Navy/Army Pilot
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Still in Paradise
Age: 60
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was offered a ADF (army) aviation position at age 42 with a CPL & had been an infantry soldier for 6 years 20+ years prior. I didn't take it - got a better offer.
Try this - join the Army, choose Aviation Corps as your preference, get used to the systems, decide if you actually LIKE the Army, then apply for consideration as a pilot.
Try this - join the Army, choose Aviation Corps as your preference, get used to the systems, decide if you actually LIKE the Army, then apply for consideration as a pilot.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Australia
Age: 44
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are there any current serving military personnel in the reserves that are flying for an airline? I'm interested in joining the reserves but not sure my aviation qualifications actually count for anything. I have a degree in aviation management if it helps.
While I understand I can't apply for a flying role is there anything else I could apply for aviation related role that I could be of some use to our armed forces? Air Force/Navy preferably.
While I understand I can't apply for a flying role is there anything else I could apply for aviation related role that I could be of some use to our armed forces? Air Force/Navy preferably.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Australia
Age: 44
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks WIWUT, I thought of OPSO but I still need to do lots more research into the role. What about Meteorological Observer for the Navy? Would our aviation experience in met be an advantage?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Jamair, there's still hope 😄 would getting involved in reserves for a little while whilst I get some education backup help?
I plan to spend some time crossing T's before applying to anything Military full time.
I plan to spend some time crossing T's before applying to anything Military full time.
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Australia
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They've certainly been pumping out plenty of online advertisements for ADF pilot applicants. Although it's probably just targeted marketing (because I'm on a flying-related site every 2 minutes) but I wouldn't be surprised if they needed more pilots given all the recent rotary acquisitions (MRHs, Tigers, Romeos).
Although I read somewhere (Australian Aviation?) that the Bell 429s were being used to keep surplus RAN trainee pilots current as the operational conversion units were well behind schedule in getting new pilots on to type?? I have no idea how accurate any of that is.
Maybe give ADF PSA a call and ask them directly?
The PSA still have plenty of FSPs scheduled:
http://www.airforce.gov.au/docs/ADF-...2-20141204.doc
Pilot Selection Flight - Royal Australian Air Force
Although I read somewhere (Australian Aviation?) that the Bell 429s were being used to keep surplus RAN trainee pilots current as the operational conversion units were well behind schedule in getting new pilots on to type?? I have no idea how accurate any of that is.
Maybe give ADF PSA a call and ask them directly?
The PSA still have plenty of FSPs scheduled:
http://www.airforce.gov.au/docs/ADF-...2-20141204.doc
Pilot Selection Flight - Royal Australian Air Force
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: mardi nsw
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have heard, from a few people, that they are keen for pilots and I have seen all the advertising...
I am hoping to join and rotary is where I want to be . Like you I have also read that the 429s are used because they are backed up at the moment so I just thought it odd they are soo keen...then again there are a lot of changes happening right now .
Any extra hope is good
I am hoping to join and rotary is where I want to be . Like you I have also read that the 429s are used because they are backed up at the moment so I just thought it odd they are soo keen...then again there are a lot of changes happening right now .
Any extra hope is good
Hey Arm Out The Window
Ah, how I miss my piss-stinking roofless corner of a wrecked airport terminal
I don't think it was a wrecked airport terminal that was stinking of piss - when you sent me solo in the parrot 27 years ago, I seem to remember wondering what the pissy smell was. I think you spent too much time rolling around with the grunts.
Trev.
Roll power prop trim one banana two banana
Ah, how I miss my piss-stinking roofless corner of a wrecked airport terminal
I don't think it was a wrecked airport terminal that was stinking of piss - when you sent me solo in the parrot 27 years ago, I seem to remember wondering what the pissy smell was. I think you spent too much time rolling around with the grunts.
Trev.
Roll power prop trim one banana two banana
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: my happy place....
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are the Army and Navy still screaming for pilots ?
Natural attrition will put also dent in the total number of aircrew. So I would give it a go now.
As soon as helicopter industry picks up, the situation will be even more in favour of hopeful fling-wing pilots.
Last edited by slow n low; 13th Nov 2015 at 08:10. Reason: few beers and idiot check..
when you sent me solo in the parrot 27 years ago, I seem to remember wondering what the pissy smell was. I think you spent too much time rolling around with the grunts.
A wise man once said that if you hover you are queer. This did not apply to anything with two P&W R2000s strapped to the wings flying into a headwind.
Trev your landings made me pee myself as well mate.
Trev your landings made me pee myself as well mate.
Jamair has a good point.
I was a soldier and would never have considered RAAF or Navy because I want to be in the fight; a flying soldier, if you will.
Unfortunately, The Australian Army are not really that sort of organisation anymore. The British system of producing 'flying soldiers' is much more effective than ours and the reason for it is operational tempo. The British Army will train 'Air Troopers' as NCO pilots, based entirely on merit, with military experience/performance requirements but no formal education requirement and an accelerated training program. The majority will see active service somewhere, and their minimum period of service will be short (four years I think).
Contrast that with Australia, where most of our Army pilots are graduates of an 18-month RMC course and many a four-year ADFA Degree. They eventually get to ROBC after several years in training establishments and then serve a nine-year minimum period. At the end of that nine years most will have less than 1000 hours and most will not have seen combat. I would at least try the reserves for a while before taking the plunge; see what you think of the day to day life in the Army.
The Navy was seen as a bit of a dead end when I was in the system, but that might have changed since the ramp up of the Romeo etc.
I guess it depends on your motivations, but committing yourself to that lifestyle in your thirties is a big step.
I was a soldier and would never have considered RAAF or Navy because I want to be in the fight; a flying soldier, if you will.
Unfortunately, The Australian Army are not really that sort of organisation anymore. The British system of producing 'flying soldiers' is much more effective than ours and the reason for it is operational tempo. The British Army will train 'Air Troopers' as NCO pilots, based entirely on merit, with military experience/performance requirements but no formal education requirement and an accelerated training program. The majority will see active service somewhere, and their minimum period of service will be short (four years I think).
Contrast that with Australia, where most of our Army pilots are graduates of an 18-month RMC course and many a four-year ADFA Degree. They eventually get to ROBC after several years in training establishments and then serve a nine-year minimum period. At the end of that nine years most will have less than 1000 hours and most will not have seen combat. I would at least try the reserves for a while before taking the plunge; see what you think of the day to day life in the Army.
The Navy was seen as a bit of a dead end when I was in the system, but that might have changed since the ramp up of the Romeo etc.
I guess it depends on your motivations, but committing yourself to that lifestyle in your thirties is a big step.
Last edited by Subversive1; 17th Nov 2015 at 01:42. Reason: Clarification
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Yokohama
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
