RAAF v Airline
Now let me think (remember). Flying at twice the speed of sound. Flying at 400kts at 100'. Seeing everybit of Oz coastline at less than 300'. New and challenging sorties. Great guys.
Been there, done that (and wouldn't change a damn thing
)
Been there, done that (and wouldn't change a damn thing
)
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Successfully passing RAAF pilots course requires 100% motivation.
Your motivation does not appear to be 100%. If it were you wouldn't give a f**k what anyone else thought and would have applied regardless.
If there is any doubt, then there is no doubt. Go join the airlines my friend.
Your motivation does not appear to be 100%. If it were you wouldn't give a f**k what anyone else thought and would have applied regardless.
If there is any doubt, then there is no doubt. Go join the airlines my friend.
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If you decide to join the RAAF to start your airline career, DON'T TELL THE RAAF your flying career plans:
- Quickest way to fail aircrew selection,
or if you do pass Pilot's Course
- Quickest way to get command of a desk for a few years until ROSO acquital, and no currency for the airlines.
If you want to be an airline pilot - do the courses now and go straight to the best airline you can get into when you have the hours.
If you want to fly F18s, join the RAAF and take the chance that you will fly King Airs.
- Quickest way to fail aircrew selection,
or if you do pass Pilot's Course
- Quickest way to get command of a desk for a few years until ROSO acquital, and no currency for the airlines.
If you want to be an airline pilot - do the courses now and go straight to the best airline you can get into when you have the hours.
If you want to fly F18s, join the RAAF and take the chance that you will fly King Airs.
Looking forward 15 years- go RAAF.
737's then A330's. A strong position for a DEC especially if the airlines really do "love RAAF pilots". I'm not sure of that though. Locally maybe; perhaps CX too.
Just run with the wonderful training but don't come out the ********. Nobody is shooting at you on civvy street ( except management ).
Long ago, the weather was fluctuating about the minima on RWY27 in Melbourne. Newly checked out ex-Ronnie comes whistling around the corner at Epping in an Ansett A320 and, with aircraft missing out, disengages the Autothrust, Autopilot, Flight Director and selects the Flight Path Vector. Thinking better of it, takes away the FPV too.
Captain leans over re-engages all modes and with wx improving an uneventful landing the result. Debriefing the FO on the events he stated that in the RAAF, when you were very tired and the weather was bad, that's when it was a good time to practice raw data flying.
The last line may or may not be true. But the guy was a modest in ability, newly checked out aviator and being a ********.
I hope being a ******** is clarified in the above. Because after a few years of being civilianised- many ex-RAAF pilots ( not all though ) are exemplary on the line, in training & checking and in all important union leadership roles.
737's then A330's. A strong position for a DEC especially if the airlines really do "love RAAF pilots". I'm not sure of that though. Locally maybe; perhaps CX too.
Just run with the wonderful training but don't come out the ********. Nobody is shooting at you on civvy street ( except management ).
Long ago, the weather was fluctuating about the minima on RWY27 in Melbourne. Newly checked out ex-Ronnie comes whistling around the corner at Epping in an Ansett A320 and, with aircraft missing out, disengages the Autothrust, Autopilot, Flight Director and selects the Flight Path Vector. Thinking better of it, takes away the FPV too.
Captain leans over re-engages all modes and with wx improving an uneventful landing the result. Debriefing the FO on the events he stated that in the RAAF, when you were very tired and the weather was bad, that's when it was a good time to practice raw data flying.
The last line may or may not be true. But the guy was a modest in ability, newly checked out aviator and being a ********.
I hope being a ******** is clarified in the above. Because after a few years of being civilianised- many ex-RAAF pilots ( not all though ) are exemplary on the line, in training & checking and in all important union leadership roles.
Last edited by Gnadenburg; 5th Jun 2008 at 03:02.
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There's one single underlying factor here that should be considered, in the ADF yr NOT free, (Mr Buzzy said it all in a nutshell!) they own you to some extent. In civy st you are as free as a bird to try elsewhere where possible. Yr choice at the end of the day.
CW
CW
After all the money that is pumped into training you - isn't it fair that they 'own' you to some extent. Particulary if you compare it to paying for type ratings and interviews with some airlines.
If you are young and and single you won't even feel restricted, it will just be an adventure!
And chicks would take a military pilot over a civvy one any day
If you are young and and single you won't even feel restricted, it will just be an adventure!
And chicks would take a military pilot over a civvy one any day
Sprucegoose
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If I had my time over, I would have finished school and applied to the RAAF! If not the RAF even...
Also remember that there is no such thing as "Straight to Airlines". At absolute best there's an expensive cadertship on zero income, followed by a stint in a regional between you and the Flying 'Roo.
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aussie pilot
not sure if you are correct with ROSO, I graduated 3 years ago and coped the 10 year ROSO. The 11.5 years they qoute on enlistment is based on the minimum time from enlistment to wings, (OTS, BFTS and 2FTS back to back = 1.5) plus the 10 year ROSO. However is stand to be corrected..
not sure if you are correct with ROSO, I graduated 3 years ago and coped the 10 year ROSO. The 11.5 years they qoute on enlistment is based on the minimum time from enlistment to wings, (OTS, BFTS and 2FTS back to back = 1.5) plus the 10 year ROSO. However is stand to be corrected..
