University Air Squadrons
Pilot Officer PPRuNe
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
From: UK
But Dusty, it only cost you 15 hrs worth of flying (and I know chaps who did it in alot less). Surely that is better than 50 hrs or so at your own expense. Don't be so bl00dy ungrateful!!Tonks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: El Glasgow, Scotland
"In the UAS, we were lucky to get a single land-away, let alone a double - hence I had to pay for the lot in civie street."
The UAS is NOT a place to get a free PPL. It IS a great place to socialise, gives you a chance to weigh up RAFvCivvie life, lets you do what you love most (be it fly (hopefully), drink, or chase the fairer sex),and see a bit of the UK/World that you might not see otherwise.
I am sorry a person like you made it in to the UAS, and hope none of my fellow OffCads have your idea, as they (like you did it seems) are taking up a valuable place that I'm sure some of the PMU would kill for. It wouldnt be so bad but you used
as if you were ENTITLED to a PPL!
Backing you up Tonks on the "who did it in less", a couple of our senior students GAINED the PPL(A) after just a few more exams.
On the eyesight issue...I found that you can need glasses after getting in but its a non-starter if you already have bad eyesight when joining. However not all allergies deem you P/TMU, like mine (cats) I think this is because there isnt a lot of pussy(cat) in FastJets!
Steve
The UAS is NOT a place to get a free PPL. It IS a great place to socialise, gives you a chance to weigh up RAFvCivvie life, lets you do what you love most (be it fly (hopefully), drink, or chase the fairer sex),and see a bit of the UK/World that you might not see otherwise.
I am sorry a person like you made it in to the UAS, and hope none of my fellow OffCads have your idea, as they (like you did it seems) are taking up a valuable place that I'm sure some of the PMU would kill for. It wouldnt be so bad but you used
as if you were ENTITLED to a PPL!Backing you up Tonks on the "who did it in less", a couple of our senior students GAINED the PPL(A) after just a few more exams.
On the eyesight issue...I found that you can need glasses after getting in but its a non-starter if you already have bad eyesight when joining. However not all allergies deem you P/TMU, like mine (cats) I think this is because there isnt a lot of pussy(cat) in FastJets!
Steve
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 292
Likes: 3
From: Ready to Depart
Sorry for bringing this one back to the fore after so long, but I haven't been around for ages, and feel I must defend my honour!!
To Tonks, I'm most certainly not ungrateful for the 100 wonderful hours the Queen gave me.
To Steve, I didn't join the Squadron to get a PPL - I walked out of IOT with my head held high, a tear in my eye, and my knees in ruins.
My post was just saying what service flying hours pre-FHT and EFT Groundschool can translate to with JAR. It says that, even with twice as much experience than needed for a PPL, you don't get one automatically. It also says that if you are joining to free load and hour build post PPL, it's pointless because most of it is dual.
Perhaps my should have been a 
.
Indeed, if I hadn't left it two years, I would have been able to complete the PPL in less time too. Let that be a warning to any UAS Studes out there: You might not need a PPL now, but you never know what is round the corner.
To Tonks, I'm most certainly not ungrateful for the 100 wonderful hours the Queen gave me.
To Steve, I didn't join the Squadron to get a PPL - I walked out of IOT with my head held high, a tear in my eye, and my knees in ruins.
My post was just saying what service flying hours pre-FHT and EFT Groundschool can translate to with JAR. It says that, even with twice as much experience than needed for a PPL, you don't get one automatically. It also says that if you are joining to free load and hour build post PPL, it's pointless because most of it is dual.
Perhaps my
should have been a . Indeed, if I hadn't left it two years, I would have been able to complete the PPL in less time too. Let that be a warning to any UAS Studes out there: You might not need a PPL now, but you never know what is round the corner.
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 27,395
Likes: 857
From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
If you look at the CAA website and hunt out GID 21 version 5, you'll find that the PPL accreditation criteria for UAS, but more specifically for JFTS/EFTS courses are much better than they were....
Any UAS member needing 'conversion' training to PPL level should try contacting their nearest RAF Flying Club Association (RAFFCA) Club. Under GAI 5070 para 8 e, 'Members of the University Air Squadrons, the Air Training Corps and the Air Section of the Combined Cadet Force' are entitled to be Full Members of a RAFFCA Flying Club. These are rather cheaper to fly at than many civil organisations - e.g. £61 per (log book) hour including FI and fuel for a VOR/NDB/ILS/DME/GPS-equipped Cherokee 140 at a certain club of my acquaintance......
Any UAS member needing 'conversion' training to PPL level should try contacting their nearest RAF Flying Club Association (RAFFCA) Club. Under GAI 5070 para 8 e, 'Members of the University Air Squadrons, the Air Training Corps and the Air Section of the Combined Cadet Force' are entitled to be Full Members of a RAFFCA Flying Club. These are rather cheaper to fly at than many civil organisations - e.g. £61 per (log book) hour including FI and fuel for a VOR/NDB/ILS/DME/GPS-equipped Cherokee 140 at a certain club of my acquaintance......
