CAT July 01

[G-BJOP]

Looking for any other provisional candidates for course 119 starting in July.
Perhaps if we start the synergy going now we can get our course pass rate over 50%! ;)

[10W]

Well done G-BJOP. I'm sure you'll find the course rewarding, if challenging at times.

Just avoid getting in tow with any qualified ATC people who are down on simulations. They can be a wild bunch and easily lead impressionable young students astray ;) Hell, they even lead me astray sometimes and I should be old enough to know better :)



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10 West
UK ATC'er
[email protected]

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G-BJOP

When do you start/finish your aerodrome part of the couse?

[Lew Ton]

So, 10W, you've eaten at The Casino??? :) :) :)

[slurp]

i have eaten there and damn good it was ...esp. the discounts

[10W]

Fully paid up member Lew Ton ;)

Even won a few quid last time I was down as Nearly Man can testify. Somehow managed to spend it all in the Zoo and Jumpin Jaks over the following few days though http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/frown.gif

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10 West
UK ATC'er
[email protected]

[This message has been edited by 10W (edited 26 March 2001).]

[G-BJOP]

No news on course details/timings yet x-border. Are you at the college?

I handed in my notice at work today (I've been working in IT for a car manufacturer for 5.5 years) and the look of total incomprehension on everyone's faces was sooooo sweet :) :)

Thanks for posting on this thread though and keeping it near the top - comeone else on the July course must come along soon.

Any words of warning for the medicals?

Yours over-excitedly,
G-BJOP

[Spoonbill]

Well done G'OP :)
A word of warning on the initial medical, the content and reasoning of the rules and regulations regarding medical standards are total mystery even to experienced AMEs.
The initial medical tends to be extremely rigarous, if you wear contacts or specs, go to your optician before hand and get your eyes checked, explaining that you need to meet CAA class one medical standards.
Unfortunately, the medical can also find things that you never knew yourself, consequently being a major stumbling block.
That said, don't get stressed about it, the CAA medical branch are a good bunch at heart, and you only have to go them for the initial test.
Anyway, best of luck with the course, work hard and don't be easily led!
(I sometimes wish that I'd listen to my own advice) http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/tongue.gif

[Davey Clark]

Well Done G-BJOP!

Big piece of advice from me is to stay with other members of your course, if at all possible. It will help to keep you sane, and when you are up to your oxters in books, and can't understand something, help is at hand. Or, maybe just another shoulder to cry on if you are both bamboozled!!!

All the best for the course, maybe see you sometime back up north of the border.

Davey.

[Vlad the Impaler]

G-BJOP,
If you start in July then aerodrome 1 will finish in september followed by flying and then ADM2 which will finish at Xmas. After Xmas It will be Radar Skills/OJT to finish in march followed by either Approach Radar or if like me you Choose Area then ACS1. Good luck, Won't be there personally in July as I will be on Area OJT, Back in september though. See Ya. V

[G-BJOP]

Any info on how the holidays work? I gather you resit anything you fail in the holidays so that would obviously shorten them, but assuming you pass everything, what's the biggest break you get? And how long at Christmas? I figure I should make the most of my last free Christmas this year!

[Gonzo]

G-OP, well done on getting in!

From what I can remember, after each course you get either 1 1/2 weeks or two weeks. If someone fails, then depending on the circumstances, they either get recoursed on to the next available course, and in the meantime help on the sims, or if lucky they'll get an immediate second go and work through the module again and finish only a few days behind the rest of the course.

Gonzo

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G-BJOP

I shall be joining the Aerodrome 2 Course at the beginning of Oct 01, and then jumping on to the seond part of the radar course which begins in Jan 02 (I'm taking the quick!! but intensive entry route for those with some former experience (ex-military)).

It therefore looks like I'll be joining 119 Course. I'm hoping to spend some time at the College in Sep, observing and getting my phraseology civilianised! Keep in touch, send me an e-mail.

[Vlad the Impaler]

The Holiday situation varies according to the course. After ADM 1 you go straight to flying training which can take upto 2 weeks depending on the weather and where you go, You have to get 15 hours in, Did mine in eight days out of EGHH. After that you get two weeks off. After ADM 2 you also get 2 weeks off. The OJT/Radar Skills course is split in two so one half does OJT/RSK while the other does RSK/OJT and the two, five and a half week courses swap over in the middle with no break. After that you get about 10 days off, Which is where I am now and then it's either Approach Radar which is about ten weeks I think and then off to your unit. Or if you choose/get Area then there is another nine months of it including 11 weeks of area OJT. As for failing bits, If you fail a written assessment or a Verbal Assessment you get a resit built into the course programme, there are always a few ! If you get it second time around then no worries. If you fail a resit or if you don't make the grade in the practical assessment first time around then it is recourse time for you. This is your joker, your one second chance and you would do well to hang on to it for as long as you can. If you use it up early on aerodrome or skills you will probably regret it when the going gets a little tougher later. The last approach radar course lost eight or so and the last Area 2 course lost ten. This is where your second chance is invaluable as most of these people will nail it second time around, otherwise it's probably goodbye. From my personal experience I came to the job with no relevant aviation experience but a lot of enthusiasm and have been lucky that so far at least, It's come quite easily to me. If the job is for you then you will absolutely love it. At this early stage in my career I cannot imagine ever doing anything else. Enough sentimental crap from me, See you in the summer. C