Is the reason that you are not applying for aircrew directly because you do not have the necessary academic qualifications? If so, you would still need to obtain those qualifications before being able to apply for aircrew, even from within the service.

To give the OP a serious answer, I've seen it happen successfully many times before. Some people who just missed the grade initially who then gain a few more years of life/service experience are perfect for aircrew. Go for it :ok:

Carl Dixon was ex-RAF Regiment. He did OK....

I was a Flt Systems Techie for 7 years before commissioning as a pilot. I would never have passed in a million years if I had tried to do pilot directly. The 7 years of experience got me through.......... just.
I haven't done too badly since then..........

I asked a very confident airwoman with 4 A levels why she hadn't gone for a commission. Her answer was quite reasonable. She didn't believe you could lead unless you had been led. Ie she wanted to be one of them before she was commissioned.

And another who wanted to wait until her SNCO husband retired. In the event she got her commission and was shot down while he was still serving.

While it might seem harder to cross over, it has always been done and mostly to good effect.

PN - I was not aware that and RAF woman aircrew had been shot down -is general enlightenment possible?

It was a very common career path for Apprentices, ask Frank Whittle!

Thanks to Wander, I am reminded that there used to be Commissioning clubs, I don't know if they still exist, but were evidence of an active route to a commission.

This has been (if not still is) possible, although luck and sheer determination would appear to play a role. I'm personally aware of one who failed initial pilot selection, joined as firefighter (with no real intention of fighting fires, but keen to get in), re-applied and eventually went on to earn his wings. Another who initially joined as engineer and was later put forward for pilot selection due to both his service record (and presumably alot of ass kissing) and simply being in the right place at the right time. Lucky boy!

Tho as other have said, certainly go direct if you can.

Commissioning clubs are very much active and indeed if a serving airman isn't attending one, serious questions will be asked at FI and OASC.

Commissioning Clubs - very successful as I recall

Shytorque,

Carl Dixon tried to go RAF Regt and when he failed he remustered as pilot!

Sir Keith Williamson CAS/Halton Brat

"I asked a very confident airwoman with 4 A levels why she hadn't gone for a commission"
It still amazes me that people are surprised that not everyone wants to be commissioned.
Lots of my my ex colleagues were better academically qualified than our commissioned leaders and were very happy with their chosen path.

Getting a commission certainly never interested me.

HB - thanks. "Couth Keith" indeed. ISTR once decreed that no divorced officer would reach Air Rank

Op, yes you can. One of our fine 29(F) armourers did it. Quite surprised to see him walk in and ask me to polish his helmet :ooh: That was on the mighty Puma, and seems far to long ago. :sad:

Some very good thoughts being put out here, but I notice the OP is conspicuous by his abscence. Are you there and reading or did you chuck in a hand grenade and depart?

Certainly wasn't a problem in the early 90's. The PE'd flight and education section used to run excellent courses to prepare a candidate for the Station Board and OASC. That was a long time ago though and a different RAF, I'd say go for it now.

AC to CAS?
 

Technically, yes. Sir Michael Beetham would have held the rank of AC from reporting to 3ACRC in October '41, through his time in 17ITW at Scarborough until his posting to 11EFTS in Feb '42 as LAC Beetham.

Hi everyone one thanks for the advice and this thread has certainly made my mind up about joining up.I just got back from my AFCO were I signed tons of paper work and now I'm just waiting on him calling me to tell me the date for my aptitude test so fingers crossed I pass:E:ok: