Oaklands GlobalOaklands Global

United Kingdom
+44 (0) 1892 536 472
/ Executive Search
+44 (0) 1892 536 472
/ United States
+1 954 607 6882
Latest Jobs
MENU

Oaklands Global
  • Jobs
  • Clients
  • Candidates
  • Referral
  • Executive Search
  • Financial Services
  • About us
    • Our Team
    • Vision, Mission & Values
    • Work With Us
  • News & Blog
  • Events
  • Case Studies
  • Submit CV
  • Contact us
+44 (0) 1892 536 472
+44 (0) 1892 536 472
+1 954 607 6882
info@oaklandsglobal.co.uk
Blog Share

The life of a trainee RAF pilot

09 July 2019

We caught up with a young RAF officer to talk about his desire to join the forces, how he found training and what lies in store for him next.

What led to you joining the RAF? How long was the process, and how did you find it?

My journey into the RAF started in 2017 when I began Initial Officer Training at RAF College Cranwell, a six-month basic training course designed to transition people from civilian to military life. However, I had been harbouring ambitions of becoming a pilot in the Air Force since I was at primary school, so it would be fair to say that it has taken significant time to get to where I am now!  

The process for joining the RAF as a pilot is lengthy, and includes several medicals and aptitude testing, along with the standard interviews. Understandably, it is competitive (a very rough estimate is around 7,000 applicants for around 200 aircrew training slots, which includes pilots, weapon system officers, and non-commissioned weapon systems operators).

What was the support network like to help you get into the RAF?

There are RAF Careers Office’s across the country, which are always available for advice on how to apply and improve your chances of success in all branches, so the level of support is relatively high. 

Was the RAF your first choice of aviation career, or did you also think about civilian aviation?

I never seriously considered civilian aviation as an alternative to a military career, for several reasons. For starters, I saw the flying opportunities in the military as being more appealing than that offered in the civilian world; the range of aircraft and the various roles they can be deployed in is probably quite difficult to replicate in the commercial sphere.

Another consideration was the costs involved in learning to fly. Flying with the military means that my training is paid for, albeit without being awarded the equivalent civilian qualifications (I believe that there is a process in place for military pilots to ‘fast-track’ these qualifications when they look to move across). I also felt strongly about serving in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, a sentiment which obviously could not be replicated.

Do you think civilian aviation will ever be an option for you?

Civilian aviation is still not particularly appealing to me in terms of life after the military, although in truth I have not had a chance to think about it too much. Taking a commission with the RAF commits me to 20 years of service, and I have not yet gone through flying training and on to the front line, so my ambition lies with what can be achieved in my current career. That being said, moving into commercial aviation does provide a good opportunity for military pilots to continue utilising the skills they have built up during their flying career.

Do you know of any military colleagues who have made the switch to civilian aviation, and if so how have they found it?

In terms of the experience of those who have left the force from all branches, those I have spoken to who have left the RAF seem to have found it fairly easy, as the level of specialisation in RAF roles mean that people leave with a significant level of training and experience in challenging fields. The transition to civilian life can be more difficult, as there is a fairly significant change in culture to contend with.


Share this article
Back to blogs
Find your dream job

If you have a role you are looking to fill, or are interested
in any of our positions please contact us on

+44 (0) 1892 536 472 or email us on info@oaklandsglobal.co.uk

News & blogs

11 January 2022

The Benefits of Diversity in Aviation and Aerospace

READ MORE
01 September 2021

✈️WOW 30,000 Followers on Linkedin!✈️

READ MORE
01 September 2021

Congratulations Dave Edwards

READ MORE
20 July 2021

Executive Search vs Contingency Recruitment

READ MORE

Events

  • | Geneva

    EBACE – 2022

    Find out more
  • | Lyon-Bron Airport

    France Air Expo – 2022

    Find out more
  • | Hamburg, Germany

    Aircraft Interiors Expo – 2022

    Find out more

Partner with a Reliable & Experienced Recruitment Consultancy

Enter your details and we’ll be in touch to discuss your requirements

tom.wells@oaklandsglobal.co.uk

Legal Disclaimer

This scheme may be terminated at any time by Oaklands Global with no liability for any future payments and Oaklands Global retain the right to change the conditions of the scheme without notice. Referral rewards are payable at the discretion of Oaklands Global and only where reasonably applicable.

Request a Vacancy Consultation

To request a consultation with one of our Executive Search specialists, please enter your details below. If you are a candidate interested in registering your details or applying for a senior role, please visit our jobs page.
  • Please select all that apply.

Newsletter Sign up

4.9

Read Reviews
  • Clients
  • Candidates
  • Our Team
  • Executive Search
  • News & Blog
  • Contact us
  • Our Job Map

© 2022 Oaklands Aerospace Limited. Registration No. 08345388
T: +44 (0) 1892 536 472 / +44 (0) 1892 536 472 E: info@oaklandsglobal.co.uk
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advice & Resources | Privacy Notice | Data Protection Policy
This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your website experience and provide more personalized services to you, both on this website and through other media. To find out more about the cookies we use, see our Privacy Policy.

We won't track your information when you visit our site. But in order to comply with your preferences, we'll have to use just one tiny cookie so that you're not asked to make this choice again.
Accept Decline
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Go to mobile version