Cadetships 2004

[Joey d]

They did increase the age bracket from 25yrs to 27yrs for those who are member of the Permanent Defence Force or, holders of a Third Level Degree. Maybe thats an indication. But it doesn`t matter anyways `cos if you dont know someone high up...... only messin!

[Ronan]

is it common for guys in the pdf to go for cadetships? if so would they have a massive advantage or maybe it  could be a hindrance? anyone know..
also could an army officer go for selection for the aircorp or would he be just told to @#!~ off..

[MatRotor]

Ronan, I know of maybe half-dozen aptces/airmen who applied for cadets and were accepted.two are currently pilots in the air corps. a couple washed out in basic flight trg. others found they didn't like it after all. there may be more in all the above categories but these are numbers i'm fairly sure of in the last few years anyway.

[alpha foxtrot 07]

i know of an army cadet who transfered the air corps cadet program.

[Ronan]

did he have to go through the selection procedure?
also..is there a fairly high percentage failure for cadets in training to become pilots. is the training extremely difficult that some fail?

[MatRotor]

Ronan I'm sure the selection is the same, some of the questions are a little different at interview stage 'cos of previous military experience. as to the other the washout rate is high enough 'cos the course isn't tailored to pass all students just to see who can cut it. Then again some people aren't cut out to be pilots no matter how much they want or how hard they try.

[alpha foxtrot 07]

the course is tough, but the wash out rate has more to do with money, time and poor flight instructioin

[Ronan]

what is the starting pay for a newely commisioned officer in the IAC? is it much more than the army?

[MatRotor]

ronan the rates of pay and conditions and stuff is available on application from the dept. they used to send it out on receipt of your application. if not it should be somewhere on military.ie.

here you go ronan..... http://www.military.ie/careers/cadet_coe.htm

[wannabe]

Hi, just wondering did any one here get called for the fitness test?
Also, does any1 have any idea why the fitness test is the first stage of this years selection process?
Last year the first stage was the preliminary interview!
cheers

[alpha foxtrot 07]

matrotor
being a pilot is easy, the actual flying of an a/c is easy. what makes it hard is the mountain of knowledge required to be learned and applied on the flight deck.

[Ronan]

whats baldonnel like as regards accomodation..facilites..being modern..etc?

[alpha foxtrot 07]

poor and not very modern

[Gideon]

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!

[Joey d]

If my memory serves me right, alpha said that himself and four others had there flight training ceased at the same time and were given no explanation as to the reason.