Am I right in assuming it is only the content that is changing? The Aircraft that WSOp's can be streamed to, will remain the same?

Sounds like a silly question, but during my prep evenings I've started to learn about the individual Aircraft that I could (if successful) be working on. Information that I'm getting from the RAF website include which Squadron use them, where they are located, and for which tours they've recently been used.

Can you also confirm the general layout will remain the same.

NCA ITC - WSOp Generic - Stream to Linguist/Sensor/ME Crewman/RW Crewman. From this point it differs depending on where you have been streamed, but essentially you will then be streamed to Aircraft (either FW or RW).

Thanks again, :)

WSOP Streaming
 

The few Linguists are pre-selected before entering training. For everybody else, the streaming options are Sensor/Fixed/Rotary. Rotary trainees move to Shawbury for flying training, Sensor and Fixed stay at Cranwell for flying training on the Dominie

If you want to know more come to 55(R) Sqn on the last Thursday of any month for our briefing day for prospective WSOp applicants. I'm sure you'll be able to find our phone numbers to make arrangements if you're that interested.

CS

Hi CS,

Thank you for the reply :ok:.

I am due to make arrangements to attend 55(R) Sqn after my initial presentation, this is something I have told is very beneficial (by a lad at my AFCO).

It isn't just Cranwell that can chop you, 20 years ago (:ooh:) I went through Swinderby (like 6 weeks of cadet camp), 7 weeks of Finningley AAITC - Bloomin hard (for want of a better word) 12 weeks of ALM Basic Groundschool (fun) CSRO training, then Rotary ALM ground school (forget half what you learnt for Hercs) and then onto the mighty Wessex at Shawbury.

I then relaxed and enjoyed myself far too much, got into a few scrapes and then was told that I would fail my flying course on my behaviour.
I was back-flighted and did it all again, but 2 days before the end was chopped from flying for good due to my 'Personal Qualities'.

I then spent some quality time working for the SWO at Shawbury before doing an attachment in PhysEd at Brampton before finally going to Innsworth to be offered a choice between Steward, ATCA and a couple of other not particularly enticing trades, or I could leave. I took the latter.

Moral is: You can be chopped at any time they see fit, so if it is what you really really want, then go for it, keep your nose clean and work hard right the way through to your brevet.

And as a follow-on to the previous comment, I believe they can still take your brevet away during the first 6 months on your first operational squadron!

Both comments are true, the difference is that you retain you brevet if you pass that magic 6 months. I don't know but that 6 months could be flexible. I know our first plotter was chopped on his 4th flying tour and was a sqn ldr to boot.

It was explained to me that it was 9 months on the squadron, or CR, whatever was the latter. That is now the point where you become a Substansive Sergeants, and as I understood it, that was where you kept your brevet.

Nothing stopping you being made NCR after that though!

CR upgrade should be made 6 months after becoming LCR, if the sqn is looking after its people correctly

....or if the individual can be arsed to put the work in . Despite what some believe, it doesn't come with the Cornflakes:hmm:

Just wanted to add that even though I was chopped I have no regrets about joining and trying (only regret I couldn't be more sensible at 19!)

The leadership training is world-class and AAITC shows you the edge of your personal envelope, and the warning signs when you are getting close to that edge that stay with you for the rest of your life.

The 120 hours I have in the back (and a few in the front) of a Wessex has given me airmanship and flying discipline that are still there now I have revalidated my PPL all these years later.

So Amnesia, go for it, if you get through you will have a great career, if you don't the experience will be as valuable as any uni course, except you get paid more and the girls love a gro-bag :E