Wannabe Pilot - Qualifications and OASC

rover339 · Post by **rover339** » Sun 19 Feb, 2006 4:52 pm

Hello everyone.

I've been scanning this forum for the past few weeks or so, but I'd just like someone to clarify a few points for me, if it's not too much trouble!

Firstly I should let you all know I've had my heart set on being a Pilot in the RAF for many, many years, so it is extremely important to me.

I've researched it and every leaflet or booklet says that I need 6/6 (20/20) vision to join as a Pilot. Does anyone know if this is super super strict, though? My vision is -0.25 in my left eye and better in my right eye. I know there's alot of competition to join as a Pilot, so would this slight offset in my eye cause them to fail me on the spot?
Could anyone who's done a medical at the OASC and going for Pilot tell what what the eyesight testing was like?

I'm currently a 6th form student due to complete my A Levels in June. Now I know the RAF has an in-degree program, but I have also heard that most officers that apply actually have a degree. I assume they offer the in-degree program because they want people to join as young as possible. So, whats the deal with this? I want to do the in-degree program if I can, but is it better to go off and degree first before I even start applying?

In the OASC, are there extra tasks to be performed if you are looking to join as a Pilot? Do they expect more because of the competition? Also, how important is it to them that you have accomplished many 'adventurous' or 'physically-challenging' tasks in your life? To be honest I can't see myself bragging a whole lot about this. Are they looking moreso for the person here and now at the interview as opposed to what you have accomplished?

If you know anything else you know about applying for a Pilot, I would greatly appreciate the information.

I am thoroughly grateful to anyone who replies here.

Thanks for your time,

Rover339

parker · Post by **parker** » Sat 04 Mar, 2006 2:46 pm

hey,i'm not a pilot (hopefully will be though), but i was wondering what does 20/20 vision actually mean?

thanks parker

im2skill · Post by **im2skill** » Sat 04 Mar, 2006 3:58 pm

not trying to be a prick, but type "20/20 vision" in to google. you have the WORLD WIDE WEB at your very fingertips.

parker · Post by **parker** » Sat 04 Mar, 2006 4:06 pm

ok got it, thanks, i guess i should have thought of that.

parker

GemmaLS · Post by **GemmaLS** » Sat 04 Mar, 2006 4:43 pm

Rover339 you need 6/6 unaided vision. I know some one who has even better than 6/6, but has a slight 'imperfection' in one eye which means that the RAF won't take them for pilot. Your eyes have got to be pretty much perfect.

wannabe_bootneck · Post by **wannabe_bootneck** » Mon 06 Mar, 2006 2:16 pm

How can you have better than 6/6 vision you chopper? Can they see through walls or something? 6/6 unaided is perfect vision. -0.25 is the smallest correction they do I think anyway mate so don't let it worry you. In my medical I didn't even have to read to the bottom line of the alphabet soup board. You could try blagging it saying you don't wear corrective lenses, you may stumble and get caught out, but with such a small correction needed I think you could get away with it. If it's your dream..But as always the best thing to do is go into the careers office, sit down and talk to them about it, they know what they are on with and can advise you best.

GemmaLS · Post by **GemmaLS** » Mon 06 Mar, 2006 2:47 pm

wannabe_bootneck wrote:How can you have better than 6/6 vision you chopper? Can they see through walls or something? 6/6 unaided is perfect vision.

My friend has 6/5 vision which is better than 6/6:

"6/5 describes very good eyesight, slightly better than most people can manage. It means that at a distance of 6 metres you can read the bottom line of the eye chart. http://www.uveitis.net/newsletter_no06.htm"

Don't call me a chopper without doing your research. 6/6 is when you can see the line on the chart above the bottom one. 6/5 is when you can read the bottom one. 6/6 is known as 20/20 vision, 6/5 is 20/16 vision.

wannabe_bootneck · Post by **wannabe_bootneck** » Mon 06 Mar, 2006 2:49 pm

I have had my eyes beasted for years now as I have a scar on the back of my eyeball, I've had student idiot doctors shining lasers in me eye, super dooper eye cameras and optomotrists getting wet so I know a bit about the old eyeball.

GemmaLS · Post by **GemmaLS** » Mon 06 Mar, 2006 2:51 pm

So why haven't you heard of 6/5 vision?

Ruth · Post by **Ruth** » Mon 06 Mar, 2006 2:51 pm

No need to be rude!

6/6 (or the imperial equivalent 20/20) means that you can see at six metres what you are expected to see. Some people have slightly better vision and can see at six metres what they would be expected to see at five, hence 6/5.

The medicals for pilot are extremly stringent and you have no chance of getting away with things, such as people who had epilepsy as a child. If you're caught lying about your medical you're out of the door with a large bootprint on your backside and needn't bother darkening the door of and AFCO ever again. I was asked to bring a full (very full!) report of an eye examination with me to Cranwell, even including colour blindness testing, but don't know if pilots are checked again at OASC for vision.

Ruth · Post by **Ruth** » Mon 06 Mar, 2006 2:53 pm

If anyone had shone a laser in the back of your eye it would have burnt your retina. I've done it, but only when that was the intention. I think you meant a lightbulb.

wannabe_bootneck · Post by **wannabe_bootneck** » Mon 06 Mar, 2006 2:55 pm

No no believe me it was some sort of laser I was there you know, and it was far from comfortable I can tell you.

Ruth · Post by **Ruth** » Mon 06 Mar, 2006 2:57 pm

They don't let students have lasers! It would be like letting Marines have beer and roll mats! I've only had the lights in my eyes myself, and that was uncomforatble enough.

wannabe_bootneck · Post by **wannabe_bootneck** » Tue 07 Mar, 2006 12:31 pm

OK then obviously I'm wrong, were you there no, don't be so bloody ignorant.

GemmaLS · Post by **GemmaLS** » Tue 07 Mar, 2006 1:11 pm

rover339 wrote:I'm currently a 6th form student due to complete my A Levels in June. Now I know the RAF has an in-degree program, but I have also heard that most officers that apply actually have a degree. I assume they offer the in-degree program because they want people to join as young as possible. So, whats the deal with this? I want to do the in-degree program if I can, but is it better to go off and degree first before I even start applying?

A couple of reasons a lot of people join with a degree is because you get paid more when you start, and you gain a certain amount of maturity/life experience which will show at OASC. However you get a lot of pilot applicants coming through at 18 and the RAF will take them. One way of making the decision of degree/no degree is to try at 18, if you don't make it they might tell you to come back in a year or two. So you go away, do the degree and come back. It's like the decision has been made for you. Just make sure you pick a degree you can enjoy and stick at. They'll accept most degress but might not be impressed by something like a BA Hons in flower arranging (if you can even do that).

As for scholarships and in-service degrees, I don't have a clue.

rover339 wrote:In the OASC, are there extra tasks to be performed if you are looking to join as a Pilot? Do they expect more because of the competition?

Pilots applicants at OASC are assessed using the same methods and do the same tests (bar medical) as all the other applicants. As far as I'm aware you'll pass OASC if you've performed as well as someone who applies for Admin. It's after OASC that you need a better performance to actually get a place as a pilot. There is very heavy competition and you'll be against some outstanding candidates.

rover339 wrote:Also, how important is it to them that you have accomplished many 'adventurous' or 'physically-challenging' tasks in your life? To be honest I can't see myself bragging a whole lot about this. Are they looking moreso for the person here and now at the interview as opposed to what you have accomplished?

They look at both - who you are now and what have you done with your life. There are no hard or fast rules when it comes to what will get you the place. Imagine 2 candidates, A and B

A - Duke of Edinburgh, Air Training Corps, University Air Squadron, local football team, kids volunteer football coach, grade 8 piano, OK leadership qualities, average aptitude score.

B - Volunteer in charity shop, grade 6 saxaphone, running club, Great leadership qualities, Good aptitude score.

Candidate A is the kind of person the RAF are looking for, they'll get involved the RAF community life and sports. However thay are a slight training risk due to their average leadership skills/aptitude.

Candidate B has done less in their life/for the local community but is less of a training risk.

Which would you choose? It's not a clear cut decision.

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