What do I need to become an Astronaut/Red Arrow Pilot?
Hey. Im in secondary school in year 7. I choose my options next year and I dont know what to choose for what I want to be.Im not sure if it even matters but I still want to know what I need. I want to be an astronaut as I find space extremely fascinating yet I also love flying and aeroplane stunts. What Is needed for each of those careers? Combat experience? Degree in what? If you understand what I mean. Regards.
How can I become a test pilot in the UK?
I am based in the USA now, leading AardvarkCompare - Travel Insurance Marketplace , but lived in another life was a Royal Air Force pilot.So here is the Royal Air Force route..I was privileged to fly with what is now known as JADTEU (Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit).All I did was put the landing gear up and down when asked, and occasionally flew with a level of precision that seemed impossible to me, but easy for the JATE team.This photo has nothing to do with JATE, but I flew the C-130 and think this image is awesome (Note the person in the cupola)Now, let’s get you over to the Empire Test Pilots School.You will need to have either studied Aeronautical Engineering at College, or have self-studied to the point where you could have passed such a course.You will have successfully completed your first operational tour as a military pilot.You will be judged as exceptional, both in the air and on the ground.You will have a work ethic that is nothing short of extraordinary.Now you can apply to become a test pilot.Everyone you now meet will know more than you and be better than you, despite the fact that in your last role you were exceptional. Now you are below-average.If you are lucky, work hard, and impress enough dispassionate people, then you will be welcomed to begin a 12 month course. If you are successful, you will have become qualified to lead test flights in ‘envelope expansion’ sorties.I have known several squadron pilots who have embarked on this journey. The work appeared impossible to me. Yet they succeeded, and help bring into service a series of aircraft that are now being flown safely because of their work.A couple completed their course in France at EPNER.As in, not only did they complete Test Pilot training, but they did it in a foreign language. Can you imagine how bright you need to be in order to do this?So, yes, you can join the Air Force (in my case, the Royal Air Force) then work incredibly hard, as colleagues of mine did, and become a Test Pilot.You will be held in the highest of esteem by your colleagues.I wish you well!
Can you join the RAF then become a test pilot?
I am based in the USA now, leading AardvarkCompare - Travel Insurance Marketplace , but lived in another life was a Royal Air Force pilot.I was privileged to fly with what is now known as JADTEU (Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit).All I did was put the landing gear up and down when asked, and occasionally flew with a level of precision that seemed impossible to me, but easy for the JATE team.This photo has nothing to do with JATE, but I flew the C-130 and think this image is awesome (Note the person in the cupola)Now, let’s get you over to the Empire Test Pilots School.You will need to have either studied Aeronautical Engineering at College, or have self-studied to the point where you could have passed such a course.You will have successfully completed your first operational tour as a military pilot.You will be judged as exceptional, both in the air and on the ground.You will have a work ethic that is nothing short of extraordinary.Now you can apply to become a test pilot.Everyone you now meet will know more than you and be better than you, despite the fact that in your last role you were exceptional. Now you are below-average.If you are lucky, work hard, and impress enough dispassionate people, then you will be welcomed to begin a 12 month course. If you are successful, you will have become qualified to lead test flights in ‘envelope expansion’ sorties.I have known several squadron pilots who have embarked on this journey. The work appeared impossible to me. Yet they succeeded, and help bring into service a series of aircraft that are now being flown safely because of their work.A couple completed their course in France at EPNER.As in, not only did they complete Test Pilot training, but they did it in a foreign language. Can you imagine how bright you need to be in order to do this?So, yes, you can join the Air Force (in my case, the Royal Air Force) then work incredibly hard, as colleagues of mine did, and become a Test Pilot.You will be held in the highest of esteem by your colleagues.I wish you well!
How practical is it to go from an Air Force pilot to an astronaut in NASA or a different space agency?
One applies for astronaut candidacy and hopes for the best. NASA takes mostly scientists and not as may military pilots since the 80’s. The Air Force and Navy have provided most of the military astronauts since the start of the program with a few coming from the Marines, Army and even Coast Guard. I had read all time military representation to date was Air Force-41%, Navy-37% with the remaining 22% from the other branches. Being a military pilot gives you a shot.
Would flying in the RAF before becoming a commercial pilot benefit me?
