Becoming a Military Pilot
Your role as a military pilot can be as varied and exciting as the aircraft you might fly. Once you have completed the demands of Elementary Flying Training (EFT), you will be selected to enter either the fast jet, multi-engine or helicopter training streams. If successful during various specialist Flying Training Schools (FTS) and on completion of an Operational Conversion Unit (OCU), you will become a qualified operational front-line pilot.The Army Air Corps (AAC), The Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm (FAA) and The Royal Air Force (RAF) represent the three military pilot branches and each have specific requirements and aircraft operations. Although the armed forces incur the financial cost of training you to become a pilot, it is important to note that you may not end up flying your desired choice of aircraft. Military pilots are also expected to undertake a variety of ground-based duties in addition to their flying role.The RAF pathway accounts for the armed forces pilot majority and will be focused on from this point forward in order to showcase all three military aircraft training streams.
Requirements and Qualifications
There are a number of requirements to bear in mind, including having five GCSEs (including English and Maths) and at least two A-Levels at Grade C or above. You also commit to being a part of the service for a certain amount of time, such as 12 years, if you join the RAF. There are also upper age limits, which change on occasion (currently 23 for the RAF and 26 for the Royal Navy).All applicants must pass an occupational health assessment in order to ensure that you are medically fit for military duty. Your medical assessment will also look for any issues that could have an impact on your ability to carry out your specialist role during your military career.Medical standards for entry into the military are imposed by law, so they must test all potential recruits. The health assessment includes hearing and eyesight tests; they will also investigate any illnesses you may have suffered in the past.As part of the selection process, and in addition to a medical examination, you will be required to undertake a Selection Fitness Test (SFT) in the form of a gender and age factored health based test in order to demonstrate your physical preparedness to enter Initial Training. Candidates will be required to achieve SFT standard for their age and gender through a combination of tests involving a 2.4 km treadmill run, press ups and sit ups.
Pilot Selection Process
All successful RAF applicants will be required to make several visits to the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre (OASC) at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. There you will undertake a battery of aptitude tests using a computer that will measure your ability to perform specific tasks relating to the role of pilot. These tasks will assess:- How well you respond physically to visual information
- Your ability to interpret information in two dimensions and devise a three-dimensional solution
- Your ability to complete several tasks simultaneously
- Deductive reasoning
- Spatial reasoning
- Work rate and concentration
- Verbal and numerical reasoning
Interview Process
In most cases, your first interview will have already taken place at your local Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO). It is strongly recommended to dress smartly and bring along your CV, details of any qualifications you may have and jobs you have held so far. The topic they are likely to cover are:Your family: the interests you share and what responsibilities you have at home.Your education: what subjects you studied and where, and which ones you were most interested in.Your work: any jobs you have done, including voluntary, seasonal or part-time work. If you have undertaken any work experience placements also.Your leisure time: your special interests and hobbies; what you do in your free time. This might include out-of-school activities, or membership of clubs or societies.Your interest in the RAF: Why you want to join the RAF and why you're interested in the career you've applied for. They will want to know about any contact you may have had with the Armed Forces, and discuss what you already know about the training and lifestyle. You'll only be expected to know things that are generally available to the public or that can be found in careers booklets, films or on the internet.
- Confidence and resilience
- Communications
- Influence
- Teamwork
- Motivation
- Awareness
Leadership Exercises
RAF applicants who have successfully passed the pilot selection process will be invited to RAF College Cranwell to begin Modular Initial Officer Training (MIOT) and prepare you for life as a military leader. The transformation from civilian to RAF officer is challenging, however you will already have proven during OASC that you have the potential to succeed. Your training will be delivered by experienced RAF personnel and will challenge you both intellectually and physically. Officer training is recognised by civilian institutions and graduates may apply for a Level 5 Diploma from the Institute of Leadership and Management.MIOT is made up of three terms, each lasting 6 weeks. At the end of each term your performance will be reviewed and you'll be given feedback, as well as advice for the next stage. The course is modular and candidates with prior RAF service, non-commissioned or University Air Squadron (UAS), start part way through. The course structure evolves regularly and applicants should familiarise themselves with the most up to date details on the RAF Careers website.
