Disagree; in this case. A history of anything, migraines, bronchitis (severe cough), hayfever (summer cold), even bed-wetting as a child, all bring issues into focus that really do not need to be brought into focus, especially if there are four or five near identical candidates for one or two slots. As far as I can recall (poor memory me), forgetting to say that you had a couple of headaches when you were 12/13 would be completely forgiveable even if it was unearthed at your selection medical.

Training Risky,
Not quite so lucky I am afraid. Won Best Cadet when I was 18 and got a few trips at RAAF Pearse during a 3 week tour. PC-9 and almost a Macchi. Wanted to sign up there and then, but you had to be in the country for 5 years.
The PC-9 is a joy. Pressurised and powerful, glass and very well balanced on the controls. Low level is fantastic with the high seating position and aero's are dead smooth. Fuel cock is in the wrong place - under the throttle (and ungated) and a loose finger at the point of throttle closure, can (and has) cause flame out on the approach.
After being offered a ground trade in the RAF, I went into the AAC as an Air Trooper and go the NCO Aircrew route onto the Apache. Big mistake. Did the basics, had several bust-ups and got out a few days before passing out. My advise to W.87 was to consider all options that are open as potential aircrew and not to settle for a job (cos it soon becomes a job) when her heart was in becoming a pilot. I don't regret leaving; sod all that running for a laugh.
Hotel gyms and swimming pools followed by a nice meal in a European town is the way to go. I now instruct part-time on the firefly, bulldog and Cessna 172 and my Airline flying if for London City (which is a severe rush on a windy day).

The medial queation is a toughie. As AA stated, not telling the truth is very bad as they will never trust you.
However, forgetting to mention a brief series of, possibly just PMT headahces as your body adjusted into its teens, is not a problem in my book just have an answer ready. I was getting headaches last year, especially in the morning before my coffee. In fact, I couldn't think without it. I tried quitting the coffee and within 2 days, no headaches. If I mentioned that to my AME (Aero Med. Examiner), I might have lost my medical until I had paid for a CAT scan.

ooooo conflicting opinions- what to do??
I don't want to go to the AFCO and ask because then they would have a record of it.

shall i
a) make my doctor go through my medical history with a fine comb to make sure it's def not in there

b) say nothing, but if they ask if i have a history of it mention it.

c) nothing

:ugh:

Play it down...it isn't really a 'history' to declare as such if you had a couple of courses of tablets.

a) is a good idea and ask the doc if they get a copy of the medical records, or just a letter from the doc with ticks in boxes.

Your complete medical history will be examined anyway. You need and have the right to know what is in there, though your GP probably won't be certain to know how the military will view any particular issues.

Wannabe87, did you get my PM earlier today - told you in that what I thought you should do about the migraines.

If you didn't get it let me know, although it was so long I don't know if I could stand to type it all out again!!! :ugh:

My tuppence worth
 

Wannabe,

Congratulations on your obvious drive to achieve your ambition. The best piece of advice I can offer is don't let anyone put you off. The RN is a great career, I've been flying Harriers past and present for 14 years and would pay the Navy to let me do it. I was lucky recently to meet many potential pilots at BRNC, both boys and girls, and was impressed by their dedication and enthusiasm.

There's some great advice in the thread, pick out what's useful. Organise a potential officer visit to an air station, do some mental preparation and most of all be yourself. Best of luck.

One last thing, I only got through the application process by the skin of my teeth on the 3rd attempt. Don't give up, it'll stand you in good stead during whichever stream of flying training you undertake! I'm envious!!

"Disagree; in this case. A history of anything, migraines, bronchitis (severe cough), hayfever (summer cold), even bed-wetting as a child, all bring issues into focus that really do not need to be brought into focus, especially if there are four or five near identical candidates for one or two slots. As far as I can recall (poor memory me), forgetting to say that you had a couple of headaches when you were 12/13 would be completely forgiveable even if it was unearthed at your selection medical."

I'm in a similar boat as I was diagnosed with sport-induced (i think) asthma about 15 years ago. I've not had symptoms since and I'm sure I was mis-diangnosed (I've read a lot of articles about how kids are being mis-diagnosed with asthma when all they really had was hyperventillation brought on my extreme excercise [which could happen to anyone]. However, unfortunately, I've always been givena blue pump. I plan to go to my docs to get re-evaluated so they he/she can amend or put a not on my medical records.

