The Student Room Group

RAF Pilot role advice

Hi, my name is Dan. I have only just turned 19 and I’m looking for any suggestions/advice on what I could do to give myself the best possible chance of getting through the application phase and hopefully being picked. A bit of context: I have gone for a pilot role and got all the way up to the medical where I had to wait for a doctor’s note due to an accident I previously had which led me to put my application on hold for the time being as I am planning to acquire a work visa to get experience in another country whilst I have the opportunity. I am most likely going to restart my application once I come off my trip and I understand the prep for the CBAT and the initial officer filter interview but am wondering if anybody has any suggestions on what experience I can put myself in to give myself the best possible chance of standing out.

I have:
*45 days of work experience in a construction managerial setting with my local council,
*7 days with a self-employed laborer,
*Part of a charity group and have done numerous events,
* Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award,
* T-level merit in design surveying and planning for constructions (project management),
*Completed a charity walk that I set up myself and led numerous people,
*3 years of being a sales assistant,
* Active hobbies like fishing, wild camping, and hiking,
*Part of a 5-a-side team.

I have briefly been at the air cadets (for two months). However, due to circumstances with my parents, I wasn't able to consistently be there when I was younger and I am unsure if it will have a big impact.

I would greatly appreciate it if anybody had any suggestions on what I could do to give myself improvement and experience.

Many thanks.
Original post by Dan-Williams
Hi, my name is Dan. I have only just turned 19 and I’m looking for any suggestions/advice on what I could do to give myself the best possible chance of getting through the application phase and hopefully being picked. A bit of context: I have gone for a pilot role and got all the way up to the medical where I had to wait for a doctor’s note due to an accident I previously had which led me to put my application on hold for the time being as I am planning to acquire a work visa to get experience in another country whilst I have the opportunity. I am most likely going to restart my application once I come off my trip and I understand the prep for the CBAT and the initial officer filter interview but am wondering if anybody has any suggestions on what experience I can put myself in to give myself the best possible chance of standing out.
I have:
*45 days of work experience in a construction managerial setting with my local council,
*7 days with a self-employed laborer,
*Part of a charity group and have done numerous events,
* Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award,
* T-level merit in design surveying and planning for constructions (project management),
*Completed a charity walk that I set up myself and led numerous people,
*3 years of being a sales assistant,
* Active hobbies like fishing, wild camping, and hiking,
*Part of a 5-a-side team.
I have briefly been at the air cadets (for two months). However, due to circumstances with my parents, I wasn't able to consistently be there when I was younger and I am unsure if it will have a big impact.
I would greatly appreciate it if anybody had any suggestions on what I could do to give myself improvement and experience.
Many thanks.

Hello,

This sounds like a really great opportunity to join the RAF as a pilot! First of all, I was an Air Cadet for a number of years and when I was there they always made it clear that they do not train cadets to enter the RAF, the two organisations are similar but different. Plus, from our other experiences such as D of E, Charity Walks, Wild Camping and so on, many of these are the kind of things you may have had the opportunity to participate in at the Air Cadets anyway and all of these will equip you with nearly all the skills you would have developed from the Air Cadets. Therefore, when applying mention all these things and the transferable skills you have developed from them.

The only other bit of good advice I can think of is to stay fit in order to increase your chances of success. I wish you the very best of luck with your application. If you have any questions at all please do let me know.

Charlie
Law LLB Student
Original post by username7451464
Hi, my name is Dan. I have only just turned 19 and I’m looking for any suggestions/advice on what I could do to give myself the best possible chance of getting through the application phase and hopefully being picked. A bit of context: I have gone for a pilot role and got all the way up to the medical where I had to wait for a doctor’s note due to an accident I previously had which led me to put my application on hold for the time being as I am planning to acquire a work visa to get experience in another country whilst I have the opportunity. I am most likely going to restart my application once I come off my trip and I understand the prep for the CBAT and the initial officer filter interview but am wondering if anybody has any suggestions on what experience I can put myself in to give myself the best possible chance of standing out.
I have:
*45 days of work experience in a construction managerial setting with my local council,
*7 days with a self-employed laborer,
*Part of a charity group and have done numerous events,
* Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award,
* T-level merit in design surveying and planning for constructions (project management),
*Completed a charity walk that I set up myself and led numerous people,
*3 years of being a sales assistant,
* Active hobbies like fishing, wild camping, and hiking,
*Part of a 5-a-side team.
I have briefly been at the air cadets (for two months). However, due to circumstances with my parents, I wasn't able to consistently be there when I was younger and I am unsure if it will have a big impact.
I would greatly appreciate it if anybody had any suggestions on what I could do to give myself improvement and experience.
Many thanks.

What's the status of your application? It won't be held open if you aren't planning to continue it at this stage, so you will be starting again.

First thing is to check with your AFCO about Residency rules and how a trip abroad may affect your application and what, if any, documents you will need to provide to cover this period if you do travel. The RAF Recruitment website says:

"RESIDENCY
Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 10 years immediately preceding your application, but candidates with a minimum of 7 years may be considered.
If you have resided abroad for a period due to work or study, you may still be eligible on a case by case basis."


As above, it doesnt matter about Cadets; people join up who have never done uniformed organisations. Your list includes activities which show commitment and that you seek opportunities. They are all good to include, but the emphasis is on candidates that show 'leadership potential', ie taking an active role rather than just taking part and having responsibility for organising, managing, mentoring, cash-handling, security duties for buildings; the charity walk is a prime example.

Ex-RAF Recruitment Officer.
(edited 1 month ago)

Quick Reply