Royal Air Force Application Process 2017 - Officer and Aircrew applicants 

Update: Halton was a great experience, made lots of friends and enjoyed my time there.. well.. most of it! Unfortunately WSOp didn’t work out in the end and I’m re-trading to GenTech M. Thank you for all the comments, I will continue to answer them as they come along :D

Your lack of grievance regarding your height disadvantage is commendable

Great video, I can see me watching this again and again over the next few months.

Can you make more videos on the raf because theres barely any people doing raf videos

hope your service is going well your calmness and mental strength about not making pilot is incredible, deserve a fantastic career

What an excellent video. You are clearly a very intelligent and motivated young man.

probably one the best detailed videos about the RAF i am currently transferring from the army to the raf and only have to do 10 days at Halton its taken a while but worth it.

Hey man, this is great. You have really set me up for the RAF.

This is video is very informative and gives a good insight into the process. it’s also admirable how you took the news about your height and just got on with things.

I am very glad I found this video, it is excellent. Got my P2 Presentation tomorrow. Best of luck in your training!

Really helpful video. All that seems to be on RU-vid at the moment are Royal Navy recruitment videos so this is so helpful

Just passed my AST's. This vid has been a big help in revision and prep, thank you.

I’ve still got few years before I sign up for the RAF but this is going to help me out big time so a big thanks for this. :)

Brilliant video, very informative! Wish I had seen this before I did OASC!

I’m about to do my medical for the raf, this video has helped a lot thanks man

This video was incredibly useful, thank you!

Hi (sorry, unaware of your name), very informative video- good job and thanks. Hoping to join myself in the near future. I hope your basic training is going well and you are enjoying yourself (no doubt). Start of a very fulfilling journey! Myfanwy

Great video i havw my P2 presentation in next 2 weeks and this has been really usefull for the commission element.

Just had my formal interview, this helped massively!

Off to my P2 presentation tomorrow. Thanks for making this video! Really helped put my mind at rest about what to expect. Hope your new trade training works out.

Great video. My son is considering the RAF. I will send it to him. Thanks for making it and answering all of the questions.

This is the motivation I needed

Great video very helpfull, good luck for your future RAF career you will have loads of fun.:D

Very helpful! I’m hoping to apply for WSOP, looks great fun as a career! Keep us posted about everything. Very interested to know!

Thanks for this video as someone who is just about to apply this is very informative. Would be great if you made some more of these as RAF vids are quite hard to come by.

Thank you for this video buddy its helped me out a fair bit. I've got my CBAT in the next few days. Just seen your comment below that you're a GTM (TG5?). I hope it's going well for you 👍

Very useful, much appreciated for uploading this

I remember my time in the RAF well. Air Traffic Control officer. Best days of my life. Word of warning........ Take this seriously, dont arse around trying to look cool, they spot idiots a mile off. After that best of luck in your career. It will serve you well if you serve them.

Good job on getting the raf 100 hero saw your vid then saw you on insta so well done mate

This video was very interesting and informative. I'm thinking of maybe joining the RAF when I'm a little older but I'm indecisive and don't have a clue as to what to do in my future after GCSEs.

Wow Sir! Cracking video, thanks for the detailed info! You've helped my prep a lot!

Hope holton went well for you mate, thanks for the guide!

Fair play buddy awesome video with some great insights as to what to expect. Currently waiting for my CBAT, hoping to get in as a WSOp 🤞

Im just about to do my a-levels and am an aspiring Pilot, ive kept coming back to this video for the past two years and i dont doubt this will be the last time. How is your career in the RAF going

Congratulations on your selection. I have applied to the RCAF for a pilot position. I passed my aptitude test, was one of only 2 or 3 people out of 20 from our aircrew selection test that qualified for pilot and have my first interview tomorrow morning. This video was a great help on getting prepared for that and working on answers to odd or difficult questions.

I’ve applied for the pilot role and it’s been about 2 weeks, at the moment I’m just preparing so thanks for some insight on what I need to work on 👌🏾

Once your in the Air Force, you'll have far more good times than bad. When you'll look back in years to come you'll be glad you did. Stick with it.

Super presentation. All the very best. Alan ex RAF

Great video!!

Hey, currently waiting to “come of age” to join up as a pilot. Thanks for this vid was very helpful and a good and well needed insight!

Love the video! Could you make some more informational videos if you get the time please?

