Graduate Pilot Entry

[strength_10]

Have spent the evening looking at the RAF website as i know most about the Navy, but what rank would you join the RAF if you apply to be a pilot after graduating university?

Thanks people

[Sven]

Hmmm,
I think It`s Pilot Officer, not 100% sure.

[stefanwurwal]

If what I have heard is correct then its Flying Officer (ie one up from the norm). Either this or you spend very little time as a Pilot Officer. However, dont quote me on this

[rabby]

What about a Flight Lt. Every pilot you see seems to be a Fl. Lt. Whereabouts in the heirarchy does he come? Also what rank are you when you enter the Navy as an officer?

[Topper]

Flight Lieutenant is the equivalent of Army Captain and RN Lieutenant i think, so you need to have a bit of service time before you attain the rank.

[stefanwurwal]

Ok, the first official rank as an RAF officer is Pilot Officer. This is held for a certain period of time (depending on the individual) before automatic promotion to Flying Officer. Once agin this is held for a period (slightly longer than before) before automatic promotion to Flight Lieutenant. Once this rank is achieved, further promtion is based on merit.

Hope that helps (see also: http://www.rafcom.co.uk/information/rank.cfm

Stefan

[rawli]

if you are a direct entrant then you are an officer cadet through iot then commissioned to acting pilot officer, then pilot officer, flg off, etc. For the DGEs you start iot as a pilot officer and at the end you become a flying officer almost straight away. if you are a de then it ill take about 6 years to reach flt lt, if you are a DGE with a 3 year course then it will take you 2 and a half. for DGEs who have done a 4 year course then a year and a half.

[Biggles1211]

If you have a degree, you attend Cranwell as an Officer Cadet. When you graduate you become a Pilot Officer. Normally, you get promoted to Flying Officer in a few weeks.

With a 3yr degree, you get Flight Lieutenant in 3 years.

With a 4yr degree (or extra year post-graduate), you get Flight Lieutenant in 2 years.

I THINK (It's worht checking this at the AFCO).

[rawli]

with a degree you enter IOT as an acting pilot officer and get promoted to pilot officer on completion then flying officer 6 months after that.