Queries on joining the air corps

alexlyons

While they are not recruiting at the minute, I still have a few queries regarding joining the air corps.

Take it that the primary goal is to serve as a helicopter pilot in the air corp, and said applicant already has his PPL(H) with about 70 hours logged.

1. If they were to apply to join, would the PPL(H) benefit them against other candidates?

2. do all new recruits go through basic training and general duties for a set time and later specify (eg pilot instead of maintenance) or is it specific from the outset. If the former, what is involved and how long does it take?

3. There are commissioned and non-commission ranks. what are the differences (less combat etc etc) between them, and how would it be decided that you are a commissioned or non commissioned recruit?

4. how often do they recruit?

5. any other information?

Thanks in advance

punchdrunk

alexlyons wrote: »

While they are not recruiting at the minute, I still have a few queries regarding joining the air corps.

Take it that the primary goal is to serve as a helicopter pilot in the air corp, and said applicant already has his PPL(H) with about 70 hours logged.

1. If they were to apply to join, would the PPL(H) benefit them against other candidates?

2. do all new recruits go through basic training and general duties for a set time and later specify (eg pilot instead of maintenance) or is it specific from the outset. If the former, what is involved and how long does it take?

3. There are commissioned and non-commission ranks. what are the differences (less combat etc etc) between them, and how would it be decided that you are a commissioned or non commissioned recruit?

4. how often do they recruit?

5. any other information?

Thanks in advance

hi Alex,to fly in the IAC you have to join as an officer entrant
no non-commissioned personnel are Pilots

if you join as an officer you will first,be sent to the Curragh like any other officer cadet where you will learn to march,shoot,read maps,command a platoon assault,and probably about which fork you use with each course in the officers mess :pac:
after basic officer training you will then go to baldonnel and learn the basics of flight

I don't think your PPL (H) will have much impact as they will want to teach you "their rules,their way" but it could show an aptitude for flying ability
and that your a driven person which may impress the interviewer and give you an edge over other potential candidates being interviewed

but make no mistake you will start in Baldonnel flying fixed wing with ZERO hours to your name

punchdrunk

here's a link

http://military.ie/careers/booklets/Final%20Cadet%20Booklet%20(Aug%202010).pdf

alexlyons

Cheers.

Roughly how long does that "Basic Training" take? Is it essentially "boot camp" with all that sh*te you see about really long runs at ridiculous hours of the day or night with people barking at you???

and why do they start everyone on fixed wing???

I've downloaded that pdf, will read it on the bus. thanks again.

punchdrunk

the last class took 39 months to be commissioned,with the first 10 months spent in the curragh

punchdrunk

alexlyons wrote: »

and why do they start everyone on fixed wing???

for when they leave the air corps and go civvy

OS119

alexlyons wrote: »

Cheers.

Roughly how long does that "Basic Training" take? Is it essentially "boot camp" with all that sh*te you see about really long runs at ridiculous hours of the day or night with people barking at you???...

yes, you have to do that.

laughable as it may be to anyone who has any knowledge of the AC, but you are being commissioned as an officer in the DF - you are being made a leader of men who you may command in the most arduous, dangerous and demanding situations and you may be required to take calculated risks with their lives.

the 'shite' is the important bit, the flying is a short term day job.

sorry mate, but your attitude suggests that you'd be far better suited to civil flying than military flying.