Joining the R.A.A.F
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ADF testing
For those thinking about going for ADF testing.
Personally i think the ADFA entry is a big wank. Good idea financially, and if you wanna play pretend officer at a university, but if you don't get through pilots course you will be stuck in the ADF doing something you don't want paying back your adfa time. And really you've joined to be a pilot, so why go through all the military crap for years when all you wanna do is fly.
Direct entry is the way to go. But stop, don't rush into it. Go get some life experience first, go rooting, working, studying, traveling etc. Someone who does well on course is one who has the maturity and strength to get through what is an extremely mentally demanding course. The young guys who can get through it all at 19 or so are those of the few who are naturally talented and very able pilots. If that is you then go for it.
For FSP. Wouldn't recommend doing too much flying, if that is all you are doing it for. I'd say ten hours in something aerobatic, five hours with lots of aero's and chucking a plane around, and five hours doing circuits and handling. Learn flying attitudes and pictures as this is all the ADF want to see.
Study all three services, have a preference, but don't rule out another. Each service should be considered a foot in a pretty good door. The others may not offer!
And if you get in.... just be ready to bend over and take that big pineapple up the A r s e!
Personally i think the ADFA entry is a big wank. Good idea financially, and if you wanna play pretend officer at a university, but if you don't get through pilots course you will be stuck in the ADF doing something you don't want paying back your adfa time. And really you've joined to be a pilot, so why go through all the military crap for years when all you wanna do is fly.
Direct entry is the way to go. But stop, don't rush into it. Go get some life experience first, go rooting, working, studying, traveling etc. Someone who does well on course is one who has the maturity and strength to get through what is an extremely mentally demanding course. The young guys who can get through it all at 19 or so are those of the few who are naturally talented and very able pilots. If that is you then go for it.
For FSP. Wouldn't recommend doing too much flying, if that is all you are doing it for. I'd say ten hours in something aerobatic, five hours with lots of aero's and chucking a plane around, and five hours doing circuits and handling. Learn flying attitudes and pictures as this is all the ADF want to see.
Study all three services, have a preference, but don't rule out another. Each service should be considered a foot in a pretty good door. The others may not offer!
And if you get in.... just be ready to bend over and take that big pineapple up the A r s e!
Last edited by likes2fly; 11th Jan 2011 at 01:47. Reason: Spelling
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Hey guys, just want to back up what someone said earlier.
If you haven't noticed he doesn't have the minimum required high school subjects let alone anything else. Forget life experience, flight experience, blah, blah, blah.
He won't even progress to an assessment day unless he does something about that...
If you haven't noticed he doesn't have the minimum required high school subjects let alone anything else. Forget life experience, flight experience, blah, blah, blah.
He won't even progress to an assessment day unless he does something about that...
Well, I will rain on the parade. I used to sit on pilot selection boards, and based upon what I've read here, he wouldn't have a chance.
I might add that I never considered a few hours of basic flying to be of any value one way or the other. It may have shown a level of keeness, but that was always easy enough to discern anyway.
I might add that I never considered a few hours of basic flying to be of any value one way or the other. It may have shown a level of keeness, but that was always easy enough to discern anyway.
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Mate,
Talk to DFR, study hard, apply. Probably best not to seek answers or gouge from PPRuNe if you are really serious. Very little accurate or useful info to be found here about the ADF.
Talk to DFR, study hard, apply. Probably best not to seek answers or gouge from PPRuNe if you are really serious. Very little accurate or useful info to be found here about the ADF.
Thread Starter
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Cheers.
Thank you to kind people in the forum the words of advice and encouragement. I've done some research and I've decided on my future ambitions. After I've paid my supportive family back for helping me move cities. I'm aiming to enrol at my local university undertake a six month bridging course while attempting to pay for flying lessons (I'm only aiming to do ten - fifteen hours.) After iv completed my bridging course I'm going to apply for the A.D.F.A studying Bachelor of Technology Aviation (thanks Macchi 408) and if I'm unsuccessfully ill try again next year. And keep trying until I'm accepted or bankrupt. And for everyone else who rather spend two minuets counting the words in a paragraph just to insult rather than contribute useful information to help someone, it really shows what kind of person you are. And I may lack the intelligence that most of you have, I like to the think I make up for it in determination.
My dream is to fly and ill do it any way I can that will keep me in the air for as long as possible...
That sounded better in my head.
My dream is to fly and ill do it any way I can that will keep me in the air for as long as possible...
That sounded better in my head.
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OK I'm back in my hotel room in the US on an overnight and may have been at the bar with a bunch of ex-airforce pilots ( all nice guys).
Rule 1, you need commitment first!!!
Rule 2, You wont be the best pilot!!
Rule 3, You have a long way to go boy!!!
Rule 4, Don't ever forget rule 1.
Big picture ****e........You want an airline command in a legacy carrier to provide for a good retirement. Go CX etc ( sorry A and B scale looks like its over)
Good luck and see you in the RSL
Swift, good luck, you seem like a nice young guy
PS school marks mean "Jack ****"
Rule 1, you need commitment first!!!
Rule 2, You wont be the best pilot!!
Rule 3, You have a long way to go boy!!!
Rule 4, Don't ever forget rule 1.
Big picture ****e........You want an airline command in a legacy carrier to provide for a good retirement. Go CX etc ( sorry A and B scale looks like its over)
Good luck and see you in the RSL
Swift, good luck, you seem like a nice young guy
PS school marks mean "Jack ****"
You say that but on my flight screening course everyone received a UAI well over the level needed. Most (not me 
) received ones good enough for law. I am sure though it has been done by guys who struggled through year 12, and got the minimums needed but it is harder. Admittedly it just buys you a ticket at the table, once you are at flight screening you could be getting 99.95 and they don't give a ****!
) received ones good enough for law. I am sure though it has been done by guys who struggled through year 12, and got the minimums needed but it is harder. Admittedly it just buys you a ticket at the table, once you are at flight screening you could be getting 99.95 and they don't give a ****!
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Originally Posted by Swift91
Thank you to (the) kind people in the forum (for) the words of advice and encouragement. I've done some research and I've decided on my future ambitions. After I've paid my supportive family back for helping me move cities.(,) I'm aiming to enrol at my local university (and) undertake a six month bridging course while attempting to pay for flying lessons(.) (I'm only aiming to do ten - fifteen hours.) After iv (I've) completed my bridging course I'm going to apply for the A.D.F.A studying Bachelor of Technology Aviation (thanks Macchi 408) and if I'm unsuccessfully (unsuccessful) ill (I'll) try again next year. And (NEVER start a sentence with a conjunction) keep trying until I'm accepted or bankrupt.
[New paragraph]
And (again, NEVER start a sentence with a conjunction) for everyone else who rather spend two minuets counting the words in a paragraph just to insult rather than contribute useful information to help someone, it really shows what kind of person you are. And (conjunction) I may lack the intelligence that most of you have, I like to the think I make up for it in determination.
My dream is to fly and ill (I'll) do it any way I can that will keep me in the air for as long as possible...
That sounded better in my head.
[New paragraph]
And (again, NEVER start a sentence with a conjunction) for everyone else who rather spend two minuets counting the words in a paragraph just to insult rather than contribute useful information to help someone, it really shows what kind of person you are. And (conjunction) I may lack the intelligence that most of you have, I like to the think I make up for it in determination.
My dream is to fly and ill (I'll) do it any way I can that will keep me in the air for as long as possible...
That sounded better in my head.
Originally Posted by Swift91
My dream is to fly and ill do it any way I can that will keep me in the air for as long as possible...
When you have passed all the CPL theory exams you should be close to either starting your CPL training or even be part way through it. When you have your hard earned Professional Licence, the hard work now begins. Maybe back to the non flying work to get a multi endorsement or Instrument Rating all the while studying for the ATPL theory exams.
There are threads in this Forum about how and where to find flying work in OZ so it would be well worth searching them.
Obviously what I have suggested above is a personal opinion but I believe it will get you flying sooner than via the airforce path and YOU will have more control over your career path and not be relying on the results expected from your Government employer. (I had a colleague who obtained his CPL at 200 hours but was rejected when he applied for the airforce with the comment, "you don't have much of an aptitude for flying". He has been flying airliners for many years now.
I would suggest that you do a Class 1 medical BEFORE deciding on anything. I know one person who discovered a medical problem that stopped him from obtaing a CPL only after he had a PPL, passed the CPL exams and was starting his CPL training. He was devastated.
Good luck with your career in aviation, whatever path you choose. (Army fly rotary wing. This may be an alternative option)
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Hey Swifty.....
You're obviously a young bloke so.....Why not just be yourself and go for it (as opposed to some of us who due to age cannot no longer contemplate such a luxury) ....the thread is all good advice but cannot replicate who you are....if you are fair dinkum about this then you will make it happen regardless of what any of us say.
As a matter or courtesy, let us how you go. Maybe even loop us in through the entire process from start to finish (i.e.Wings). To do so would be a first (I stand corrected Mods if I'm wrong here....)
Good Luck.
Stiky
You're obviously a young bloke so.....Why not just be yourself and go for it (as opposed to some of us who due to age cannot no longer contemplate such a luxury) ....the thread is all good advice but cannot replicate who you are....if you are fair dinkum about this then you will make it happen regardless of what any of us say.
As a matter or courtesy, let us how you go. Maybe even loop us in through the entire process from start to finish (i.e.Wings). To do so would be a first (I stand corrected Mods if I'm wrong here....)
Good Luck.
Stiky
Last edited by Stikybeke; 18th Feb 2011 at 13:12.
Just to back up Biggles here- Swift, if you join the RAAF as a pilot, you are first and foremast an Officer, and expected to have a high level of English writing ability.
If you can't take criticism of your demonstrated ability in what is a vital aspect of the path you claim to want to pursue, it is much more reflective of the type of person YOU are, not those trying to help you.
If you can't take criticism of your demonstrated ability in what is a vital aspect of the path you claim to want to pursue, it is much more reflective of the type of person YOU are, not those trying to help you.
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I am guilty of not having read the associated Military Forum here but just a quick note. I am sure many reading this thread would have been through the process, possibly even involved in the selection and training of the recruits.
The military recruit Officers, not pilots. As Officers the men are expected to command the respect of their subordinates, not be the subject of jokes.
The truth is that an amateurish knowledge of the English language just won't cut it. The selection format is a culling process, from start to finish... hours in a logbook account for nothing if the candidate can't make it past the initial stages.
A great deal of emphasis is placed on Personal Qualities and Abilities, - characteristics formed well before the final years at high school.
The desire to be a pilot is great, and to be applauded. I just wanted to point out the military take on the situation. Many guys get knocked back at some stage of the play, it is a big club.
A civil career path could be considered easier, normally just taking certain amounts of money and a little luck.
As pointed out, both demand drive and commitment, you seem to be displaying plenty of that. All the best with it..
The military recruit Officers, not pilots. As Officers the men are expected to command the respect of their subordinates, not be the subject of jokes.
The truth is that an amateurish knowledge of the English language just won't cut it. The selection format is a culling process, from start to finish... hours in a logbook account for nothing if the candidate can't make it past the initial stages.
A great deal of emphasis is placed on Personal Qualities and Abilities, - characteristics formed well before the final years at high school.
The desire to be a pilot is great, and to be applauded. I just wanted to point out the military take on the situation. Many guys get knocked back at some stage of the play, it is a big club.
A civil career path could be considered easier, normally just taking certain amounts of money and a little luck.
As pointed out, both demand drive and commitment, you seem to be displaying plenty of that. All the best with it..
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Swift,
Let me be the reality police on this and I do not mean to disuade you from what you want to do but I think you need a reality check...
Firstly, determination is not enough. It is merely one aspect of a number of personal attributes the RAAF is looking for.
Secondly, as others have said you are an officer first and foremost so like it or not, you life revloves around staff work. And for staff work you need some modicum of english ability.
You want to succeed? Turn you weaknesses into strenghts, show that you identified them and do something about it. Until then, as another poster stated, you haven't got a hope in hell.
Last I investigated (when one of my ex troops became the head of recuiting in Sydney and we were having some beers), there is upwards of 800 applications submitted for every single aircrew position. There was 2000 odd applicants for the six positions that were selected way back when I joined, PP (Pre PPRuNe). With your schooling standards the RAAF would bin your application straight away. You have to be competitive to get to the initial recuiting then you have to be competitive to go to OSB then you have to be competitive at Flight screening then you have to pass flight training then conversion etc ad nausium. You think some people here are bagging you, well mate, get used to it. Make the grade or go fly civvy aircraft.
Note I am NOT holding RAAF flying as anything greater than flying bug smashers, all I am saying is that you are competing with (genuinely) 50-100 other applicants who are at least as keen, have put in at school, have maybe done some flying, have rehersed their answers to the questiosn likely to be asked, have sort out current serving officers and got the latest gouge from them, have shown some leadership ability in the community, sports clubs, scouts etc. You must stand out amongst them to be considered and quite frankly, if you can't, then you are wasting your time.
Yes I have spelling mistakes in this post, I have been on the piss in Woomera tonight (yes at the famous Eldo) and about to head home after four weeks. I am more than a little smashed whilst I write this and whilst my staff work on this post might not be the best, if you cannot decipher the message then I suggest you are not what the RAAF is looking for and (at no detriment to the RAAF) you will be passed over for someone who does have the above attributes. I do genuinely wish you all the best, if you are keen enough then you will most definitely get in. But keeness (no that isn't a word!) isn't about feeling good from a post on PPRuNe it is about action and results from that action. Take what is said here as encouragement (even the negative posts) learn, grow and give it your best shot.
Cheers
CB
Let me be the reality police on this and I do not mean to disuade you from what you want to do but I think you need a reality check...
Firstly, determination is not enough. It is merely one aspect of a number of personal attributes the RAAF is looking for.
Secondly, as others have said you are an officer first and foremost so like it or not, you life revloves around staff work. And for staff work you need some modicum of english ability.
You want to succeed? Turn you weaknesses into strenghts, show that you identified them and do something about it. Until then, as another poster stated, you haven't got a hope in hell.
Last I investigated (when one of my ex troops became the head of recuiting in Sydney and we were having some beers), there is upwards of 800 applications submitted for every single aircrew position. There was 2000 odd applicants for the six positions that were selected way back when I joined, PP (Pre PPRuNe). With your schooling standards the RAAF would bin your application straight away. You have to be competitive to get to the initial recuiting then you have to be competitive to go to OSB then you have to be competitive at Flight screening then you have to pass flight training then conversion etc ad nausium. You think some people here are bagging you, well mate, get used to it. Make the grade or go fly civvy aircraft.
Note I am NOT holding RAAF flying as anything greater than flying bug smashers, all I am saying is that you are competing with (genuinely) 50-100 other applicants who are at least as keen, have put in at school, have maybe done some flying, have rehersed their answers to the questiosn likely to be asked, have sort out current serving officers and got the latest gouge from them, have shown some leadership ability in the community, sports clubs, scouts etc. You must stand out amongst them to be considered and quite frankly, if you can't, then you are wasting your time.
Yes I have spelling mistakes in this post, I have been on the piss in Woomera tonight (yes at the famous Eldo) and about to head home after four weeks. I am more than a little smashed whilst I write this and whilst my staff work on this post might not be the best, if you cannot decipher the message then I suggest you are not what the RAAF is looking for and (at no detriment to the RAAF) you will be passed over for someone who does have the above attributes. I do genuinely wish you all the best, if you are keen enough then you will most definitely get in. But keeness (no that isn't a word!) isn't about feeling good from a post on PPRuNe it is about action and results from that action. Take what is said here as encouragement (even the negative posts) learn, grow and give it your best shot.
Cheers
CB
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I have been on the piss in Woomera tonight (yes at the famous Eldo) and about to head home after four weeks. I am more than a little smashed whilst I write this and whilst my staff work on this post might not be the best,
But guess what. I bet those very same decriers of Pprune slyly turn on their computers at night after work and have a quick sneak at whats going on Pprune that day -just like those of us who used to read the Karma Sutra under the blankets when they were teen-agers.
To read that some half-pissed Pprune contributor sees nothing wrong staggering home after a long days flying and having a quick dekko at what's on Pprune cheers me up no end. I for one, have picked up more useful stuff from reading Pprune pages than I ever would from reading books on flying. The links alone attached by thoughtful contributors include so much of value in the field of flight safety that every current pilot should read.
