High School student with a million and two questions
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Join Date: Apr 2011
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High School student with a million and two questions
Hello, I am a year 11 student from Queensland Australia. I am primarily interested in Defense Force piloting, but I can't seem to find any answers, ANYWHERE! My step-father was in the USA Navy for 20 years working electricals on aircraft, but he seems unable to give me any advice in regards to Australian military. I've talked to the school career and guidance councillor, but all she could say is that the military prefer students that are active in the community and that the Air Force often points would-be pilots to the Navy or Army instead, but I already knew both of these things. There is a Cadets wing about an hours drive from where I am which I could more than likely get answers from, but I thought I'd ask on a forum first.
Frankly, I'm not too concerned with the branch of military I go into- that is, I'm more worried about whether or not I'll even be eligible. According to the RAAF website, Queensland requires at least a Sound Acheivment in OP English and Maths B. It also mentions Chemistry, Geography and Physics, though the website isn't actually clear if you are REQUIRED to have taken the latter three. A further problem for me is that because I didn't take Maths B in year 10, I was not permitted to take it in year 11.
So my questions are, can I take a "bridging" course when/if I begin university to cover for this, would becoming a cadet be a wise choice at this point in time, and is there any very important differences between piloting in AF, Navy or Army?
That's a huge mouthful, sorry. Any and all advice is very much appreciated. Thanks guys.
Frankly, I'm not too concerned with the branch of military I go into- that is, I'm more worried about whether or not I'll even be eligible. According to the RAAF website, Queensland requires at least a Sound Acheivment in OP English and Maths B. It also mentions Chemistry, Geography and Physics, though the website isn't actually clear if you are REQUIRED to have taken the latter three. A further problem for me is that because I didn't take Maths B in year 10, I was not permitted to take it in year 11.
So my questions are, can I take a "bridging" course when/if I begin university to cover for this, would becoming a cadet be a wise choice at this point in time, and is there any very important differences between piloting in AF, Navy or Army?That's a huge mouthful, sorry. Any and all advice is very much appreciated. Thanks guys.
There will be more knowedgable people giving you some good advice,
BUT
Yes, the Air Force Cadets will be a good idea, yes I think a suitable bridging course will do, but actually try contacting RAAF recuiting to find out.
There are HUGE differences betwwen flying in the three services and, I'm sorry, if you are already in year 11 and not "UP" with that sort of information, you have a lot of catching up to do.
For starters, the Navy have NO fixed wing aircraft at all any more, and Army aviation is either rotary wing or small turbo-props.
If you had any ambition to fly fast jets or large transports, the RAAF is your only option.
Gaining a place in Military Aviation is EXTREMLY competative (you'll hear figurs like 3% of qualified applicants actually being selected) and you are up against people who've had life-long ambitions and knowledge bases to match.
Best of luck.
BUT
Yes, the Air Force Cadets will be a good idea, yes I think a suitable bridging course will do, but actually try contacting RAAF recuiting to find out.
There are HUGE differences betwwen flying in the three services and, I'm sorry, if you are already in year 11 and not "UP" with that sort of information, you have a lot of catching up to do.
For starters, the Navy have NO fixed wing aircraft at all any more, and Army aviation is either rotary wing or small turbo-props.
If you had any ambition to fly fast jets or large transports, the RAAF is your only option.
Gaining a place in Military Aviation is EXTREMLY competative (you'll hear figurs like 3% of qualified applicants actually being selected) and you are up against people who've had life-long ambitions and knowledge bases to match.
Best of luck.
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Lots of info in here. It's a long thread, but well worth the read.
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...am-merged.html
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...am-merged.html
I concur, call Recruiting and ask these questions. If you want to be competitive, do the bridging course and get your maths up to standard. Also, if you can do the 'recommended' courses (chem etc) then do them.
As for flying in the services, they are all DIFFERENT. Call or write to any Army Navy or RAAF unit and ask to speak to someone there. They will put you onto a pilot and you can ask questions about the type of flying and lifestyle for that arm of the Service.
The Navy is having problems getting people through conversion course now (taking years in some instances), The Army fly rotary and do some pretty cool flying, but even they admit to the fact that pilots are often treated like truck drivers. The RAAF is having similar probs to the Navy WRT conversion courses. You probably have more options in the RAAF (fighters, transport, maritime) but that might not interest you, so write or call a unit and speak to those pilots doing the job now.
Good luck and safe flying.
