Post by: Frank on January 23, 2004, 11:12:18 am
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Air Corps Cadetship
An Air Corps Cadet completes a 21 month course initially (seven months) at The Cadet School, Military College, Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp, Co Kildare and later at Basic Flying Training Wing, Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co Dublin. On successful completion of training he/she joins the Commissioned ranks as an Air Corps Officer/Pilot.
Training is comprehensive, demanding and varied. The course is divided into two Stages of seven months and 14 months respectively.
Stage 1 - Undertaken at the Cadet School, Military College, Curragh, with Army colleagues, this Stage consists of the initial socialisation into developing as a leader in a military institution and with learning basic military skills together with foundation level academic education. A directive approach towards respect for truth, honour and loyalty as well as a sense of duty is to the fore. Areas such as weapons training, map reading, tactical training, military writing and courtesy & etiquette are taught. Physical fitness is developed to a peak.
Stage 2 - This 14 month Stage at Casement Aerodrome consists of basic and advanced flying training. Here Cadets undertake the complete course of instruction necessary to successfully become a military pilot Officer.
After Cadet Training. Following Commissioning in the rank of Second Lieutenant, young Officers are posted to an Air Corps Unit at Casement Aerodrome. An Air Corps Commission is usually for a period of 12 years. After 9 years service, an Officer will have the option of applying to the Minister for Defence for a Commission without limitation as to time, subject to certain conditions and the existence of suitable vacancies.
See Conditions of Entry for further information. For a sample application form, click here.
Click here to view details of the Defence Forces Cadetships Assessment process, at shlireland.Com
Competition Section, Department of Defence phone numbers:
01 8042149 / 1890 426555
Closing Date 12th Feb 2004
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For information on other Defence Forces cadetships click here.
Post by: yossarian on January 22, 2004, 11:37:13 am
Just got my degree and this is my first time applying.
Post by: Guinness on January 22, 2004, 09:57:28 pm
from this point of the world I want to wish you all the luck you need and I sincerely hope you'll become an aviator in the Aer Chor na hEireann.
Kind regards an lots of luck,
Guinness
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on January 23, 2004, 07:53:09 am
Post by: Morpheus on January 23, 2004, 10:23:26 am
This is my first post here (i used to be on the old site a long time ago!! and loved it then, altho it looks much shinier and newer now) and im sure some of you will recognise my nick from boomers board.
Any way around the age limit, feck its under 27 and im only 27 now
im devastated, i thought theyd go BA style and under 29... looks like im off to england, or is it worth talking it through with a recruiter?Post by: yossarian on January 23, 2004, 11:06:23 am
Thanks for the offer of help, I'm sure I'll have a few questions on the way.
Post by: Lude on January 23, 2004, 04:49:55 pm
I'm an undergraduate,no degree yet.
Hope to God I get in this year.
Anyway,get prepared for the questions!!
Post by: yossarian on January 23, 2004, 05:16:19 pm
good luck and cheers
Post by: Fouga on January 23, 2004, 06:17:26 pm
Post by: Ronan on January 26, 2004, 07:13:04 pm
just logged on for the first time. I`ve loads of Questions on a cadetship in the aircorp. thought this might be a good place to ask. Im an undergraduate but im not applying until 2005 (have to finish school first) i know how hard it is to be selected, so i thought i might as well prepare early to give myself the best chance. what skills (first aid, gaisce award..etc) are an advantage to have when applying for a cadetship? do they look for other skills or courses completed apart form flying experience over others?
thanks
Post by: Guinness on January 26, 2004, 09:29:58 pm
first of all...........Welcome to the forum !!!
Second, about your question, it's all about your physical and mental condition.