One thing I took away OASC is that the interview is only 1/5 of the day, so don't stress too much about it. People on Reddit will have you believe that you don't stand a chance unless you learn the week-by-week breakdown of both your phase 1 and phase 2 training. Well I passed and my detail of the training was just a basic overview of each module and what exercises that would take place during each module. During the interview they just keep grilling you until you say, "I don't know". One lad (who knew the week-by-week breakdown) was asked the day-by-day breakdown. So you get the point. Coincidently, he failed OASC. The interview is as much about testing your knowledge as it is seeing how you deal with the grilling. Just remember, you are NOT competing against one another. If you're at OASC there is a place for you and they think you have potential. OASC is merely your chance to prove it to them. Every person boarded that day can pass. Conversely, none of you can pass. So make sure you let other people take the lead at times, and if someone is being quiet, ask them what they're thinking etc. Not to be arrogant, but meeting people the night before I had already thought to myself about some of them, "you're not going to stand a chance." Then 30 seconds into the group discussion it's immediately obvious who's going to do well and who isn't throughout the day. You either have it, or you don't. Moreover, no single activity will cause you to fail. So if, for example, your command exercise goes to absolute pot (like mine did*), just put it behind you and move on. Remember, they're looking for people they can TRAIN to be officers. They're not looking for polished officers. *Was speaking to an army officer friend in work the day after and he said that the courses/challenges they get you to do for command exercises are actually impossible. So bear that in mind! Makes sense really. They likely need everyone to spend the same time on the exercise to get a fair assessment. If someone completes it in 5 minutes, they can't do that! The point of the exercise isn't to see how well you can solve an obstacle course. It's to see how you go about solving an obstacle course and how you respond to the inevitable failure of your initial plan. Like everything with OASC, it's not the what, it's the how.

Hey, just wanted to say, great video. A real insight into the application process. I, myself will be applying for Pilot (with RAF Police Officer as 2nd choice if things don't go well) in a few years as I have just started university. Sounds like I'll have to do the initial application process just after i start my final year of university. Anyways, hope things go well for you.

Great video of the application process, just arrived at st athan 2 weeks ago. Gen tech e training for next 16 months 😅

Im your 200th subb :)

I know I'm a bit late but can you do a video running down what goes on at the basic training

Great video 👍

Fitzi - sorry to hear WSOp didn't work out, what was the reason, if you don't mind me asking? Great video btw. S

This is great. I'm putting my application in once I am certain I can smash my press ups. Currently training 4 times a week, I think I will have my app in by the end of the month.

Thanks for the info

Just did my CBAT a couple days ago, if anyone was wondering the test is still basically the same as described in the video, my test lasted from 7am to 3:20pm however will change depending on how fast you answer questions. Remember that there are going to be others in the accom block with you who will have already done CBAT for various reasons, they will help you with any questions and will probably give you some hints and tips. 👍

Hiya mate, this is a great video. Really helpful. Applying for pilot myself; sorry to hear about your medical issue. Wish you all the best in your future career!

I found this helpful as I want to go in to the RAF as an officer.

I think a guy I know is at Halton same time as you he’s doing WSOp too... Good luck! Keep us updated how it’s going

I'm applying for the Intelligence Analyst (Linguist), I so hope to god it works out, seen so many people get messed around by Capita !

You want to be a pilot? By pass the RAF, go to the airlines and earn some serious dosh while flying heavy metal. There is a global shortage of commercial pilots. CTC at Bournemouth are a superb organisation that will help with the finance and also job placement when you have a frozen ATPL. Option is, 800 hours a year flying a large aircraft or 250 sitting in the back while someone else flies.

Just curious as to what you know yourself (etc whether you know every part of an aircraft , a levels , history of the RAF and more)

Thanks for this video, I'm doing my filter interview next week at some point which is all recorded answers rather than in person now but I assume the questions are the same. Gonna need to reach hard to find examples of leadership as I haven't had much experience in all honesty. I was self employed previously so haven't had a "real" job, I wonder what kind of impact that'll have on my application

Superb video. Well done. I hope you are enjoying your time in the RAF. Quick query, did you come across any older guys going through the recruitment process. I'm thinking about joining, but at my age I'm at the upper end of the age limit. Again, thanks and well done.

This video is great, I’ve been using it a lot for my prep. Can I ask, where did you find most of your research for your filter interview? Any particular websites you used?

This a very informative video and I appreciate it greatly. Just accepted my CBAT to go to Cranwell on the 12th of October. Do you have any advice on what to revise and how to do it? Like what sites did you use to get experience on the questions that could come up, it would be greatly appreciated. Hope your career is going well in the services

Im thinking about applying . Can you do a video on the 10 week basic training

You can always get your commercial license in the civvy world ……if you really want to do that later !

I literally came back from CBAT today and god was it the hardest thing I have ever done and im 29 haha. But luckily I passed :)

Im still waiting on capitas medical review results, thats been almost 8 months, and the recruiting seargent says that CAPITA hasn't recieved anything from my GP, this is ridiculus waiting!

Love the video man, shall be in touch soon if that’s ok!

