https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Lee_(pilot)

also did quite well in aviation, not only as a Phantom pilot.

Pontious, not strictly true. Many wait unti they are older to go aircrew and do have plenty of technical experience, in many cases much more than a lot of the Engo's around who have nothing but a piece of paper from a University and couldn't tell one end of a spanner form the other.

I applied to be an Eng Officer and was turned down then offered pilot

Jay and, I was thinking pilot training and your techie would not have that long to build up experience.

To answer a couple of questions that everyone has asked me,I'm 16 I have 5 GCSEs all at grade c and I would like to apply to be a weapons system operator when Im 20 that way I have done 4 years service and if I fail selection I've got another 3 years left to apply

Oddly enough we had a Corporal, with whom I was friends, who went that route and became an Engo.
In discussion when he left I said jokingly i'd still call him a W**k*r when he was promoted... roll on 3 years and walking into a hangar in RAFG and there was a new Flt Lt L*****, walking towards him from out of his line of sight I called out L***** you W**k*r!.. LOL, we had a good laugh and chat catching up on things... it was last time I saw him in my career.

I believe that there was a scheme between the wars, where ex-Apprentices, that had become SNCO's could train as aircrew and complete a tour as such, then return to their original ground crew trade, with their time in rank maintained.

This was to help them 'understand' the flying thingies for an aircrew perspective.

I had several SENGOS who wore pilot's wings which I believe was a similar scheme. In fact I believe I'm correct in saying there were a handful of docs at the IAM who were trained as pilots to fly the Hunter T7.

RG56, you say you have 5c grades. As you state correctly your graded are insufficient for officer entry as you need 2A level as well.

Even for WSOp you need specific GSCE subjects as well as numbers particularly English and Maths. You would certainly have an opportunity to take GCSE once you had joined but why not do it now?

My time consisted of AApp (Arm't) - Sgt AA - Jnr Tech (V's at Fin) - Sgt Pilot (last one trained, wings 64) - Tport till 76 (VC10's - Flt Lt) - South African Air Force Capt to Lt Col (Commandant) till 88. Cargo carriers Africa, Cen America and M East. 30 yrs Herc's. Yes it COULD be done but I don't think the scope exists these days.

pgaruk

Did you know Ivan Spring?

What GCSEs have you got, and have you applied yet? If not, why not? Big recruitment drive on at the moment.

My GCSEs are maths,English,engineer science,physics and geography all at grade c and I've just applied as a weapons technician and I have my aptitude test on the 20th so hopefully I pass:ok:

Are you going on to A levels it is essential for what you are trying to do.
Have you joined the Air Training Corp you need as many feathers in your cap as you can.
People on here will give you good advice but you should know most of it if you are serious.
Best
John

A-levels for a commission and grade B maths for pilot IIRC.

Rg56 good luck with the tests and fingers crossed for you, I was a Engine tech during my career, which I carried on when I left to become a full licensed engineer.. I also know armourers that also made the transition to the civil aircraft trades, engine / airframe etc..

You get out of the military what you put in to it and it's an enjoyable life :)

Yes we had a Jengo at cottesmore circa 1972 who had done the wings course,I believe he was 'in charge' of the canberra servicing hangar (the hangar warrant officer used to call him 'my boy' ).
The Sengo was an ex brat who was a right miserable tw@t (unusual - as ex brats usually had a SOH ).

If you have the education requirements for the job you want, then do not acept second best by applying for use as a stepping stone. Even if not succesfull at OASC, you will have experienced the culture shock of the OASC process and be under no doubt where areas for improvement lay for a second attempt. More importantly; if you have done the homework necessary for OASC to meet expectations, you may well get the key to the career that you seek. You do have to be 17.5 years on entry for WSOp.

The danger is that you train to be a techie and said trade becomes a pinch trade that the RAF are undermanned. You then become a victim of your own success and find it difficult to leave because the system wants to retain you where you are.

The optimal answer to your situation has to be 'Go for gold' with the Techie route as a productive alternative. If I maybe blunt for a moment; 5xGCSE albeit good ones, is the baseline. Two years in sixth form and an A Level or two changes your options significantly. At 16 years, two years of further education can and probably does sound like a life sentence, but in the big scheme of things it could well be the best thing you ever did.

Might be worth asking if they are still running the 6th form scholarship scheme. That was where I got my first taste of OASC and found where my strengths and weaknesses were in the aircrew selection arena.
Also for your A levels you might want to think about Wellbeck College.

As the OP is in Scotland, look at Queen Victoria School, Dunblane.
http://www.qvs.org.uk/