SilverSoop Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 flying scholoship, to be honest, i'd say no. besided its only the funding for half a PPL So it that all the RAF do is fund the PPL?? Do they not fund candidates to go all the way through?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 Maybe you mis-read - he never got in to the RAF when he applied first time - well not for what he wanted to do(i.e fast jets) and didnt want to do infantry or the like, he ended up doing something similar when he joined the Army, not sure which regiment, but I met him in hospital(minor injury) when he was still in the army and he was depressed, I'm sure it was a lynx, its some helicopter anyway, he was doing some peace keeping mission a while back, he's still pretty depressed I reckon - can't blame the guy, I think he thinks he's let down his parents, but in comaparison to any of the others in the atc(incl. myself) he's went a lot further than most The ATC don't have feckall in the way of sholarships, they have no standing against any civies whatsoever - other than maybe a source of info(even then the careers officer comes by once every 6months and spouts drivel), there are flying or rather gliding opportunites, but no flying sholarships that I've ever heard of, regardless of how far up you are Your out the door by the time your 18 unless your a Flight Sergent(or the one above can't actually remember the line of command now)(of cadets) if you havent applied by then you've missed your opp to get in At the end of the day although I hate to admit it, but if their spending £6m training you to fly their £35m jets, then I can understand the stringent selection process Yeh i see exactly what your saying Bolarbag but if the ages to apply is from 17-23 for the RAF they have to give you a chance... The Navy is 17-26 so you are eligible until after that age. So the same applies for the Navy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heckler Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 So it that all the RAF do is fund the PPL?? Do they not fund candidates to go all the way through?? nope - only fund for the scholloship - Like a said, scholloships are primaraly for Air Cadets. IF you get selected for aircrew, thats different . In the long term, tanker/transport/rotary is the way to go as there are loads of jobs out there after you leave the RAF, fast jet is some-what limiting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 nope - only fund for the scholloship - Like a said, scholloships are primaraly for Air Cadets. IF you get selected for aircrew, thats different . In the long term, tanker/transport/rotary is the way to go as there are loads of jobs out there after you leave the RAF, fast jet is some-what limiting Oh right ok now im starting to get it as i was a little confused to start with by the info i was getting from different people... I thought the RAF just paid for the PPL and nothing else! Does the RAF train you fully if your selected for the Aircrew?? And what is the selection process like as i can imagne it would be alot different compared with other jobs in the RAF... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heckler Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Oh right ok now im starting to get it as i was a little confused... I thought the RAF just paid for the PPL and nothing else! Does the RAF train you fully if your selected for the Aircrew?? And what is the selection process like as i can imagne it would be different compared with other jobs in the RAF... Obviously im looking to get selected for the aircrew... right - if you get selected... they teach you to fly. selection is very very competative, if theres alot of people going though, they will just take the best. First step is AFCO: they will give you a view of the RAF, then you will be called back for a screening interview. They will then reccomend you go to Cranwell should they think you have "potential" At Cranwell: you will be medically tested, fitness, leadership skills, "group discusion" a 30 minute interview and if you go for aircrew upto 5 hr aptitude test. All this take 3 days. If you fail any of the above, (they tell you on the final day ) its end ex. - you can apply again in 12 months (i think) Interviews at both cranwell/afco consist of alot about you, your family, education, and current affairs. IF you sucessfull - you get to stay at Cranwall for 28 weeks and do Initial Officer Training. (basic military skills, how to be a pain in the arse (officer)). THEN... Flight training - think this phase is about 18-24 months. Then, you wil be posted to an Operational Conversion Sqn to learn what you will be flying - properly! Its along hall! If you decide to go for selection, do lots and lots of research into the RAF, aircraft history etc... where aircraft are stationed, overseas bases etc.. AND have a back-up option, DO NOT put down just aircrew as a job, put another job down, Loadmaster, Navigator, Eng Officer as if you fail the aircrew apptitude test, you will never be able to fly in the RAF, OR the Navy. as Navy aircrew selection (aptitude) is done at cranwell Think thats about it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 right - if you get selected... they teach you to fly. selection is very very competative, if theres alot of people going though, they will just take the best. First step is AFCO: they will give you a view of the RAF, then you will be called back for a screening interview. They will then reccomend you go to Cranwell should they think