Fast Jet Pilot

Sinque · 2 Oct 2007 at 19:46

Soon to do my GCSEs and the school is putting pressure on everyone to think about what they want to do, and I want to do this. But speaking to people they seem to think I've got no chance or I'm not fit for it. No chance as in that I'm not part of any club relating to the RAF and that the pickings are slim. And not fit as in I'm too big (Only 5 10 at 15), and not 'muscular' enough. I consider myself broad compared to my skimpy mates.

So if anyone actually has any factual information about this situation please help me out, am I already in the clouds?

Spitfir3 · 2 Oct 2007 at 19:57

just to add Moses99p: you need 20/20 vision.

Sinque · 2 Oct 2007 at 19:57

Moses99p said:
You don't want to be too tall to be a fast jet pilot :| My bro was too tall to do it and he wasn't happy!

When you say too big you mean overweight? Just sort out your diet (don't eat ****) and do some sport or running.

You should join ATC for a while, you can do stuff like gliding and shooting stuff so it's good stuff and you'll be able to get really good advice and help in eventually joining the RAF.

If you want to be flight crew you have to be in really good health, can't have any problems with your eyes etc

And you've got to be quite clever, to understand the maths and physics etc. What grades are you aiming for?

Weight wise I'm only 11.5stone last time I checked, my weight never fluctuates though.

ATC I was reading about, would it be possible to do that whilst at college doing my A-Levels?

My health is perfectly fine, that I know of.

And grades I'm aiming for (and probably will get) A's across Maths, English and Science.

Luke · 2 Oct 2007 at 20:03

Head over to your nearest RAF recruitment office and have a chat with them. They used to be very helpful, and I doubt that has changed recently.
ATC is a very good route into it, and the only thing that might cause issues is how you'd balance coursework/homework with the two night per week attendance plus the weekend activities.

Sinque · 2 Oct 2007 at 20:06

Nope, I feel my weight is perfectly fine. I think it's just my fitness that's the problem. But that's a piece of cake to sort out (bin the computer

).

I have a personal interview with connexions at school sometime this month, I just wanted some information to think about

Vulcan · 2 Oct 2007 at 20:06

I want to do the same, but as your friend says, it's a tough job to get into. Many people want to do it so the RAF can pick the best of the best.

It states 5 GCSE's a 2 A-Levels are required, according to their website, but I'd like to see someone with just that get in.

15 Is the perfect age to start planning, maybe a little too late depending on what year you are in, (10 or 11?). You need to start looking at some of the military colleges, as this is the best way to get in. They'll get you flying whilst you're doing your studies.

Your best right now is to locate the nearest Air Force/Navy recruiting centre.

Also...

1) 5"10 is not too tall, neither is 6" presuming you are still growing.

2) You don't need to be muscular to be a pilot, you only need muscle to do general fitness.

Sinque · 2 Oct 2007 at 20:11

The GCSEs and A-levels will be fine I reckon so I have no worries about grades holding me back. 15 (16 on New Years Eve) and in Year 11 atm.

I heard that you don't stop growing until 21 for men? I can't see me getting much taller as I havn't grown a lot lately, I went through a sudden burst last year.

I also heard that you need to be 'fairly' muscular to be a pilot as this helps stop the blood having a mish around your body therefore helping you not to black out against the big Gs.

Sinque · 2 Oct 2007 at 20:15

Moses99p said:
you just need to be generally fit now, they'll sort out hardcore fitness

Yeah, I can sprint relatively fast to the chip shop down the road then I'm dead. But once I get my scooter, at christmas, I'll be down the Gym a lot anyway.

Vulcan · 2 Oct 2007 at 20:17

I doubt your body will grow till you are 21, more like 16-17. Hair is another thing.

I wouldn't worry about your height, you are unlikely to jump up to 6"2.

I met a pilot not too long ago, who flew the Tornada for 10 years. He was of a standard build and didn't mention anything about being muscular to me.

You just need to be fit.

Sinque · 2 Oct 2007 at 20:27

Moses99p said:
Having a knowledge of current affairs and the armed services in general essential aswell. You need to know where we are involved in the world, you need to know the equipment the RAF uses, you need to have a knowledge of global politics in general.

Basically do some research on the RAF website and read a quality newspaper. The Royal Navy recruitment officer that used to come my my school used to tell us to get a magazine called "The Week," it takes articles from loads of sources and puts them in one publication.

'Thank you for enrolling for your free trial of The Week. We hope you find your weekly issues useful and enjoyable.'

I'll take a look, thanks.