Works for me, but I'm so old, I only went into the AFCO to collect PAM Air 96C. The rest was post office to Biggin Hill!

CG

If it helps, I’ve never seen a face from aircrew selection again in my life (RAF or applicants). Joined as one of the last AEOps.

I saw one guy from OASC- he didn't get in as airman aircrew, he was a mover at Brize.

CG

YT, me neither, indeed virtually none from ITS either. I remember on who got bonus points for being a hard B as cadet parade cdr. Don't really remember any on my nav course from ITS either.

Of my nav course, two ex Cranditz Navs (they came to 1 ANS to complete nav training). Most went trucks and when Argosy, Beverley, Britannia etc all went so did the navs.

For new recruits then, the theme seems to always be that you bond well as a team during training but normally don’t see anyone again. It’s only when you reach front like units do you make friends for life or start seeing familiar. Most operational flying ‘communities’ are small these days although some are very small. In other words, be careful who you casually ask about that rash you got overnight!

Flying Aptitude Tests
 

Going on a bit of a tangent - but would anyone happen to know whether the RAF CBAT is the exact same as the RN's FAT exam? I've passed CBAT for pilot but am now probably going to apply to the Navy as well for pilot/aircrew, but cannot find any detail regarding if they are the same test (they're both done at OASC at Cranwell so I guess it's likely). So if anyone could shed any light on if the Navy would accept a valid CBAT it would be much appreciated as I don't fancy another trip up to Lincolnshire to do it, if it can be avoided!

Cheers,
Hawk

Just an opinion, but I'd suspect they are the same but with potentially different weightings for the various tests. When I went through the aptitude system in the mid-late 90s I briefly considered both RAF and AAC. From memory the AAC said they used the same tests but scored differently and with a different pass mark of 90 vice 110. I think the lower mark was down to the fact that it was effectively a test for entry to a short flying grading course where they weeded more out rather than full on flying training. Not sure if the same principles still apply, but if they do I suspect differences won't be huge and would reflect nuances of aircraft types and mission profiles rather than the need for a minimum level of aptitude just to get the thing airborne and back again in one piece.

So potentially the RN might say no if they weight the tests differently. You could just ring the RN and ask, they don't bite and you won't be the first to ask that question.

Hawk - well if you cannot hack the travelling......

Or in my (even older!) case I just filled in a form in the newspaper and sent it to Adastral House - all by post until arrival at Biggin!

The travelling isn't an issue but there's not much point doing a near on 500 mile round trip again if the RAF one is valid with them.. after all the taxpayer would be paying for my train ticket. Would just be a waste of time and money haha! If necessary I'd have no issue going up again to do it but would be far more convenient if I didn't! Requested a call back from the Navy Careers a few times about it but haven't heard anything yet.

Teeters, or Hornchurch before that and after 2 days to Cranwell for another two. As one day at Hornchurch was medical and aptitude I can't remember where we did interviews and hangar exercises. Only those for Cranwell did the extra two days.

CBAT, FATs
 

Yes.

Tests are identical but selection standards vary. RN must work with your current score as you cannot resit within 12 months.

Aah, Hornchurch, followed by "Dead loss" House. Seems light years ago now.

Brilliant - just what I was hoping to find out! Many thanks Bugs

All I remember of that nightmare was the beds that the old batmen took a delight in making impossible to get in. The sheets and blankets were so tight you needed two to pull them apart.

ACO’s
 

Hey all, I’m going through the processes now to become an ACO. Just wondering if there are any active ones on here that I could chat with to get some more info etc?

Cheers!

Phantom, where, UK or Oz? There is a separate RAAF thread.

Please could somebody give me a summary of these exercises on IOT? There doesn't seem to be an awful lot about them online more than what i've found -

T1

Dynamic Edge

First Step - 36 hours camping away from Cranwell, basic military skills in the field

Sharp Edge - More advanced military skills? How long does it last etc?

T2

MilAid - simulated military aid to civilians scenario - what does this entail?

Vital Edge - more advanced leads?

T3

Decisive Edge - simulated HQ air ops planning ?

RAF OASC
 

I've the OASC in April 2018 and I've done a bit of research, is there any up to date information on the RAF OASC?

The only thing I am concerned about is the individual planning exercise.

If you don't perform well in the individual planning exercise however you've performed very well in every thing else, do they make the pass or fail decision based on all tasks collectively? Or is it a fail automatically if you don't perform well in the individual planning exercise?

Scotsman

Sorry, I can't help you with your questions, but can I ask you one?
Your OASC is in April, but when did you first apply? I'm trying to get a rough idea of how long the 'first walking through the door' to OASC process takes nowadays.