Learning to fly planes // RAF question.

apeZ

apeZ

apeZ

Soldato
Joined
22 Sep 2008
Posts
4,300
Location
Kent, England
Hey OCUK.

Little question regarding flying - it's something I have always wanted to do, but I'm still young, so hopefully in the future :)

If you join the RAF, do they 'teach' you how to fly as part of your job, or do they expect you to already know - and what sort of requirements would you be looking at for a job in the RAF, specifically flying?
 
Sinque said:
If you have to ask that sort of question then you most probably don't have the requirements.

And you're up against the best of the best in the country. So you'll want A Maths and Physics at GCSE, A Further Maths and Physics at A Level whilst in the cadets etc.
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Actually, I got both A in Maths and Physics at GCSE. I am currently doing the International Baccalaureate - this was just one of many career paths I was considering.

The reason I asked was simply because I do not know a lot about the RAF, it is something I am going to look into in more depth, hence why I asked the question :)
 
Cheers for the link, this part was particularly interesting.

You can apply to join the RAF as a pilot directly from sixth form. We provide £2,000 sponsorship during your Upper Sixth year and after you’ve joined, you can then study for an Open University degree and work for us at the same time.

Alternatively, you can apply for a Sixth Form Scholarship of £1,000, followed by a University Bursary of £1,000 a year if you study for a degree you’ve agreed with us. In return, we ask you to become a member of the University Air Squadron (UAS) (or Air Training Corps while you’re at school) and to join the RAF once you finish your studies.

As well as financial support, UAS is an opportunity to get first-hand experience of working with our people, technology and aircraft – and we’ll also give you free flying lessons.
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Might pop into the local army office on my way home from school tommorow, see if they have any more information. Thanks for the help so far though!
 
Couple of responses.

If I'm being honest, I am more keen on just 'flying' than joining the RAF. I just felt that the RAF would be the best approach into it - seeing as it is actually the 'Royal Air Force'. I would love any chance to fly really, be it civilian, or as part of a job, but if it is a job, I think I would learn more, and probably fly more often (as opposed to flying as a hobby, albeit an expensive one).

Looking at the RAF recruitment pages, it does appear to be quite a serious job, in terms of being physically fit and in-shape. I don't have a problem with that, but I have a bit of a hearing problem and this may be a disadvantage.

Any type of flying, commercial or civilian would interest me - but for lesson, it appears to cost thousands of pounds for the license, then there are the plane costs etc as well. I don't think I could take it up as a hobby, as I wouldn't be able to do it frequently enough.

Further feedback/advice much welcomed.
 
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