Yes im well aware it is a criteria, i never said it wasnt. I was just pointing out that it is also a criteria for becoming a pilot in the army.
Learning to fly planes // RAF question.
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Yes im well aware it is a criteria, i never said it wasnt. I was just pointing out that it is also a criteria for becoming a pilot in the army.
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.
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.
As I said before, I'm happy to answer any questions you have about commercial flying. If you only want to join the RAF to fly then my guess is you shouldn't join, as it isn't just about the flying. Plus theres the fact that you could get missiles shot at you lol
However I would say that if you have a hearing problem then this maybe a barrier to any type of flying job, as you need to be able to pass a medical.
However I would say that if you have a hearing problem then this maybe a barrier to any type of flying job, as you need to be able to pass a medical.
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While there's a knowledgable person here, I take it the eyesight requirements are pretty damn strict too in civilian world? I'm not talking about flying jets with hundreds of people but rather (N)PPL.
Nope there no where near as strict as the RAF, but again it depends on what type of flying you want to do. For a PPL or NPPL then as long as your eyes can be corrected to 6/6 then you will most likely be fine. If you want to go commercial flying then there are limits to the amount of correction that you are allowed to have, I believe it is currently +-8 dioptres.
Just setting up the Trust thing etc, will have a chat with you sometime - much easier to get direct answers
Thanks!
Nope, Pilots only, WSO's are basically Navs, WSOp's (of any flavour) are NCA, Non-Comissioned Aircrew, crewmen basically.
Threads like these make me laugh. Lad asks for advice and suddenly everyone is an expert.
{edited due to typo}
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Soldato
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I much proffered the Lee Enfield No. 8 rifles. Granted, they were a severely cut down .303 (no mag. so single shot, and reduced to .22). But they're more accurate than any army's staple weapon.
think he means weapon systems officer - the guy in the back seat of the tornado - unless things have changed drastically since I was in air cadets and thinking of applying then they certainly do take part in at least the initial part of flying training and then go on to do some navigation type stuff too
He probably does, apologies, Weapon Systems Officers are now what traditionally were the Navigators, but they don't learn to fly. The Weapon Systems Operators are all NCA's and also don't pilot aircraft.
Ahh you moved from Ryanair, I should be flying the 320 with Etihad in around 20 months! Looking forward to it.
As much as I love the idea of bombing taliban in Afghanistan as far as I am aware, the lifestyle is better and the pay is aswell in commercial so that is why I chose it. Plus I don't like steep turns
Well, actually flying an aircraft yes, but flying duties, no. For example, non-commissioned Aircrew.
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i went to RAF Cranwell College to try to get a-level scholarship or something similar a couple of years ago. It was pretty fun experience, very lax though compared with what real military life would be like. I was in air cadets for 5 years and even that was a more 'tough' routing than Cranwell was. When i was at Cranwell i had lie ins till 7.30, unlike cadet camps where i would have to be up by 6. There was bout 20 pilot scholarships with about 100 entrants. Alas i wasn't successful. So i think that put me off the forces which is good because I'm now getting a degree, which i think is very important to have, so you can fall back onto it if you don't get into the forces.
If the above makes sense I'm surprised lol
I stand corrected.
WSO = Weapon System Officer
WSOp = Weapon System Operator
There's only 1 WSO, so of course thats what I mean, and they do learn to fly.
I can reliably inform you that Weapons Systems Officers do not learn to fly.
I can also reliably inform you that your experience at Cranwell is not a reflection on what it is like to be an inmate at Cranditz
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WSO, not WSOp.
Apologies, tired*, Weapons Systems Officers don't either
And/or not paying attention to auto-piloted fingers on the keyboard
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I can also reliably inform you that your experience at Cranwell is not a reflection on what it is like to be an inmate at Cranditz
I was getting at this. Also i will back you up. Only pilots learn to fly. And the few aircraft (jets I'm on about) that require navmen, don't have rear sticks, so whats the point in teaching them to fly!