Initial Officer Training
After completing Modular Initial Officer Training (MIOT) at RAF College Cranwell, pilot training begins with Elementary Flying Training (EFT) at No 3 Flying Training School (3FTS). EFT is conducted at 57(R) Sqn based at RAFC Cranwell and all elementary flying will be carried out in the single-engine Grob 120TP (Prefect), supplied and maintained under the UK Military Flying Training System (UK MFTS).Initially, student pilots are taught subjects such as the principles of flight, aircraft technical and meteorology during a ground-school phase. They are then taught essential flying skills such as taking off and landing, followed by more advanced skills such as instrument flying (which allows them to fly in cloud), aerobatics (which accustom them to flying an aircraft to its limits), formation flying and navigation.Upon graduation from EFT new pilots are streamed to fast jet, multi-engine or rotary training.Flying Training
After completing Modular Initial Officer Training (MIOT) at RAF College Cranwell, pilot training begins with Elementary Flying Training (EFT) at No 3 Flying Training School (3FTS). EFT is conducted at 57(R) Sqn based at RAFC Cranwell andInitially, student pilots are taught subjects such as the principles of flight, aircraft technical and meteorology during a ground-school phase. They are then taught essential flying skills such as taking off and landing, followed by more advanced skills such as instrument flying (which allows them to fly in cloud), aerobatics (which accustom them to flying an aircraft to its limits), formation flying and navigation.Upon graduation from EFT new pilots are streamed to fast jet, multi-engine or rotary training.
Fast Jet
Pilots streamed for Basic Fast Jet Training (BFJT) move to 72(R) Squadron at RAF Valley, Anglesey. There you will convert to the T6 Texan II (Texan T1) aircraft and complete BFJT.Those who pass the course progress to No 4 Flying Training School (4FTS) at RAF Valley, Anglesey, where they undertake advanced and weapons training on the Hawk T2 with XXV(F) Squadron and IV(R) Squadron. Those who pass the course progress to operational conversion units on front-line aircraft types, such as the Typhoon and F35.Multi-Engine
Those pilots streamed for multi-engine training remain at 3FTS to complete the Multi-Engine Lead-In (MELIN) preparatory course, introducing students to Multi-Crew Cooperation. Post course completion, pilots then move on to No 45(R) Squadron at RAFC Cranwell, flying the Embraer Phenom for Multi-Engine Advanced Flying Training (MEAFT).Those who pass the course progress to Operational Conversion Units (OCU) on front-line aircraft types, such as the C-17, Hercules, Sentinel, Rivet Joint, A400M, P8 Poseidon and Voyager AAR aircraft.Rotary
Pilots streamed for Rotary Training will be posted to the Defence Helicopter Flying school (DHFS) at RAF Shawbury, Shropshire. Students carry out their academic training on the Ground Training School before starting rotary-wing pilot training on the Airbus Helicopter H135 (Juno) and H145 (Jupiter) operated under the UKMFTS contract.Those who pass the course progress to operational conversion units on front-line aircraft types, such as the Chinook and Puma in a variety of Operational roles.
Pay and Conditions
When you join the RAF, you will usually be asked to join for twelve years, however you may be able to join for longer depending upon the requirements of the RAF. Many people extend their career in the RAF well beyond the number of years they join for initially. If you discover that the RAF really isn’t for you, it is possible to make arrangements to leave earlier than your initial commitment, however you will be required to fulfil any return-of-service obligations.The RAF pays for your pension and associated healthcare as well as your duty travel. While on operations, you will not pay anything for your accommodation or food – and you could even receive an additional allowance for living overseas. The RAF expect a lot from you on operations, however in return you will receive six weeks’ paid holiday a year, plus public holidays.There is also an excellent non-contributory pension scheme, based around career average earnings. Armed Forces salaries are constantly under review and the latest details are available online, published by the Armed Forces Pay Review Board (AFPRB). Aircrew Remuneration remains a regular topic of discussion and RAF Pilots are eligible for pay and incentives according to qualifications attained and committing to extended service.With time, you will have opportunities to earn promotion through the ranks. Some promotions early in your career might be based on your time and satisfactory service. However, as you progress, promotion will be based on merit in competition with your peers and whether you are deemed suitable to take on the extra responsibility given to more senior ranks.FAQs
There are multiple elements involved in Aircrew selection (CBAT; Filter Interview; general Medical; Fitness Test; OASC full Board and Specialist Aircrew Medical); the time taken to complete this process is dependent on a number of factors including Service Need, candidate availability and whether any issues are encountered at each stage. Aircrew candidates are typically informed that their application has been successful about 4 months before start of Modular Initial Officer Training (MIOT) to allow them to make the necessary administrative and personal arrangements. Post the 24 week MIOT course then Aircrew will begin their pre- employment training (PET) for Phase 2 Flying Training – this includes RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine (centrifuge, practical exercises and lectures), Survival Training, Human Factors & Crew Resource Management and Military Aviation Ground School (MAGS). Normally, flying training will commence well within 12 months of passing through MIOT unless changes to strategic plans create disruption to role disposal plans (ie. reduction, procurement or cessation of aircraft types).
