The point of the "individual planning exercise" (or whatever) is not that you can spend from now until April planning it. It's about how do you react when set a task? Can you solve a problem, then make and execute a plan inside a deadline?

Similarly, for the earlier poster who wanted a 6 month head start on all the practical exercises during IOT. Each exercise period contains dozens of scenarios. How would he or she know which to prepare for? It would take weeks to make plans for every eventuality. Why not spend those weeks more productively, perhaps getting fit so your physical strength will increase and improve your resistance to fatigue, your mental ability and resolve.

Even before attending IOT, or even OASC, you need to demonstrate that you can prioritise and be as well prepared as possible. Worry about the stuff you can improve or prepare for, not that which you can't.
The closed book exams or short notice tasks are are just that - you won't know what is required until you get the briefing.

There are levels performance from abysmal through could be better to outstanding. You might produce an abysmal performance in one area and much better across the rest of the tasks or an fairly average across the board. Who would you pick?

As CS says, work at what can be improved in the time available.

As a cockshy I would say that leadership is the biggest challenge.

It's not the case that they want to know the plans of each exercise scenario, it's more that during the OASC interview you're expected to know the timetable of IOT, which exercise is coming up, and what that exercise tests.

Yes, they all test leadership, but you're expected to know the difference in scale and expectation between the ex at the end of term 1, at the beginning of term 2, end of term 2, and end of term 3, and how they all fit together.

They're not looking for the answers to the exercises, more the ethos behind them all.

Scotsman

When you arrive at OASC you will be told not to worry if you think an exercise has gone badly; instead, you will be told to move on and get on with the next task. They tell you this because as long as you get through to the Interview your selection chances will usually be based on your overall performance (amongst other things).

MOTN

Agreed. Comprehensive knowledge of the syllabus, throughout a training pipeline, is absolutely part of displaying enthusiasm towards a candidate's application for commission.

Sorry, but they just sound like they want spoon-feeding to me. Having taught military aviators for the last quarter of a century, it is a trait I have noted displayed more and more frequently by my students in more recent times.

They're looking for assistance with the answers for questions they're going to be asked in the interview - answers which at the moment seem to change every year as they rename exercises.

My IOT was 8 years ago and only 1 of the exercises is called by the same name.

Yes, people can go looking for resources online which will give the information, but you need to know something about what you're looking for. Old resources will refer to old exercises but with no acknowledgement that they're old: mentioning these in the interview will 'lose' marks, but how is the candidate reasonably expected to know the difference?

I think you've misunderstood the original request.

But you're not wrong about people wanting things spoonfed.

Being spoonfed is definitely a growing trait amongst the younger generations, who have grown up with the internet and personal electronic devices. They feel they only have to place a question in a search engine, and the world is their lobster! It is, in a way, but that isn't how real life works - you can't be a pilot just by gathering answers from Google.

It is painful to watch airline pilot candidates attempt to exchange info, on these very Forums, about how to do this aptitude test, or that verbal reasoning test, when undergoing selection with various airlines or the military. In their cotton-wool-soft, everyone-is-a-winner worlds they clearly don't understand that they are supposed to be competing with each other for limited employment places! :rolleyes:

When you arrive at, for instance, OASC to take part in RAF selection they tell you rather explicitly that you're not in competition with those sat next to you...

If you're in their seats, who are you going to believe; am anonymous voice on a forum, or the boarding officer stood in front of you?

If you choose to believe that, that is up to you. Having been involved in selection of service personnel, I am certain they were competing for places. And the same exists in the airlines.

Depends if you believe everything you’re told. It’s a nice one liner to potentially reduce tension so you hopefully get to see the real applicant, but if it really were true then everybody who met the minimum requirements would be offered a place.

As for the question on the individual exercise. Don’t worry, you don’t need to get the answer right to pass - that’s only part of it. They want to see your thought process and how you respond to pressure when challenged - they will throw a spanner in the works if it looks like you’ve got it right first time out. Just approach it with a clear head, be logical in your thinking, careful with your maths and try to be confident in your delivery. But when you get in and they ask which of the characters you are in the scenario, there is only one right answer if you really do want to be an officer

You misunderstand my meaning.

I'm not saying there isn't a competition, more that when you arrive at OASC you're not in competition with those sat next to you.
It seems a deliberate ploy to mix the candidates in each syndicate - you don't often see more than 2 of any branch within those 6.

As a pilot candidate, are you really in competition with an Int or Eng candidate?

You are in competition with candidates 'generally', but usually with not the immediate candidates in your syndicate.

MOTN, exactly. You are in competition for the number of slots, be it Int, Logistics, Pilot or whatever that year.

Miss PN2 was a strong candidate who wanted Int (her degree was relevant). She was privately interviewed post-OASC to see if she would accept Supply where she would be assured of an offer.

Later, as the overall president at OASC, she had to advise Boarding Officers that there was no presumption that anyone in their syndicate would be accepting and that all might fail. OTOH they might have an above average number of suitable applicants.

A lot depends on your Branch choice. Going for a Branch that is struggling to recruit means the standard of entry will be less than an oversubscribed branch..

Depends on your Branch choice to an extent as certain Branches are prioritised ahead of others at times. And how quick you get through medical.

Anybody here involved in OASC and know when the next review is for Pilot's in the sift?

Apologies if this has been covered a few times but can anyone give me a good indication on RAF pilot recruitment status for 2018 ?

I am currently a PPL holder and commercial ATPL student. I have been going towards commercial flying for the last few years and because I had to make a difficult choice at a time of all the defence cuts years ago when choosing which path to follow.

I have however always had the RAF stuck in the back of my mind for those years for the operational flying and lifestyle side of it which can be equally as valuable as a big pay check. That being said, there is a lot of good benefits for airlines just now so I'm balanced on the RAF vs Airlines argument.

I have already been told to pop in and see the recruitment office and have spoke with recruiters at airshows but I am just hoping for a bit of inside first hand info other than the "anything is possible" and "give it a shot" I usually get told. Any info about what aircraft are needing the most pilots over the next few years , terms and conditions and pilot retention levels etc

If anyone can also advise also how the process of streaming works in terms of preference for what you would like to fly, I'd be grateful!

Cheers!

Just a wild guess - but if 261087 is your d.o.b. then you are too old I'm afraid.......

Would one be best just to use the names of the exercises on the current IOT booklet? Are they correct? Thanks

Negative, It is a unique code for something related to the airline job I work in that I can never forget lol! I'm 21...

CBAT
 

Hello, I am new to the forum and look forward to sharing some great information!