[rleungz]

(Original post by amsking)
What kind of interesting stories?

Getting paid to go skiing twice in one year? [once in Austria, once in Norway]
Having the Queen in our line book?
Beating Yorkshire and Liverpool UAS' three consecutive years in the Reid Trophy?
Having friends go to Cyprus, the Falklands, the US...
Having muppety ATC cdts salute you on a base?
Flights of Opportunity in Squirrels, Merlins, Pumas, Chinooks, Nimrods...

Quite a bit goes on

Just sounds can't wait!

[rleungz]

Hey.

Right I've finally finished college now and waiting for Newcastle University.

Went to a recent Base visit to Linton-on-Ouse and met *name removed*, and he conducts some interviews with candidates for the NUAS. So, I hope I get him for my intial interview.

Anyway, has anyone had him interviewing you?

Ric

[Lady Venom]

Please remove his name.

[rleungz]

(Original post by Lady Venom)
Please remove his name.

Oh sorry didn't mean to do that!

[Q_M]

lol oh dear

[Chris the Mathematician!]

4 weeks since the last post!

Well ill bring it back to life.

Im 17 now, i have just finished my 1st year of college and i am looking at universities, York in particular.
Obviously i do want to join the UAS as it sounds bloody spectacular...

Just i dont think this has been answered yet, as i have read the whole thread..

Personally i want to be a pilot, whether this be in the RAF or in the real world.
Obviously the UAS is an extremely good looking prospect, yet say if i got to the end of a maths degree and then ditched the whole RAF thing and went another way, what would happen?
I know this is a -ve approach however it could happen.
Would you be left with money to pay back to the RAF or would you just be left to go off in your own direction?

Thanks in advance!

[threeportdrift]

The UAS is 'just' a club you join at university, if you don't join the RAF afterwards it's the same as being in the ultimate frisbee club and then not becoming a professional frisbeeer - no-one minds at all.

Obviously because of the uniform, the time and training invested in UAS cadets, they try and recruit people that will stay in the UAS, but they really aren't trying to recruit every single UAS cadet into the RAF.

The only time you would have money to pay back was if you were a bursar (ie sponsored) and then decided you wanted out.

[Chris the Mathematician!]

Wow, the only reason i ask is because it does sound to good to be true.
When i do go off to university i will certainly joining, its an opportunity not to be missed.

And if i do decide to join the RAF at the end of university, i assume it will kind of be a "fast track" into a job compared to just entering from scratch!

[Lady Venom]

(Original post by Chris the Mathematician!)
Wow, the only reason i ask is because it does sound to good to be true.
When i do go off to university i will certainly joining, its an opportunity not to be missed.

Read the whole thread - there is selection, it's like a club but you have to be selected....

And if i do decide to join the RAF at the end of university, i assume it will kind of be a "fast track" into a job compared to just entering from scratch!

Again, you have to go through the rigours of selection with the only bit missed out being the filter interview - which isn't much TBH. You will be in the same boat as everyone else, except your filter was to get you onto the UAS.

[Chris the Mathematician!]

Thanks, and i have read the whole thread, and i have found it very interesting!

And yes, i have read about the selection, i think ill need some good luck when it comes to that time!
:P

[Drewski]

All you need do is prepare. It's really not that hard to get on a UAS.

People came through into my old sqn with no prior knowledge of the RAF, of the UAS or of flying, but liked the sound of it. They went away, did a bit of research and got in.

[Lady Venom]

(Original post by Drewski)
All you need do is prepare. It's really not that hard to get on a UAS.

People came through into my old sqn with no prior knowledge of the RAF, of the UAS or of flying, but liked the sound of it. They went away, did a bit of research and got in.

Depends on the Sqn and the quota they have to fill.

[Drewski]

(Original post by Lady Venom)
Depends on the Sqn and the quota they have to fill.

Of course, obviously.

But we were one of the smallest sqns [55 studes] and the intakes varied from being at most 27 to at least 19 every year. Somewhere like ULAS, with more than double the overrall number would have even more space.

The people with no preconceptions about RAF life [ie, non-ATC cdts] fitted in just as well as those with an idea of 'what to do'.

[Lady Venom]

(Original post by Drewski)
Of course, obviously.

But we were one of the smallest sqns [55 studes] and the intakes varied from being at most 27 to at least 19 every year. Somewhere like ULAS, with more than double the overrall number would have even more space.

The people with no preconceptions about RAF life [ie, non-ATC cdts] fitted in just as well as those with an idea of 'what to do'.

We were and are still smaller than you And there's one more Sqn that is smaller than you as well. ULAS is like some super UAS.

[Drewski]

(Original post by Lady Venom)
We were and are still smaller than you And there's one more Sqn that is smaller than you as well. ULAS is like some super UAS.

Hence saying "one of"


And yes, ULAS are just silly.

[Lady Venom]

(Original post by Drewski)
Hence saying "one of"


And yes, ULAS are just silly.

LOL. I was just making the point. Our 1st year intake was never bigger than 20.

[Drewski]

(Original post by Lady Venom)
LOL. I was just making the point. Our 1st year intake was never bigger than 20.

My intake was 29 - dunno what the boss had done the year before!

Year after was 19 and I think the most recent year was 22. Looking at about 22 again, I think for September.

Which were/are you?

[supersaints12]

HI all, this is my first post and looking at this thread, I can see that it is very useful reading regarding joining a UAS and also the RAF in later years...

I have a few questions regarding my eligibility to join, and the application process, which I would be greatful for some information on. I am studying at the University of Cumbria (Lancaster campus), and am coming into my third and final year in September. I understand that my university itself is ok and covered by a UAS (Liverpool UAS) as the degree is accredited by the University of Lancaster, but I am slightly worried as I only have 1 year of study remaining... I have looked at all the UAS websites, and find that the eligibility differs from '2 years of degree remaining' to '3 terms remaining before graduation' to '5 terms remaining before graduation'. Looking at the LUAS website, it seems out of date, I am wanting to know if the restrictions are the same for all UAS's, or differ between each other? And so are the websites all in need of updating? I have spoken to LUAS on the phone, and I apparently need to speak to a more senior member of the Squadron, but am hoping someone on this website can help???? So if anyone has information on this, or LUAS specifically, I would be very greatful....

Thanks a lot!!!

[Drewski]

The general rule is that unless you are in your first or second year - you can't join. This is done purely because of the amount of time it takes to get you as a new student involved.

Occasionally, however, a sqn may be able to make an exception.

What it would be better to do is ring up the sqn and ask to speak to their Adjutant. Don't bother with the senior students - they don't get that much of a say in who they can or can't recruit [and I know more than a few of them... can be a bit blunt]. The Adj will know what their recruitment target is for the year after and will give you a much more accurate indication of whether or not you'd be likely to get in.

But remember, if you *do* get in, the guys across the road are better

[supersaints12]

Thanks for that answer, you're spot on about the senior students answering bit, phone calls are tending to be very blunt and very short, leaving my questions unanswered propperly. I can understand about the sheer time problem, but my degree (Sport and Exercise Science) involves a large amount of ''free'' time, where lectures and seminars are only a couple of days a week, so heres hoping that the UAS can make an exeption for me, as I will be able to put a lot of hours in where I'm allowed to.

It's only been in the last few months that I've seriously seriously wanted a career in the RAF, so I'm hoping that this won't prove to be a disadvantage when I come to get interviewed?? This being the reason why I've only really looked into joining a UAS...

Haha, it's good to see the banter between the different squadrons, us merseyside/lancashire boys will 100% be the best this year... lol