inferno said:
The corporal who printed our pass/fail papers said it was a 25/75 pass to fail ratio at ACS. That's a pretty staggering fail rate. Additionally the complete lack of feedback at all stages, even the end is pretty rough.
Alas, that's not how the system works, but when you see a commercial pilot with a couple thousand hours on a Beechcraft sweating it out along side you, you also know it's definitely no cakewalk for those who know they SHOULD be doing well.
Think for a moment about costs. How much does it cost the Canadian taxpayer to train a CF pilot... about 2.7 million bucks. It is expensive. To minimize costs they want to ensure that candidates have the hands, feet and head that will give them a 65% of making it through MOC training. It is more cost efficient if you present a selection tool that weeds out potential candidates. CAPPS is a photomotor testing device, not a flight simulator. For those that have flying experience know that CAPPS doesn't "fly" like a Cessna or Piper. It isn't supposed to do that.
One of the reasons why no commentary is given to candidates is because they want to ensure the testing is standard- much like the CFAT. Plus there isn't much one can change if the testing device is measuring your hand/eye coordination and not your flying skills.
You will loose guys in Basic- pilots are officers first, and some do not have the leadership skills the CF requires. Then you will loose some through the various stages of training for a variety of reasons- drinking, home issues, medicals, learning curves, accidents etc. That is why 1 in a thousand who walk through a CFRC door to be a pilot make it to get their wings. From CFAT to drugs, to eyes, to ACS, to BOTP to PFT, to BFT to AFT the numbers diminish. But most of the attrition happens at the front end- it is more cost effective.
I know of fellows with no flying experience becoming fighter leads and snowbirds, also I know of an international mirage pilot immigrating to Canada and wash out of multi school.
My advice, stay focused, be very humble, and work hard at everything you do.