Army Air Corps and Heli questions...

[Skiddywinks]

Hey guys. I just popped into the RAF careers office to ask about my height (I'm pretty tall) and leg lengths etc being a problem flying fast jets, and whether he could tell me if I am unlikely to be suitable for jets. Funnily enough, he said I would have to sign up to even find out. In which case, if I wasn't within the requirements, I would be stuck doing whatever they said I was best for.

I had originally thought this through as a possibility, and decided if I couldn't fly jets I want to fly attack Helis, obviously looking toward the Apache. I didn't realise this was operated by the AAC, so decided that instead of likely being stuck in the RAF doing a job I didn't particularly want to do, I would look into joining the ACC instead as a secondary (but very close) choice. Primarily because I don't want to do something I don't want to do (funny how that works), but followed closely by the fact I don't want to be doing a half arsed job serving my country (hard to be motivated when you aren't interested).

So with all that in mind, here I sit, eating my grapes, with some questions I would very much appreciate being answered.

1) If I sign up as Officer (I have the relevant grades), can I go straight into flight training, or do I have to do the 3 years regular before I can go for that? (Which is what I have been reading about for non-officers)

2) What are the restrictions for height etc in Helis? Are they as tight? Are there really any?

3) What's the pay like? :p I have looked, but can't seem to find much info on it. Read: Any info on it. It's purely for curiosity mind.

Any help is appreciated. Same with criticism. It's all good.

[Angry_Young_Man]

Dont forget that even if you are height-suitable for fast-jets in the RAF, you could still end up flying helicopters or transport aircraft, since it is dependant on your flying ability and the needs of the RAF.
But anyway...

If you join as an AAC Officer you will do your Officer training at Sandhurst then you will go on to begin your flying training. Please remember though it is not definate that you will end up flying Apache.
http://www.army.mod.uk/aac/recruiting/o ... career.htm
I would also suggest looking at the Aviation forum on ARRSE

I believe AAC Officer pilots only fly for a few years due to the Armys view of 'Soldiers first, Pilots second' approach, whereas pilots in the RAF and RN fly for almost their entire career. I would suggest having a look at the Royal Navy as well if you are interested in flying helicopters or fast jets.

[Skiddywinks]

Thanks for the reply.

I understand that it isn't based purely on height etc, but the thing that would bug me is not being able to fly due to something I have no control over. If I joined, I would be so enthusastic motivated that I would do my damned hardest to make sure I am at the top. But then to be told I cannot fly a jet because my legs are too long for example, would be the biggest kick in the teeth.

And I can quite happily deal with being a soldier first and a pilot second, so long as I do get to pilot some time. Is it only a few years flying and then you don't do it again? Or is it a bit of it here and then? I understand you might not have a clue, if so no problems.

Will check out that forum you suggested now.

[Stinky]

My brother is to tall to fly a jet, he is 6 foot 1 or something. I think...

[Scott_Allen]

I got told the same thing when I applied to the RAF for my 6th form sponsorship.

I passed my interview, went to OASC and got told I am too tall. They offered me all these other jobs, I.E. Fighter Control Officer, Weapons Systems Officer etcetc.

But none of it appealed so I drew a line under it.

I am now hopefully joining the Royal Marines or the Infantry after my a-levels.

[Skiddywinks]

So how tall are you then?

Sorry to hear it mate

[Sarastro]

Right Skids, don't have 100% info on this but I do know a few people doing this process with the RAF and AAC, so it might be of some use.

1. I don't know the height restrictions. I am sure that if you search hard around the net you will find them. Try starting out at www.arrse.co.uk and asking nicely, someone might help you. They aren't state secrets, sounds like a recruiter playing tricks with you, well done for not biting. I'm also damn sure that you don't have to sign up to anything until they offer you a place; even then you don't have to take it. Press-ganging went out a while ago, though occasionally some recruiters forget this.

2. I am surprised at your info re: the RAF. From what I have heard (lots), their process is more likely to get you the job you want from the outset. This is simply because they assign that job off the back of your assessment for Officer training; you start out training to be an Int Officer, Pilot, Tech crew, what have you.

I do not know how that applies to fast-jet vs helis, but at least you have an entry into Pilot training, and from there it is presumably up to your ability & physiology.

3. You have no such guarantee of getting into the AAC. It is immensely competitive, and everyone at Sandhurst does the same year of training, with regiments/corps only being assigned at the end of the second term.

As it happens, a mate of mine currently at Sandhurst is heading to be an Apache pilot. He passed AOSB (army selection board at Westbury). He then spent 2 weeks at a pilot aptitude course for the AAC, which he passed. He is now in a good position to get a commission with the AAC so long as he doesn't f@#k up at Sandhurst, but nothing is certain. Oh, he's also about 6'3", so clearly not an issue for flying Apaches.

4. I'm also fairly sure that what Angry Young Man said is untrue re: flying career. Apache pilots currently in Afghan fly an extraordinarily large number of hours, and though they may be sidelined by 'managment' duties & medical issues as they get older, there is great demand for them, and no sense in the Army training them for over 2 years, then binning them as soon as they reach Captain.

5. A degree is pretty much required, I believe, unless you show something truely exceptional. They don't hand out multi-million dollar aircraft to just anyone, and they prefer the educated types with a few more years maturity.

Hope that helps - remember, none of this is gospel, it's from the experience & observation of others, so check it out thorougly if some bits are bad news.

[Guardian of The Wall]

If it doesn't work out for you and you don't get to become a pilot, go in the AAC anyway and become aircrew! The door gunner is trained to land the aircraft should the pilots get shot. Sounds like fun, providing you can get to aircrew.

[Scott_Allen]

If it doesn't work out for you and you don't get to become a pilot, go in the AAC anyway and become aircrew! The door gunner is trained to land the aircraft should the pilots get shot. Sounds like fun, providing you can get to aircrew.

Argh! If only the Eurofighter had a door gun lol...

Erm, another thing.

The Army are the ONLY service to employ pilots that are NCO's All you need to do, is go for a stint in the Army Air Corps as a Soldier, train as groundcrew, and they ENCOURAGE you to do Pilot Training.

www.armyjobs.mod.uk

Check it out

[Guardian of The Wall]

Yes and a recent report also showed (looking at numbers) that the armed forces are in desperate need of the following:

1. RAF need pilots (Nimrod crews are leaving due to lack of trust with those old engines)
2. The army need medical recruits in all areas (ranks and officers) as there aren't enough at the mo.
3. The army are in desperate need of bomb disposal technicians.

Shame that the AAC aren't in need of pilots.......popular job you see.