Advice needed for aspiring RAF pilot
 

Hi all,

I am in my early 20's now and am fascinated with aircraft, and wanted to be a fast jet pilot in the RAF. I understand this is a pipe dream for many and a reality for few.

Academia wise, I am working on becoming better at mathematics and once I have re-took that qualification next year I will be going back to college to do my A levels for initial officer training if I am selected. I'll also be hitting the gym to be in a good physical shape.

Unfortunately I wear glasses (but can switch to contacts) - will this be a problem?

Can anybody offer any advice on how to sell myself to the Forces as and when I am ready to stand a better chance of passing the aptitude tests at the Forces recruitment office to get the opportunity to do the flying aptitude test at Cranwell? Activities that are desired? Previous flying experience?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. If the RAF and the possibility of being selected to fly fast jets is a problem, then what about AAC or FAA?

Thank you.

Go to Culdrose.
 

Mate I would go along down to RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall, part of England. Go to the door and ask to speak to Commander (Air). That's not his name, by the way, but his rank and also the normal full capacitry of his brain. He will put you straight as regards flying and that. It's a long way but will be worth it.

Lol, thanks.

In the meantime I was wondering if there are any current (or former) serving pilots in the UK Forces on this forum? Any branch, RAF, AAC, FAA... it matters not, you all still had to pass very similar training for your respective roles.

OK
 

OK, I'll let someone else say it!

T93,it`s always wise to start at the beginning; in this case there are a couple of `stickys `at the top of the page that you should wade thru`,with a lot of wise counsel from all quarters......Best of luck...

T93
 

Assuming this is not a wind-up I will get in there before all the standard negative replies are forthcoming.
Read the lengthy OASC thread before proceeding. If you haven't already then you need to get to a recruiting office (AFCO). They will have all the information you need.
It is a very competitive field and you will need to know your stuff. If you still have specific questions once you have read the thread I mentioned and been to an AFCO then this is a good place for extra guidance.
I am a current RAF FJ pilot and could give you loads of useful advice but what I have told you above will help you every bit as much initially.
Just to give you an idea of what you are up against I will use myself as an example. I first decided I wanted to be a FJ pilot when I was 12 (just after watching Top Gun but I knew I didn't want to be in the Navy!) having wanted to do something military for as long as I could remember. I joined Air Cadets, got my GCSEs and A levels, spent four years at University and participated in lots of sporting acitivities (competitive racing cyclist amongst other things). I knew pretty much everything I could about aircraft and the RAF in general. Thankfully I have perfect vision and no health problems. I am also devastatingly handsome and blessed with a sparkling wit.
Self motivation is key but if you feel you have what it takes then go for it. Your vision may be a problem but I believe that Laser surgery is permitted if you are willing.
That is all I will offer for now but be very wary of posting questions on this forum that make you appear to be just a hopeless wannabe. Others less benevolent than myself may be slightly harsher in their criticism.
BV:oh:

Thanks BV. Huge respect to you sir, and thank you for your service.

I am certainly not yet another hopeless wannabe, I love the military and have always been interested in military kit. I grew up in the era of the Tonka and the Harrier and have always loved fast jets. I am intelligent academically, can retain information and I am pretty good at applying it. Although of course that doesn't necessarily mean I have the aptitude to fly aircraft. I have never flown anything before.

I will read through the thread over the next few days.

Our elder son was knocked back from UAS due eyesight. As BV says, that could be a problem BUT check current requirements.
If vision is a stopper, don't forget that, for professional civil pilot, the acuity requirement is less demanding.

AP
Part time Pilot, Part time Grammar Nazi.

The AAC don't fly fast jets.

DA, I realise that.... the question was more so, "Will the AAC accept people for the helicopter pilot role if their eyesight doesn't meet RAF requirements?"

You couldn't make this up!
 

"have never flown"

God they're a negative lot on here.

T93,

You're questions are sensible. Your responses are refreshingly self-effacing.
Take the advice and read the stickies at the top of the forum - and good luck to you.

Sun Who.

Thank you, Sun Who. I am sure after reading all of the sticky threads there will be yet more questions!!! I'm also interested in the technology that the aircraft are equipped with, obviously lots of it is not public knowledge and I would guess would be on a "need to know" basis like many things MOD related are, and quite rightly so.

Typhoon93 wrote: Mate, if you really have grown up, you'll never be a fast-jet pilot ;) !

Mine was the 'new Elizabethan' era when the skies were full of fast jets wherever you looked; it was far, far easier to join the RAF when I did.

Anyway, best of luck - BV's guidance is spot-on.

Thanks BEagle.

Are you still serving? What did/do you fly?

Nope, I retired in early 2003.

I flew Chipmunk, Jet Provost, Gnat, Hunter, Buccaneer (briefly...), Vulcan, Hawk, Phantom (until it was realised that I wasn't much of a FJ pilot after all!), Jetstream, VC10, VC10K - plus a UAS tour as a Bulldog QFI.

35 years of flying, with (apart from some 'holding' time) just one 6 week ground tour...:ok:

That is an incredible amount of flying experience with a lot of aircraft.

Do you still fly as a hobby?

I believe that the RAF carry out the assessment on behalf of the AAC and that the standard is the same. ISTR that helicopter crewmen require the same eyesight standard.
I, of course, stand to be corrected ;)

Bob Viking
 

I don't remember you being devastatingly handsome and with sparkling wit ;) ! You'd have been a navigator if that was the case!


Shaun's devastatingly handsome and witty pa!


Best of luck T93!