you have "potential" At Cranwell: you will be medically tested, fitness, leadership skills, "group discusion" a 30 minute interview and if you go for aircrew upto 5 hr aptitude test. All this take 3 days. If you fail any of the above, (they tell you on the final day ) its end ex. - you can apply again in 12 months (i think) Interviews at both cranwell/afco consist of alot about you, your family, education, and current affairs. IF you sucessfull - you get to stay at Cranwall for 28 weeks and do Initial Officer Training. (basic military skills, how to be a pain in the arse (officer)). THEN... Flight training - think this phase is about 18-24 months. Then, you wil be posted to an Operational Conversion Sqn to learn what you will be flying - properly! Its along hall! If you decide to go for selection, do lots and lots of research into the RAF, aircraft history etc... where aircraft are stationed, overseas bases etc.. AND have a back-up option, DO NOT put down just aircrew as a job, put another job down, Loadmaster, Navigator, Eng Officer as if you fail the aircrew apptitude test, you will never be able to fly in the RAF, OR the Navy. as Navy aircrew selection (aptitude) is done at cranwell Think thats about it.... Great, thankyou very much for that info Si that was really helpful but can we still have a chat on sunday please mate if that's ok... ;-D Just wondering in terms of the aircrew, what the difference in flying for the Royal Navy and the RAF, other than flying on a carrier... Do you Si, what the aptitude test includes by any chance?? :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heckler Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Great, thankyou very much for that info Si that was really helpful but can we still have a chat on sunday please mate if that's ok... ;-D Just wondering in terms of the aircrew, what the difference in flying for the Royal Navy and the RAF, other than flying on a carrier... Do you Si, what the aptitude test includes by any chance?? :-D be easier to talk about it on sunday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 be easier to talk about it on sunday Yeh i agree, i'll speak to about then Si... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos T Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 silversoop have you ever suffered from asthma at all beacause i have just gone through the whole process for a pilot in the navy passed all the exams and the interviews was waiting for my final AIB all prepaired ready to go when i got a letter from one of the head officers stating that because i had suffered from asthma when i was 6 i cant go in to the fleet air arm, as you could imagine after a year and a half process i was crushed, you are allowed to go into the surface fleet as long as you haven't suffered in the last 4 years but any history no matter how long ago or how fit you are, its a no go for the fleet air arm. But if you need any advice on the process or what to expect give us a heads up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Like I said my mate runs the afco down in bournemouth. Thats where you start to register an interest. The one at bournemouth also homes the inferior services as well if you feel you must talk to them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraAyf Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 The one at bournemouth also homes the inferior services as well if you feel you must talk to them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Yeah I mean the senior moment service and the cabbage patch kids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 silversoop have you ever suffered from asthma at all beacause i have just gone through the whole process for a pilot in the navy passed all the exams and the interviews was waiting for my final AIB all prepaired ready to go when i got a letter from one of the head officers stating that because i had suffered from asthma when i was 6 i cant go in to the fleet air arm, as you could imagine after a year and a half process i was crushed, you are allowed to go into the surface fleet as long as you haven't suffered in the last 4 years but any history no matter how long ago or how fit you are, its a no go for the fleet air arm. But if you need any advice on the process or what to expect give us a heads up. Oh thanks Carlos, i really appreciate that, im still in no mans land about what to expect, what the process is like and what the selection is like... The more i think about this, the more i want to do it! No Carlos, i have never suffered asthma but i did have a case absoultely ages ago which was a case of pnumonia when i was 6 or 7... Tbh Carlos, i would love some advice about what to expect and the process please... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted August 14, 2008 Author Share Posted August 14, 2008 Like I said my mate runs the afco down in bournemouth. Thats where you start to register an interest. The one at bournemouth also homes the inferior services as well if you feel you must talk to them Yeh exactly dangerous brain thats what im going to do as soon as i come back from the USA. I had the Navy phone me so im going to go down to the one in Reading for a chat... What's your friend's name, just out of interest... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Rob harmer afco bournemouth. I may even know the guy at Reading as its such a small world now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted August 15, 2008 Author Share Posted August 15, 2008 Rob harmer afco bournemouth. I may even know the guy at Reading as its such a small world now. Oh if you do that would be good dangerous brain if you knew, hell, it may even stand me in good stead lol... ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexsum Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 i suppose you have to not mind killing people to join any of the forces, just a thought as it put me off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 i suppose you have to not mind killing people to join any of the forces, just a thought as it put me off. Ive done a few years and not killed a single person yet. Its gotta be something particularly bad when an aircraft technician/driver/dentist/clerk/painter has to kill people... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexsum Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 pretty sure the pilots are not just trained to fly around and take photographs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted August 15, 2008 Author Share Posted August 15, 2008 i suppose you have to not mind killing people to join any of the forces, just a thought as it put me off. Thats not why i want to join the forces at all, i want to join the forces to have a challenging and exciting career... Ive done a few years and not killed a single person yet. Its gotta be something particularly bad when an aircraft technician/driver/dentist/clerk/painter has to kill people... Exactly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted August 15, 2008 Author Share Posted August 15, 2008 pretty sure the pilots are not just trained to fly around and take photographs! You are absoulutely right Lexsum but as i said before thats not the reason that i want to join the forces... Its the thought of being trained to fly a £35m jet, protecting our country at 600 knots...there's nothing more exciting and liberating than that...lol... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heckler Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Ive done a few years and not killed a single person yet. Its gotta be something particularly bad when an aircraft technician/driver/dentist/clerk/painter has to kill people... at this point - the S%^t really has hit the fan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heckler Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 You are absoulutely right Lexsum but as i said before thats not the reason that i want to join the forces... Its the thought of being trained to fly a £35m jet, protecting our country at 600 knots...there's nothing more exciting and liberating than that...lol... :-) hmm... obvioulsy, if you go/get fast jet - expect to spend alot of time in afghan dropping 1000lb bombs on "targets" Due to my last job out there, I got to see the aftermathe... Oh, not forgetting the smaller bombs (540's I think) and the rocket pods etc... Got spend alot of time talking to pilots out there. It very sureal when you see a fully armed up harrier come back empty. Only to be loaded up again, and retun empty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted August 15, 2008 Author Share Posted August 15, 2008 hmm... obvioulsy, if you go/get fast jet - expect to spend alot of time in afghan dropping 1000lb bombs on "targets" Due to my last job out there, I got to see the aftermathe... Oh, not forgetting the smaller bombs (540's I think) and the rocket pods etc... Got spend alot of time talking to pilots out there. It very sureal when you see a fully armed up harrier come back empty. Only to be loaded up again, and retun empty. I know Si. Im not a psycho or anything lol but my main reason for wanting to fly jets is for the reasons i have said above. If i do make it, that would be the best thing ever but of course i dont want to kill people but it's just part of the job as unfortunate as it is... :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jspec Germany Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Congrats on your choice. A few words. Patience. Discipline. Dedication. You're gonna need all three to achieve that dream, which was my dream years ago as well. I didn't apply myself properly, didn't have good information, and therefore did not achieve said dream. I can't speak for the RAF, because I'm in the USAF and things are different. I will say this. My 15.5 years of service have been what has defined me as a person and I'd change nothing. I am going to Officer school next month and will be leaving a flying job for a space job. I'm an AWACS Weapons Director, not a pilot. I tell pilots where to go and who to shoot at. I've spent over 3100 hours in a big round tube without windows flying all over the world. The friends I've met in the military and because of the military are far better than any of those that I had before I joined. The humor and comradarie is special, nothing else compares. There are no stronger memories. Set your goals high and strive to achieve them. Don't ever let anyone tell you "you can't". That's B.S. Anything is possible. I've been turned down for Officer School twice due to technicalities, but got in on the third try after rewording some stuff and talking to the right people. That is key. Having the right information. Recruiters are known to lie. Talk to someone in the know, like someone who's a pilot now. Just have a back up to the back up plan in case you can't find a pilot's slot. Good luck to you sir and again, congrats for making this decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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