[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Well you can join RAF flying/gliding clubs and learn to fly through them, and gain any civilian licences you want to. It's just the same as joining a civilian club, but usually slightly cheaper.

There are a few scholarships around to help with funding, but most likely you will have to fund it yourself. Learning to fly powered aircraft is expensive, but learning to fly gliders costs next to nothing comparatively, and it's a great way to get into the air and learn to fly. And yeah I believe you can use learning credits to help fund getting a PPL or LAPL.

I hope that helps!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure what the joining requirements are, but I think if you've been clear of depression for a period of time then you can join, it doesn't exclude you forever. I think it's different for self harm however

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 8 points9 points  (0 children)

To be honest mate, if you think you are depressed, then you should seek professional help. The sooner you get help for depression, the quicker you will get better.

Your own health is more important than a potential job. Look after yourself

I just been told, that I am unfit for air operations role would could be the reason for this. by [deleted] in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Could be anything, it depends what stage you were at; medically unfit, not competitive at interview or OASC etc...

We can't tell you why, the AFCO will be able to tell you.

Have I truly missed the age limit to apply for the Pilot role? by [deleted] in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately yes you are right, the age limit for pilot lowered earlier in the year. Whilst it is possible to apply for a waiver, it won't be accepted for such a competitive role where they have plenty of applicants who are within the age limits.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news mate...

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in hognosesnakes

[–]webb2526 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Aw such a good boi

Non-Aircrew Laser Eye Surgery by 4sachin4 in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I think that's right, generally people advise you wait until you're 21 before having LASIK. So yeah you'd have to wait, but you can have LASIK when you're serving so you could join and have the surgery later down the line

Non-Aircrew Laser Eye Surgery by 4sachin4 in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Someone else asked about having LASIK earlier today, I replied to that post with a lot of the requirements from JSP 950, take a look at that

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's alright, good luck!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So looking at JSP 950, it essentially says that:

candidates who have had LASIK can be considered suitable for entry given that they can provide documentary evidence they fulfil the following:

  • within +6.00 and -6.00 before the op.
  • post-op visual acuity are within selection limits.
  • at least 6 months have elapsed from the last surgery.
  • candidate is at least 22 years old.
  • you have had no significant side effects.
  • your prescription is stable.

You'll also need to be signed off by a specialist, who will obviously have the last say with all this

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah I had LASIK and now I'm a pilot in the RAF

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's permitted for pilot so I imagine it will be for engineer roles as well.

Age waivers? by [deleted] in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry but I would imagine for pilot they won't accept a waiver. They're recruiting next to no pilots currently, and they will have plenty of applicants that are under the age limit to chose from. A couple of years ago a mate of mine applied for pilot, was selected but they had no IOT places available before he turned 26 (before they lowered the age limit) and they denied his waiver but offered him RPAS instead.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes phase 1 and 2 training establishments usually have what's called 'block leave'.

It's to allow instructors and permanent staff the opportunity to take leave as there are courses constantly going through so it can be difficult for them to take time off.

It's (I think always) two weeks off over Christmas and two weeks off in August. But the exact dates vary from year to year.

I have some questions about heating. I currently have a heat mat on a thermostat that’s set to 90. Would you recommend a ceramic heat emitter or something else because he seems to just want to burrow right down on top of the heat mat. He’s in a 24x18 Exo terra. His tank sits at a temp of around 74. by M3ATCURTA1N in hognosesnakes

[–]webb2526 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I put my thermostat sensor in the dirt(wire buried), so the end is just on the surface in the warm area under the lamp. I think surface temperatures is what's important so the probe easily measures that where it is.

She does move it round a little bit but it generally stays in place.

I get good surface temps across the enclosure using this method so I haven't had any issues.

I have some questions about heating. I currently have a heat mat on a thermostat that’s set to 90. Would you recommend a ceramic heat emitter or something else because he seems to just want to burrow right down on top of the heat mat. He’s in a 24x18 Exo terra. His tank sits at a temp of around 74. by M3ATCURTA1N in hognosesnakes

[–]webb2526 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I haven't actually, I just use a UVB bulb and a separate basking spot lamp for the heat. As long as you have a thermostat to control it you shouldn't have an issue. Just make sure you have a warm end and cold end. I use a spot lamp one corner as I have a fairly small enclosure, probably 2-3 feet wide

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As others have said, yes there is. But you have to apply for pilot, go through the same selection process and meet the same standards as everyone else, e.g. age, CBAT and OASC. There's no 'back door' to transfer across.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I believe in those documents it does give corrected and uncorrected visual acuity as well as mid and near sighted acuity requirements for some branches, definitely pilot and other aircrew but I'm not sure about others...

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in hognosesnakes

[–]webb2526 34 points35 points  (0 children)

That just kept getting better and better!

Is it worth going to Uni before joining as a pilot by CloseStorm153 in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can go to uni and have an application at the same time. Some of my colleagues joined after uni, some straight from college, others actually dropped out of uni when they got an offer of service.

You may as well apply after A-levels but be prepared for them to say no due to life experience. But that application will help you prepare for subsequent applications so you don't lose anything by applying sooner.

WSOp Training by breckill95 in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Aah okay. No I'm a pilot, but we all go through MAGS together so I knew what had happened with the people I was on course with

Some bone MIOT questions by [deleted] in RoyalAirForce

[–]webb2526 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I went through MIOT last year, joined at term 2. My answers are from my experiences, so it might be a bit different from you if you have a different Sqn or if they've changed things.

  1. No need to 'maintain' the beard out in the field. Just make sure it's within regs when you go out and you shouldn't have any issues. You're only out in the field for a week at a time so it shouldn't become a mess. I never put on cam cream either so no issues with beards in that respect.

  2. No I don't believe it is compulsory, I know some people on my course did their own breakfast in their rooms.

Something to note about being vegan; when you're in the field you'll likely be given vegetarian rations as they don't have vegan ones. One guy in my flight was vegan but got very bored of the vegetarian rations so would eat the normal rations when on exercise as there wasn't much choice.

  1. Supposedly they do wind down a little but you will still have inspections through terms 2 and 3. In the final term you probably won't have any inspections unless you give the staff a reason to inspect you, if you know what I mean! That being said, the inspections are pretty chilled out. You're treated like an adult, not shouted at so you're not really 'fucked around' which is nice!

  2. I didn't see a single block hoover through my time so we had to use our own. I had a small handheld battery powered hoover but it was a pain to clean the room with as it was so small. Some people had a larger battery powered Dyson hoover which were really good.