In my situation should I not say either and let them decide should they find anything? I suppose if they did pick anything up I could then defend myself with doc's notes, articles I've found about people getting mis-diagnosed etc.

Wannabe,

One piece of advice.....trying practicing putting capital "I" instead of "i" once you have started a sentence. You do it at the beginning of your sentences but not once in them...such a trait can become habit forming and will lose you points in your essays, letters etc.

Most certainly going to look into base visits/courses etc ASAP, but in the meantime anyone want to take me for a spin, that way I could get the feel for things. ohhh i wish..... :p
God I hope i get through the other side successfully :\

Declare or Not
 

I don't know what the application form looks like but:

If there is a list of tick boxes - "Have you ever suffered from" :-

Then you have no choice. If it says ASTHMA then tick the box.

If it says - "If you said Yes to anything above state when and what"

Then you have no choice. You would have to say that you suffered from asthma at the age of 12 and have not suffered since. You believe it was hyperventilation. You were prescribed a blue pump last month but you believe this was the wrong medication.

So essentially, tell the truth if the question is asked. Do not volunteer information if it is not asked. If you cannot remember if you had mumps or chicken pox don't guess. The answer is clearly Don't Know.

Have you ever suffered from . . . . then it is was in childhood can you really be expected to remember?

For what it's worth, I recently sent off my application to Cranwell, and while the medical requirements are different for the RAF, my history of hayfever [last suffered aged 15 in 2000] and childhood asthma [unsure of details, but in medical notes as 'precautionary'?] did not exempt me from any aircrew branches in the eyes of the President of the Medical Board.


My coke bottle-bottomed glasses, however....

[I wasn't going for aircrew, but still had to declare all 'deficiencies' to the board prior to an OASC date.]

As you're down in the southwest you could always have a trial lesson before applying to go into training. Maybe go to Perranporth airfield and have a go of their C172. I got my PPL there back in 2007. Atleast then you will get abit of a feel for flying and a general idea on whether you feel its for you.

For what it's worth, I recently sent off my application to Cranwell, and while the medical requirements are different for the RAF, my history of hayfever [last suffered aged 15 in 2000] and childhood asthma [unsure of details, but in medical notes as 'precautionary'?] did not exempt me from any aircrew branches in the eyes of the President of the Medical Board.


My coke bottle-bottomed glasses, however....

[I wasn't going for aircrew, but still had to declare all 'deficiencies' to the board prior to an OASC date.]

Thanks, did you disclose the above on the medical form?

"I don't know what the application form looks like but:

If there is a list of tick boxes - "Have you ever suffered from" :-

Then you have no choice. If it says ASTHMA then tick the box.

If it says - "If you said Yes to anything above state when and what"

Then you have no choice. You would have to say that you suffered from asthma at the age of 12 and have not suffered since. You believe it was hyperventilation. You were prescribed a blue pump last month but you believe this was the wrong medication.

So essentially, tell the truth if the question is asked. Do not volunteer information if it is not asked. If you cannot remember if you had mumps or chicken pox don't guess. The answer is clearly Don't Know.

Have you ever suffered from . . . . then it is was in childhood can you really be expected to remember?"

Thanks, that's some good advice!

Evening all,

Just a quickie- I'm planning on investing in a games console etc to practice on as recommended by your good selves, now i'm afraid this is where my girly side comes out- I do not have a clue! So any suggestions on the best games, console-xbox or other??

Thanks :ok:

Try a Nintendo DS. Especcially the brain trianing programme. Because of it's size you can take it on the bus/train or anywhere else and, from what I've seen, the logic and mental agility needed for that is the closest to RAF/RN aptitude testing.

[Added bonus, the DS is quite a bit cheaper than the other options :p]

DS
 

hmmm yea i had thought about that..
what about investing in something will a joystick for the non maths side of things? is that worth it or not. I'm guessing the cheaper option would be to just buy one and use it on my laptop-but them i'm hardly an expert in this field, so not sure!

Wannabe - you have a pm re AEF with 727 NAS.

I second the DS. Good fun and cheap. You can link up and play against others as well......:}