Thank you for this great video not many like this please make more as I am wanting to join the raf even tho I’m only going into year nine soon any advice how to get the best involved and into it 🙂🙂

Royal Air Force Aircrew applicants Fitzi LOVE LOUIS SHIRLEY

Just done my prtc, and got my offer of service interview, any tips for that? Or is it literally about the knowledge of the trade your applying for?

In my opinion, I think passing the aptitude test can be a bit challenging, hopefully when I apply for being a pilot I will pass it

Hi! What are the swimming tests like? Not the best swimmer but having 1-1 lessons. Thankyou! X

Do they choose if you go through based on A-levels and GSCEs? Like as in if you’ve got mostly 6s in your GCSEs you have a lower chance? Whereas if you have 8s its better. Also what is included in the aptitude tests?

Just watched your video, (it was great by the way) but I'm going for my CBAT in a month, so what is the best advice you could give me. Thanks.

How long did you have to wait to hear about the PRTC after the PJFT, it's the last step to BRTC, btw im joining up as an ASOp

Hi Sam, thanks for making this video it is really helpful. I'm applying as a pilot but I haven't finished my A-Levels yet. I was wondering what results you got and how important they were for you in the application process?. Obviously the RAF website states the educational requirements but I heard stories of people who got high As or A*s and were quickly accepted for officer roles.

How hard is OASC? I’m not great speaking Infront of people and I was just wondering if anyone else has this problem and still found it doable

Best of luck pal, you seem like a great candidate. I am having a look myself at what kind of preparation I'll need to undertake to deal with each stage of the application, and I have gotten myself worried about showing examples of leadership in my life. How crucial did you find this point and any advice on what might qualify as leadership examples? I am also interested what your previous experience was prior to applying. Thanks in advance.

Great video man, I’ve got my filter interview in 5 days time so doing a lot of prep now and this video was great, I’m struggling to find a clear definition of commissioned vs non-commissioned officer so any help on an answer for that would be much appreciated!

Can u pls make more raf videos and also nice video mate

Thanks for the breakdown, for the 5 UK and Global topics in the filter interview, did you choose which topics were discussed or did you just learn 5 and then they chose which to talk about?

Can I also ask what happened with WsOP as that’s the position I’m transferring too (currently in service)

how tall are you?

The RAF do like you to wear a matching waistcoat in addition to your suit I don't know why. I was accepted for Navigator not Pilot 1979 during "A" Levels at Boarding School so I walked away. I passed all Pilot Exams at the first attempt commercially(including Instrument Rating) but the money was better working in an Oil Refinery as an Oik.

Hi mate, I've done loads of arithmetic, speed distance time, and others, but how to practice angles and bearings? thanks

Good video. Do u know about medical waivers for some cases? Is it possible? For professional qualified people .

Hi what is the maximum age for being a pilot in Royal Air Force? What features should we have?

Is the RAF the same as the AAC if not what are the differences? I would appreciate a reply.

you can go into the RAF as a supply running pilot

If you don’t mind me asking, how come WSOp didn’t work out? It looks very difficult to get into which is worrying me slightly

"you don't need to go into detail....about how many jelly beans you can fit in the back" lol😂😂 good vid too

With the medical, was it any different to the Capita medical? i.e. read the bottom lines for eyes. Sit in a booth and do the hearing test, or was there more thorough tests? Thanks

Alright, petty question I have here but as an aspiring person to join the RAF: do they shave your hair or cut it 'short'? Hehe, thanks for answering if u do (in advance) c:

Hey, not sure if you would see this but I hope you do. First of all, thank you for this detailed video on how the entire recruitment process works. Just out of curiosity, what do you do now? I saw your pinned comment on how WSOP didn’t work out for you, did you switch your trade after that? Or did you decide to leave the RAF completely? I am actually planning on joining the RAF after university as I believe I need more life experience before I join the RAF, alongside university I am also planning on joining the University Air Squadron next year (doing a foundation year for the first year and they don’t allow that). The main role I was really considering was the role of being a pilot and my backups being either a Weapons Systems Operator or a Air Operations (Systems) Officer. Now I know how demanding the pilot role is and how competitive it is, it is probably likely that I won’t get it so I am really preparing to look at all my options. Anyways, I was just wondering, what was the case with wsop that it didn’t end up working out for you? Also, would you know how much officer training differs from NCO training? A response would be greatly appreciated. Once again thanks for making this video.

Do you have any tips to prepare for both the physical fitness and other tests?

Are the tests all about maths and science or are there more?

if you can remember what were the height requirements

If anyone is wanting to apply as either an Engineer or Logistics Officer, you don't have to do the CBAT (aptitude test)

what wouldve you done before to prepare before you entered your interest and went into the training

Is it possible to put your filter interview notes online it would be a great help

Hi Fitzi! I've got my final interview coming up shortly and I was wondering what questions do you get asked? I just want to ensure that I have the correct information!