If you're a wee bit of an athlete and a sort of bright cookie you'll make it
Guinness
Post by: Ronan on January 26, 2004, 09:51:51 pm
is flying experience a big plus when applying? and..will the results of your aptitude test be one of the most important things they look for (ie: to see if you have the technical aptitude to learn how to fly) and.. In what order and where do the stages of selection take place ie:physical testing..aptitude..interviews..etc. and finally..(for now!) do they look for references from schools/ places of work and do general background checks to see if your an honest young bloke!!?
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on January 27, 2004, 07:23:35 am
1. Prelim interview in Baldonnel
2. Aptitude test with Parc Aviation
3. Second aptitude test and interview Parc Aviation
4. Fitness tests and medical Baldonnel
5. Final interview Baldonnel
If you get selected another medical at St. Brickins Military Hospital
Everything going great so far you spend a week in Baldonnel and then its off to the Curragh for 7 to 10 months, then back to Baldonnel for flight training.
I found being a GAA player and as I was call more than once a aerosexual helps.
The most important thing is that you are a well rounded individual who has some aptitude for flying and that you can demonstrate the ability to make sound decisions and be a leader.
Any more Q just ask and i will endevour to answer.
One last point be sure that the Air Corps is what you want before you commit yourself.
Post by: Joey d on January 27, 2004, 01:14:32 pm
".....the new statistics came to light as a new campaign to recruit dozens of officer cadets was launched his week. Officer training courses still attract considerable interest, primarily because those selected have their university education paid for.
Of the 1,111 who applied to become officer cadets in 2003, just 71 were accepted, up 1% on 2002, when 1,047 people applied to become an officer and, again, just 71 were accepted.
Applicants fail for a range of reasons, including being too young or old, not being fit enough, not having the required education, or simply not showing up for the interview.
Officer recruits can go to university at taxpayers expense after signing up but there is a 10 year buy-out contract if they want to leave the forces.
A lot of cadets find it worth their while paying he penalty to get out as they can sign up for better salaries in the private sector"
Post by: Ronan on January 27, 2004, 07:20:03 pm
for the physical testing are there other tasks ( than those listed in the information booklet) to look out for?
and..Are the dates for the order of selection you posted pretty loose or do thay happen in defined months? when would the final interview take place? are there open days in baldonnel for the public or is there any way of being allowed to have a look around without having to scale the fence!
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on January 27, 2004, 07:27:39 pm
the physical starts with a body fat test then flexability tests followed by the sit ups and push ups, all going good a warm up and then the run. if you pass the physical you go a do the final interview. the interview is headed by the oc training wing along with oc bfts a civil servent and two more officer usally one bfts and one other.
as far as open days go, not really. you could call and see if one could be organised, it might just happen.
Post by: Joey d on January 27, 2004, 11:20:04 pm
Post by: Irish Marine on January 29, 2004, 08:15:54 pm
I think the age limit should be raised to 29!!!!
Post by: pilatus on January 30, 2004, 11:54:51 pm
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on January 31, 2004, 09:03:24 am
Post by: Ronan on February 01, 2004, 06:32:00 pm
eg: physics, maths at higher level..etc give you an advantage when going for a cadetship because i read in the Irish indo " applicants with science subjects will have an edge when applying for cadetships to the air corp..." i always presumed they used the aptitude tests to asses how smart you are in different areas?
and also on the application form where it says to state your results abtained in leaving cert..if you havent it done yet. do you go back as far as junior cert? or what education results do you submit?
cheers..
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on February 02, 2004, 12:00:10 am
Post by: Frank on February 02, 2004, 04:30:20 pm
For all of you wishing to apply for the Cadetships here are the numbers that you should ring.
These numbers are for the Competition Section, Department of Defence:
01 8042149
And:
1890 426555
Best of luck to all those of you who apply.
Regards,
Frank.
Post by: John K on February 11, 2004, 12:32:56 am
And you'll get to do initial flight training on the same aircraft that the IAC are getting as their front line fighter! No offence Claudel!
Check out the RAF website.
And good luck!