Coolnames
As for flying in the services, they are all DIFFERENT. Call or write to any Army Navy or RAAF unit and ask to speak to someone there. They will put you onto a pilot and you can ask questions about the type of flying and lifestyle for that arm of the Service.
The Navy is having problems getting people through conversion course now (taking years in some instances), The Army fly rotary and do some pretty cool flying, but even they admit to the fact that pilots are often treated like truck drivers. The RAAF is having similar probs to the Navy WRT conversion courses. You probably have more options in the RAAF (fighters, transport, maritime) but that might not interest you, so write or call a unit and speak to those pilots doing the job now.
Good luck and safe flying.
Coolnames
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Hello Youngfella,
From experience with both my Son and Daughter, call defence recruiting and organise a YOU (Your Opportunities Unlimited) session. They are very helpful and will give you all the assistance in what is required for any specific job within the ADF.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
From experience with both my Son and Daughter, call defence recruiting and organise a YOU (Your Opportunities Unlimited) session. They are very helpful and will give you all the assistance in what is required for any specific job within the ADF.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
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When you do start to progress through the entry process, don't put your life on hold waiting for "the call" from the ADF. They will want "life experience" and not that many 18 year olds have it. Still consider enroling and attending University, getting a couple of odd jobs (particularly aviation related if you can get them) and go about life as per normal to keep your options.
That aside, I know of two young gents recently accepted to Army aviation straight out of high-school. They were actually twins, but had some flying experience and basic licences, so it does and can happen for you. They had their heads put on straight too, which makes a big difference.
That aside, I know of two young gents recently accepted to Army aviation straight out of high-school. They were actually twins, but had some flying experience and basic licences, so it does and can happen for you. They had their heads put on straight too, which makes a big difference.
Nunc est bibendum
If you're in year 11 now you've probably missed your chance with joining the Air Force Cadets. Most Squadrons recruit 'en masse' early in the year and those that join are normally aged 13-15. Your nearest unit may not even have a mid year recruit intake so that means you're not likely to start until next year- and when you do you'll be with a LOT of younger cadets.
They're not going to have much information of use to you if you turn up to ask and to be blunt, they'll be too busy running their SQN just to answer questions about ADF recruitment. The AAFC used to have some excellent forums that you could ask your questions or search for previous answers and this was a topic done many times over with much comment from those who had been through the process- both with success and failure. Whilst the forums are no longer available for viewing, you may be able to send them an email and ask for the archive of the Defence Careers forum. Australian Air Force Cadets - Welcome and you're looking for Directorate of Administrative Services and they have portfolio responsibility for the archiving of the AAFC BB.
Good luck.
They're not going to have much information of use to you if you turn up to ask and to be blunt, they'll be too busy running their SQN just to answer questions about ADF recruitment. The AAFC used to have some excellent forums that you could ask your questions or search for previous answers and this was a topic done many times over with much comment from those who had been through the process- both with success and failure. Whilst the forums are no longer available for viewing, you may be able to send them an email and ask for the archive of the Defence Careers forum. Australian Air Force Cadets - Welcome and you're looking for Directorate of Administrative Services and they have portfolio responsibility for the archiving of the AAFC BB.
Good luck.
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In my experience when I went for ADFA recruiting, being a CDTFSGT in the AIRTC (former name for AAFC) actually didn't seem to be worth anything to them. They wanted things like community activities and SRC. Somehow managing 50 horny cadets for a weeks at a time in a military environment didn't count as leadership experience, but planting a tree at school does, go figure (nah, not bitter 
).
Your local cadet unit might have some info on recruiting, but you are far better off going direct to ADF recruiting and getting it from them - it will be more current and relevent. When I was going for it they had reams of stuff about selction process, what attributes they looked for and stuff to know. Learning service knowledge is a positive, as is understanding the aircraft and their roles. Also have a good think about how you answer the psych questions - things like how would you feel about bombing a village if you were ordered to, what is the role of an officer etc.
As others have said, if you want it push hard. If you don't make ADFA, keep working and applying for direct entry and doing what you can to make yourself competitive.
).Your local cadet unit might have some info on recruiting, but you are far better off going direct to ADF recruiting and getting it from them - it will be more current and relevent. When I was going for it they had reams of stuff about selction process, what attributes they looked for and stuff to know. Learning service knowledge is a positive, as is understanding the aircraft and their roles. Also have a good think about how you answer the psych questions - things like how would you feel about bombing a village if you were ordered to, what is the role of an officer etc.
As others have said, if you want it push hard. If you don't make ADFA, keep working and applying for direct entry and doing what you can to make yourself competitive.
