Any advice for the RAF
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Join Date: Dec 2001
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Any advice for the RAF
I am making an appliction for the new RAF pilot scholorship this month. I have always wanted to be a pilot, particularly in the military. Could anyone give me some advice for the interviews in Cranwell etc, I don't want to blow my chance of a lifetime.
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Are u talking about a Flying Scholarship (eg. teh one where they give 20hrs free at a flying school)? If so let me know, have been awarded one and completed it, can give u all the gen u need.
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The RAF no longer offers the old Flying scholorship. They have now introduced the Pilot Scholorship, which doesn't entitle you to flying, only some adventure training courses in the Summers holidays. In essence it is just a reserved place scheme for A-level students, but the selection process is identical I believe, so if you can help, great!
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Yes I know they have stopped doing the flying scholarship, but wondered if this new thingy had anything to do with flying... anyway, The selection that I did was purely for the Flying Scholarship, so it was only the 2 day course (well its kind of 1, but we went down on the Sunday and the selection starts on the Monday and runs for the whole day).
As it was then as far as we were told the only thing I had to know for the interview was abut me...and the RAF.... they didn’t want to know anything on current affairs, but it would be a good idea to know a bit because it can be useful in the interview. BUT make sure u know everything else about the RAF, planes ammunitions rough size etc, why or if they are expanding or contracting, opinions. DO NOT...I repeat DO NOT try and lie to them to tell them what u think they want to hear if the need arises, they like to see that u hold your own opinions of things and can back them up with reasons, and they will catch u out as many questions are designed in that manner.
Also be able to tell them straight off how old u are in years and completed months, they always ask it.or most of the time. Have good reason for wanting the Pilot Sponsorship (or whatever they call it now) etc, be confident, speak up.etc.
If u have never been to an interview similar to this before be prepared! They WILL fire questions at u like you've never seen before and they don't want long-winded answers if there is no need for them. My interview was 45mins long, and they asked me probably in the region of 100 odd questions (roughly cant quite remember). Also if u don’t know the answer to a question don’t make it up or mumble or anything, tell them that u don't know, or can't remember which ever the case may be.
The way it went for me is as follows...this will give u a rough idea probably of what yours is going to be like.....
Sunday, arrived at station, caught bus with loads of other guys and girls all smartly dressed etc, when we got there we were given room keys and security access tags to get through some gates. We all put our stuff in our rooms, met each other and were allowed to go to one of the bar areas, where they had a TV room, bar, games room etc. and socialise. Most of us went to bed at 10ish and were up the following morning at about 6ish. If I remember rightly breakfast was at about 7 with a start time of 7:30 or 8am...cant quite remember (was in 1999). Then we were split in to our relevant groups (i.e. flying scholarships, university cadetships etc etc). My day consisted of starting with the aptitude test, which was one computer test. U have a set of pedals and a joystick, and all u have to do is using the pedals to move a cross hair left or right and the joystick to move it up or down, keep the cross hair on a moving dot or as close to it as possible! That was the end of that test...u may have more, not sure exactly if they changed that yet. Then I had a full medical (which if u pass leaves u with a class 2 medical certificate) and an eyesight test.
Then I had my interview with two officers, which was nice...hehe, its a good experience! Just relax!!!
And that was that, after u finish the last thing u will in turn be called into a little office with an officer who will review how you day has gone, in my case the reviewed the medical interview and aptitude test, and told me whether I would be able to apply to join the RAF at some time and like etc. they also tell u who u did in your interview and the only thing I think they told me was that I had to speak up a little more...
So that’s about it really... any questions and feel free to email me and I'll give u more info or details.....
<img src="tongue.gif" border="0">
As it was then as far as we were told the only thing I had to know for the interview was abut me...and the RAF.... they didn’t want to know anything on current affairs, but it would be a good idea to know a bit because it can be useful in the interview. BUT make sure u know everything else about the RAF, planes ammunitions rough size etc, why or if they are expanding or contracting, opinions. DO NOT...I repeat DO NOT try and lie to them to tell them what u think they want to hear if the need arises, they like to see that u hold your own opinions of things and can back them up with reasons, and they will catch u out as many questions are designed in that manner.
Also be able to tell them straight off how old u are in years and completed months, they always ask it.or most of the time. Have good reason for wanting the Pilot Sponsorship (or whatever they call it now) etc, be confident, speak up.etc.
If u have never been to an interview similar to this before be prepared! They WILL fire questions at u like you've never seen before and they don't want long-winded answers if there is no need for them. My interview was 45mins long, and they asked me probably in the region of 100 odd questions (roughly cant quite remember). Also if u don’t know the answer to a question don’t make it up or mumble or anything, tell them that u don't know, or can't remember which ever the case may be.