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: South East UK
Getting back to the original question about the possibility of joining a UAS, to anyone who is thinking of getting into one:
- if you are intent on joining the RAF then great! Good luck in the selection process when you arrive at Uni. Find the recruitment stand at the Freshers Fair and away you go! If you get in, kiss all the flying instructors' asses like there's no tomorrow and back-stab your colleagues when you're buying the Squadron Leader a drink at happy hour in the Officers' Mess. Don't think they'll be sympathetic to the needs of your course at University - they'll expect you to be at the base most of the time, certainly as much as a colleague doing a mickey-mouse course for 2 hours a week!
- if you're hoping to just hour-build and eventually get into commercial aviation, lie lie lie in the selection interviews that the RAF is your lifetime ambition! Blah RAF blah RAF blah RAF - you get it. If you get in, have a lot of fun but beware of the constant threat of being chopped (hence the ass-kissing and back-stabbing describ above). Another thing you have to do is always say you want to go fast-jet as the RAF streams everyone at the beginning for that. You can't talk about flying helicopters or Tri-Stars in your selection interview - Tornados are the bees knees!
Once you've got your hours and have left Uni, take your chances in obtaining sponsorship (in a couple of years by the time you finish Uni?). If you can get the money straight away then that's a huge bonus.
As far as I know, there are now only 15 UASs (didn't Belfast Queens close about 5 years ago?) so make sure you find a Uni that has one.
I hope it all works out for you.
p.s. I was at Liverpool UAS and have mixed feelings about it. I had a great time getting 50 hours and went skiing and on summer camps amd had a very cheap bar on base. Just a shame about the w*****s! Now about to start at Oxford this Friday so it's still going to plan.
RIP Mike Murphy RIP Alison Arnold
- if you are intent on joining the RAF then great! Good luck in the selection process when you arrive at Uni. Find the recruitment stand at the Freshers Fair and away you go! If you get in, kiss all the flying instructors' asses like there's no tomorrow and back-stab your colleagues when you're buying the Squadron Leader a drink at happy hour in the Officers' Mess. Don't think they'll be sympathetic to the needs of your course at University - they'll expect you to be at the base most of the time, certainly as much as a colleague doing a mickey-mouse course for 2 hours a week!
- if you're hoping to just hour-build and eventually get into commercial aviation, lie lie lie in the selection interviews that the RAF is your lifetime ambition! Blah RAF blah RAF blah RAF - you get it. If you get in, have a lot of fun but beware of the constant threat of being chopped (hence the ass-kissing and back-stabbing describ above). Another thing you have to do is always say you want to go fast-jet as the RAF streams everyone at the beginning for that. You can't talk about flying helicopters or Tri-Stars in your selection interview - Tornados are the bees knees!
Once you've got your hours and have left Uni, take your chances in obtaining sponsorship (in a couple of years by the time you finish Uni?). If you can get the money straight away then that's a huge bonus.
As far as I know, there are now only 15 UASs (didn't Belfast Queens close about 5 years ago?) so make sure you find a Uni that has one.
I hope it all works out for you.
p.s. I was at Liverpool UAS and have mixed feelings about it. I had a great time getting 50 hours and went skiing and on summer camps amd had a very cheap bar on base. Just a shame about the w*****s! Now about to start at Oxford this Friday so it's still going to plan.
RIP Mike Murphy RIP Alison Arnold
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
From: Your Worst Nightmare
Got to agree with calltheball - LUAS by a street. The Squadron that held the record for most Bases banned from, the Squadron that won the Reid Trophy more often than not, and the Squadron whose official drink (during my time) could be classed as a food group!! Only downside - Southport - Blackpool without the atmosphere and a lot more old fogies
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Norwich
I'd like to point out at this point that the only UAS worth considering is the oldest, Cambridge. I don;t even have to go to Cambridge to be a member (UEA) and get to have a load of Cambridge type fun in the process!
Thom
Altogether now...
Don't bend down when Oxford are around
or you'll get a w**** up your a***!
Thom
Altogether now...
Don't bend down when Oxford are around
or you'll get a w**** up your a***!
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 292
Likes: 3
From: Ready to Depart
Filthy Tab
As can only be expected, the filthy Tab is misguided and, to be quite frank, a Tab. And filthy.
The Premier Air Squadron wishes to point out that it has absolutely nothing to do with that small village establishment on the fens. Oxford UAS was conceived before CUAS, approved for formation before CUAS, and established before CUAS. CUAS, acutely aware that it really had nothing going for it, decided to have their first Town Night one week early just so that they could say they came before Oxford in something. Something the prostitutes of the Other Place will continue to confirm to this day.