Now back to the original thread
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A37575,
Firstly I resemble that remark! Secondly about the only time I get to read PPRUNE is when I am deployed as when I am at home the wife and kids see to it I spend bugger all time on the confuser and thirdly, what-th-fcuk else is there to do in Woomera!!!! (Note the exclamation marks and not question marks)
Seriously, I have to agree. Sort the wheat from the chaff and occaisionally there is a real gem posted by someone on here. Although I do feel that the GA forum has degraded somewhat into a boys club with about ten or so regular contributors who contribute to almost every thread usually looking for some response from another member of the boys club, but I guess it just adds to the charm that is PPRUNE and if you don't like it then bugger off. Now back to the bar and get me a nice Coopers Pale Ale! Can you believe they ran out a week or so ago... And I ain't drinking that West End CRAP for no one!
Now where were we? Oh yeah join the RAAF and get deployed, miss your kids birthdays (and their births!). In twelve years of being with my wife we have spent two birthdays together (that is one of hers and one of mine), one Valentines Day, lost camping trips, holidays recalled at Christmas due to some bloody natural disaster somewhere, get shot at, blown up etc. And all that is just the upside! Bwahahahahahaha The worst part is having to wear thongs in shower for six months at a time...
Yes, I started early this afternoon so you will have to forgive me. Been a long trip and someone emailed me a youtube clip of guys returnimg home from service and the response as they surpirsed their families. Tugged at the heart strings a bit.
Would I do it all again. Bloody Oath! And yes I am still doing it! idiot I know...
Respectfully to all my brothers-in-arms
CB
P.S. Just reminded me of a ANZAC day I spent somewhere where I ended up being the sober driver. One of my boys got absolutely maggotted and ended up having a little accident during the dawn service. One person was that disgusted with his efforts she wanted his head. I just said to her that I reckon the original ANZACS would probably be mighty proud of the young lad, as whilst he might not have been in the best state, he made the effort, got dressed up and after his little purging continued on and did the march. Now thats fighting spirit!
PP.S. Two tours at the Murderous Marauding Magpies hey?
Firstly I resemble that remark! Secondly about the only time I get to read PPRUNE is when I am deployed as when I am at home the wife and kids see to it I spend bugger all time on the confuser and thirdly, what-th-fcuk else is there to do in Woomera!!!! (Note the exclamation marks and not question marks)
Seriously, I have to agree. Sort the wheat from the chaff and occaisionally there is a real gem posted by someone on here. Although I do feel that the GA forum has degraded somewhat into a boys club with about ten or so regular contributors who contribute to almost every thread usually looking for some response from another member of the boys club, but I guess it just adds to the charm that is PPRUNE and if you don't like it then bugger off. Now back to the bar and get me a nice Coopers Pale Ale! Can you believe they ran out a week or so ago... And I ain't drinking that West End CRAP for no one!
Now where were we? Oh yeah join the RAAF and get deployed, miss your kids birthdays (and their births!). In twelve years of being with my wife we have spent two birthdays together (that is one of hers and one of mine), one Valentines Day, lost camping trips, holidays recalled at Christmas due to some bloody natural disaster somewhere, get shot at, blown up etc. And all that is just the upside! Bwahahahahahaha The worst part is having to wear thongs in shower for six months at a time...
Yes, I started early this afternoon so you will have to forgive me. Been a long trip and someone emailed me a youtube clip of guys returnimg home from service and the response as they surpirsed their families. Tugged at the heart strings a bit.
Would I do it all again. Bloody Oath! And yes I am still doing it! idiot I know...
Respectfully to all my brothers-in-arms
CB
P.S. Just reminded me of a ANZAC day I spent somewhere where I ended up being the sober driver. One of my boys got absolutely maggotted and ended up having a little accident during the dawn service. One person was that disgusted with his efforts she wanted his head. I just said to her that I reckon the original ANZACS would probably be mighty proud of the young lad, as whilst he might not have been in the best state, he made the effort, got dressed up and after his little purging continued on and did the march. Now thats fighting spirit!
PP.S. Two tours at the Murderous Marauding Magpies hey?
To be honest I think the guy was just stating a fact that on that day, with his quals/experience, a board wouldn't have recommended him. Call it realistic.
Anyway whats wrong with a bit of reverse psychology? Makes some people even more determined.
Anyway whats wrong with a bit of reverse psychology? Makes some people even more determined.
Telling people they can't succeed - at the end of the day what are you achieving?
Anyway whats wrong with a bit of reverse psychology? Makes some people even more determined.