what are my chances of Pilot?

[Scottya5]

Hi All.

Basically, I am going to sell myself in this thread, and see what you guys think my chances of being selected for Pilot training are. Just before I begin, I have no history of asthma, heart problems or anything like that, and my vision is 20:20.

GCSE's:
4 A's
2 B's
5 C's

I have C's in English Language, Maths and Science.

No grades below C.

A-Levels:
I am curretly doing my first year of a-levels, and I am studying:
ICT
Business Studies
Sociology
General Studies

I am predicted C's and above in all of my subjects for a-level.


I may do an aeronautical design course at stafford uni

I have been a member of the air training corps since I was 13 (I am now almost 17) I am currently at the rank of corporal and I am looking at promotion to seargeant in the next few months. Also, by the time I am going for RAF Pilot selection I will have my Silver Duke of Edinburghs award, and will have completed a gliding scholorship.

I have been a very pro-active cadet, having gone to many anual camps to RAF Stations and Army training establishments. Also, I have many hours Air experience flying in the Grob Tutor and different RAF Aircraft.

I have also aquired my Junior Lifesavers Award through St Johns Ambulance.

I have taken part in charity work with the Royal British Legion, mainly the restoration of neglegted war graves.

At school I was selcted to be a prefect. Also, my sporting life has been proactive. I am a very enthusiastic Rugby player and swimmer. Playing rugby for 2 different teams over a period of around 6-7 years. I am also into kayaking, paintball and some degree of tennis and badminton.

I am a keen member of my local gym, getting down there as often as possible.

I have always been an active worker, working at Mayhem Paintball games during my weekends as a marshall. Marshalling is a job that requires confidence, leadership, instruction abilities, and also the ability to adapt to many different personalities and the ability to get along with people of all shapes and sizes and perosnalities.



I could probably write more about all of my certificates and other awards... but I would just like to know if I have a chance in hell in getting through.

I should also point out that I am 6' 4" tall, and have been told by my local AFCO that I cannot fly fighter jets, only large aeroplanes and helecoptors.

I also failed to be offered a RAF Sixth form scholorship during the filter interview stage because of lack of knowledge on the RAF training process at Cranwell, but since then, I have learnt my stuff. And the guy there did really want me to re-apply for direct entry after my a-levels.

So guys, what are my chances?

Thanks for reading and thanks for your help in advance.

[dylanredefined]

If you get good a levels apply hope your maths is good .No one can tell you what your chances of getting through will be .All you can do is try your best .

[Scottya5]

thanks mate.

looking for a liiitle bit more detail than that though lol.

[Scottya5]

Thanks very much.

The guy in the filter interview said to me that it is cleare i have a strong interest in aviation, and I am the type they are looking for.

I just didnt have the knowledge of OASC and IOT.

Now I do as I have done some research

[Sarastro]

From what I understand from my uncle, who was a fastjet type back in the day, in modern airforces a university degree will hugely increase your chances. Keen mind and education (esp. in technical stuffs) is vital for a pilot, but more importantly, so is maturity. They are going to be very reluctant to place millions of £ of easily breakable kit in the hands of a 18-19 year old straight out of school.

Re: education and such, get A's at A-level. You have 1 1/2 years, just do it; not beyond the capabilities of anyone with half a brain. 90% of it is doing a bollocks load of work, especially since you aren't doing any pure aptitude subjects (maths, english) and if your school is a bit rubbish, get outside help with tutoring or such. Not only will this get you in to a good university if you decide to go, but it's about your only chance of getting in as a pilot if you don't go to university. Remember you will be going up against people with First / 2:1 degrees from good universities.

Part of reason for above is: pilots in all the services, as far as I know, almost entirely come from the officer corps. So you have to get in to your service as an officer first, and again, for that you will be in competition with good degrees / A at A-levels. After that, you will be specifically in competition with the best officer cadets, since pilot jobs few and far between, and get their pick of the intake (like PARA or INT from Sandhurst, for example).

Also, consider the RN or AAC as well as the RAF for piloting, especially if you are looking at helo jobs.

Now I do as I have done some research

Do more. Then do some more. If you want that job, you are going to have to live it for the next few years.

[Scottya5]

Thanks very much for your help mate.

I would go to uni.

But I want to study somthing like aviation engineering or aerospace engineering or somthing like that. But they require amazing alevels.

I suppose I am going to really have to pull my finger out next year lol.

[_chris]

Aerospace/normal engineering degrees usually require maths/physics/both A-levels don't they?

[Scottya5]

mmm from what ive seen.

hopefully ill find a leanient uni.

I have known people to get on courses because of cadets qualifications. for example betec in aviation studies...

I may do an aeronautical design course at stafford uni??? any thoughts?

[LostandFound]

mmm from what ive seen.

hopefully ill find a leanient uni.

I have known people to get on courses because of cadets qualifications. for example betec in aviation studies...

I may do an aeronautical design course at stafford uni??? any thoughts?

Is definately a good idea to go to uni, study either something aeronautical, engineering, or mathematical. Different uni's will require different grades for their courses, and you want to strive to get into the best one you can (sorry if thats stating the obvious). Push yourself hard in your studies for the next 18 months. You may struggle to get onto some courses because you aren't studying physics or maths at A level, but start doing your research on universities now - get in touch with them personally and explain that you want to be a RAF officer and they may well be surprisingly helpful.

One of my mates got 3 C's at A level, went to uni to study aeronautical engineering (cant remember which uni), got a 2.2, and he was selected for pilot training. So even with moderate grades, it can still be done. But as said above, competition is very fierce so you need to be one step ahead of the other candidates wherever possible.

Good luck with it, and keep trying even if at first it seems your options are limited.

[Scottya5]

thanks mate.

ill look into it.

[jezb]

The best advise I can give you is to work your ass off for your a-levels. You dont have to be super intelligent to get A's, you just need to put the effort in.

I didn't and got an A & 2 C's. I hated school and couln't be arsed. You hear people go on about school days being the best days of their life, and at you age think "yeah what a load of s**t". As soo as you leave school, you realise how easy your life was!

Being a pilot is obviously super competitive, so you need to be the best you can be. Im sure all your extra curricular activities will really help you as well.

Sorry to babble on, but more effort = higher grades simple as.

[Scottya5]

thanks mate

[B_H100]

Grades are important but only part of the whole `package`.

Airmen applying from the ranks only require 5 GCSEs for pilot; - although thier chances MAY be slim as far as educational standards are concerned, it is possible for these guys to make it and it HAS happened.

You do seem to have a decent background (you seem keen) - put the effort to your A-Levels, social life, ATC etc and good luck.