Post by: Ronan on February 12, 2004, 06:31:47 pm
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on February 13, 2004, 07:11:03 am
Post by: Gideon on February 13, 2004, 01:00:11 pm
Post by: John K on February 24, 2004, 12:05:22 am
Post by: wannabe on February 25, 2004, 01:48:04 pm
The order:
1. Prelim interview in Baldonnel
2. Aptitude test with Parc Aviation
3. Second aptitude test and interview Parc Aviation
4. Fitness tests and medical Baldonnel
5. Final interview Baldonnel
Also, when you finish training in the curragh and the flight training in Baldonnel, what happens then?
I understand that you would be posted to an aer corps unit, but do you have any choice which one? (ie helicopters or planes)
How many hours a year can you expect to fly?
Apart from flying, what other duties can you expect to be involved in?
Any replies would be much appreciated,
Thanks in advance.
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on February 26, 2004, 07:17:59 pm
Post by: wannabe on February 27, 2004, 04:46:51 pm
Could you give me a few examples of what other activities an air corps officer would be involved in apart from flying?
Seems like a good interview question to me + i wouldnt have a clue if i was asked,
Cheers
Post by: Ronan on February 27, 2004, 07:30:53 pm
apart from the more obvious questions such as: where have you shown good organisational skills.. and others related to the seven competences..
what other more unusual questions could be asked?
do they ask questions in relation to topical current affairs?
questions about aviation and in particular air corp planes and aviation? do you have to have a very good knowledge of air corp history and current planes? if anyone can help and post a list of all questions that are asked both usual and unusual! send me a PM..sėl vous plait!
sound
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on February 27, 2004, 11:40:54 pm
as far as questions in the interview go, its general Q's about the corps, the aircraft, what you expect from the job, current affairs etc. its not to intense. as far as i could tell the general jist of the interview was to see what kind of person you are. from what i can tell the kind of people selected are the easy going easy to get along with peolpe who have an adventurious spirit.
Post by: John K on March 01, 2004, 11:33:46 pm
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on March 02, 2004, 02:18:30 am
Post by: yossarian on March 03, 2004, 08:06:52 pm
325 working days and 200hrs = 37mins flying per day as a very crude average
As it's a 12 year deal I'd like as much info as I can scrape together, thanks folks.
Yossarian
Post by: John K on March 03, 2004, 10:22:32 pm
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on March 04, 2004, 07:58:53 am
Post by: John K on March 04, 2004, 11:10:02 am
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on March 04, 2004, 08:19:48 pm
Post by: MatRotor on March 05, 2004, 11:32:47 pm
Post by: Ronan on March 10, 2004, 09:51:10 pm
could anyone give me a detailed description of every different test in the apptitude assement..
and are the majority based on technical stuff..maths and physics, etc?
where could one get sample tests to practise on..off parc aviation maybe?? on www.shireland.com/army/home they only show sample test relating to army and navy so where could i get sample tests to help prepare me.
any help appreciated..
Post by: wannabe on March 11, 2004, 12:37:13 pm
you will find it very difficult to get sample aptitude tests to practice. theres no way you will get them off parc aviation!
when i did the aptitude tests for the aer lingus trainee pilot scheme-i was unsucessfull so i innocently emailed parc to see if i could buy sample tests off them.( it was worth a try)
i cant remember their exact response but she basically gave out to me for even asking. your best bet is to search on google for sample tests or check out a few bookshops-they sell many books on how to succeed at aptitude tests.
best of luck.
Post by: John K on March 13, 2004, 12:10:36 am
Post by: Ronan on March 18, 2004, 06:15:38 pm
another question..
are they biased against you if your young.. ie:18. do they specifically want older guys to join?
and please don`t answer with the usual : it doesn`t matter anyways `cos if you dont know someone high up your screwed lark.
Post by: Joey d on March 19, 2004, 03:51:42 pm
Post by: Ronan on March 19, 2004, 07:13:39 pm
also could an army officer go for selection for the aircorp or would he be just told to @#!~ off..
Post by: MatRotor on March 19, 2004, 09:35:22 pm
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on March 19, 2004, 10:37:25 pm
Post by: Ronan on March 20, 2004, 08:29:28 pm
also..is there a fairly high percentage failure for cadets in training to become pilots. is the training extremely difficult that some fail?
Post by: MatRotor on March 20, 2004, 09:08:38 pm
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on March 21, 2004, 02:11:16 am
Post by: Ronan on March 21, 2004, 06:47:42 pm
Post by: MatRotor on March 21, 2004, 08:29:58 pm
here you go ronan..... http://www.military.ie/careers/cadet_coe.htm
Post by: wannabe on March 22, 2004, 02:41:10 pm
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
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on March 22, 2004, 04:16:22 pm
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.
Post by: Ronan on March 22, 2004, 08:44:02 pm
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on March 23, 2004, 06:49:33 am
Post by: Gideon on March 23, 2004, 07:33:25 pm
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!
Post by: Joey d on March 23, 2004, 08:26:38 pm
Post by: Ronan on March 23, 2004, 10:00:59 pm
i would also like to come to the defence of alpha..
2 months ago I stumbled across this site by accident never even knowing there was a forum..i had a sketchy idea of the selection process and the air corps in general. now i have a very good knowledge of whats ahead of me and what i have got to do..and a lot of credit goes to alpha for this. he has given me a lot of time in answering all my questions (no matter how silly) and always is helpful in the information he gives. to this i am very thankful. if the guy has a grudge, he has a grudge.. i personally did not see this in his posts and only found out he was discharged 5 mins ago when i read gideons post..
i want to be a pilot in the Irish Air Corp`s and that`s that..whether it comes to fruition is out of my hands..except when it comes to preparing..and that`s where ye guys (especially Alpha) have helped me.
so thanks a million for all yer help,`cos honestly id be lost without ye!
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on March 24, 2004, 10:00:22 am
first of i do not hold any grudges i loved my time in the air corps and feel truelly gratefully for the experience, but
i try to be as honest as possible with the information i give out to the people interested in joining the air corps. i speak honestly about my experience there and try not to sugar coat anything i say. the last thing i want is for someone to join the corps with a false sense of what to expect.
as far as my comments on the level of instruction given, i feel i have some right to comment. i am a professional flight instructor for the biggest flight school in the US. i do sim evaluations for potential airline pilots, teach pre private, instrument, commercial, atp, multi and single. i also teach basic and advanced aerobatics. i have over 1500 hours of dual given and have flown many different types of aircraft. when i say the level of instruction given is below standard i mean it. im not going to go into detail on this board but if i turned in that kind of work on a day to day basis i would be unemployed.
ronan, you are welcome, and thank you for the kind words.
Post by: Joey d on March 24, 2004, 11:48:00 am
Post by: Gideon on March 24, 2004, 12:52:09 pm
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on March 25, 2004, 12:58:06 am
Post by: Ronan on April 05, 2004, 08:45:18 pm
the visit was absolutely brillant..
i arrived at 2 and waited for about ten mins for a corporal to come out. a girl about 20 was waiting with me to go for an interview. she seemed pretty switched on. her brother is an instructor at the cadet school and spent the last three weeks in switzerland test driving the pilatus (lucky guy!!)
the corporal came and he was sound out he brought me to the heli`s first and we sat in the dauphin for about 30 mins chatting away answering questions i had. there was absolutely no hurry on him at all and he explained every square inch of the helis and let me mess around with the controls. i couldnt get over how big the dauphin is in real life!!
he went through how a heli and plane are maneuvered and the physics behind it all (which was a big help to me) he went through all the different engines and told me a lot of the technical questions that might come up. he told me all about how lift is created and athmospeheric pressure..etc. all very helpful.
