RAF Officers - Questions

loveabargin

ICATQ wrote: »

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.

Sorry yeah your right I know he got a part scholorship to do his ppl and his parents paid for the rest. He went to Lancaster uni which has a Air Squadron and I'm sure he worked and helped out there. This also helped him keep his flying hours up.

ICATQ

kazd wrote: »

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.

The Air Training Corps generally have parade nights twice a week, tuesdays and thursdays with activities at the weekends.

There is no need to attend both nights, although this may be preferable.
The ATC Sqns have an academic programme on flying related and other Air Force related subjects. There are also other outdoor activities, DofE and military camping etc.

The ATC cadets can attend camp during the summer and other school holidays when they will stay on an RAF Unit and visit the various sections and take part in other activities. They can also get air experience flights at the UAS's.

These camps and AEF's will provide an insight into flying and RAF (military) life in general.

If he has the time then it is well worth considering. Alot of people who are ex cadets go on to do well in the RAF. Plus of course when you join it isnt so much of a culture shock!!

The RN and Army obviously recruit pilots as well, and the selection process is very similiar. Most now all go to do basic flying training together and then split onto specific aircraft types, and then meet up again on joint forces such the Joint Helicopter or Joint Harrier!!

So RAF harrier pilots can get posted to a ship and the navy to a grass aircraft carrier.

Miss_Money

The ACO (air cadet organsiatrion) has a lot to offer. I was a cadet and now im back as staff. If he is looking for Air experiance then yes he will get to go flying and gliding with RAF pilots and this is a good place to start to see if he actually likes flying
Parade nights are twice a week and it is perferable if you can attend both nights. (our sqn works on the principle tha the cadets who turn up most often get to do the nice things eg flying/gliding/camps) There are anual camps to RAF bases and most sqn's put on weekend camps throughout the year.
I note that your son is taking his gcse's. The ATC run a btec course which is very easy but will gain your son 5 more gcse's which is a very good thing indeed (and looks good if he is applying to the RAF as a career). there is also the duke of Edinborogh scheme which is another very good qualification to gain.
If you like adventure then the ATC is a great place to be!!!
yours Sgt Miss_Money x

AngryDave

As someone who is going through Pilot training I can tell you that the minimum required to become an Officer is 2 'A' Levels grade A-E. Having a degree does not help you in the competition to become a Pilot as the most important factor is your aptitude tests. If they are high enough and you are 18 then they will take you. However, yes it does get you paid more and promoted quicker but then you have more debt to pay off!

The most important thing is that you need to become an Officer first and as such it is everything else that people do that the RAF look fo rather than just education choices. If you have a first class degree from Cambridge but that's all you did then they probably would not take you. You need to do as many 'extra-curricular activities' as possible. Air Cadets is a good one, after school clubs, charity work and any other clubs/societies that you can do will all help.

So essentially, it's the whole package that they look for, not just your education. As someone said, the info at PPRUNE is very good but make sure you do a search before asking any questions!

Hope this helps. PM me if you have any more questions.