Thanks for that informative reply mate! Appreciate your constructing that wall ha.

I'm hoping my physics should be okay as I'm currently studying an intensive course in that! As for the maths side of things I suppose I will have to do as much practice as I can of similar tests and hope for the best. Guess I can only try my best - and then try again repeatedly until they won't let me through the doors :cool:

In relation to the actual testing format, I was under the impression that at the YOU session I would be sitting the general aptitude test, and then the second officer aptitude test - then assuming I was to pass both I would be able to book in a date for the pilot testing. That being more specialised aptitude tests, the hand eye co-ord test, interview, and essay. From there to the FSP assuming results and medicals are all good. I've recently been told that's incorrect though, and that the only thing done at the YOU session is the general ADF aptitude test... If anyone could confirm or deny that it would be most helpful!

Cheers,

Tk

Hey guys,

This is pretty tangential compared to what the current discussion topic is - but has anyone tried to email Dr. Holding recently? I just sent an e-mail inquiring about the ADF Pilot Aptitude Prep courses as well as the Aero Maths course and got an error almost immediately and not sure if this is something on my end or his. Does anyone know what's going on?

EDIT: Disregard above, all is well.

The current format of recruiting as I know it is as follows:

Phase one: YOU
General aptitude test
Maths test - up to yr 10
ADFA officer entry test - this is only for people going for ADFA, and tests you on yr 12 math

Phase two: specialised aptitude
Instrument test
spatial skills tests
maths tests
hand-eye co-ord

Phase 3: Assessment day
Medical interview
Psych interview
Recruiter interview
Essay writing

Phase 4: FSP+OSB

El Rab, thanks once again. Great info, much appreciated.

Lesnak - nice work! Must be a great feeling.

Tk

Hi there,

I did this assesment in march and unfortunately failed :uhoh: However i am still willing to folow my dreams and give it another shot next year (when im aloud).

Now for the question; Is there an resources that i can use to improve in all sectors of the assesment. I think i was particularly bad at the "Gauge reading" and the "computer censor sticks". Does anybody know of any sites or books, I don't mind paying, just don't want it to be a waist of money :rolleyes: .

Appreciate any advice
Matt

Matt, as pedantic as it sounds, if this is your normal style of written skills you will need to improve in this area.

Hi All,

Had my assessment day recently and unfortunately got knocked back due to my lack of leadership experience. While it is extremely disappointing, I can apply again in 12 months. 12 months to make myself a much better candidate!

My interviewer said that the OSB really is focused on leadership at the moment. This was underestimated by myself so my advice to others who may frequent this board is to have a good understanding of your own leadership capabilities so you can explain it to them confidently. Remember STAR, situation, task, action and result and you should be golden.

The recruiter mentioned avenues for potential leadership experience such as SES or Rural Fire Service volunteering, or if you work a full time job try and take on managerial roles there.

Hope this helps all who are in the process.

Liam

Liam,

Bad luck! I hope you do better next time.

Do you mind mentioning what leadership experience you do have?

Not a great deal really.

I have held no managerial positions in my work history, and the jobs I've had while at university haven't really had any opportunities for leadership. I'm part of the SES in QLD, but only at the entry level. I was also music captain in high school, however that was 6 years ago.

Mathematics
 

Hey guys,
I've only recently found this forum from a friend who is also determined to make pilot and I've read lots of the stuff on here and I would just like to say that the information some of you have provided has so far been invaluable and greatly appreciated :)

This brings me to my question (my apologies if this has been answered alread): What are the mathematics used by a pilot whilst inside the cockpit? I am aware of formulas such as speed = distance x time but are there other conversion formulas for simple estimation and such? I know this is basic stuff but I just want to make sure I'm practicing the right stuff.

Again, thanks alot for what you've already provided!

the maths you will use will be speed dist time/ fuel calcs/geometry + the all important:

if my sortie starts at 1045, and its duration is 1.2, and dogs are on until 1230, will i still be able to have dogs?


I find this one quite helpful.

Well done Lesnak!

Good luck on course.

Could be something to do with budget cuts. It'd make sense after hearing a few of the figures OTS has to deal with. Save having to spend top dollar to put someone through the full 17-18 weeks only to have them scrubbed at FTS.

Its true what aus111c says; knowing whether dogs is on the cards before you fly is essential prep.

As for the 6 week course, they are trialling it at the moment apparently to save money (ie, because of the decent scrub-rate at pilot's course, they'd rather not put you all the way through OTS if they're going to lose you). You do the initial 6 week block which is the first (introductory) of the three OTS phases, do BFTS, then finish OTS off before 2FTS. lesnak, the most recent course at BFTS when you were here was the one with the first batch of 6-week OTS guys so its a pretty recent thing.

I don't envy that route, it was good to get it all out of the way in one go! ;)

Don't forget to calculate weather you can fit one or two dogs aus111c!:E

Going back in time, there was previously 6 week OTS courses for pilots as well, so perhaps they are revisiting that idea.

theres always room for double dogs!

unless your jack,

when you come here for flight screening, bring coin on fridays to buy dogs.

Hi Guys,

Just wondering if anyone has managed to get through the pilot selection process without having any previous piloting experience?

I just got through my Assessment Day and am now waiting to get the call up for the pilot screening course in Tamworth. I have been in a flight simulator, been a passenger on an aerobatic flight and done a lot of traveling around the world, but thats as far as my flying experience goes. Does anyone know if this will go against me?

Jack,
On the contrary, it makes it easier in some ways as you don't have to 'unlearn' anything. Still have to work your b#tt off learning workcycles etc Seen quite a few with even less experience do quite well.


Good luck!

An article from '08:

WGCDR Smith: "A good majority of our FSP students come to us with less than five hours total flying time. While we prefer them to have done some flying so that we can be sure this is what they want to do, sometimes having more experience can impact them, but we keep an open mind".


http://www.******************/files/B...g%20School.pdf, p. 49

Having read that though, the majority of guys I know who scored extremely well (stanine 8-9) had between 10 and 20 hours behind the controls. Read in to that what you will!

Hi Guys,
I got back from flight screening a few weeks ago and had a blast! I've just got some questions on stuff that was posted here lately:

Would someone please outline a few more details about this modified OTS program for pilots? Is it currently happening and will it continue to happen into next year? I had expected a 17 week OTS course then onto BFTS but this may no longer be the case?

Cheers.