Applying to the fleet air arm, is it the right decision
 

Hi guy and girls,

I am considering applying for the fleet air arm (fast-jet or helicopters). However despite joining up being at the back of my mind for many years now, I have always had my reservations.

The best way to outline them is to give a little background information about myself so that those of you in the navy (whether fleet air arm or not), can advise on whether it is something which you think is right for me.

I’m 25, 26 this year and so know that the age limit is against me, have an LLB Law degree and I am currently studying for my Legal Practise Certificate, so as far as I am aware I am within the parameters of the academic requirements. I’m fairly sure therefore that some of you will ask why study to be a lawyer if you want to be a pilot? Basically at the time it seemed like a roundabout way to get good money in order to save for an ATPL. However, I am becoming increasingly despondent with the prospect of waiting and saving the cash to get into flight training (which could potentially be for many years with loan repayments etc etc).

Therefore my concerns/questions are the following:
1)What is life in this area of forces really like (i.e being away from girlfriends, family)?
2)What kind of mind set one must have in order to deal with the training?
3)Moreover and more importantly, what are the risks involved with the training?
-Failure of training and potential mandatory requirements for service afterwards (in order to pay for your training so to speak)?

Thanks Docash1983

"Life is what happens when you're making plans..."

As an ex RAF FJ chap and a current Barrister, my advice would be;

Unless it's the ONLY thing you can ever envisage yourself doing and you are one hundred percent committed to it...........

DON'T DO IT.

Service in the armed forces, particulary these days, really is that, SERVICE.

Thank-you for your response,

I am a 110 % committed to achieving a career in aviation, however in which capacity I am unsure.

Time is not on your side - only three entries a year to BRNC wef April 09, so will you be 26 before 01 Sep? If so, then you are sh@gged, I'm afraid.

All the people I met who saw the RN as a route to a civil career were chopped or walked. You've got to want those wings for what they are, not where they might get you in many years to come.

AA, so BRNC is back to three entires a year! Brilliant, re-inventing the wheel yet again, and so the merry go round of bright idea clubs continues.. It was three when I joined then went to seven and now back to three.

OP, You have nothing to lose by continuing an application at the same time as continuing your legal training. If the application comes off and you pass 3 years worth of training then you will wonder what you worried about. If you fail at any point then I presume you can go back to the Legal career and pay for your Modular Civvy training at a later date. 40 years old is not unheard of to begin training and many regional operators prefer older FOs. If you fail training at any point in the RN before you are operational then you can simply walk away. No Return of Service. Win Win is it not? Now stop procastinating and get on with your application asap!

NGB :ok:

NGB - when I joined in 78, aircrew entries were every term/half-term except June. Everyone else was three times a year. More recently the whole college went to five, and now it's back to three. A classic case of greatcoats on, greatcoats off :E

If the wheel keeps turning, and the UK educational system keeps failing, perhaps they'll get back to 13 y/o entry, like my old Dad :ok:

Pr00ne is correct....except for one thing. He describes himself as "ex" RAF.


In the FAA you may no longer be on active service but you will always be a member of the FAA.

1. Being away from girlfriend and family can be tough but if you really want to fly you deal with it and accept it as part of the job. Military flying is the most fun you can have that lasts over 5 minutes, you just have to accept that unlike most jobs there are times when you cannot see your other half for a long time.

2. I would not say you need a mindset, you just need to be very determined and very motivated. Only a few guys sail through training with no snags, the majority have to work bloody hard and come up against problems at some point. At these times determination, motivation and long hours are all that get you through along with help from your mates.

3. I personally never really considered the risk in training as I had not started on an alternative career path. Some guys inevitably get chopped, much the same as any other job. I get the impression you are looking to weigh up the risks of carrying on in law or sacking it in and trying to become a pilot. No-one on this forum can tell you that your training will be successfull and that you wont get binned as you passing is a reflection of the work you put in and natural ability. So if you want a career where you risk very little stay in law, if you believe you have the qualities to succeed and test yourself apply and see if you have what it takes.
The return of service will depend on where you get in training when you are binned.

If you want any more info pm me.

Stude

Simple answer.

No.

You sound far more suited to the RAF

Agreed, he sounds far too professional to join the fish-heads.

Have to absolutely agree with AA:

Plus I think you are too old even if you walked into the careers office on Monday ..... but I'm not totally au fait with the entry ages these days so maybe its worth asking.

Thank-you all for your replies, keep them coming!

Airborne Artist I'm 26 on 12th November this year. I had an informal chat with a recruiting officer from the Navy when I was at university and she did warn me about the upper age limit, but said that as long as I was in before my 26th it would be o.k.

Cheers Studelol, i mite just take you up on the offer of further info, if i have any more questions or once i've decided what to do (i.e. what to say, what not to say to recruiting officer etc etc).

I think I'm going to organise a meeting with the recruitment officer in Brum and see what they say, but like i said the replies are really informative, so keep them coming.

Cheers Docash1983

DC - from what I understand you could be in with a chance, but the odds are still tough. This is why:

While an AIB pass is vital, it's your FATs scores that get you into BRNC. All those who pass FATs and then AIB are put in a pool. Places are offered in descending order of FATs scores, and candidates can spend up to twelve months in the pool. If not selected they fall out.

You however, have just one BRNC entry you can compete for, as by the time places are being awarded for Jan 2010 you'll be too old. You thus need a cracking FATs score - and to make it worse you'll be competing with all the 18 year olds straight from sixth form, and all those graduating this summer, all of whom will be going through the system at about the same time as you. They of course have the luxury of being able to sit out the selection process for longer if they are not picked for the first dance.

Good luck - work hard on your mental maths - it sounds like it could be a while since you last used maths in the classroom.

cheers for the constructive criticism exscribbler - really helpful!

2 points really:

1) How are you going to convince your interviewer that you are 110% committed to a career in aviation yet have not thought about it until you are 26?
2) I'd join the RAF if I were you, I'm not convinced the FAA will keep it's FJ element too much longer......!

LB

Not an option as he is too old.

The FAA will continue to fly FJ. The FAA will stop flying FJ on the day the RAF volunteer to

a) Go to sea.

b) Fly from a ship without having a diversion.