Irish citizen joining the RAF?
 

Hey guys, Since the airline world is going down the drain at an ever increasing rate :ugh: I was curious as to what are my chances of being accepted into the RAF as a pilot with me being an irish citizen? Obviously I would have to move to the UK.

You may wish to check this out first if you have not already done so.

Thanks, so it says I must be a UK citizen or holder of dual UK/other nationality, this is the part that's confusing me

As we seem to be talking betting averages, the answer must be vanishingly small before we even get to all the other considerations.

Not exactly, there doesn't seem to be anything that says I can or cannot join as a pilot, but with a job as important and in as high demand I get the idea it would be reserved for UK citizens if you follow me

You have to live in the UK for a minimum of 5 years even if you fit the citizenship requirements before you can even apply.

Going for a job that involves arduous physical training, a lot of "silly officer stuff" around the flying and the possibility of being shot at in not-very-nice places just because the airlines aren't hiring? Yeah, makes perfect sense.

Easyjet have just announced they're shortly going to be after another 300+ pilots. Far more than any military need.

Well thanks, I couldn't find a straight answer for that anywhere, well it looks like the Irish air core is my only option..flying a C172 over vast bogland in the freezing rain :{

I know what you're saying but the military pay better than most LCCs do and I'm sure its an interesting experience

If you live in the UK for the required period of time, will you still be within the age limits?

That is however just a paperwork exercise to transfer ownership from CTC to easyjet at lower terms and conditions. There are no new pilots required. :{

@Milo Minderbinder I would but that would mean moving when I'm 18, but 5 years is a long time to wait, I'd say I would have a better chance of finding an Airline job in the meantime.

Good job we werent applying that 5 year rule in 1940 when the Irish were coming over in their droves to join all three of our services, most of them serving gallantly, and not a few dying.

If those are the facts now I'm not disputing them but it seems a damn silly rule to me.

In the event that the airlines and the RAF don't work out for you, it would be worthwhile to note that it's spelt Irish Air Corps ( and pick a happier smily for the application).

A little later it states:

"For security reasons, there are stricter nationality requirements for some jobs. For a few, you must have been a UK citizen and UK resident since birth. Please check the individual job files on this website for more information. "

And, clicking on the jobs - pilot tab:

"Nationality: UK citizen or holder of dual UK/other nationality"

(unlike WSO: "Nationality: Citizen of the UK or the Republic of Ireland, or a Commonwealth citizen since birth.")

WW, thank you, that explains why we had an AEO for whom English was a second language :}

Of course, there are a significant number of us who serve/have served holding dual Irish/UK citizenship. I am (un)fortunate enough to hold two passports having been born and bred in that top right bit of the island of Ireland. :ouch:

And interestingly: WSO (linguist) "Nationality: UK citizen since birth."

There are also more restrictions on an avionics technician (UK/dual UK+other) than on his or her potential boss (UK, RoI, Commonwealth).


Good to see that 'critical thinking' isn't accepted as an A-level qualification. Can't have people questioning dumb-ass rules, regs & orders.

Well, now you see that it wasn't such a good idea in 1922.

I know. Hat, coat...

Sorry.

... yet strangely the Irish Free State didn't leave the Commonwealth until 1949. Perhaps that was a wartime recruiting thing - although some Irish veterans were very shoddily treated by De Valera's lot.

And they've still only got one (bl%%dy good) rugby team in the "Island of Ireland". :ok: Which is much better than having two p!$$ poor soccer teams ....;)