RAF Pilot

I understand that there are already threads detailing the OASC and various other parts of the application process, but I want to know things that people who have gone through the process, or are in the process, have found helpful.

Overall I am just looking for general advice and if people had found applying at an older age (as apposed to 17.5) to put them in better stead.
Thanks, Dan

Hello everybody,
I am going to be applying to join the RAF as a pilot in the future.

I understand that there are already threads detailing the OASC and various other parts of the application process, but I want to know things that people who have gone through the process, or are in the process, have found helpful.
I attended a Careers interview in July at my local AFCO and want to post on here to obtain as much information as I can. Over the past few months I have been scouring the web for information on this career path, I have books and online material that is similar to the questions and interviews encountered during the application process. I have conducted a fair amount of research into the organisation and the equipment they use, but still need to consolidate this information and also read up more on the current affairs.

To apply for the role you need 2 A-Levels at Grade C and to be aged at least 17.5 years old. I would like to know if anyone has applied for this role at a similar age (as a sixth form leaver) and how the application went.

Overall I am just looking for general advice and if people had found applying at an older age (as apposed to 17.5) to put them in better stead.
Thanks, Dan

I recently had aptitude testing at cranwell. There were quite a few school leavers going for pilot there, but of the relatively small number I spoke to afterwards, none passed. I don't know if this had anything to do with their age.

It might be worth getting a degree or working for a few years before applying. This will give the opportunity to develop relevant skills. As you probably well know, competition is intense for a few places. At 17.5 it's unlikely that you'll be able to compete in terms of life experience against the slightly older candidates. Not to say it can't be done, just realistically speaking.

Note I can't really qualify the above, it's just my experience from speaking to candidates at aptitude and oasc. Some of the people on here are in a better place to answer.

A surprising amount of pilots on my IOT are straight out of a-levels.

My advice would be to continue your application for pilot, see if you pass CBAT. Then use university as a backup

Thank you, this was the kind of info I was looking for, but not quite the answers I was hoping to get. I think I will try the Aptitude tests and see how I do, if I fail, take some time to either go to university or work as you suggested.

A surprising amount of pilots on my IOT are straight out of a-levels.

My advice would be to continue your application for pilot, see if you pass CBAT. Then use university as a backup

Completely agree with this advice, the RAF like pilots younger as you're aptitude is in theory higher and you can adapt and learn better


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Hello everybody,
I am going to be applying to join the RAF as a pilot in the future.

I understand that there are already threads detailing the OASC and various other parts of the application process, but I want to know things that people who have gone through the process, or are in the process, have found helpful.
I attended a Careers interview in July at my local AFCO and want to post on here to obtain as much information as I can. Over the past few months I have been scouring the web for information on this career path, I have books and online material that is similar to the questions and interviews encountered during the application process. I have conducted a fair amount of research into the organisation and the equipment they use, but still need to consolidate this information and also read up more on the current affairs.

To apply for the role you need 2 A-Levels at Grade C and to be aged at least 17.5 years old. I would like to know if anyone has applied for this role at a similar age (as a sixth form leaver) and how the application went.

Overall I am just looking for general advice and if people had found applying at an older age (as apposed to 17.5) to put them in better stead.
Thanks, Dan

However they also want officers with maturity. I think if you surveyed all the pilots who've entered in the past 5 years you'd find the majority, probably the vast majority, are graduates.

Hi,
I am just about to book in a date for my CBAT and I am just wondering if this just the test stage or will I have my interview then too?

The first visit to Cranwell is just for the testing stage. If you pass CBAT you will be invited to a Selection interview at your AFCO. Pass that, then you will have a medical with CAPITA as close to your home as possible. Then... you go back to Cranwell for the exercise phase of OASC! I'm currently at the medical stage. Best of luck to you!

Thanks that was really helpful, best of luck to you too!

Glad to be of help! Make sure you do attempt all questions in the SDT sticky. I failed my first CBAT attempt, but improved by 53 marks at my second attempt a year and a half later! I put it down to that sticky!

53 marks is an impressive jump. Well done on putting the work in.