Could he be a pilot?

[smith]

scroggs

When you leave, if you have served your full contract, you will get some resettlement help, but it won't include any flying training.

Are you sure about this? When I did my PPL in the States there was a whole bunch of military guys (RAF and Army) using their resettlement grants/ bursaries or whatever it's called, to get their PPL's.

The guys said the RAF/Army had paid for/towards the PPL, travel, accomodation and books etc. These guys were not officers either. A lot of them had intentions of becoming airline pilots at some stage. Maybe the rules have now changed.

[scroggs]

Smith most people who leave after completing a contract get a lump sum. It's up to them how they spend it. As far as I remember, the acceptable resettlement courses (paid for directly by the Service) did not include flying training, but it may be different now.

Martin, my own time in the RAF is now a few years in the past (I left in 1998). To help you, I'm going to move this thread to Mil Aircrew where those currently in the Service can give you the up-to-date info. You might also have a good look around in that forum (use the search facility) to get a feel for the RAF, the Regiment and any other topics that might interest you. I think we've probably exhausted what Wannabes can offer you for now.

Scroggs

[king rooney]

Martin4,

to get a class one with deviation you just need to book a medical and turn up at the CAA, in the same way as anyone else would. They will examine you, inc ur eyes, and decide whether they will pass you as you are, pass you with deviation or not pass you at all. The awarding of a class1 through deviation is their decision and is instigated by them, all you need to do is turn up and see what happens.

[L1A2 discharged]

Martin,

Good initiative to display the interest. If you want to be involved in RAF aircraft engineering there are 2 ways in: 1. join as an Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic, having been pre-selected into either (M) mechanical trade or (Av) Avionic and electrical. or 2. Weapons technician.

under (1) you join, do basic at Halton then go to Cosford for AMM training - about 18 weeks or so. Then out onto a squadron to carry out flight servicings and minor, supervised rectifications for a period between 18 months and 4 years on low pay, being the brunt of much extraction of urine and being accused of being a 'Flem'. Then, subject to performance, back to cosford for another 12 months to be trade trained, then back out to a squadron as a tradesman.

under (2) you join, do basic at Halton then go to Cosford for Weapons trade training for about 12 months, then out to a unit on the low pay band until you achieve Q-OPS which brings a huge pay rise and the oportunity to progress further.

Best bet is to get all the info from the Careers office, get any promises put in writing!

Good luck.

[Martin4]

Originally i asked them if i could do the aircraft technician but i dont have any gcse's and they said they dont accept anyone anymore for that if they dont have 3 gcse's

[Martin4]

Originally Posted by Mike Jenvey

However, looking ahead to what you want to do, I would certainly consider Flt Ops Assistant as a possible option. You would be very much involved with a wide range of aspects, including a multitude of flying-related tasks - useful for the future perhaps?

I'm actualy quite interested in this job, but i need more information on it. Ill give the careers office a call on monday morning, see what information they can give me about it.

[Time Flies]

Martin4

It is encouraging and refreshing to see a young lad like yourself with some ambition and drive.

I'd much rather have you on my squadron than that wannabe Danny_manchester.

I wish you all the luck in reaching your goals and please do not hesitate to ask for any more information!

TF

[Tourist]

Totally concur Time Flies.

I have to warn you that I think you are planning a long hard route to becoming a pilot Martin.

It may seem unpalatable, but someone with your obvious drive and determination has a far better, and in the long term easier, chance by going back to school/sixth form college/tutoring(still cheaper than buying your licenses the hard way) and getting some quals.
That way you could join the RAF/RN/AAC as pilot and get someone else to pay.


This is again dependant on your eyesight issues, obviously.

Best of luck!

[airborne_artist]

Martin - I agree with Tourist - get back to college ASAP. Arkroyal, who is now a Captain with a civilian airline, was a London bus driver. He went to night school, got the academic quals needed, joined the RN with weeks to spare before the age limit, served as a Junglie pilot and on leaving the RN got his ATPL and so to the airlines. He was on the course ahead of me at Dartmouth, so I've known him (and Toddington Ted, but that's another story ) since April of 1978.

[Martin4]

Originally Posted by Tourist

This is again dependant on your eyesight issues, obviously.

Best of luck!

If i had the qualifications i still couldnt be a pilot in the forces, i dont have 20/20 vision and have glasses. This way in becoming a airline pilot may be the long way but, to me, it appears to be the best way of gaining some qualifications and earn some money.

I can do a good job for 9 years minimum service, get some qualifications at the same time for a little bit cheaper, and be paid at the same time

And whilst in the RAF if i did a bit of saving i could afford to fund myself for the pilots licences when i came out (age would be 26)

[Tourist]

What's the latest on laser eye surgery anyone?
I seem to remember being told by "Bob" at Henlow that they were going to allow one type of surgery.

But don't quote me on that.

[Martin4]

Originally Posted by Martin4

I'm actualy quite interested in this job, but i need more information on it. Ill give the careers office a call on monday morning, see what information they can give me about it.

Hi Guys,
Well... I went to the edinburgh AFCO today, Going for FOA ( Flt Ops Asst), i scored 62 in the airman selection tests and 58 was needed. BUT, the position is closed at the present time so i have to wait until its open again for a interview , should be open soon they thought with the new financial year starting in april and things so.... just got to wait i guess.


Thanks,
Martin

[axel2002]

Martin,

I am currently serving as a pilot in the RAF and have read the threads about your situation. Although getting a footing in the armed forces is a step in the right direction for you obtaining civilian licenses I don't believe that the Regiment is a very wise move; yes they do give you the opportunity to get airborne (and jump out!) but they really have nothing to do with flying wings within RAF structure, especially if you enter the lower echelons as a gunner. I don't know if you have spent time explaining your situation to the staff at your local AFCO. They tend to be knowledgeable but will try to push you in the direction of certain trades in which the RAF is lacking, it is worth being a little pushy yourself and trying to gain information on trade groups that do work closely with aircraft. If you were to do this then the technical knowledge that you would gain would be hugely beneficial if you do eventually pursue a career in aviation, it will put you in better stead than knowing the ins and outs of a rifle!

One huge advantage of joining up, regardless of what you choose to do, is that pretty much every flying base will have a flying club. They offer very competitive rates for tuition and, once you have your PPL, for rental. It is a great deal cheaper to learn to fly with an organisation such as this than a civilian flying club. You can check most of them out on the web. What's more they are a very cost effective way of building your hours in the longer term.

I hope this is of use but I do urge you to consider all of your options before you make a decision on which trade group to join. Good luck.

Axel

[Wessex Boy]

Another angle is to continue joining as a ground trade and then transfer to Senior NCO Aircrew once you have a couple of tours under your belt, most of the guys on my training (admittedly back in '88/89) were ground trades retraining to aircrew.
This way you become Pro Aircrew, learn some real airmanship and earn a bit more towards the Flying Training coffers....

I joined as a Direct Entrant Air Loadmaster and was streamed onto Rotary (the Mighty Wessex at Shawbury) and was then thrown out after 130 hours (long story!!) but I had a thoroughly enjoyable experience, really useful for civvy street and really helped my Private Flying. I also blagged some decent left hand seat time which was slightly different to the C150/172 I was rated on!

[Martin4]

Thanks for the replys guys!

After looking at the other career options i could go for with my qualification level the FOA is the one i concider to be the best option there is. It might not be the aviation side i wanted to aim for but its certainly a lot better than gunner, if things dont work out after the RAF with being a airline pilot and all i believe i could use the skills as a FOA to be a civi ATC - "civillian equivalent - Air Traffic Controller" and theres always the chance to do flying at the flying club


Martin

[scroggs]

Martin, I'm delighted that your score was sufficient to be considered for entry for FOA when the RAF reopens selection for that trade. I hope you can see that your attitude has impressed a number of people who are doing the job that you aspire to; keep it up. The SNCO Aircrew option is one you should bear in mind for a later date once you've been in for a little while. I have no doubt that you will do well and, if you keep your focus, I would be very pleased to see you succeed in becoming a commercial pilot in years to come.

All the very best with your ambitions.

Scroggs

[Martin4]

Originally Posted by scroggs

Martin, I'm delighted that your score was sufficient to be considered for entry for FOA when the RAF reopens selection for that trade. I hope you can see that your attitude has impressed a number of people who are doing the job that you aspire to; keep it up. The SNCO Aircrew option is one you should bear in mind for a later date once you've been in for a little while. I have no doubt that you will do well and, if you keep your focus, I would be very pleased to see you succeed in becoming a commercial pilot in years to come.

All the very best with your ambitions.

Scroggs

Thanks Scroggs!

The SNCO Aircrew option is one that if I could go into from FOA, I would give it my best shot. I would need to find out how to go about getting this position but when the time comes after a few years in as FOA I'm sure someone will be able to advise me on how to go about doing things like that.

Thanks!
Martin

Edit:
One thing i did want to ask was: The corporal at the careers office said i should find a job or do a course, anything to do with my time so that it looks better in the interview when they ask "what have you been doing with your time?" and you dont say something like "well.... nothing much really..."

There isnt many jobs going around here (i live in a small town) but there is places to do full time and part time courses. I dont know how long it will be before they open the job selection again, it could be a month, it could be several months. What would be the best course to do? Without blowing my own trumpet, i am quite good with computer hardwear so maby a computer course? It might not be of use as a FOA but it would still be a "qualification" and may be of use later in life...

Your views are VERY welcome!
Martin

[Ben Parkin]

I have been reading with interest this thread and feel im in a very good position to help Martin, I spent seven very happy and rewarding years in the Raf Regiment as a gunner, and am at present working in Iraq for a private security company , earning the money to carry out commercial pilot training, which i will begin early next year. i have read the points presented and wish to reply from as someone who has been there, So here goes, I completed my training and was posted to II sqn , the airborne unit, where i completed parachute selection ( a further test that has to be overcome to be a paratrooper ) on completion and jump training i was awarded my wings, and more importantly at the time the extra 140 pound a month pay rise....... its more now ..... dont know how much though, Spending 4 years on II sqn i flew in many Raf aircraft in various roles, i did land in most of them without the need for parachutes, highlights included hands on flying of c130 Hercules in Africa ......If you ask the pilots will let you, Its the age old adage ,if you dont ask you dont get , numerous parachute jumps and making friends that will never let you down.
After II sqn i was posted to Raf Odiham and was attached to a Chinook sqn for my final 3 years, The best three years of my life in the RAF, with much of the time spent aboard Chinooks, if work was quiet i would go and jump on whatever sorties were going, 6 weeks in Botswana where 3 feet over the Kalaharie at 140 knots on the ramp was an awesome experience!!!! And i was paid to do this!!!!!!
If you are an active type of bloke then definately go for the Regiment, and you will never regret your decision . So much variation and good times will be had . I have friends from Odiham who are flight ops assistants....... They hate it! all day in an office filling aircrews nav bags etc..... dnt mean to offend any opsies reading this , but they all said to me i wish i had joined the Regiment .....Yes Chris and callum you did!!!
At times i did think what am i doing here! such as in a trench in Germany when it rained all week , But there was always a night out with the lads to look forward to at endex.
The benefits offered by the Raf are endless, you can go for your PPL at one of the flying clubs they have, at Benson , Halton , believe there are more, but this is basically half price flying lessons at the weekends where you stay on the camp for free , so more expense removed ,
Qualifications can be earned by doing the excellent week long crammer courses provided by the education centres, every camp has one , so have a look in one as soon as you join ,
If you want you can apply for aircrew selection once in and qualified , as a few loadmaster friends will attest to , Essential you sew your para wings on your flying suit!!!!
So there is my biased opinion put to you , i would say join the reggie and have fun while earning cash for your dreams, Every WAF ( girl in the Raf ) loves the Rockapes ( Regiment guys ) YES THEY DO !!!!
By all means consider other trades but steer clear of drivers , suppliers , stewards , well in my opinion every other trade but Gunner .
Also ignore the thicky Rockape stigma , its simply not true anymore , you need a higher apptitude than Police, PTIs supply etc etc, the only ground trade that needs higher apptitude is the Aircraft technical ones, Of which i passed , I always wanted to be a Gunner since i was an Air Cadet so i did what i wanted , And that will be my closing statement to this tome i have written , The money isnt too bad ,regt get techie pay now too, Join the Raf to do what you want to do..... and you dont have to do the full Nine years either , i got out early to chase my goal, Best of Luck
Per Ardua ( Regiments motto ..... Through Adversity )
Ben

[Martin4]

Thanks for the reply Ben, at the interview they are going to interview me for both FOA and Regt Gunner but my aim is FOA. Good to hear from someone whos been in the regiment though



Martin

[Ben Parkin]

Sorry i forgot to say , the Regiment hold whats called a PGAC, potential gunners aquantance course, Held at the depot, Before making your final choice i suggest you go and try it, you see the regt , you get a taste of the training and they put you through your paces to see if youve got the mettle , Is a hard couple of days but a good insight for a guy in your situation,
Per Ardua
Ben