dazza 38 Posted January 17, 2010 Posted January 17, 2010 Hi Tomo, no,you can go in as Direct Entry.But it is extremely competitive though. OP of one minimum
Wangaratta Posted January 17, 2010 Author Posted January 17, 2010 Anyone a RAAF Pilot, and been through ADFA, who can explain the process clearly :D ?
Matt Posted January 17, 2010 Posted January 17, 2010 Not a RAAF pilot but spent a bit of time in the RAAF and went through the pilot selection process - both Direct Entry and again while I was in the RAAF. Also have quite a few friends who are current or ex RAAF aircrew. All the info you need is on the Defence Jobs website Pilot | Defence Jobs The two paths for "off the street" entrants are Non-Graduate/Direct Entry or via ADFA. The education requirements for both are the same - Year 12 with maths/science priority. The difference between the two - one gets you flying effectively immediately (after officer training), the other gets you flying in 3 years after completing a degree. If I was going to go through the process again (and they came up with a way to resolve colour perception issues!), I'd apply for both ADFA and Direct Entry towards the end of Year 12 - this gives you a bet each way. A few things to remember going down the Defence path - you need to sign up for 12 years (not a big deal at 18 but something to be mindful of), the focus of military aircrew is less on being a pilot and flying an aeroplane and more on operating a mission platform and completing a mission. Know what you want to fly and why - this is critical if you want to fly fast jets - if fast jets is what you want, make this your life's mission as I doubt there is anything in life as competitive as getting a fast jet seat. Also, as a military pilot you're an Officer and military leader first, pilot second. This is even more so for the Army and Navy where you're a soldier/sailor first. Oh, and these days you don't apply to be an Air Force pilot, you apply to be a Defence Pilot, you state a preference for the service you wish to end up in but the ultimate decision is Defence's - they'll put you where they need you. Hope that helps some.
Wangaratta Posted January 17, 2010 Author Posted January 17, 2010 Thanks for the information. Yeah, I've basically read heaps of stuff. Just wanted to hear it from someone in the RAAF. Well I'm 14 (15 2010), So I have a little time to make up my mind, I'd really like to join the RAAF via ADFA, as either a Pilot, or maybe Administration Officer, also Logistics Officer sounds interesting :P
facthunter Posted January 18, 2010 Posted January 18, 2010 The Future Trend. Wouldn't it be reasonable to predict that a lot of future aerial duties in a combat environment will be performed by UAV's. The other thing is that the hours accumulated can be quite low, compared to "working" in a normal flying job, over the years of your employ. It is essentially constant "training". You are going to be over 30 when you get out (at least) and very much a specialist military mission person. Nev.
Wangaratta Posted January 18, 2010 Author Posted January 18, 2010 Yeah over the next 10 years is apparently going to be a big time for the RAAF, with new features, equipment, ect introduced or upgraded. UAV's are one of them i think.
dazza 38 Posted January 18, 2010 Posted January 18, 2010 Hi Wangaratta, get stuck in to heaps of study for school mate.Then over the next couple years, you can narrow down what you would like to do. Whist still at school, it is a good idea to go defence recruiting in your capital city and have a chat to all 3 services if you like, they will get you on the right track.
Wangaratta Posted January 18, 2010 Author Posted January 18, 2010 Thanks, As far as I know, next year or year 10.. we have a careers expo and the ADF comes and talks to us and stuff, might go seem them and have a chat at there area. and we have to see a careers counselor when we finish we finish like year 10 to pick our subjects/electives.
Thalass Posted January 18, 2010 Posted January 18, 2010 Have you thought about engineering? :P I wanted to be an airline pilot when i was in high school (doing the aeronautical course at Melville in Perth), but fortunately i saw the light and got an engineering apprenticeship. haha When you talk to the careers day defence guys, keep in mind that they are the advertising team - so take what they say with a grain of salt. They'll play down the bad things and talk up the heroism of being a fighter pilot and all that. For a more accurate run down of life in the defence forces, talk to some guys that do the job you want to do. They'll be harder to find, but worth it. It'd still be worth it anyway to join, I think, while you're single without kids so you won't mind moving around. :P I think the guys who want to be airline pilots once they get out gravitate towards the freighter side of the air force. Lots of hours on large, slowish multiengine aircraft. The fighter pilots might be the poster boys, but they don't do that many hours. That'd be better for you on civvy street.
Wangaratta Posted January 18, 2010 Author Posted January 18, 2010 Hmm, I'm not sure. i might read into it. the fighter jets aren't on my #1 fly, but i guess you don't really get a chose, the VIP 737 looks interesting. I think logistic officer sound interesting but not sure what thye actually do 100%. im also interested in administration officer.
winsor68 Posted January 19, 2010 Posted January 19, 2010 A mate of mine at work with about $80k invested in his commercial has just landed a job driving coal trains for QRail... Pay=$120k per year... It is gonna be hard for him to give that up for a flying job! I told him to just stay on the trains and buy a Jabiru...
Thalass Posted January 20, 2010 Posted January 20, 2010 A mate of mine at work with about $80k invested in his commercial has just landed a job driving coal trains for QRail... Pay=$120k per year... It is gonna be hard for him to give that up for a flying job! I told him to just stay on the trains and buy a Jabiru... That's kinda depressing when that happens. Spend ten years earning your stripes in a job you enjoy, and some mug goes up north for a while and earns triple what you're paid. And he uses the aircraft you fly (or maintain, in my case) to get there! No wonder the pilots were going to go on strike a couple of years ago.
Tomo Posted January 20, 2010 Posted January 20, 2010 He's pretty fortunate to get a job driving for Q-rail.... there is a huge waiting list for that, seems everyone want's the same job! If you're in the mechanical, aviation type businesses, you don't do it for money... you do it because that is what you enjoy!
Guest skyspud Posted January 26, 2010 Posted January 26, 2010 Hi Wangaratta, Air Force is the only cadetship I would've considered, but I knew that was too high a hope for me..that said, if you aim that way as others have stated you need to commit yourself to hard work now to be considered..Good luck with that.. Along the other track, I have known many of both, cadets and old school CPL pilots...the difference between them is skill and attitude.. those who have done it the hard way and work where ever they could get work usually end up with many more options. Also, many realize that they didn't actually want be airline pilots as much as they wanted to tell people they were. I also know a bunch of people who love the airline flying, (horses for courses). Personally I think it is more valuable to become a quality stick and rudder person who can fly a plane before getting a MULTI BUTTON ENDORSMENT. Getting a job in the competitive GA world is not hard for one who makes it happen for themself. Show up to the door, be well presented, enthusiastic and prepared to work. If you get knocked back, be back there the next day. Enthusiasm usually works. skyspud Go fast and take chances
Guest Jake.f Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 I looked at the REX cadetship and others in detail recently, and ended up deciding against a career in aviation altogether. I still intend to do it as a hobby however. However I am considering the ADF actually. Looking at either Pilot or Airborne electronics analyst jobs. Although I may exceed the max height for pilot training by the time I would start it... bugger
dazza 38 Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 How tall are you Jake. A friend of mine well use to be i havent seen him for 10 years ,anyway I used to ride motor bikes with him when i was the RAAF he is a Pilot.He is about 6 foot 3. He is the current Officer Commanding of 1 Sqn.
Guest Jake.f Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 I am about 2 or 3 cm below the height limit. I'll still apply next year just see how I go I suppose
dazza 38 Posted March 26, 2011 Posted March 26, 2011 I am about 2 or 3 cm below the height limit. I'll still apply next year just see how I go I suppose You wont have any problems mate, with your height.
winsor68 Posted March 26, 2011 Posted March 26, 2011 I work with a lady whose son wants to be a commercial pilot. He finished year 12 last year and is spending a year working in the family business before Mum and Dad finance his commercial license 100%. Apparently the commercial schools in SE Qld have recommended that he not do any flying (he has only been in a light aircraft once) before he goes to the full time flying "academy" or some such next year... "Don't want him to pick up any bad habits... it will just cost more more to unlearn them" is what she quoted them as saying... Is this good advice for someone wanting a flying career or are these guys at the "Academy" just lacking in ethics and wanting to make more money??? I think I know the answer but... I have remained quite because I don't know quite what to say to her.
Rondair Posted March 27, 2011 Posted March 27, 2011 I always get told by flying schools who think I'm interested, not to do any flying until starting their course. Do you think that its probably for extra hours with them (that your paying for) than actually bad habits? Cheers
J170 Owner Posted March 27, 2011 Posted March 27, 2011 NEVER EVER EVER NEVER PAY UP FRONT for ANY flying training!
facthunter Posted March 27, 2011 Posted March 27, 2011 A really good flying school could easily feel that it would be better to start from scratch. ( You could make a case.). I wonder how many of them are really in this category?. Don't pay anything in advance... Good advice. Be prepared to go somewhere else if you are not getting a good run from the school. The hours you are talking about are the minimum to achieve the licence and not everybody does it in the minimum.. You have to be responsible for ensuring that you learn to fly properly. Keep ahead on the theory. Make sure that the briefings and debriefings are comprehensive. You are only an ab-initio ONCE. You can learn wrong facts and techniques, which can "bite" you later. Some pilots could justifiably say.. " I learnt to fly, despite some of my instructors", unfortunately Nev
winsor68 Posted March 27, 2011 Posted March 27, 2011 http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_INTL/careers/flying/cadetpilot How about the Cathay Pilot Scheme.... According to my relation at Cathay the money is not as good as it once was and their Union is trying to get it sorted but still worth the effort... Of course you need good school grades to get in. Interviews are held in Adelaide.
Rondair Posted March 27, 2011 Posted March 27, 2011 I've looked at it, and I have heard that once employed you are based in Hong Kong for six years. Can someone confirm this? Etihad has a scheme too
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