Ardmore Flying School NZ

[Flyboy87]

Hi All,
I was hoping someone would be able to shed some light. I have an upcoming interview at Ardmore Flying School in NZ to gain acceptance into there school. I was wondering if anyone has been successful in this interview and what it entails, pacticularly regarding the mathematics numeracy/reasoning exam.

All your help would be appreciated.

[tarmac-]

Spend time searching these forums for reasons why you SHOULDNT be a pilot, then re asses your situation.

Im 22, have had the dream of being a pilot, but put that dream aside to gather all views on the industry before i stepped in, and it aint pritty, hard work, antisocial, reptitive etc etc etc -- any pilot will tell you that.

[Flyboy87]

Thanks for the help so far, although I have already made the decision to become a pilot and yes I am aware of the 150-1500 hour gap I am going to be facing - hoping for the best haha . I will be applying for the student loan but im just a little worried about the exam.

[matt_mccarty]

Hi,
I got my PPL at AFS and found it to be fine, it is skewed toward a factory-like output but when I was there they did have good instructors. I don't know when this interview/exam business got brought in though, they are a flying school and if anything you should be interviewing them to see if they meet your expectations.

[zk-abc]

If your goal of being a Pilot is to infact be an Airline Pilot rather than Ag etc etc etc then you should consider CTC in Hamilton. It is a flying school that really focuses on Professionalism and has rather quite high standards, I have not trained anywhere else except for at CTC but there are people I have talked too that just can't believe the step up from Aero Clubs, IAANZ, and other flying schools, although I'm not too sure about Ardmore I know that CTC is a briliant flying school. The other large plus about CTC is that they have an agreement with Eagle Air, a few of the boys went through to them with 250hours as you will probally know. Don't get me wrong there are a few bad points about CTC ie not getting prioritised like the British Cadets, bad patches of no flying at all but if you can get passed that and want the best trraining my advice is to look into CTC.

Haha I just realised that I have forgotten to answer what you actually asked. I imagine the testing/interview process is much like the one here and that was basically a quick no calculator math test, a quick english test and the interview just basically involves you talking to a HOT or similar person and they get to know your background and you make yourself out to be the best candidate there is and there won't be a problem. Good luck with everything mate.

ABC

[cloudhigh]

I'm at AFS at present, it could be managed much better. I have found it to be very very inpersonal. The main issue at present is way too many students, going somewhere like Bay flight or Christchurch Academy where they limit the numbers of students is much more ideal. Bay flight you'd be flying twice A DAY, the AFS you'll be flying everyday if you are lucky, most likely every 2nd - 3rd day. There are students at the school that are flying once a week cause they can't get bookings. With 14-16 C-172's you'd think that there is enough for everyone... but no! Just shop around before you get into investing so much. Real comparisons here, two students both started flying on the same day, student 1 at AFS is only now doing a PPL flight test, student 2 at Bayflight is doing a CPL flight test next month with an instructor rating in the pipeline VERY soon.

As for CTC, those couple of boys that got in to Eagle with low hours, lets just say that they have had some trouble with them because they have NO REAL experience. Staying at a training center then jumping into a situation where decisions need to be made and based from experience is not the best for someone with a fresh new CPL.

The flying school's interview system is to basically see if you are someone who is switched on. The math test is basic, nothing to worry about. Its a filtering system to get rid of those that shouldn't be flying full stop.

[YELOSUB]

Nelson Aviation College. Top instructors. 51 weeks / $50,000 , CPL+Twin IFR.

[always inverted]

hahahahaha, you have to be interviewed to pay them money to teach YOU how to fly **** planes... That is one place that I would not put my money. I have flown with a few ex afs pepole, head soooo far up their own ass, very arogant, not that proficient. CTC seems to be better, others may well not agree. But seriously, having an interview to be accepted to train there, they are not that good, despite what they may tell you.

[27/09]

but there are people I have talked too that just can't believe the step up from Aero Clubs, IAANZ, and other flying schools,OH really!!!!!

a few of the boys went through to them with 250hoursHow many exactly out of how many?

[camoflage101]

Heya!

I am also going to be going to this interview ... everyone seems to say that the maths test is easy... could someone give me an example of what kind of question they would ask? What kinda of maths do we need to know...

CHEERS

[cloudhigh]

It isn't anything much.
-If you are flying at 120 kts (nautical miles/hr), how long will it take you to cover x nautical miles.
-Some basic multiplication etc
To be honest I think you are probably over thinking this test.
How do I know? I'm an instructor there :ok:

[Luke SkyToddler]

I imagine it goes something like this :

Punter : Hello Mr AFS, I'm a completely incompetent fool with a snowball's chance in hell of making the grade as a pilot, but I watched Top Gun and thought it was really cool, can I please spend 60 grand of my hard earned (or borrowed) money at your business, it's probably gonna earn you enough profit to buy the CFI a new SS Commodore this financial year, and give your hotshot C cats a couple hundred more hours in their logbooks.

AFS : Ummm sure, here step right up and sit this *cough cough* aptitude test for admission, it's *ahem* really tough.

Punter : draws crayon pictures of aeroplanes and dribbles on a piece of paper for 10 minutes

AFS : Wooo that was a tough test but we're pleased to inform you that you have been accepted, sign this student loan application form here and here.

Like the Tui advert says ... YEAH RIGHT

[camoflage101]

Hey Thanks for that was very helpful! i was stressing about that maths thing ! Ive been doing university level maths and all arithmetic and basic maths is all done on the calculator so its kinda weird going back to the days when we had to actually work it out! haha

Do you know how many people who go for the interview get accepted? Is it really intense or quite reasonable? Im not sure if you know the answer to this kind of question but i was just wondering what my chances are like :)

cheers!

[airsquare]

Tarmac,

What you've said is absolutely, utterly, nothing but truth. Absolutely! It's hard freaking work! But if you love flying it's easy.

This is why you can see the PPL drop-outs a mile away. They're the ones who joined up because their parents said it might be a good idea. The ones with the fire will cream it, no worries.

If you can't live without flying, don't be put off. But unless you love it, you're right, it isn't worth signing up. :)

[toeyshear]

I went to AFS and when I was there all they are intrested is your money. I left them to go just up north to NSAC. I wouldn't recommend AFS to anyone unless you can get the student loan and then maybe at a push as other people have said you are a number.

Booking is hard you have to book early to get flights where other places you can book and turn up easy.

One thing I did fine out that they charge extra for landing fee's even at airfields that are free they charge you. Even at Ardmore they chucked on an extra $10. Well it all adds up in the end there hire price is high. cheaper elsewhere. Well that was when I was thereand it was only a few years back.

And now from going to a lesser know place I'm on a A330 and loving it.

In the end just be careful