I don’t know much about the RAF beyond what I have seen on American TV. Not surprising since I am an American pilot. I made an unsuccessful attempt at getting through the training program conducted by an airline, with the intent of becoming regional jet first officer. The people who were getting through the program most easily were those with military experience. They had the right mentality to succeed in the regimented and highly standardized world of commercial aviation. People such as myself who had trained in other environments were at a disadvantage.Being in the military has many plus and minus aspects.Minus, not so good:not everyone who joins the military to become a pilot gets to do so. You might get part way along, wash out, and be stuck doing some sort of difficult military duty for years.being in the military is inherently strenuous. It does not pay well compared to many civilian jobs.you might get ordered to go kill people.you might get killed yourself performing a dangerous military mission.you may find yourself with an inferior superior.you will likely have some other duty besides flying. This might be some sort of job that you really dislike such as being in charge of a mess hall, maintaining landscaping, or maintaining security on the base. You might have to act as an officer, and lead some young people. Not all of these young people will be mature or smart.the amount of actual flying you do might not be very much. Military aircraft cost thousands, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars to operate per hour. So…. you do not get to go out and just fly around to maintain proficiency as much as you would like.Plus:you get paid from the beginning of your training effort.you get to fly well maintained planes.some of the planes have very modern equipment and avionics.you get uniforms, medical care, housing, etc. paid for.you are part of one of the world’s most admired flying organizations if you are in the RAF. Their performance in WWII is legendary.you get trained in a way that is similar to airline flying. You fly as part of a very formal system.you are likely to be flying multi engine or turbine aircraft at a much earlier point in your flying career than you would otherwise.you have an opportunity to be physically fit whether you want to be or not.you are surrounded by good pilots, you will have to compete and that will make you better.you are serving your country and defending the ideals of democracy and freedom.
Which is more possible: becoming an RAF pilot or passing SAS training?
They each require totally different aptitudes. For me, aviation is pretty much ingrained into my soul, but I couldn’t ever envisage having the skills or interest in the tough training or stamina to become an SAS soldier. Everything to do with flying grabbed my attention even as a kid.
How much does an astronaut working on the ISS get paid?
Not too much! Truthfully, we only get a small "per diem" for our time on the International Space Station (ISS). I believe my bank account had a deposit for about $172.00 US after my 152 days in space! That comes out to about $1.20/day! But when you consider that we have room and board accounted for (provided), and we are not going out for dinner and drinks every night, it's probably a reasonable (but cheap!) government estimate. Our MI&E (meals, incidentals and expenses) don't amount to much while we are sailing around the Earth at 17, 500 mph! Overall, we receive our normal annual salary whether we fly in space or not, and --as you can clearly see-- we don't get much extra when we do fly.I recall while on ISS talking this subject with my Russian crew mates. While not divulging too many details, I learned that their annual salary was about $6000 US. For their 6-month stint on board the ISS, they would make 10 times that salary! Now you know why they are so interested in flying multiple times. It can be a big advantage to their pocket books! In addition, if they performed tasks that weren't on the originally developed timeline/manifest (a manual Progress docking for example), they would also receive additional funds. I speculated that this was another reason why they were very cordial with the ground, no matter how upset they were in orbit... they didn't want to upset anyone and jeopardize their pay. Too bad the US didn't do it that way... I might have kept my mouth shut a bit more!A recent Robert Frost/NASA JSC answer on Quora gave more exacting details on salaries for US civilian/military astronauts and Russian cosmonauts. I suggest you check that answer as well.Remember, that I flew on ISS way back in 2007, so the numbers have probably changed (gone higher).Keep lookin' up!
Is it better to join the RAF or get a PhD if I want to become an astronaut?
Since you mention the RAF, I assume you want to be an astronaut as an English citizen.Here are the list of English astronauts (five of them):Category:English astronautsIt is better to get a PhD in a subject area that will require a PhD to conduct experiments in space, as an astronaut.The military astronauts are typically mission commanders/pilots (if a pilot is required). However, since all of the current missions to space are commanded by US or Russian astronauts (cosmonauts), you have a Much better chance as a PhD.Given that it is thirty time Easier to be admitted as a freshman to Harvard than it is to become an astronaut, don't give up, but don't focus only on being an astronaut. Have a "day job"......