The way it went for me is as follows...this will give u a rough idea probably of what yours is going to be like.....
Sunday, arrived at station, caught bus with loads of other guys and girls all smartly dressed etc, when we got there we were given room keys and security access tags to get through some gates. We all put our stuff in our rooms, met each other and were allowed to go to one of the bar areas, where they had a TV room, bar, games room etc. and socialise. Most of us went to bed at 10ish and were up the following morning at about 6ish. If I remember rightly breakfast was at about 7 with a start time of 7:30 or 8am...cant quite remember (was in 1999). Then we were split in to our relevant groups (i.e. flying scholarships, university cadetships etc etc). My day consisted of starting with the aptitude test, which was one computer test. U have a set of pedals and a joystick, and all u have to do is using the pedals to move a cross hair left or right and the joystick to move it up or down, keep the cross hair on a moving dot or as close to it as possible! That was the end of that test...u may have more, not sure exactly if they changed that yet. Then I had a full medical (which if u pass leaves u with a class 2 medical certificate) and an eyesight test.
Then I had my interview with two officers, which was nice...hehe, its a good experience! Just relax!!!
And that was that, after u finish the last thing u will in turn be called into a little office with an officer who will review how you day has gone, in my case the reviewed the medical interview and aptitude test, and told me whether I would be able to apply to join the RAF at some time and like etc. they also tell u who u did in your interview and the only thing I think they told me was that I had to speak up a little more...
So that’s about it really... any questions and feel free to email me and I'll give u more info or details.....
<img src="tongue.gif" border="0">
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Although as has been mentioned the 20-hour FS scheme has been phased-out, it has been replaced by a new scheme which is for Air Cadets only.
The new course offers approx. 12 hours flying at selected flying schools as before, and enables the cadet to reach solo standard, culminating in at least one solo flight.
ATC/CCF cadets interested should see their CO for more details.
ST.
The new course offers approx. 12 hours flying at selected flying schools as before, and enables the cadet to reach solo standard, culminating in at least one solo flight.
ATC/CCF cadets interested should see their CO for more details.
ST.
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Hi there. Nice to here someone else with great enthusiasm for the Air Force! I've just completed OASC (Before Christmas) and have been offered a place on No. 197 IOT course, as a pilot. If you want any gen at all about the selection procedure please don't hesitate to email me (there's a button at the top of this reply) and I can answer whatever queries you may have. If this is not possible, however, I would offer you three main bits of advice:
1) As TopGun already stated, don't try to be someone else, DO NOT try to guess the 'correct' answers in the interview. There aren't any. I fluffed a few and I was still selected so don't flap if you screw some up
2) Don't worry about being nervous. Do your best to relax but don't be cocky. They will expect a certain amount of nervousness. Everybody is, I know I was, it will pass once you get into things
3) Once you get through to phase 2 relax and enjoy yourself. You will find it tough but remember: they've been doing this for years, and if you've got the right stuff, they WILL see it. There's nothing you can do to change things now, just go out and perform to 100%
Oh, and try not to drink too much in the bar in the evenings!
All the best
-Dukeyboy
1) As TopGun already stated, don't try to be someone else, DO NOT try to guess the 'correct' answers in the interview. There aren't any. I fluffed a few and I was still selected so don't flap if you screw some up
2) Don't worry about being nervous. Do your best to relax but don't be cocky. They will expect a certain amount of nervousness. Everybody is, I know I was, it will pass once you get into things
3) Once you get through to phase 2 relax and enjoy yourself. You will find it tough but remember: they've been doing this for years, and if you've got the right stuff, they WILL see it. There's nothing you can do to change things now, just go out and perform to 100%
Oh, and try not to drink too much in the bar in the evenings!
All the best
-Dukeyboy
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have you been to the careers talk they give? i found this extremely helpful. I mix with a lot of current and ex military pilots and have a lot of insights. email me if u wnat to know more.
1. Buy a dozen 767K's for AAR
2. Increase flying pay by 400%
3. Make it pensionable
4. Don't bother with JSF
5. Order 6 squadrons of F-15E's for delivery by Christmas
6. Close Kinloss and Mount Pleasant
7. Re-open Chivenor
Good luck with your selection!
WWW
2. Increase flying pay by 400%
3. Make it pensionable
4. Don't bother with JSF
5. Order 6 squadrons of F-15E's for delivery by Christmas
6. Close Kinloss and Mount Pleasant
7. Re-open Chivenor
Good luck with your selection!
WWW
