Topic: Wanting to join the Canadian Air Force.

[Tape]

Hi, I'm new too this site so forgive me if I did anything wrong. I'm interested in being a fighter jet pilot, but I should tell you a bit about myself. I'm currently in grade 11 with a learning disability that set my math skills back and it's too late to take summer school because I would have to take a fifth year, which the university does not look at I think. Also, it took me awhile just to improve on my English cause the LD has affected my language skill, but it's at a grade 11 level  , but I don't know if this will affect my chances of being a pilot. I'm also taking most courses that is university leveled (English, Chemistry, Biology, History, and Band, but math is college leveled course, in addition, I'm getting a 70% average, it would raise, if I had motivation because all the careers are crossed out because of math...

Another question, It says on the site (www.forces.ca) "The Canadian Forces is now hiring university students and graduates from all degree programs for Pilot Training. You don’t need any flying experience or training to apply:" Does that mean I can take criminal justice in university, and apply in the air force once I graduate with a bachelor? What should I do? I really want to become a pilot, that's why I went here to look for advice and Yahoo Answers seemed to be help to me.

[Tape]

"that's why I went here to look for advice and Yahoo Answers seemed to be help to me." Should be "that's why I went here to look for advice and Yahoo Answers did not seem to help me" - A little mistake. Sorry if there are a few grammar mistakes.

[Dimsum]

Do a search on the site.  Tons of threads on Pilot, Fighters, recruiting....even recruiting for Fighter Pilots. 

Enjoy.

[Strike]

. I'm also taking most courses that is university leveled (English, Chemistry, Biology, History, and Band, but math is college leveled course, in addition, I'm getting a 70% average, it would raise, if I had motivation because all the careers are crossed out because of math...

The learning disability aside, if you need a reason to be motivated to do well in school then you are barking up the wrong tree.  You should already be trying to do better, not waiting for someone to say there's a chance that you could be a fighter pilot.

[Tape]

The learning disability aside, if you need a reason to be motivated to do well in school then you are barking up the wrong tree.  You should already be trying to do better, not waiting for someone to say there's a chance that you could be a fighter pilot.

Yeah, I know, but the fact that the careers I'm interested in are crossed out for me had made me lose hope of finding a good career that is one of the reason why I'm not doing too well in school... Because I'm really worried about my future of what I want to be.

[Zombie]

Yeah, I know, but the fact that the careers I'm interested in are crossed out for me had made me lose hope of finding a good career that is one of the reason why I'm not doing too well in school... Because I'm really worried about my future of what I want to be.

How about knowing that doing well will afford you a better choice in regards to quality and quantity of jobs when you're done? Using that backwards mentality is a great way to make sure you narrow down your choices for the future.

[Tape]

How about knowing that doing well will afford you a better choice in regards to quality and quantity of jobs when you're done? Using that backwards mentality is a great way to make sure you narrow down your choices for the future.

Yeah, I think I'll be trying harder in school from this day on, because I feel the motivation inside me  right now, and I think I can actually do it if I put effort into school. I've always wanted to be a pilot, and every time I think about it, just gives me an urge to do better in school.

Is there anyone that could answer my second question? I'm going to talk to a recruiter tomorrow and see if I can get my questions answer if no one answer my question today. I really need to know before I change my courses when school starts, so I can prepare for my post-secondary.

[Dimsum]

Is there anyone that could answer my second question? I'm going to talk to a recruiter tomorrow and see if I can get my questions answer if no one answer my question today. I really need to know before I change my courses when school starts, so I can prepare for my post-secondary.

Regardless of whether or not anyone answers your question today, talk to a recruiter.  This isn't an official website (even though there are many members with a ton of experience) so don't go by what army.ca says 100%. 

To answer your question, if you decided not to search through the pages of info about Pilot:  Yes, any degree program will do. 

[AGD]

Is there anyone that could answer my second question? I'm going to talk to a recruiter tomorrow and see if I can get my questions answer if no one answer my question today. I really need to know before I change my courses when school starts, so I can prepare for my post-secondary.

Best if you ask the recruiting office that question anyway. Better to hear it from somebody who works in an official capacity than from some stranger on an internet forum. Supposedly, degrees in science and engineering are preferable, but there's a list of what is and what is not acceptable at the recruiting office.

[Bart905]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I would guess that Pilots would need above average mathematics due to the fact you have to be able to calculate the altitude/landing and so on if auto pilot or any navigation systems were to break down

[Zombie]

To answer your question, if you decided not to search through the pages of info about Pilot:  Yes, any degree program will do.

