RN to RAF NCO Aircrew
 

Hi all,
Heres my situation, Im currently an AB in the RN, in which i am leaving in 2 months time. I am strongly considering joining the RAF as NCO aircrew. I have a few questions i would like answering if you could please:
1)Would i need to complete the RAF's basic training?
2)How long is the recruitment process from application to start of training?
3)If you strongly want to go Rotary what are the chances of getting it?
4)Is it true the age for pilot rises to 30 if you are a current NCO Aircrew?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

The WSOp Generic course takes six months to complete, at the end of which streaming takes place.

There is no guarantee that you would be streamed as a rotary crewman but, to date, 75% of students have got their first choice.

Time between application and starting is largely in the hands of the recruiters, adminners, and bean counters.

Are you aware that 55(R) Sqn at Cranwell have a 'wannabees' day on the last thursday of each month. Worth giving them a call to get on that. It will answer a lot of your questions, and you'll have the opportunity to meet current students who'll be able to give their points of view.

If I remember correctly the "raised" age limit applies to all current serving members, not just NCA.

If it's pilot you are after, why not just go straight for that rather than using NCA as a stepping stone?

(I assume from the question you are over the current max age limit, but it might be an idea to check into the raised limit before you commit yourself to anything)

The in-service age limit for pilot is 26, not 30.

http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...ml#post4110799

PM me, I should be able to put you in touch with someone thats already done it

DFly

Please beware!

A few years back I was "invited" to the then PMC for a career brief. At that time the NCA desk still had a man of honour on it, he was a Sqn Ldr Loadie at the time.

Also present that day were two ex RN observers who had transferred across to be Loadmasters. They had been promised a number of things most importantly to them, was that their previous time served would count for seniority and flying pay purposes.

Needless to say these promises turned out to be completely worthless and as the man of honour said to them, if it's not in writing it simply doesn't exist. He was unable to assist them further, coming to a major block at 1* and above.

So please before you jump make sure you know exactly what's on offer.

I know that they both had to complete the AAITC despite having been CPO's in the RN.

But as I say this was circa 2002.

Regards
TG

They will have been aircrewmen, not observers Gorilla

I joined the RAF as NCA after 5 years in the Royal Marines.

My time served did count towards my pension and flying pay but not towards seniority in rank. You would have to be a substantive PO for seniority to be affected.

I did have to do the RAF basic training when I joined.

PM me if you want any more info.

DFly, is there a reason that you are leaving the RN before applying to the RAF?

Have you considered trying to remain in the Services while you apply? It may be possible to defer the RN exit while the RAF application is processed.

Just a thought. Ask the AFCO.

Tourist

Yes you are right... I think, twas a long long time ago and much has happened since those dark days!! :):):)

TG

Pontius navigator,

I start my termination leave next week so i think i have left it too late to transfer, I do not want to take my notice out in case i fail OASC then i would have to complete a years notice again for the RN which i would rather not do, having been waiting for 3 years to leave it. I know i have left it very late in the day to start thinking of going NCO Aircrew but to be honest it had never crossed my mind until recently i had a trip in a Chinook and thought what a great job that would be. I should think my service in the RN should count for something when i turn up at the AFCO alongside some snotty nosed kid straight out of college, or am i wrong?

Regards

So, you are 24 (if your profile is correct) and are leaving one military service by notice.

What are your reasons for wishing to join the RAF? It needs to be more than

What are your reasons for leaving the RN? The recruiters will be very interested.

Good luck in whatever life offers you, but get your thought processes sorted out before you make the approach.

I have been working on a certain RAF Harrier sqn for the past 3 years, Ive noticed that the RAF treat there personnel alot more respetfally than the RN treat theres. I know im gonna get asked why should we give you a job if you are leaving the RN and as yet i do not no how to answer that question alls i know is that the RN is not for me, and i think the RAF is for me. What else can i say.

Regards

Dfly

DFly, it has been said that the RAF treats its personnel differently from the other Services. We certainly don't promote airmen as quickly as the Army promotes soldiers but then we do keep them years longer too.

They are treated differently, one reason perhaps is thegreater space on an airbase means that any supervision will often be at a distance; on a ship is could be behind a curtain.

You should be careful how you articulate the difference between Services, it could suggest that you dislike discipline or you prefer to be treated as an individual and given more responsibility.

You say you waited 3 years; was that to time served or did you PVR?

Your previous service will indeed count. It won't necessarily be positive though :). At a lower level it will be banter 'we don't do it like that here.'

Good news: The upper age limit for NCA - Pilot is currently 31 at the time of application.

Maybe bad news: I bet my left nut (the small one) that the age limit reduces in the next 12 months.

TALK SHY TALL KNIGHT,

Why do you say the age limit will be reduced?

Having taken advice, I am told that the age for serving NCA to go for pilot training is 33, but do check.

Does anyone actually have a concrete answer about this?

Considering If anyone remembers the Combat Pilot series, 38yr old Nav Sqn Ldr retrained as Pilot, although I believe his circumstance was either retrain or leave, so a little different.

RAF NCA/WSOp - RAF Pilot Age Limit from within?

Tim, you are right but of course he was a nav and not NCA therefore he did not have to do Cranwell again. Also, as a FJ nav he had more relevant flying than a LM or AEOp would have had. He went into the training system AFAIK, he still has a house locally.

Yes. It's as I stated in my earlier post - 31.