OASC 'CANDIDATES' and WANNABES, PLEASE READ THIS THREAD FIRST!
 

I am going to the OASC pretty soon and I still have no idea about how fast you have to run a mile and a half in. Does anyone know out there who could help me and generally let me know about the fitness test itself?

Thanks!

Matt

Hi Matt,

I vaguely remember that you have to be able to cover the ground at a rate of a Half a mile every three and a half minutes.

However, the RAF fitness test is now a shuttle run over 18, 20 or 25 metres, depending on how much of a short@rse you are. You may find the requirement if you search pprune under iot or oasc.

I don't think it's part of the fitness test, but later on, during IOT, you may have to do a set number of press ups and sit ups. This is the best information I have right now.

You have done well to go forward for OASC-don't screw it up by being unfit or not practising your maths. You owe it to yourself.

Word hard and be lucky!!

I remember 13 press ups (no time limit), ~30 sit ups in under a minute.
For the run I think it was 1&1/2 miles in around 10 minutes being acceptable for the middle fitness group.
For the bleep test it all depended on your sex & age.

One thing most people didn't know about was the swimming test (especially important for aircrew). That was 6 o r8 lengths of the pool and treading water for a minute

All of it is easily done if you are reasonably fit.

MATT
The important thing is to show an improvement over the length of the course - in every discipline. As for the run, I had been jockstrapping for months ahead, wearing DMS boots. On my first run (with the DI staff watching) I managed an easy 12 minutes. At the end of 18 weeks I clocked up 8 mins 30secs. Even attracted a compliment from the PE'd staff as I had just passed my 36th birthday.
Best of luck!:ok:

At OASC the only fittness test you do is the bleep test, no press ups, no sit ups, no 1.5 mile runs. They are done at your fam visit prior to IOT if your are succesful at OASC.

Loads of good threads on OASC on this forums if you search for it.

Beware of some false information about the bleep test. There was a discussion suggesting that the PTI's will stop you when you reach a certain level. That's not true it is a best effort assesment as several of my friends have reported since their visit last week.

Good luck

Correct, fitness at OASC is tested using the bleep test:
10.6 Good
11.7 Excellent
I don't know any below that, hopefully you won't need to know them!!
TMA

Find out what level bleep test you require for your age. If you can do 1 level better thats as good as it needs to be. Don't try too hard when you first arrive, as improvement is the key (makes the PTIs look good)
The 1 1/2 mile at the fam visit, just decides which PTI group you will be in.
Group 1. Is for racing snakes and fitness freaks so you will work really hard during IOT.
Group 2. Is for the competitve but not so fit, so you will still work really hard.
Group 3. Hear goes the none PC bit, is generally for the couch potatoes and the girls.

Now the logic, they will nearly all pass IOT regardless of fitness, so if you like looking at girls arses and you want to be able to improve, go for a nice steady run on the fam visit.

You aint seen me right!

Just been back from a WSOp Fam visit in Cranwell, where the PTI's and NCAITC boss said that you should be aiming to clear the 2.4km in around 10mins 30s.

They also mentioned the Aircrew swimming test: 100m in Flying Suit ( any side or front stroke) and tread water for 2mins then climb out unassisted. I assume if you can run the 2.4km in around 10 mins, the Bleep test at OASC will be no bother ( I hope so anyway!)

WW1

OASC, full up?
 

I went to the local careers office and went through all the appropriate interviews etc and its been 8 weeks and still not heard anything from OASC!! Careers sent me a letter saying I was through, and they said that they would chase it up for me but I have still not heard anything! Does anyone know if there is a problem or if the waiting time has increased as they're so full or what? Have I done anything wrong? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

If you have a look on my thread 'RAF vacancies' you'll see that recruitment is almost at a standstill with many branches.

So given that, I guess it would definately contribute to a large hold up at the AFCO's at present.

Good luck:ok:

It can take a very long time....months to get offered an OASC place, if you pass then an initial confirmation you have met the standard required, and another long wait for an IOT date. Much patience required!

Last I heard, four month waiting list for OASC places.....so you'd be looking at October-ish. Things might get even worse if (when??) large-scale "downsizing" is announced as is widely expected.

Heres a question - would a British citizen be able to join another commonwealth air force if there were vacancies????

A friend of mine went through an AFCO at the start of the year and has just got a date back for Sept. When my papers went through a while ago, it was about maybe four months between papers going in and a slot at OASC.

Make that I just got a letter the day after this post, saying come back in a year and we'll have some spaces! I thougt that they made that decision after you had been to OASC and before you went to IOT (yes, IOT, not ICT stupidboy!)?

Any help joining the RAF
 

Hi,
I'm 15 and have just started my GSCE's; and i've also just started the Duke of Edinborough award. I've just come back from work experience at St Mawgan; I already wanted to join the RAF but now I'm certain I want to join as a pilot.
Is there any advice you could give me to help me on my way to joining the RAF as a Pilot.
Thank you.

Blimey, its like asking a bunch of prison inmates if its a good idea to come and join them!

If you are interested in a miltary career and you want to fly, then the RAF, FAA and AAC are all options available to you. If you are not already a member join the ATC or something similar, think about joining - it will give you a taste for military life with all its ups and downs. Make sure you are not colour blind as well.

Despite whatever happens in the defence review we will always have a military and it is a good career if you are tempramentally suited to it. If you are not you won't make it through selection. If you just want to make money, then you will be better off in civvy life. Even the Airships don't get paid much by comparison. There are big upsides to being in uniform - but that's a different subject all together.

I'd advise you to make sure you want to be an RAF Pilot as opposed to any sort of pilot. Truth is the RAF probably want to see that you want to be in the RAF as well as a pilot so they may want you to put down some other choices when you apply to OASC. Some wannabe end up doing other things in aircraft other than driving.....

Strength and Honour.

SW

Top tip (had to get that in there somewhere)

Study something that you enjoy!

Don't think that the RAF want you to do anything technical at A level or uni. They don't neccesarily, so if you want to go to uni, do something that you will enjoy, you can be good at, and that will give you time to go and do lots of extra curricular stuff (like fly with a uas if they still exist then!)

Who knows, by the time you want to join, the RAF will suddenly realise they're really short of pilots, and start recruiting at something close to 'normal' levels.

Best of luck, and remember, the force will be with you. Always.

Hi mate.

As 'always_broken...' suggested, get yourself a good Uni such as Kings College for War Studies ;) and then join the University of London Air Squadron and then get your hands on the beast that is the Grob......:ugh: