Times have changed with regards to the age thing. In 1995 the fact you are 30 may have worked against you but it's not much of an issue anymore from what I have seen. Others may disagree.
I'd steer well clear of CTC for the time being. £8K can be better spent on something like a FI rating. It's a shame because the GAPAN FI scholarship closed recently which may have been worth applying for. I wish I did..
BALPA are a lost cause.