He wouldn't have even had to go through those pages. He answered his question when he quoted from the Forces site: "now hiring university students and graduates from all degree programs". Not sure how that left a question as to which degrees may be accepted.

[Dimsum]

He wouldn't have even had to go through those pages. He answered his question when he quoted from the Forces site: "now hiring university students and graduates from all degree programs". Not sure how that left a question as to which degrees may be accepted.

I was just re-stating the plethora of information contained within these "pages".   

[SentryMAn]

From my understanding with the trade of pilot, being adequate in the application process may not cut it, being above average or excelling in would be a better terminology strive for.

Start TODAY, do not wait until Monday, or After midterms, or after XXXX time to improve yourself.

If Math is a weakness, work harder in it, get tutors, help, etc.

If you need inspiration just do a search online for inspirational stories, you'll find a slew of people that were told "they can't" do something or have a certain career and that just pushed them even harder to get that career.

[Loachman]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I would guess that Pilots would need above average mathematics due to the fact you have to be able to calculate the altitude/landing and so on if auto pilot or any navigation systems were to break down

Okay, you're wrong. In practical terms (enrollment prerequisites aside), there is nothing required beyond learning a few simple formulae and being able to make these calculations in one's head. It's so simple - even a pilot can do it.

[Zoomie]

It's so simple - even a pilot can do it.

Amen to that - math was/is my weakest subject.  As long as I can add/subtract, I am golden.

[SentryMAn]

I guess I was meaning more on the Admission requirements rather then what the pilot trade needs.
I assume that the higher number of applicants = higher than minimum standards for enrollment?

As in Billy and Johny are both adequate applicants for pilot, Billy exceeds the minimum requirements for enrollment where as Johny meets the minimum standards.  Billy will be chosen over Johny no matter how long Johny is in the system for?

I applied for pilot as one choice, have exceptional math skills and rated high on the CFAT(suitable for anything as per the recruiter), but I require corrective lenses and currently have -2.75 in each eye.  Genetics does me in for the choice as I don't believe the CF takes candidates for Pilot with corrective laser surgery?

[Zombie]

I guess I was meaning more on the Admission requirements rather then what the pilot trade needs.
I assume that the higher number of applicants = higher than minimum standards for enrollment?

As in Billy and Johny are both adequate applicants for pilot, Billy exceeds the minimum requirements for enrollment where as Johny meets the minimum standards.  Billy will be chosen over Johny no matter how long Johny is in the system for?

I would hope this is the case for anything that has an application process.

[SentryMAn]

I would hope this is the case for anything that has an application process.

but would Johny ever be accepted?

[Melbatoast]

  Genetics does me in for the choice as I don't believe the CF takes candidates for Pilot with corrective laser surgery?

Wrong.

I and 3 others on my aircrew selection had it, and I'm sure more than a few others have made it all the way through the training system by now.  The policy changed in 2008.

[Zombie]

but would Johny ever be accepted?

I am neither a pilot nor a recruiter, but why would they take someone with lesser credentials? Assuming of course, all else is equal.

[SentryMAn]

Wrong.

I and 3 others on my aircrew selection had it, and I'm sure more than a few others have made it all the way through the training system by now.  The policy changed in 2008.

Understandable, it may have been prior to the change that I was taking to a recruiter about pilot.  I remember there being issues with night blindness with the original procedure for corrective lens surgery(rumors, never confirmed so don't slice and dice me on this).

Looks like I'll be saving my pennies from now on to get the surgery, I've always wanted to fly Helicopters.
:-)

[HeavyHooker]

Tape, I am sure you would make a fine pilot.  It sure sounds like you are over-qualified now.  But the big question is "Can you play beach volleyball with dudes?"   

I would think Flight Engineer may be a bit out of your league however...   

[Melbatoast]

(rumors, never confirmed so don't slice and dice me on this).

But it would be so much fun.  Suffice to say it's much more complicated than that - "night blindness" is easy to screen out.

[SentryMAn]

But it would be so much fun.  Suffice to say it's much more complicated than that - "night blindness" is easy to screen out.

I've been sliced and diced enough in the last few days at work, "Yearly Performance reviews" are a *****.

[Loachman]

I've always wanted to fly Helicopters.

So have I, for the last two years.

[Tape]

Tape, I am sure you would make a fine pilot.  It sure sounds like you are over-qualified now.  But the big question is "Can you play beach volleyball with dudes?"   

I would think Flight Engineer may be a bit out of your league however...   

LOL, thanks. Yes, I can haha, volleyball is a fun sport.

I emailed them (Canadian Forces) and I will be waiting for a reply