RAF Officers - Questions 30 May 2009 at 9:12PM in UK armed forces MoneySaving 14 replies 2.9K views

kazd

Hi

My son is thinking about becoming a pilot - we are talking many years down the road. He wants to do it via the RAF - I suggested that he would probably need to think about completing his schooling, university. Am I correct in thinking this is the way to go if you want to be an officer.

Thanks

bryanb

This is one route to being a pilot, does he really want to be a combat pilot? That is what an RAF pilot is. There are other ways of pilot training, for example through major airlines. Many of them train their own pilots nowadays.
However a good education, Maths/science based is a very good start.

PlutoinCapricorn

The RAF has officer cadets, also entered apprentices.
See https://www.raf.mod.uk/careers

kazd

The idea is to eventually be a pilot for a major airline (BA, Virgin etc), my understanding is only the very best get to work with these airlines and tend to be ex RAF Pilots.

At the moment he is just about to start his GCSE's and is expected to be A* for Math and Science. His Science Tutor wanted him to take Triple Science but he has decided to go for Business Studies as it is a new topic for him and he can still opt to take Triple Science in sixth form. Of course this could all change up until recently he wanted to be a trader (Math is his strongest subject)

I was thinking of combat pilots, obviously as his mother I would hope that he would not ever have to use those skills. :eek:

ICATQ

kazd wrote: »

The idea is to eventually be a pilot for a major airline (BA, Virgin etc), my understanding is only the very best get to work with these airlines and tend to be ex RAF Pilots.

I was thinking of combat pilots, obviously as his mother I would hope that he would not ever have to use those skills. :eek:

If that is the game plan then I would suggest going direct to the civilian airline.
The RAF will provide first class flying training but he may fail it or not be 'the best' they are looking for. Flying a single seat fighter is not the same as a multi-engine flying bus. I know of one Tornado pilot, ex Red Arrows that failed to get a job with a civilian airline.

Unfortunately you cannot ask for your son to be exempt from executing his mission!!

This is assuming he has an aptitude for flying and is medically fit. Has he done any aircrew selection?

Tally-Ho_2

It might be worth his while having a look at the Military Aircrew Forum on the Professional Pilots Rumour Network (pprune). There is a lot of (unofficial but good) advice there, particuilarly in the 'OASC Wannabee's' sticky at the top.

Link to Pprune Military forum here:http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew-57/

Tally

bryanb

It's also worth knowing that being a military pilot does not entitle one to a Private pilots licence.

loveabargin

Hi

Our friends son is in the RAF. He started at the local air cadets and as far as I know they gave them a chance to go gliding. Once he was 16 he started his PPL passing his PPL at the age of 17. He went to uni got his degree and entered the RAF (I believe this allowed him to enter the RAF as trainee officer). The ground school began and once this had finished he was then accessed to which flying they thought he would be most sutible fast jets, multi engine or helicopters. Multi engine he got which is what you need for commercial licence.

ICATQ

loveabargin wrote: »

Hi

Our friends son is in the RAF. He started at the local air cadets and as far as I know they gave them a chance to go gliding. Once he was 16 he started his PPL passing his PPL at the age of 17. He went to uni got his degree and entered the RAF (I believe this allowed him to enter the RAF as trainee officer). The ground school began and once this had finished he was then accessed to which flying they thought he would be most sutible fast jets, multi engine or helicopters. Multi engine he got which is what you need for commercial licence.

The majority get the opportunity to go gliding, not so with PPL, they are few and far between!!

At Uni they can join the Uni Air Squadron and continue flying.

kazd

I might look into the air cadets, he was in the scouting movement for a long time but eventually gave it up in favour of his swimming as he was training 5 times a week and with his Taekwondo twice a week something had to give. My concern though is he is now starting his GCSE's and whether he can fit anything else in, although having said that swimming has now given way to the gym, so maybe we could lose a gym session. (As for me I am applying for my taxi licence soon!!)

He has been having a good look at the RAF site and he is watching this forum for information.

Thanks for all your replies.

Andy_L

kazd wrote: »

Hi

My son is thinking about becoming a pilot - we are talking many years down the road. He wants to do it via the RAF - I suggested that he would probably need to think about completing his schooling, university. Am I correct in thinking this is the way to go if you want to be an officer.

Thanks

Hw will need, at least, a handfull of A-levels to be an officer however, as compitition for pilots is so fierce, realistically he needs a degree. As a bonus that will mean faster initial promotion & thus more money.
Alternativly the Navy fly fast jets (Harrier) and the Army fly helicopters but have similiar academic requirements although with the Army it is possible to become a pilot without being an Officer