next we went to the marchettis and fiddeled around with the controls. then the highlight of the day.. i got to go into the cadet school and three young officers only finished the wings course answered the 30 questions and querys i had written down to ask them. they were really sound and put me at ease. we spent about 30 mins talking to them. the things i was mainly worried was the fact that although im 5ft 6" im still fairly scrawny and i thought this would come against me but they said not in the aircorp cos they want you to fly and aren`t really worried when your over that height at the end of the day. also they said that having a degree and being older isn`t a major advantage at all and they sometimes prefer to take people straight from secondary school cos they can be less inquisitive and follow orders better. i was worried about my ability in the field of spacial intelligence but they said just to practise practise practise on aptitude books and il be fine. apart from that they said the golden rule is to be yourself, be open, and be honest, have lots of good examples of the seven concepts (especially technical aptitude) and know the hows and whys of a working plane and the air corp in general and i`d be fine!!
so im really happy cos i realise its a lot less pressurised than i expected and i know exactly what i`ve to do and what`s ahead of me.
it really was a great experience and it`s a nice place but really poorly signposted for us country folk.
also the girl i was talking to said the height restriction has gone down to 5ft 4"..is this true? it must be cos she passed the physical test.
Post by: Joey d on April 05, 2004, 09:46:00 pm
Post by: Ronan on April 05, 2004, 10:21:34 pm
"defence force`s establishments visited" i will. but what about for the army application.. will i mention all the barracks i`ve been to over my term with the RDF or is it strictly for visits in your own civvie time? any thoughts guys.
Post by: Ronan on April 07, 2004, 01:45:58 am
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on April 07, 2004, 01:55:04 am
Post by: Ronan on April 22, 2004, 06:41:46 pm
in school a friend of mine was suspended today for something very trivial (giving a wedgie..very childish!)
anyways the principal is putting it on his permanent record and because of this he (the guy) said he wont get accepted into the cadets (he`s going for it this year) is this true, or is it if you get suspended three times or more? if your suspended and it is mentioned by your principal in his reference..will they care?
my interest is because i was suspended a while back for something trivial also!! (putting my foor through a prefab wall!)
the principal just gave me two days as i had a clean sheet up to then and im pretty confident he won`t mention next year if the ring up and ask about me.
but do they even get a reference from the school or just from past employers?
any thoughts anybody??
Post by: Joey d on April 22, 2004, 07:02:49 pm
Ususually on a CV, you list referees, and by doing this you're giving your prospective employer permission to contact them and enquire about you.
On the application form for the cadets, it doesnt mention references, just to say where you were previously employed and the schools you attended.
My point being, you havent given permission on the application form to contact your school to enquire about you?!
Edit: Are you sure that guy isnt applying as a recruit? When applying as a recruit, you have to give two reference: "Two (2) references, one of which must be from either of the following:
A serving member of the PDF of Sergeant rank or higher.
A serving member of the Garda Siochana.
A Priest or member of the Clergy.
A Principal or Teacher of a school which the applicant is currently attending or has previously attended."
Post by: StevieW on May 04, 2004, 05:04:41 pm
There hasn't been much activity on this topic for a while, so I was just wondering if anyone here is still in the cadetship competition this year?
Post by: Ronan on May 05, 2004, 11:12:22 pm
looks like your flying the flag for us at airpics this year stevie!!
also i heard through the grape vine that some of the stuff the cadets are made do in the curragh is ridiculous..such as go into a field and pick up leaves for the day in the middle of autumn!! any truth on this.. any funny anecdotes from the guys who ahve been through it..Alpha?
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on May 07, 2004, 08:43:58 am
Post by: Ronan on May 08, 2004, 09:13:44 pm
Post by: Joey d on May 08, 2004, 09:57:06 pm
Post by: StevieW on May 09, 2004, 04:57:51 am
Post by: Joey d on May 09, 2004, 12:26:32 pm
Post by: alpha foxtrot 07 on May 10, 2004, 10:23:52 am