Tourist et al...

Just to put the record straight, in the last 18 months or so at least 15 students have been sent from JEFTS to RAF Linton on Ouse for BFJT (tucano - 1st step on the route to SHAR). Virtually all selected have done extremely well there, with good reports also coming out of the next stage at Valley. The early guys are now just about to get their hands on the SHAR at 899. (Good Luck).

Bottom line if you want it? A degree of flying ability and reasonable spare mental capacity BUT a drive and determination to make it as a member of the team counts too.

Sagey - your original question has drawn forth a LOT of good advice. Be as prepared as you can for all aspects of the AIB. Current affairs are a must in today's climate, as is a knowledge of current and FUTURE plans for the Fleet Air Arm and the RN as a whole. Do not forget the joint aspects of service life either. Grab an hour or two if you can at a local flying school - not entirely representative of service aviation but at least you'll be confident that you don't hate it!

Be honest when questioned. Obs is a decent career move (!) but, as one who sits in the other seat, if that's where your true aim lies...stick to it! Good luck. ;)

Good advice from you guys. I'm off to AIB early next year, but I am dreading one particular question I'm gonna' (it's a dead cert!) get asked!

See, I already have a rejection from Cranwell and I just know I'm going to get asked, "...why the Navy when you've previously applied to the RAF?"!! Is this going to be such a hot potato as I'm thinking due to the inter-service rivalry or not?
Any input on how I could answer this would be appreciated. :rolleyes:

Forgot to mention in my last post something that the liason officer mentioned to me.

In his last interview, the applicant had chosen Royal Marines as his first choice and Chaplain as his second :D.

Biz, Trust me on this one! You are not alone. The vast majority of prospective RN Aircrew officers who appear at the AIB have either tried to join the RAF previously or have dual applications running. The number of applicants who appearto have considered solely the RN for a military flying career is minimal so don't sweat it. They will however be looking for an interest in the sea as well as the air.
;)

AIB..... one last thing. BE YOURSELF. They will see through you otherwise. You will be asked dozens of questions (often in quick succession) and some will be similar...if not actually the same. They are not entirely interested in your answer...but they are interested if your answers differ. You cant bull$hit a bull$hitter!

Just aim to get your ar$e in the door... it doesnt really matter what you fly (as long as you're not a crab or a pinger!)... once in the 'club' you can change roles.... and do exchanges with other services and countries too.

Although I'm now on the A340 and left the military as a fast jet QFI.... I would strongly recommend JUNGLIE 1st! (Im 32)

You can have your cake and eat it too! Their a plenty of rotary boys flying fixed wing in the spare time. (Some even crashing in Wales, TT?) Take it easy. Good luck.

Slit trenches and snowcaves? You forgot to mention the other hardships...of Junglie life. Norwegian university students, Croatian birds, backpackers in Goa, dancing girls in Bangkok, Greek islands, and Cyprus. Sadly no bars in Brunei.

And you should try night-flying without goggles!!!

Mavrik...... ROYAL Navy, shipmate! Too much time on the F3 perhaps?

I asked mon frere..pinger or jungly...Well if you want to sleep in a slit trench and eat cold baked bean sandwiches for tea then go jungly, he replied. On the otherhand you can drink csb in a white shirt, bet on a horse and demolish the cheeseboard on the back of a pusses Invicible boat!

Lots of talk of initial entry (Oooer) - lots of good advice. Stick to:
a) Say no to Obs unless U want it - not a bad job, but it's not a pilot and chances of swapping over are ZERO.
b)Visit the bars of some air stations and chat to the folks - they will show U the ultra-up-2-d8-way. Remember, pinch of salt.

Pinger / SAR / Junglie - I did all 3, in that order, and each has it's merits. It's a matter of what U want and what ur aims are. Each has good and bad bits (Jez sorties, social / autonomy, job well done, fat germans off hillsides in crap weather / fun flyin, UHHH, A HILL!)

Fixed wing - a challenge, but work and not necessarily a lifestyle choice.

Fish-head. Y? :p

Hope it al goes well for U all. Enjoy it and have a f***in good time, fellas!

Llama ;)