Going Aircrew form within the ranks.

[Mad_Hatter]

Whats the proccess of applying for aircrew when your already in the RAF?

Is it the same as civvies, i.e, off the the AFCO for interviews etc?

 

[RAF Bird]

You start off by filling out your PPW up at PSF. You then have to go through the interview process at an AFCO. If all that goes well you will attend OASC. Pretty much the same process as a DE except the going through your PSF bit.

I've pretty much just been through it except the AFCO bit as they were doing a fast track scheme at the time I applied.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Thanks for that, didn't know i needed to go to PSW, whats PPW? not too good with my TLA's

 

[RAF Bird]

Thanks for that, didn't know i needed to go to PSW, whats PPW? not too good with my TLA's

Paperwork mate...........

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Should have guessed DT_Xtremez_42:


What paperwork do you have to fill in. Don't fancy asking PSF, they are a bit useless here and tend to talk down to Junior ranks.

 

[RAF Bird]

Should have guessed DT_Xtremez_42:


What paperwork do you have to fill in. Don't fancy asking PSF, they are a bit useless here and tend to talk down to Junior ranks.

Like everything in the RAF there is loads. If you go to PSF one of the Cpl's in there will be in charge of handling all of these types of applications so you wont be anything new. They will give you all the ppw you need.

Also try giving the NCA liaison team a ring (I take it that it is WSOp you want to go for), they have got loads of good gen and will help you out with your application as much as they can. The FS there is ace and a really helpful guy.

You should also get your teeth into your units commissioning club which will help you out. It is usually run by ex rankers so they know what your about to go through.

Something else I did was arrange myself a week of station visits. I went to Benson/Odiham/Lyneham and basically spent the week flying and chatting to other crewmen about the job, cranditz and throwing lots of questions at them about the whole process in general. Every single person I met was absolutely brilliant and more than willing to sit and answer all of my questions.

There is also a really good leadership course that Lyneham runs. It is a week long and run by Aircrew and Officers so again they have all been through the process so again they have a wealth of knowledge between them and they were all willing to share this knowledge.

If I think of anything else I will let you know.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Cool, Thanks for all your help.

It is WSOp i'd like to go for although i'm looking more at WSOp (acoustic) or (ew) rather than crewman. I'm currently posted at one of the camps you mentioned and feel I wouldn't be happy doing a crewmans job.

Where can I find the number for the liaison team?

I'll have to search out for the commisioning club, sounds like they could be a great help.

Thanks again for your help. How far along your training are you?

 

[vim_fuego]

Recruiting is beginning to pick up in the EW and ACO areas again after a break to allow the MR4 to catch up...

Who cares if the HR people in whatever section talk down to junior ranks...They stand between you and progressing to one of the best jobs in the RAF so whilst remembering the occaisional please and thank you here and there get down there and get what you need...Man up and crack on!

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Hey Vim,

I didn't realise that it was starting to pick up again, thanks for the info.

I was going to man up and go into PSF anyway, was just trying to get a heads up af any specific forms that needed filling out so I had a better chance of getting the info out of them

 

[vim_fuego]

Hey Vim,

I didn't realise that it was starting to pick up again, thanks for the info.

I was going to man up and go into PSF anyway, was just trying to get a heads up af any specific forms that needed filling out so I had a better chance of getting the info out of them

All the ones we had holding on our sqn have been recalled early to start their fist bit of pro training...If I remember I'll ask around on Monday to see how fast the vast training machine for us is spinning up!

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Well thanks for the help. Been into PSF and started the ball rolling, the took photocopies of all my education certificates and are faxing them of to Cranwell this afternoon. Hoping to hear back by the end of the week as to whether i'm qualified enough to be a WSOp.

I'm hoping with 11 GCSE's all c and above, and advanced maths course and 2 NVQ lvl 3's that I will be.

Got the number for the commisioning club on my unit and also been to see the P Ed O who himself has not long been through the process and has offered his help.

 

[RAF Bird]

Well thanks for the help. Been into PSF and started the ball rolling, the took photocopies of all my education certificates and are faxing them of to Cranwell this afternoon. Hoping to hear back by the end of the week as to whether i'm qualified enough to be a WSOp.

I'm hoping with 11 GCSE's all c and above, and advanced maths course and 2 NVQ lvl 3's that I will be.

Got the number for the commisioning club on my unit and also been to see the P Ed O who himself has not long been through the process and has offered his help.

Mate you are more than qualified enough. What you need according to the AP3393 (I think that's right) is 5 GCSE's above C grade which have to include Maths and English. It used to include Science but that changed recently.

I have loads of info which will be useful to you at work. I will PM it to you when I get there tonight or better still if you like to PM me your contact details (work e-mail is prob best as dont know if the links I have work on civvy comps) and I will send you a link I have to lots of really good gen.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

cool thanks, i'm not back in work till wednesday but will pm you then as i don't know my work e-mail off hand.