Selected for pilot screening

strongmanmike (Michael) · #1 15-06-2013, 08:14 AM

My son Riley has been selected for ADF flight screening. He will be going to Tamworth in July for two weeks to see if he has the right stuff

He's not there yet, his chances of actually getting a pilot training spot are still quite low as the ADF have very few pilot spots available (so they only take the best) but it is extremely hard to get even this far in the process, so we are very proud of him. He is nearly 21 and has been a keen aviator for some time with quite a few hours under his belt already, he is to a point where he is able to sit his private pilots license and he has paid his way himself too, saving every penny he earns over the last couple of years and using it to fly

Thanks for listening to a proud dad

Mike

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #2 15-06-2013, 08:26 AM

Top stuff Riley, wish you all the very best and hope you do get though, what an amazing career.

Satchmo · #3 15-06-2013, 08:39 AM

Having a history of interest and self motivation will put him in good standing , Mike. One of the young guys at our gliding club started flying at 15 , and has been accepted for Officer ( pilot ) training , with no power flying experience . Many would argue that gliders are a fabulous intro as they require more precision.

Gem (Grant) · #4 15-06-2013, 09:06 AM

A good option if you just miss pilot is to go for Naval Observer - they still do all the pilot training anyway. Most pilot applicants go for RAAF, so Army and Navy are good options.
Alternatively, enter the ADF as a technical trade (e.g. avionics) and then do an internal transfer down the track.

Good luck!

Grant
ex-RAAF

wasyoungonce (Brendan) · #5 15-06-2013, 09:21 AM

Congrats Mike.

He has a good chance with his current experience. If he can...try to get a few hrs flying with an ex RAAF pilot instructor.

My friend did this (he was already an airframe tech), went to the selection board and they just shook his hand and said welcome aboard! Inside help is a good thing and the old tie network exists.

Brendan

DavidTrap (David) · #6 15-06-2013, 09:35 AM

All the best to him Mike,

DT

marc4darkskies (Marcus) · #7 15-06-2013, 09:55 AM

That's great news Mike!! Please pass on congrats and good luck wishes from Gail and I.

Cheers, Marcus

Lee · #8 15-06-2013, 10:00 AM

Don't fall into the trap of thinking the RAAF prefer people who can already fly though.... sometimes this equates to too many bad habits they need to knock out of someone at 1FTS....

Hans Tucker (Hans) · #9 15-06-2013, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

Don't fall into the trap of thinking the RAAF prefer people who can already fly though.... sometimes this equates to too many bad habits they need to knock out of someone at 1FTS....

That was the old perception but they do actually prefer candidates to have a few hours of flying and it is a bonus for Flight Screening at Tamworth. 1FTS died a sad death decades ago, now everything basic is done at Tamworth...but 2FTS is still around although civilian run.

Congratulations Mike and well done to your son for making the first hurdle.

I gather your son hasn't picked a particular service. (RAAF, Army or Navy)

Either way it sounds like he has a good foundation of flying to work on...but in the remote chance of not making it the first time...maybe have him think about ADFA.

We have the new Growler, P8 Possidon and Spartan (C27J) aircraft coming which should be in service if your son is finally selected and graduates.

Please keep us all informed of his progress

Larryp (Laurie) · #10 15-06-2013, 11:20 AM

Great news, Mike, and I hope he makes it all the way

MattT · #11 15-06-2013, 04:12 PM

Very good stuff proud dad! My older brother did the whole RAAF Fighter flying school thing I think for two years. Got as far as the final flying test was just about to take off, in a jet, when they called him back and kicked him out! The reason so they said....didn't think he would follow orders without question.
This was during the 'Topgun' movie era, still his favourite movie and the experience of flying the training jets solo he said was worth it, and they were probably right.
Best of luck to your son.
Matt

AndrewJ · #12 15-06-2013, 05:47 PM

Gday Mike

Congrats on yr sons possible future,
but i gotta ask, if he does get in,
Will you still love him when he leaves
afterburner skidmarks across one of your 10min subs

Andrew

iceman (Mike) · #13 15-06-2013, 06:26 PM

Congrats Mike! Hope he does well! You must be proud.

strongmanmike (Michael) · #14 15-06-2013, 07:04 PM

Thanks for all the encouraging comments

Riley already made it through the officer selection process and was offered a place as an army officer, which was his third choice on his original application after RAAF pilot and Army Pilot but after much consideration he turned it down because it is the air that he really wants to be in! Unfortunately for him he was deemed too tall when he sits down to be an army pilot and then he was deemed medically unfit to be a pilot in the ADF due to a misunderstanding about a respiratory issue. To his credit he fought this ruling and after some frustrating bureaucracy he won his appeal and his medical ruling was over turned...he was tenacious, thorough and won! Now his dream has been realised and he will get the chance to show his skills, abilities and temperament and hopefully the Australian Airforce will get a genuine asset, he will make a superb air force officer. He wants t go to ADFA and get a degree too

Mike

rat156 · #15 15-06-2013, 08:12 PM

Hi Mike,

Congrats to Riley.

I hope he hasn't got your build, they'll need to expand the cockpit at about shoulder height!

I look forward to seeing him around the traps, though I don't work with the RAAF much. If he doesn't make it, Army Engineers are the way to go.

Cheers
Stu

LewisM · #16 15-06-2013, 08:17 PM

Mike,

I was an instructor pilot for too many years (around 2500 hours instructional). I worked with a guy who was an instructor with the selection training at Tamworth, and got to know a LOT about their processes.

1. Prior flight experience is not only deemed "appropriate" but is almost ESSENTIAL. Shows keenness to do it on your own bat rather than the "free ride". Seeing he already has a few hours, then great. I would suggest he go do a few hours of aerobatics and unusual attitudes too - he's going to need it! And his flight precision is going to have to be top-notch. Split the zero as we say.

2. The academic/theoretical stuff is daunting - more so than the civilian stuff. I used to have ALL the manuals (copies), but sold them on eBay (for $1!!!!!!!!!). He MUST know the ops manual cover to cover, the flight manual verbatim etc. As well as all the RAAF rank structure, hierarchy, other aircraft data etc etc etc.

3. Interviews - ALWAYS say you want to be a fighter pilot. ALWAYS. If you say you want to be a trash hauler, they instantly think "Airline Pilot wannabe" - i.e using the RAAF as a stepping stone to better pay. I think they are a little more relaxed about it now, but they sure as heck never were before!

I went for the RAAF and Army DEO Pilot scheme back when I was a raw commercial pilot. Got all the way to be offered a place, and declined as I was offered what I thought was a better position (hindsight, where for art thou!).

Best of luck to him!

Hans Tucker (Hans) · #17 15-06-2013, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Thanks for all the encouraging comments

Riley already made it through the officer selection process and was offered a place as an army officer, which was his third choice on his original application after RAAF pilot and Army Pilot but after much consideration he turned it down because it is the air that he really wants to be in! Unfortunately for him he was deemed too tall when he sits down to be an army pilot and then he was deemed medically unfit to be a pilot in the ADF due to a misunderstanding about a respiratory issue. To his credit he fought this ruling and after some frustrating bureaucracy he won his appeal and his medical ruling was over turned...he was tenacious, thorough and won! Now his dream has been realised and he will get the chance to show his skills, abilities and temperament and hopefully the Australian Airforce will get a genuine asset, he will make a superb air force officer. He wants t go to ADFA and get a degree too

Mike

Interesting, I would have thought that being too tall in the torso wouldn't necessarily be a problem for Army Pilots, RAAF yes, but Army

As for respiratory issues, I gather you are possibly talking about Asthma. Thing to note here is that if it isn't documented with your GP and he isn't taking regular medication it is best not to mention it for the reasons you mentioned.

I manage the Hypobaric (Decompression) Chamber for the RAAF at the Institute of Aviation Medicine (AVMED) which, if your son makes a RAAF Pilot, he will no doubt become familiar with as part of his Altitude and Hypoxia training....I could arrange a video to be taken of him succumbing to Oxygen deprivation

strongmanmike (Michael) · #18 16-06-2013, 02:28 AM

Cheers Hans I'll let him know

Mike

Gem (Grant) · #19 16-06-2013, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hans Tucker

Interesting, I would have thought that being too tall in the torso wouldn't necessarily be a problem for Army Pilots, RAAF yes, but Army

Angus Houston is quite tall when you see him in person!

Baddad (Marty) · #20 16-06-2013, 09:19 AM

Hi Mike,

I feel very happy for you. Your son is doing well so far. All the best is what I wish for him.

I already am a proud father. I know what it feels like. My son is a Blackhawk pilot officer. I do hope you will experience the same thing. However even if he does not proceed any further, your son has already done well.

Cheers