Flt Ops Officer
 

Hi all,

Currently serving and looking to commission, I can't seem to find out much information on FOO I'm wondering if anyone can share any details. Day to do job? Possible career opportunities after first posting etc and what ever else is open.

I'm in Afghan at the mo and due to the job I'm doing can't get down to the Tower to speak to anyone otherwise I wouldn't be posting on here.

I've looked on other forums and FOOs seem to get quite a lot of stick however it does seem to be an important job. Any insight would be greatly appreciated thank you.

Standby for incoming! :}

Try:

Page not found - RAF Careers

Don't bothere visiting the tower, you would be better of going to see the chaps at the Flight Ops, Aviation HQ.

That looked like a broken link for some reason. I'll try:

Flight Operations Officer - Air operations support careers - RAF Careers

I guess things have moved on, but that used to be a ground tour for pilots.

Yes. I believe I'm right in saying that things "moved on" about 13+ years ago.....

Now its a job for failed JATCC students !

The RAF careers website is rather vague. Regardless of your opinions it is a career I would like to find more about before making a decision hence my postings here looking for help.

Cptdesire......
 

.....have you thought about visiting the ops room where you are at the moment? There are sure to be one or two Ops officers there??

The Ancient Mariner

Having sat on numerous Reassignment Boards, at least there's somewhere for people to go who have an interest and commitment to keeping people flying. They are commissioned, they have the requisite PQs, they're just lacking the skill set for ATC.

Don't kick them when they're down, matey ... not everyone can do ATC as well as some of us used to, in the days when there were more than 3 aircraft airborne. :p

And having seen your AATC profile, :eek: :mad:
Mind your back as you leave, in case the door knob hurts you.

Check your PM's

I've had a bloody good time as Flight Ops Officer. Working for and with aircrew, of all varieties, over the years hasn't put me off (and even got me promoted once :bored:).

Most of the early dross has now been weeded out. What's left are generally a bunch of dedicated, hard working people who do a good job.

............and clearly, you only go to join the Air Traffic Branch when you fail to become a FC!:E

Isn't the Flt Ops Training School also known as Failed Other Training Systems :E ?

Yes, very tongue in cheek, but if you are in BSN get down to JAG and speak to the MAOTs - Mobile Air Ops Teams. They are Flt Ops and do some of the more interesting stuff with the helicopter force. If you are less interested in sitting in a FJ ops room sorting maps ;) and would prefer to get out and about, possibly getting out on the ground, going forward with Army units who need someone to set up HLSs, act as de facto advisors / liaison for RW use etc it is an interesting job.

A chap I know went down the MAOT route after a few years on sqn. After years of making tea (badly) he found himself doing the Infantry Platoon Commander's Battle Course at Brecon and came home from theatre 6 months later with a couple of extra holes in his smock that definitely weren't part of the manufacturer's spec and a MID for his troubles whilst attached to a BG. As with all branches and jobs, some postings are crunchier than others, but if you want to do something a bit more hands on rather than commission into Handbrake House or Blanket Central you could do worse than Flt Ops if you don't wan't to / can't actually fly.

BSN - JAG - HLS - RW - BG :confused:

FFS!

Sorry I wasn't having a dig but the amount of failed JATCC students seen on FOTF are many, fact !
I'm not the one having a problem with a knob !

Sorry I'll make a profile next just to keep you happy ! :ugh:

Perhaps a visit to Shawbury may provide all the answers you need, if you need to be spoon fed unlikely you will get through the selection system

Is it true that lesson one started with a picture of a runway and the words 'This is a runway. You will notice that it is longer than it is wide'? ;)

I have been 'commanded', 'led' - insert other euphemism - by some who modelled for the video above. But there are also some good guys out there who are starting to catch up with the early chisellers who stayed and got default promotion.

The official descriptions of FOO are often vague, mainly because end job can be pretty diverse, and the core course can only go so far. Said course circa 2001 lacked some credibility, but it must have improved!

Just for the record, I wasn't chopped from JATCC, I was chopped from Boulmer :) JATTC must have been desperate at the time as they subsequently offered me a place but I thought Flt Ops sounded more fun.

The policy on the number of reselectees changed a few years ago; with the emphasis shifting firmly to direct entrants, with just a few re-treds and an equal number from the ranks.

I think our first lecture started with "As this has been deemed to be an attendance cse you will not be allowed to move into the main Mess, but will stay in the port a cabins for the duration of the course"! Nice.....

Oh come on TTN, do keep up with the times! Rotary is where it's at these days.

PS you missed a couple .. FJ, MID ;)