAF and RAN get different training to the Army, and to my mind the PC-9 route is a good grounding for any flying you are likely to do later. It is also the de-facto standard for service transfers as a qualified pilot - people trying to go from the Army to the others need to do a 'validation' course at CFS to give them those elements of training that they would have missed in their own basic training, such as high/lo nav and combat form. However, such transfers can and do happen.

Also, I'm not saying the Army training is substandard, just different. Many RAAF pilots would be keen to fly helicopters, and some cross-service postings have happened recently. Of course the RAN is basically helos too.

This is probably a bit off track for you guys, but what I'm getting at is that if you can get yourself into any of the services for a pilots' course, do it. No matter what type you fly in what service, you'll get professional training and satisfying operational flying, and if you decide to pull the pin later on you will have a log book full of good experience that would cost your civil counterparts more than anyone can afford.

Best of luck.

Great words of wisdom from "Arm out the window" (what a fabulous name :D ) Certainly not off topic at all.

That's exactly what I have recently been through, indirectly. One has to ask the question, do you want to be a fast jet pilot, which is the ambition of most who initially want to join the military, or do you want to be a pilot??

If the answer to the question is "fast jet pilot", then one may sit in the RAAF pool for many months waiting to even get an offer. That offer may never come and after 12 months the process will have to start all over again. However, if the answer to the question is "I want to be a pilot" then the options are also available for the other services PROVIDED the 1st preference indicates one of the other services. That is the information that many are not aware of. Preferences have to be changed to reflect another service before anyone is considered for the other services.

Hope this make sense..........and just remember, the current CAF was a helicopter pilot. ;)

Cheers,

Bzulu