Pilots and Observers - Age Limit on entry Increased to 34

[WannabeWAFU]

The maximum entry age for Pilot and Observer has been lifted to 34 years old, which seems odd.

Considering the mess that MFTS is in with regards to holds and the drying up of recruitment for Aircrew down to absolute minimums has left me wondering, am I missing something?

How many pilots and observers are the RN looking to recruit next year? Are the numbers large enough to justify an age increase that wouldn’t see somebody hitting the front line until their forties?

WW

 

[alfred_the_great]

Interesting...

 

[WannabeWAFU]

Interesting...

Particularly interesting for somebody who’s 26...

 

[Magic_Mushroom]

When age and other eligibility criteria are changed, it normally suggests that there are insufficient applicants of the relevant standard.

In terms of aircrew, there's a difficult line to be trodden as there is a very clear link between age and success in training; the older, the higher the risk.

For the RAF, age upper age limits are 26 for pilot, 32 for RPAS(Pilot) and 33 for WSO/WSOp. However, our AFCOs particularly target school leavers as they have a statistically higher success rate in flying training and we get a greater return of service from them.

In related news, the Red Arrows have announced their 2 new pilots for next season...

Regards,
MM

 

[alfred_the_great]

When age and other eligibility criteria are changed, it normally suggests that there are insufficient applicants of the relevant standard.

In terms of aircrew, there's a difficult line to be trodden as there is a very clear link between age and success in training; the older, the higher the risk.

For the RAF, age upper age limits are 26 for pilot, 32 for RPAS(Pilot) and 33 for WSO/WSOp. However, our AFCOs particularly target school leavers as they have a statistically higher success rate in flying training and we get a greater return of service from them.

In related news, the Red Arrows have announced their 2 new pilots for next season...

Regards,
MM

Of course, if your flying training system is designed to cater for 18 year olds, then it is unsurprising that they do better in it than 32 year olds.

It's probably a good thing that we are exempt from age related employment discrimination, as im not sure we could prove there was a reason why the flying training system had to be designed that way. Especially given the cluster that is MFTS...

 

[Magic_Mushroom]

Of course, if your flying training system is designed to cater for 18 year olds, then it is unsurprising that they do better in it than 32 year olds.

It's probably a good thing that we are exempt from age related employment discrimination, as im not sure we could prove there was a reason why the flying training system had to be designed that way. Especially given the cluster that is MFTS...

The training system isn't designed for 18 year olds or even the younger end of the recruit demographic. It's just that there is clear statistical evidence which shows that students under the age of 21 have a higher success rate in trg.

But MFTS is undoubtedly a cluster!

Regards,
MM

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

Just to clarify: RN Aircrew max age is 33 years & 364 days upon commencement of training.

 

[jm9.53]

I notice that the Army has upped the age limit for Officer Pilot from 26 (I think) to 28.

Also interesting to see that as of the past week or two applications for Pilot and ATC are no longer being accepted at the moment. Observer still open though...

 

[WannabeWAFU]

I notice that the Army has upped the age limit for Officer Pilot from 26 (I think) to 28.

Also interesting to see that as of the past week or two applications for Pilot and ATC are no longer being accepted at the moment. Observer still open though...

It’s been 28 (and 11 months) for a few years now.

interesting that pilot is now closed though - a blend of MFTS slowdowns and an impending SDSR (How many F35s will we take in the end) I assume.

 

[slim]

The old saying was "You get Old Pilots and Bold Pilots, you don't get Old Bold Pilots"

Guess that may have to be rewritten

 

[Waspie]

The old saying was "You get Old Pilots and Bold Pilots, you don't get Old Bold Pilots"

Guess that may have to be rewritten

No Zimmer frames in my day!

 

[Frusciante]

It's been reduced back to 26, I was in the process and was told yesterday that the branch was now closed for applicants and those over the age of 26 will not have their applications progressed.

 

[Zoidberg]

Does anyone know if there was a DIN or RNTM that came out for this?

 

[Frusciante]

Does anyone know if there was a DIN or RNTM that came out for this?

I'm afraid as a civvy I don't know what those acronyms mean but if it sheds any light I was told...

"I am afraid that a new recruiting instruction has just been issued, The Pilot role has now been closed and those in the process over the age of 26 can no longer have their application processed, you are recommended to look at the following roles which are still open, Officer roles Observer and warfare officer or rating Aircraft Controller..."

"...I can only apologies for the change in recruiting instructions but due to recent influx of candidates Captain Naval Recruiting has reduced the maximum age for certain roles and has closed several officer roles for new applications including Pilot..."

 

[soleil]

It is true that there have been changes on the recruitment front recently.

What I have been told is that a directive has been issued which means that a number of Officer roles are being closed to applications for the next six months.

A further caveat for some of the roles is that the entry age limit has been reduced to 26 for the next 12 months.

The role of Pilot falls into both of the above-mentioned categories: it is now closed to new applicants and the cut-off age limit has now been set at 26.

The situation for the roles affected will be looked at again in 12 months' time.

 

[Knuckles]

It's been reduced back to 26, I was in the process and was told yesterday that the branch was now closed for applicants and those over the age of 26 will not have their applications progressed.

Same situation here. Was an overseas candidate. All officer roles have been shut for 6 months and pilots in particular for 12 months.

The pandemic situation also caused a surge of applicants, particularly a number of ex-airline pilots to apply for the Aircrew Officer Pilot roles.

 

[jm9.53]

I have been checking the Officer Pilot page regularly over the past few months. It seems that applications have opened again in the past few days, but, as stated by others here previously, the age limit has indeed been reduced back to 26.

Disappointing to those who had hoped of applying beyond 26 (myself included), but based on OP's comment at the start of the thread, the increased age limit of 34 ran for about 18 months.

The role of Pilot falls into both of the above-mentioned categories: it is now closed to new applicants and the cut-off age limit has now been set at 26.

The situation for the roles affected will be looked at again in 12 months' time.

And I do not know how things are run internally recruitment-wise, but the 12 month timeframe suggested by Soleil seems to have been reduced, so there may be hope yet of another age limit increase!

Good luck to all those still in the process.

 

[Knuckles]

I have been checking the Officer Pilot page regularly over the past few months. It seems that applications have opened again in the past few days, but, as stated by others here previously, the age limit has indeed been reduced back to 26.

Disappointing to those who had hoped of applying beyond 26 (myself included), but based on OP's comment at the start of the thread, the increased age limit of 34 ran for about 18 months.



And I do not know how things are run internally recruitment-wise, but the 12 month timeframe suggested by Soleil seems to have been reduced, so there may be hope yet of another age limit increase!

Good luck to all those still in the process.

Likewise, was looking into it almost everyday. Started a new application for Aircrew Observer Role, even though my current line of work has me to do flight and system tests. But I figure something better than nothing at all. Best of luck to y'all !!!