Raf Aircrew - Civvy Pilot

[Joe Black]

Evening all,

I'm currently serving in the RAF as an AEOp and am at a stage where I have decided I won't be spending my entire working life in the air force - my hope is to become an airline pilot or at the very least be involved in civil aviation.

I have not started my PPL yet and won't be able to until I return from OOA duties in 4 months and my intention will then be to do as much flying as possible at my local flying club. I would be extremely grateful for any advice from any one in a similar position....ie what books should I be reading just now ?- may sound lazy asking, but I'd like to hear it from people with experience.
Thanks
Joe

[maxdrypower]

One bit of advice I could give you matey if you are going through with doing a PPL . Check with Brize Norton Flying Club and any of the others to see hwta their prices currently are . I did my PPL when in the Arse farce at Brize in 1994 and it was £42 per hour on a PA28 it was the cheapest flying club in the UK at the time . I took all my leave and stayed in the mess for three weeks and finished it all in one go . This may save you quite a bit of money and stand you in good stead for the modular route

[Rob's Dad]

I'm in a similar position to you Joe, but slightly further downstream. Just finished the 14 ATPL theory exams and start CPL/IR flying in January.

The first thing I would say is do nothing about professional licences until you have a PPL. You may find you do not like it as much as you think you will: I know of people on integrated courses who have never flown in a light aircraft and it's a expensive gamble (circa £65k plus living costs) if you get it wrong. If you've got time on Det, then I recommend getting hold of the AFE PPL manuals by Jeremy Pratt - very easy to digest and help you get ahead of the game. But I would not go deeper than that at this stage.

If you have not chosen a PPL provider then absolutely use a RAF Club (http://www.procommercesolutions.co.uk/raffca/homepage/) - Akrotiri is dirt cheap I was paying £40 for a C172 out there! Plus you often get taught by RAF QFIs who I have found to have far more exacting standards than civvy clubs: this measn you learn excellent skills from the outset and hopefully save on resits later.

The next thing you should do is spend a few hundred £s getting a Class 1 Medical from the CAA: as serving aircrew you should sail through it, but best to make sure before you waste a considerable amount of money.

Then you have a tough decision to make. Either leave and do a fulltime course (integrated or modular) or do a modular course on top of your day-job. There are lots of threads on this - it comes down to personal choice, how you prefer to learn and your circumstances.

If you choose to go modular then can you qualify for ELC? If so, I would recommend arranging your training to ensure you maximise the 3 entitlements over 3 financial years. For instance, arrange ATPL theory one at the end of one FY, CPL towards the end of the next, and IR at the beginning of the 3rd. It's worked for me. You can also use SLC for exams etc (£60 a go for ATPL) and get just over £500 for resettlement as well.

Learning wise, leave it until you have your PPL then bone up on your maths and physics - nothing too difficult with the study, volume is the problem. Don't forget you will need to hour build if you go modular which will give you time to start studying from course books available via ebay (Oxford and Jeppesen regularly available and both very good). I found the EFTS maths and science books excellent for prep. The Met Sect at most of the flying units also do a good line in manuals.

Hope that helps, and best of luck.

RD

[A2QFI]

Can you not get a Class 1 Medical from an RAF SMO, for a fee, but not "hundreds"?

[Megaton]

I am fairly certain his first Class 1 will need to come from Gatwick.

The most important book to read is Clive Hughes "Guide to Becoming a Commercial Pilot." Absolutely invaluable.

http://shop.pilotwarehouse.co.uk/pro...no1770023.html

[matt_hooks]

The initial class one medical needs to be assessed at Gatwick.
Renewals can be assessed by any AME but they like to see you for the first one.

[small_dog]

Class 1

I've met ex-RAF aircrew who, like A2QFI stated, got their most of their initial class one done with the Medical Officer on their base. In this case, not everything required could be covered by the Medical Officer so they paid a small charge and went to a civilian specialist to finish off the test (I think it was something to do with the eye examination).

[Megaton]

Pilots could have their initial with the SMO but everyone else goes to Gatwick.

[ATPLTrainee]

There´s a guy on my integrated course who came out of the RAF with an aircrew medical, apparently all he had to do was get Cranwell to send it to the CAA who approved it, all he had to do was pay a small donation charity.

[Megaton]

Your mate who came out of the RAF with an aircrew medical was probably a chopped pilot. See above.

[scroggs]

As an ex-RAF pilot I still had to do my initial Class 1 at CAA Gatwick as my SMO was not a CAA-ratified AME. If yours isn't, you'll have to go to Gatwick too - unless things have changed since I left.

What esle can you do? I assume you intend to take the modular route? In which case, you can select and sign up with a distance-learning ground school provider while you are OOA. That'll keep you quite busy enough. Read and inwardly digest the Archive thread at the top of the forum for more essential info.

Scroggs

[Megaton]

I went from PPL- CPL/IR whilst serving. Made full use of SLC/ELC as mentioned above. Also took every opportunity to jump in sims or aircraft. Filled my logbook with every kind of flying I could get my hands on. I also, rather fortunately ahem, was sent on a tour where I was not particularly busy giving me plenty of time for the exams. In short, I managed every aspect of my training to coincide with my exit date.

[FFP]

I'm a serving RAF pilot. Got my initial Class 1 through the med centre and renewed it there also, if that helps at all.

Good luck with it all.

[Joe Black]

Gents,

Thanks for all the replies I have had...all very helpful indeed. My intention is continue what I am doing in the Air Force for the next 2-3 years and start the modular route...as I am still gaining operational flying experience. What is the generic agreement on the best distance learning course to begin with?

[scroggs]

This thread might help.

Scroggs

[A and C]

RAF Flying clubs

All the RAF flying clubs offer very good value for money and first class training, with prices starting at £61/hour (Cessna 152 at Benson) a change of career after the RAF becomes a real option.

With a bit of luck and a lot of hard work it is posable to get from SAC to jet airliner captain in about eight years.

[Joe Black]

Made a decision on what course of action I am going to take :
1.PPL theory(due to being in the sandpit for next 4 months!)
2.PPL and as many hours as I can clock up at my local flying club
3.Hopefully then move onto ATPL distance learning with BGS or Cranfield.
4.Hour building in the states
5.CPL/IR

Does anyone think this is realistic? I am not setting myself a specific time period due to my on-going time in the Air force but if I was guessing I'd go for 2-3 years.

For my PPL theory, where and what would be the best material to use for my study?

Thanks so far for all the vital feedback I've had.
Joe

[scroggs]

Please use the Private Flying forum for information about the Private Pilot's Licence.

Scroggs

[RCOV 2 ENG]

Flight Engineer to Pilot

Hi there, I was just wondering what the airlines etc. would think of an RAF Flight Engineer, coming to apply to them to become a pilot?
Currently early 30's, and fully fit, I would be willing to go where there is any chance of sponsorship and eventually a job.
I do not have a PPL etc, but hold all necessary educational requirements.
Just checking possible changes of direction in my future?
Thanks in advance!
minzastella

[sicky]

Is it fair to assume that anyone in the RAF can benefit from learning to fly at these flying clubs?