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Anyway, the QF cadetship is the other option I would take, my worry about that is it pretty much has it's own ROSO for a whole life, let's be honest who here will admit the kid inside them wants them to fly for any other airline than the flag carrier. So by joining the 'ultimate' (slight sincerity mixed with irony there) at the start of your career where would you go? Do you feel you are lacking somewhat in knowledge of being around the traps in GA and Military like other pilots you work with?
Some people argue that GA gives you more of a realistic life/aviation experience which I can't say that I dont disaree with, but my dream was to always fly the 747 (Perhaps now the A380) so I felt that the cadetship was the way to go.
Like other posts, just follow your heart. You'll have trouble coming up with a decision but hey, who said a career in aviation was easy.
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If you want it, just do it, you can do yourself in thinking about the Cons.
You will do and see things that will astound you. Things that you will remember for the rest of your life. That's hard to find..
Yes it can be frustrating as all hell sometimes, but hey, s..t happens.
PLE..
You will do and see things that will astound you. Things that you will remember for the rest of your life. That's hard to find..
Yes it can be frustrating as all hell sometimes, but hey, s..t happens.
PLE..
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Don't limit your options
I wanted to be an airline pilot from the age of 7, until I went to my first airshow at the age of 10...
Having just finished nearly 20 years as a military pilot I would recommend the experience to anyone. I probably stayed about 5 years too long, but I had to wait till the pilot market opened up to get an airline job - which I'm also loving (at the moment).
Give it a go. There are plenty of mountains to climb on the way to getting those covetted Wings, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to go back to Plan B along the way (the historical pass mark for Pilots course is around 50%). And as many posters have stated in this thread, the Airlines will always be there (until the Oil runs out).
As a youngster I had advice from some old 'n bold airline pilots about my future choice during a couple of jump seat trips (yes, when kids could get on the Flight Deck of an airliner).
One stated that going the military way was wrong as I'd be a 'weapon of war', the other said give it a go as when you're 40 you don't want to look back and think 'that could have been me'.
They were both right. Everyone has their own opinion (including me). What counts is what YOU really want to do - its easy to be wrongly influenced by the advice of our more experienced elders who have 'been there and done that'.
Good Luck.
Having just finished nearly 20 years as a military pilot I would recommend the experience to anyone. I probably stayed about 5 years too long, but I had to wait till the pilot market opened up to get an airline job - which I'm also loving (at the moment).
Give it a go. There are plenty of mountains to climb on the way to getting those covetted Wings, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to go back to Plan B along the way (the historical pass mark for Pilots course is around 50%). And as many posters have stated in this thread, the Airlines will always be there (until the Oil runs out).
As a youngster I had advice from some old 'n bold airline pilots about my future choice during a couple of jump seat trips (yes, when kids could get on the Flight Deck of an airliner).
One stated that going the military way was wrong as I'd be a 'weapon of war', the other said give it a go as when you're 40 you don't want to look back and think 'that could have been me'.
They were both right. Everyone has their own opinion (including me). What counts is what YOU really want to do - its easy to be wrongly influenced by the advice of our more experienced elders who have 'been there and done that'.
Good Luck.
Gundog1
I can guarrantee it is not ten years - I have been talking to DP this week.
Pilots course ROSO is no longer called ROSO anymore - it is now an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS), meaning that once that time is expired RAAF will no longer employ you if not needed (unlikely) and you no longer have to stay if you don't want to. The 11.5 year IMPS starts on your day of appointment but only affects you if you grad.
If you gradded 3 years ago that would make you 200-203 course? Check your PMKeys - it will tell you when you can leave (same page as it says your compulsory retirement age).
As for when this was implemented I'm not entirely sure, but I was appointed around 4 years ago.
Pilots course ROSO is no longer called ROSO anymore - it is now an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS), meaning that once that time is expired RAAF will no longer employ you if not needed (unlikely) and you no longer have to stay if you don't want to. The 11.5 year IMPS starts on your day of appointment but only affects you if you grad.
If you gradded 3 years ago that would make you 200-203 course? Check your PMKeys - it will tell you when you can leave (same page as it says your compulsory retirement age).
As for when this was implemented I'm not entirely sure, but I was appointed around 4 years ago.
Last edited by aussiepilot; 6th Jun 2008 at 13:05. Reason: Forgot to say 'not'
Thread Starter
Having read that thread I can't see what's not to like about a SO job! No work, good pay, travel :P 
But honestly while that sounds great, 5 years with no flying? No thanks!
This thread has leaned me towards joining the RAAF serving my ROSO then if I am still enjoying the RAAF sign on for more if not jump the the airlines. When I get to old for military life I can see an airline jobe, even as a SO as a nice 'semi-retirement' :P
But honestly while that sounds great, 5 years with no flying? No thanks!
This thread has leaned me towards joining the RAAF serving my ROSO then if I am still enjoying the RAAF sign on for more if not jump the the airlines. When I get to old for military life I can see an airline jobe, even as a SO as a nice 'semi-retirement' :P
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I can guarrantee it is ten years - I have been talking to DP this week.
Direct entry ROSO is no longer 10 years from graduating pilots course.
I honestly havent looked since i graduated, i was just going from what recruiting told me back in 02'.
Thread Starter
11.5 and 14.5 for DE and ADFA respectively
source: http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/airfor...riodofService/
source: http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/airfor...riodofService/
maybe just a twinge of regret for not having some experience in GA but nevertheless