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RAF WSOp Training

Hi all,

Just looking for anyone to shed some light on training for WSOp's post NCACITC. Does anyone know what times of the year the generic WSOP course runs at 45 sqn, Cranwell?

Cheers

Reply 1

Ikaruss

I’ll try and find out for you. I was at the footy with a Cranwell instructor at the weekend.

Reply 2

hunt1124

I appreciate that, thank you!

Reply 3

Ikaruss

Hi, apparently the old WSOp generic course no longer exists. All WSOp students do the 5 week Military Aircrew Ground School at Cranwell, together with student pilots. Courses run continuously. After ground school, students split to their specialist training courses.

Hope that helps, and good luck with your career.

Reply 4

hunt1124

Thanks for finding that for me! Wanted to see if you get any time off after NCACITC or go on a hold etc

Cheers!

Reply 5

Drewski

Original post by hunt1124

Thanks for finding that for me! Wanted to see if you get any time off after NCACITC or go on a hold etc

Cheers!

It'll be designed to run straight into it.

Reply 6

hunt1124

Original post by Drewski

It'll be designed to run straight into it.

Okay great, thanks. Thats good to know! So I assume most guys wait till after streaming to find time for a break? My family live in America so working out at what point I can at least go spend 10 days out there.

Cheers

Reply 7

Ikaruss

Welcome to life in the military! When I drove out of my camp gates for the last time (after 30+ years), I felt many emotions, including the realisation that a very happy chapter of my life had ended. Also that it had taken a very heavy toll on relationships(family and friends) as the life is strongly biased towards your career.

However, on the plus side, I realised I had just got my personal life back and there would be no more lastminute.com for me and my family. It's a wonderful feeling to know you can plan things months (or years) in advance, knowing that, barring any disasters, those plans will come to fruition.

In the RAF, I'm afraid you'll just have to accept that, no matter how hard you try and plan your private life, the RAF will always come first. Get to learn the best insurance policies with cancellation clauses, as you'll need them!

In your immediate case, during training, there may be windows of holiday opportunities that open up. Also during your front line career. Learn to take those opportunities, and don't get too bitter that operational imperatives prevent you from attending that gig you had booked up months before!

But enjoy your career. There are many benefits too 😀

Reply 8

Sixtoes

It’s designed to be straight through however currently it really isn’t.
For WSOps you’re looking at a hold post halton, post itc, post mags and post specific (phase 2 as we call it). The length of said holds depends on your stream.

Reply 9

hunt1124

Yeah, I thought that could be the case - got mates who are going through the pilot route and on a big hold, just wasn't sure if wsop also experienced that too. My only questions with those potential holds are, can you find out how the courses line up? or do you literally get told on your last day or a certain section, that you have to hold for a bit?

Reply 10

Sixtoes

Original post by hunt1124

Luckily our life is nowhere near as bad as the pilots. You can find stuff out if you pester various people in charge of your future. You’ll often find that dates are given as “provisional” and they will remain that way until you start the course. I must add this is post ITC. Good luck getting any information about your future on that course.

Reply 11

hunt1124

Original post by Sixtoes

Cheers, apprecitae it.

Reply 12

BareFacedLoady

Original post by hunt1124

If you you've your initiative and look in the right places you can find out how long you're likely to be holding...we did! Upon completion of NCACITC you are given an estimated holding time based on the training timeline at that moment.

Post Halton, you're not told anything. I'd suggest if you are unfortunate enough to have to wait around for an NCACITC course, get yourself away from Halton and a hold at a flying base/somewhere you find interesting.

I had a decent hold post-Halton for about 3 months, and an enjoyable hold post-NCACITC for about 6 months.