Shoo the Tabs.
ps- CUAS haven't won a game of Rugby against OUAS in over 7 years. So afraid were they of loosing against us, that they refused to even form a team in 1999! They didn't even turn up to the Rugby 7s.
The Premier Air Squadron wishes to point out that it has absolutely nothing to do with that small village establishment on the fens. Oxford UAS was conceived before CUAS, approved for formation before CUAS, and established before CUAS. CUAS, acutely aware that it really had nothing going for it, decided to have their first Town Night one week early just so that they could say they came before Oxford in something. Something the prostitutes of the Other Place will continue to confirm to this day.
Shoo the Tabs.
ps- CUAS haven't won a game of Rugby against OUAS in over 7 years. So afraid were they of loosing against us, that they refused to even form a team in 1999! They didn't even turn up to the Rugby 7s.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: The Death Star
Hiya folks,
all good reading! Just a quick question. I intend to apply to the UAS attached to my university, but I was thinking of writing a letter to the UAS to try and arrange a visit and maybe submit an application before freshers fair.
Is this possible, or should I just wait untill freshers fair? Also will the UAS still look at you if you have not been succesfull in an direct entry application to the RAF. My aim now is to go to UNI, hopefully get in the UAS and join up afterwards.
Many thanks for any advice.
Rusty.
all good reading! Just a quick question. I intend to apply to the UAS attached to my university, but I was thinking of writing a letter to the UAS to try and arrange a visit and maybe submit an application before freshers fair.
Is this possible, or should I just wait untill freshers fair? Also will the UAS still look at you if you have not been succesfull in an direct entry application to the RAF. My aim now is to go to UNI, hopefully get in the UAS and join up afterwards.
Many thanks for any advice.
Rusty.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 292
Likes: 3
From: Ready to Depart
They can only say 'Yes' or 'No'. And even if they say no, the fact that you took the time out to write to them before hand will show that you are not just keen, but proactive too.
I wrote to ULAS during my A Levels, before applying for a Bursary, asking if I could visit, speak to the studes, and *fingers crossed* scrounge a flight (in the then Mighty Dog, before they were used on the AEF flights too).
They invited me to Benson for a nose round, and had a great time talking to the Cadets, and even ate in the Officers Mess. Despite not getting a flight, it was well worth the effort.
I wrote to ULAS during my A Levels, before applying for a Bursary, asking if I could visit, speak to the studes, and *fingers crossed* scrounge a flight (in the then Mighty Dog, before they were used on the AEF flights too).
They invited me to Benson for a nose round, and had a great time talking to the Cadets, and even ate in the Officers Mess. Despite not getting a flight, it was well worth the effort.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 1997
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 6
From: Suffolk UK
Rusty Cessna
Your plan is a good one, although you are unlikely to be allowed to slap in a sneaky application before anyone else! In any case, selection for joining is by interview, not by application. Your previous failure at OASC is no bar to joining a UAS, and UAS experience will help you enormously in any future attemt to join the RAF.
To you others, UAS isn't for everyone. It certainly is not just a swept-up flying club, but a serious effort to educate people in the lifestyle of the RAF. There is a greater emphasis on recruiting for the Service than there used to be, but it isn't the be-all and end-all. However, if you have no interest in the military way of life, you won't be welcome and you will probably be 'found out', even if you bluff your way through the interview. No one likes to be taken for a ride, especially by arrogant idiots like one or two who have posted here.
And above all, as an ex-CFI I can categorically state that Yorkshire UAS is by far and away the best of all. Between 1987-91 we were never outdrunk and rarely outflown (and then only by those who'd wimped out of the drinking!). Not, of course, that alchohol plays a major part in a UAS's life. Oh, no.
Your plan is a good one, although you are unlikely to be allowed to slap in a sneaky application before anyone else! In any case, selection for joining is by interview, not by application. Your previous failure at OASC is no bar to joining a UAS, and UAS experience will help you enormously in any future attemt to join the RAF.
To you others, UAS isn't for everyone. It certainly is not just a swept-up flying club, but a serious effort to educate people in the lifestyle of the RAF. There is a greater emphasis on recruiting for the Service than there used to be, but it isn't the be-all and end-all. However, if you have no interest in the military way of life, you won't be welcome and you will probably be 'found out', even if you bluff your way through the interview. No one likes to be taken for a ride, especially by arrogant idiots like one or two who have posted here.
And above all, as an ex-CFI I can categorically state that Yorkshire UAS is by far and away the best of all. Between 1987-91 we were never outdrunk and rarely outflown (and then only by those who'd wimped out of the drinking!). Not, of course, that alchohol plays a major part in a UAS's life. Oh, no.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: The Death Star
Scroggs, thanks for the advice. I wasn't implying I was going to try and gain any advance on application above anyone else, as you say, its all done by interview, the plan was just to have a look around, show my face, and try to make it a little bit more apparent that this is a major determination of mine.
Thanks,
Rusty.
Thanks,
Rusty.
