Messages

1

Air Corps Careers / Cadetships 2004

« on: March 24, 2004, 12:52:09 pm »

Fair play Alpha. Apologies for any mis-understandings. It's great to hear you have been the source of helpful advice to other members of the board. It's so refreshing to visit a site such as this, that is not embroiled in a torrent of bitching and begrudgery. The only reason I made my previous posting was that I felt your postings in relation to poor instruction may have been somewhat unjustified and I feared they may taint the views of an enthusiastic person like Ronan with ambitions of joining the Air Corps. Far too many times I have seen 'young guys' being put-off by idiots with their cynical advice and views. It is great to see people using the board as a means of enhancing their knowledge and as a source of advice. It would be a shame to see it go bitchy and begrudging. Anyway, keep up the good work Alpha. Who knows, we might get to meet on the flight deck sometime in the future.  '>

2

Air Corps Careers / Cadetships 2004

« on: March 23, 2004, 07:33:25 pm »

Hey Alpha,

I've been watching your postings over the last few months and if you don't mind, I'd like to make a few observations. In general your postings are constructive, but there are quite a  few postings (especially related to Cadetships) which seem to be quite bitter and twisted towards the Air Corps. You have openly admitted that you did not pass the Wings Course and were discharged from the Air Corps, but to blame this on 'poor instruction' as you call it is somewhat naieve. There are certain standards which must be achieved within a certain time scale and if you were not up to those standards then that is unfortunate. I too went through a cadetship (airline type) some years ago. A number of people did not 'make the grade' and were discharged from the course. The fact that a person does not make the standard required is by no means a reflection on the standard of instruction given. The fact is, anyone can learn to be a competent pilot. The matter at hand is how long that takes. Airlines and the Air Corps do not have the time to give specialist treatment to a weaker member of a course and in most cases (following a certain amount of extra tuition and check flights with other instructors) may have to be let go. That has, and always will be the way (especially when you are not paying for the flying yourself!)
The individual called 'Ronan' on this board is looking for constructive advice and not the opinion of someone who obviously bears a grudge for failing. I'm sure there were other people on your course who qualified? Didn't they have the same instructors as you did?

Anyway, Ronan, I tried for the Air Corps many years ago but did not pass the aptitude tests. I wish you the best of luck in the selection process should you continue. If I were young enough to try again I would.

Alpha, keep those postings constructive and a little bit less of the 'sour grapes' please. It doesn't help youg guys out there with aspirations!

3

Air Corps Careers / Cadetships 2004

« on: February 13, 2004, 01:00:11 pm »

I tried for the Cadets many years ago. My father was an Officer in the Army at the time and I never made it through selection. I really don't think it matters whether or not you have connections in the forces.

4

Irish Air Corps / Cadetships 2004

« on: March 24, 2004, 12:52:09 pm »

Fair play Alpha. Apologies for any mis-understandings. It's great to hear you have been the source of helpful advice to other members of the board. It's so refreshing to visit a site such as this, that is not embroiled in a torrent of bitching and begrudgery. The only reason I made my previous posting was that I felt your postings in relation to poor instruction may have been somewhat unjustified and I feared they may taint the views of an enthusiastic person like Ronan with ambitions of joining the Air Corps. Far too many times I have seen 'young guys' being put-off by idiots with their cynical advice and views. It is great to see people using the board as a means of enhancing their knowledge and as a source of advice. It would be a shame to see it go bitchy and begrudging. Anyway, keep up the good work Alpha. Who knows, we might get to meet on the flight deck sometime in the future.  '>

5

Irish Air Corps / Cadetships 2004

« on: March 23, 2004, 07:33:25 pm »

Hey Alpha,

I've been watching your postings over the last few months and if you don't mind, I'd like to make a few observations. In general your postings are constructive, but there are quite a  few postings (especially related to Cadetships) which seem to be quite bitter and twisted towards the Air Corps. You have openly admitted that you did not pass the Wings Course and were discharged from the Air Corps, but to blame this on 'poor instruction' as you call it is somewhat naieve. There are certain standards which must be achieved within a certain time scale and if you were not up to those standards then that is unfortunate. I too went through a cadetship (airline type) some years ago. A number of people did not 'make the grade' and were discharged from the course. The fact that a person does not make the standard required is by no means a reflection on the standard of instruction given. The fact is, anyone can learn to be a competent pilot. The matter at hand is how long that takes. Airlines and the Air Corps do not have the time to give specialist treatment to a weaker member of a course and in most cases (following a certain amount of extra tuition and check flights with other instructors) may have to be let go. That has, and always will be the way (especially when you are not paying for the flying yourself!)
The individual called 'Ronan' on this board is looking for constructive advice and not the opinion of someone who obviously bears a grudge for failing. I'm sure there were other people on your course who qualified? Didn't they have the same instructors as you did?

Anyway, Ronan, I tried for the Air Corps many years ago but did not pass the aptitude tests. I wish you the best of luck in the selection process should you continue. If I were young enough to try again I would.

Alpha, keep those postings constructive and a little bit less of the 'sour grapes' please. It doesn't help youg guys out there with aspirations!

6

Irish Air Corps / Doing it all again - would you?

« on: February 16, 2004, 05:32:19 pm »

Sorry to hear about that Alpha. 5 gone in one day sure does sound harsh. Anyway, you seem to be doing alright for yourself now. Well done.

7

Irish Air Corps / Doing it all again - would you?

« on: February 15, 2004, 03:12:49 pm »

Ah, the demon drink! Hope you don't be drunk while you're flying Alpha!

Anyway, back to my previous posting...how long were you in the Corps and why did you leave?

Didn't you get 'issued' with an ATPL when you were leaving the Air Corps?

I know a bunch of ex Air Corps lads who got their licences handed to them 'over the counter' so to speak when they left?

8

Irish Air Corps / Cadetships 2004

« on: February 13, 2004, 01:00:11 pm »

I tried for the Cadets many years ago. My father was an Officer in the Army at the time and I never made it through selection. I really don't think it matters whether or not you have connections in the forces.

9

Irish Air Corps / First PC-9M pictures - More pictures added

« on: February 13, 2004, 12:57:20 pm »

WOW! Wish I was a bit younger and wiser so I could try for the Corps again!

I must admit, I am totally envious of any cadet who gets to fly thoses beauties.

Best of luck to them. It's about time they got something decent to fly.

10

Irish Air Corps / IAC flash

« on: February 13, 2004, 12:44:30 pm »

Sorry to hear about your stuff being nicked Alpha. Have to agree with Bigwillie though; don't they make people hand that type of stuff back in when they're discharged?

I'm sure if you got in touch with one of your buddies in the Corps (if they're still serving) they might be able to sort you out with a flight suit? Just a thought.

11

Irish Air Corps / Doing it all again - would you?

« on: February 13, 2004, 12:30:52 pm »

Alpha, just wondering how long were you in the Air Corps for and why did you leave?

I for one, would have loved a chance to receive the high level of training that Air Corps Cadets do when I was 18! My training cost me a fortune, and I never got to fly formation, aeros etc.

Anyway, I wasn't up to the grade required during aptitude testing. '>

Alpha, did you have to do aptitude tests? It's just that your spelling and grammar is pretty terrible if you don't mind me saying!?  '>