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RAF Or Royal Navy Pilot?
17
Can anyone help me with the pro's and con's of both please? Thanks a lot
Reply 1
I'm sure both are equally as awarding. If you want FJ there is more chance of getting it in the RAF as there is around 15 FJ sqns and only one Navy FJ sqn at the moment.
Reply 2
Certainly, as it’s a dilemma a number of friends (and myself) have been in.
Firstly, you need to think about whether you are set on joining one service or simply being a pilot in either of the services. Some would say that by not being set on one service bars you as you don’t have the dedication to that particular service, it be RN or RAF, and others would say you don’t show the dedication needed to becoming a pilot if you out rule one service purely as it isn’t the other service (if you get that).
My opinion is that the RAF offer a great deal more variety in the way of aircraft that you could POSSIBLY fly, dependant on your grading, and the whole aim of the RAF is to keep aircraft in the air, so naturally they are totally focused towards this aim. This is not to say that the RN (FAA) are not as professional and focused – far from it, but the RN have many other roles then keeping aircraft flying. This adds to the dilemma that in the RN you may have many more varied roles within the aircraft that you are streamed on – as well as operating in the parts of the world that your ship takes you, rather then being ‘stuck’ in Lincolnshire or where ever.
Also, there is the excitement and added skills required of having to land on a moving ship rather then a strip of tarmac that doesn’t move in the RN. Again, not saying that the skills of the latter are any inferior.
Going back to the ships – you have to think that you will be away from home for many months of the year, so if you wanting to see the family every night after work then maybe the RN isn’t for you, saying this, if you like being ‘out and about’ and seeing the world the possible think against the RAF.
The RAF have just got the Typhoon and will be getting the JSF so this is something to think about, but the RN are getting the new carriers that you would be operating on... BUT, the RAF are 'cutting the fat' and become much smaller, and it appears the RN is going from strenth to strength.
I’m sure people will shoot me down in flames on certain points, but this is my opinion and helped me make my decision. Also, please take what I have said with a pinch of salt as of course you will be sent on Ops in the RAF – seeing the world and not seeing the family.
I think you need to sit down with as much info as you can and then make your choice – and getting opinions from here is a good start.
Remember – if you fail at applying to one service (other then the actually failing the aptitude o medical testing) you can always apply to the other.
Also, I’m sure it will be deemed as hearsay (and probably is) but the RN [apparently] are taking more pilots on…
Cheers.
Firstly, you need to think about whether you are set on joining one service or simply being a pilot in either of the services. Some would say that by not being set on one service bars you as you don’t have the dedication to that particular service, it be RN or RAF, and others would say you don’t show the dedication needed to becoming a pilot if you out rule one service purely as it isn’t the other service (if you get that).
My opinion is that the RAF offer a great deal more variety in the way of aircraft that you could POSSIBLY fly, dependant on your grading, and the whole aim of the RAF is to keep aircraft in the air, so naturally they are totally focused towards this aim. This is not to say that the RN (FAA) are not as professional and focused – far from it, but the RN have many other roles then keeping aircraft flying. This adds to the dilemma that in the RN you may have many more varied roles within the aircraft that you are streamed on – as well as operating in the parts of the world that your ship takes you, rather then being ‘stuck’ in Lincolnshire or where ever.
Also, there is the excitement and added skills required of having to land on a moving ship rather then a strip of tarmac that doesn’t move in the RN. Again, not saying that the skills of the latter are any inferior.
Going back to the ships – you have to think that you will be away from home for many months of the year, so if you wanting to see the family every night after work then maybe the RN isn’t for you, saying this, if you like being ‘out and about’ and seeing the world the possible think against the RAF.
The RAF have just got the Typhoon and will be getting the JSF so this is something to think about, but the RN are getting the new carriers that you would be operating on... BUT, the RAF are 'cutting the fat' and become much smaller, and it appears the RN is going from strenth to strength.
I’m sure people will shoot me down in flames on certain points, but this is my opinion and helped me make my decision. Also, please take what I have said with a pinch of salt as of course you will be sent on Ops in the RAF – seeing the world and not seeing the family.
I think you need to sit down with as much info as you can and then make your choice – and getting opinions from here is a good start.
Remember – if you fail at applying to one service (other then the actually failing the aptitude o medical testing) you can always apply to the other.
Also, I’m sure it will be deemed as hearsay (and probably is) but the RN [apparently] are taking more pilots on…
Cheers.
Reply 3
tom//
OP
17
Thanks to all answers, i appreciate it
Reply 4
I'd wait for a few more replies and do some other research too, also just to add, I believe they are two totally different lifestyles with the common factor of flying stuck in there 
Reply 5
Would you like to be a sea for 6 months at a time or not??!
Reply 6
Sing along:
I wanna take off from a carrier some day before I die
Strap that Viper to a catapult and watch that sucker fly
200 knots in under 2 seconds
That's my kinda fun
Do a barrel roll just after takeoff
Just like in Top Gun
But I don't wanna land
Allow me to explain and you'll understand
'Cause it ain't about the landing
Why would I care?
You never have a crosswind and you never have to flare
You got 4 ****ing wires, how could you miss?
I can't think of anything that's easier than this
But once you're on the deck my friend you'll never be the same
'Cause you're stuck on a boat in the middle of nowhere with five thousand other men
Join the navy? I don't think so
Living on a boat? I don't think so
Hot bunking? I don't think so
Doing night traps? **** that! I don't think so
Sure I thought about the Navy but decided to pass
I love my five star hotels and per diem out the ass
I do all of my fighting well within the shore
Cable TV and cappacinos - that's the way that you fight a war
This spoiled life - it can grow old
When the coffee ain't fresh, the sheets ain't soft and the beer is only somewhat cold
I wanna take off from a carrier some day before I die
Strap that Viper to a catapult and watch that sucker fly
200 knots in under 2 seconds
That's my kinda fun
Do a barrel roll just after takeoff
Just like in Top Gun
But I don't wanna land
Allow me to explain and you'll understand
'Cause it ain't about the landing
Why would I care?
You never have a crosswind and you never have to flare
You got 4 ****ing wires, how could you miss?
I can't think of anything that's easier than this
But once you're on the deck my friend you'll never be the same
'Cause you're stuck on a boat in the middle of nowhere with five thousand other men
Join the navy? I don't think so
Living on a boat? I don't think so
Hot bunking? I don't think so
Doing night traps? **** that! I don't think so
Sure I thought about the Navy but decided to pass
I love my five star hotels and per diem out the ass
I do all of my fighting well within the shore
Cable TV and cappacinos - that's the way that you fight a war
This spoiled life - it can grow old
When the coffee ain't fresh, the sheets ain't soft and the beer is only somewhat cold
Reply 7
In all seriousness though, go and chat to your local AFCO, get yourself on some base visits and chat to the guys who do the job.
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