bolarbag Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 The problem is our AF are a lot smaller than the norm, SilvSoop still has to do his A-levels, which will take at least 7months, then he becomes either 22 or almost there, SilvSoop try it, with everything you have, just dont set your heart on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted August 15, 2008 Author 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. Thanks for the advice Mike, i really appreciate that... I have been wanting to do this for years but i kept doubting myself until one day i said thats it...im going to do this... Congrats on yourself too Mike, i hope you get the job that you want... :-) To be a pilot i have 2 forces to choose from - the best one?? Im not sure and thats what im trying to find out. Basically i have until im 26 and i realistically think i can do this and i have a shot. You are right though, i need to speak to someone is a pilot and who has been through the processe(s) Thanks again Mike and good luck... :-) The problem is our AF are a lot smaller than the norm, SilvSoop still has to do his A-levels, which will take at least 7months, then he becomes either 22 or almost there, SilvSoop try it, with everything you have, just dont set your heart on it Like i said to Mike, i have until im 26 as the Navy take on candidates until 26 where the RAF take candidates on until 23... If i can enrol in colllege like now and when i pass my A-levels, then im going for it... Thanks for that Bolarbag, im going to give it a go and see where it gets me...hopefully, in the pilot's seat lol... :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 If you do fail to make it as a RAF jetter or Navy then I would consider the army air corp. They let sergeants fly still (I think). Don't discount helicopters as a method of flight. Take it from me you can do some incredible sh*t with and in even a 10 tonne transport helicopter. The flying the scare corp would put some RAF pilots to shame with their abilities to handle lynx and apaches. Having seen first hand some of the SF work the chinooks do I'd say that their flying is proper exciting. I've also seen SF hercs in action and b*gger me thats impressive stuff. The jetties are the top of the tree for sure but the "lower echelons" are not what you might describe as boring. I will say to you now though if you end up as a fighter/bomber pilot you will be killing people. Often it will be "innocents". It will be remote and like a computer game but all the same you will be responsible for delivering the ordnance that kills people. Get used to that idea and deal with it before you do years of training!! Its a great career path no matter what path you choose in the forces and it gives you more than it takes from you. As a disillusioned and early leaver I will still always say that the forces did me very good and set me on the path I now have in life which aint half bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraAyf Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 If you do fail to make it as a RAF jetter or Navy then I would consider the army air corp. They let sergeants fly still (I think). The lowest rank for a rotary pilot in the AAC is Corporal (Cpl). The only caveat is that any Cpl attending flight training must have all of his/her Sergeant pre-qualifications in the bag prior to the start of their rotary course (i.e. in order to alleviate the need for the guys to take time out of flight training for promotion/trade courses etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted August 16, 2008 Author Share Posted August 16, 2008 If you do fail to make it as a RAF jetter or Navy then I would consider the army air corp. They let sergeants fly still (I think). Don't discount helicopters as a method of flight. Take it from me you can do some incredible sh*t with and in even a 10 tonne transport helicopter. The flying the scare corp would put some RAF pilots to shame with their abilities to handle lynx and apaches. Having seen first hand some of the SF work the chinooks do I'd say that their flying is proper exciting. I've also seen SF hercs in action and b*gger me thats impressive stuff. The jetties are the top of the tree for sure but the "lower echelons" are not what you might describe as boring. I will say to you now though if you end up as a fighter/bomber pilot you will be killing people. Often it will be "innocents". It will be remote and like a computer game but all the same you will be responsible for delivering the ordnance that kills people. Get used to that idea and deal with it before you do years of training!! Its a great career path no matter what path you choose in the forces and it gives you more than it takes from you. As a disillusioned and early leaver I will still always say that the forces did me very good and set me on the path I now have in life which aint half bad Yeh thanks dangerous brain, tbh, i just want to fly and im aiming (so to speak) as a fighter pilot. If i don't make it which i hopfully will, then like you say, it may be an idea to do what you suggested... The lowest rank for a rotary pilot in the AAC is Corporal (Cpl). The only caveat is that any Cpl attending flight training must have all of his/her Sergeant pre-qualifications in the bag prior to the start of their rotary course (i.e. in order to alleviate the need for the guys to take time out of flight training for promotion/trade courses etc). SupraAyf, what are the pre-qualifications they are required?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraAyf Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 SupraAyf, what are the pre-qualifications they are required?? They will need the following courses for promotion to Sergeant: 1. Education courses for promotion 2. Trade courses specific to their cap badge (engineering, infantry etc) 3. Promotion Cadre specific to their normal cap badge. Don't forget Shane that a good number of the soldier pilots do not come from the Army Air Corps. Instead, a vast number come from the greater British Army such as Infantry, Logistics, Engineering, Intelligence, Armour, Administration support etc etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted August 17, 2008 Author Share Posted August 17, 2008 They will need the following courses for promotion to Sergeant: 1. Education courses for promotion 2. Trade courses specific to their cap badge (engineering, infantry etc) 3. Promotion Cadre specific to their normal cap badge. Don't forget Shane that a good number of the soldier pilots do not come from the Army Air Corps. Instead, a vast number come from the greater British Army such as Infantry, Logistics, Engineering, Intelligence, Armour, Administration support etc etc Oh right, thanks for the info again SupaAyf, you have been really helpful... At least i know that if i don't make it as a pilot in the RAF or Navy in fighter training for example (after passing aptitude tests) I know i still may have a shot at flying...but in the Army instead... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted August 18, 2008 Author Share Posted August 18, 2008 SupraAyf, forgot to ask you, what is the max age for an Army pilot?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraAyf Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 SupraAyf, forgot to ask you, what is the max age for an Army pilot?? I think the cut off is approx 26/27;) There isn't so much of a rush in the army as they appreciate the greater levels of maturity that an older guy brings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted August 18, 2008 Author Share Posted August 18, 2008 I think the cut off is approx 26/27;) There isn't so much of a rush in the army as they appreciate the greater levels of maturity that an older guy brings. Oh right ok not too bad then, same age as the Navy... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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