RAF Service to Airline Pilot..
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: UK
A short service Commission for aircrew is 12 years, 6 years for ground branches. If you go in as aircrew there will be a return of service period, not the full 12 years, but perhaps 8, you'd need to check that.
Clearly 8 years or so as an RAF Pilot would have the airlines snapping at your heals once you left. I would also think that any time in the RAF, even in a ground branch would make you more employable in the civilian aviation industry. You will have much experience working with and around aircraft, Flight Operations, will probably have operated in harsher conditions that most on operational deployments to the Middle East, you will have made decisions that most don't have to and will probably have good management and leadership experience that few get in their 20s.
So, if you can't afford civilian flying now and want to do something interesting for the next few years its worth looking into. Also, there are a number of RAF flying clubs that service people can use at a greatly reduced cost. Akrotiri for example is around £50/hr. At 24 you are on the limit for aircrew, but plenty of people have got in slightly older.
I wish you well with whatever you choose to do.
Clearly 8 years or so as an RAF Pilot would have the airlines snapping at your heals once you left. I would also think that any time in the RAF, even in a ground branch would make you more employable in the civilian aviation industry. You will have much experience working with and around aircraft, Flight Operations, will probably have operated in harsher conditions that most on operational deployments to the Middle East, you will have made decisions that most don't have to and will probably have good management and leadership experience that few get in their 20s.
So, if you can't afford civilian flying now and want to do something interesting for the next few years its worth looking into. Also, there are a number of RAF flying clubs that service people can use at a greatly reduced cost. Akrotiri for example is around £50/hr. At 24 you are on the limit for aircrew, but plenty of people have got in slightly older.
I wish you well with whatever you choose to do.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Earth
sorry guys I wasn't talking about becoming a RAF pilot. I don't have the qualifications sadly. I was looking for advice on become a aircraft technician and weather this would help me to get a job for an airline in the future.
Thanks for all the comments though.
Want pilot, be pilot!!
Thanks for all the comments though.
Want pilot, be pilot!!
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 5
From: UK
I have several friends who have joined the RAF as technicians and subsequently gone on to airline careers; however, it is an extremely long-winded process. Furthermore, you are likely to be extremely dis-satisfied with the life as a techie if you actually want to be a pilot. Is it worth wasting several years of your life doing something in which you have little or no real interest? Finally, having a few years experience as an RAF technician will offer no real advantages when it comes to getting a first flying job.
