College Help

[Vicki280_1]

I am starting college in June on the 212 course, I have read all about the hard work required and the ways in which things have changed but need to know some basics:

Where is the best area to live in near the college?

What is the best way to rent?

What is the college dress code?

Will there be a need to buy a lot of books for the course or are these suplied by the college?

Which is best Aerodrome or Area?

Hope some of you can help.

:confused:

[Ceannairceach]

Firstly, good luck Vicki and congrats on getting into college!

Did you not get a pack or any help from HR detailing stuff about where to stay etc?

As far as I'm aware you won't have to purchase any books at all, unless they've started to make people pay for their MATS' - that wouldn't surprise me at all :E

As for the which is best question - it all depends really. Both are similar in many ways and different in many other ways. Both are challenging in their own ways once you get past the not bumping things together thing that both share :ok:

You'll find a lot of people in area claim their discipline is more difficult than the other - but then those with aerodrome tickets will say the same about their own job. Basically, there's no short answer. And it depends on what your idea of "better" is, if that makes sense :)

[Gonzo]

Hi Vicki,

Well done for getting in.:ok:

A lot of students will live in and around Westby Road in B&Bs. Personally I lived in Ferndown while at the college. While location isn't the be all and end all, you'll want somewhere that can provide you a quiet place to study, and I'd recommend not being too cut off so that it's easy to meet up with colleagues in the evening....you'll all learn a lot more effectively by bouncing ideas off each other. Also, public transport to Hurn is non-existent, so you'll need to drive, or live close enough to car share.

Aerodrome people say aerodrome is better. Area people say area is better. So one might sensibly infer that one will enjoy whichever discipline.

However, Aerodrome is better. ;)

Dress code? Not sure....back when I were a lad etc etc it was shirt and tie and equivalent, but seems a lot more relaxed now in that regard. Ladies always had more leeway anyway.

No books to purchase.

Be careful about renting with a lease. You won't know how long you'll be at the college. You might fly through in six months, or there might be too many recourses from the course ahead of you and you'll be sent to a unit for a month or two for 'work experience' while you wait for a space on the next course.

Did I mention Aerodrome is better?

[smellysnelly2004]

Hello Vicki,
I'm currently on 211 and all of Gonzo's post is correct(perhaps with a little aerodrome bias:E )
As for Area vs Aerodrome probably best to try and sit in on the Sims for each of them and decide for yourself. You'll get to state a preference but no guarantees that you'll get it. There's more space on the area courses so that's more likely to be the one you get.
As for dress code, it's officially office wear monday-friday so much more scope for the ladies. Unofficially Friday seems to be dress down day.
Although you don't have to buy any books if you fancy a bit of pre-study then a Janes guide will be useful for A/C characteristics and the Trevor Thom Aviation Law and Meteorology book for pilot training is really good (only for met though, some of the law is out of date)
Pretty soon HR should email a link to a forum where all you 212 people can get to know each other and talk about accomodation etc. They should also send you an accomodation list.
If you have any specific questions then feel free to PM me:)

[ramesescolossos]

I am also waiting on accommodation lists, my medical is friday and ive been told that it will be coming in the next week or so, hopefully it comes soon as its a little worrying! Those answers were useful for me too! I dont drive though, my have to get a bike or try and tempt someone into a carshare for a slice of my 10k!

[smellysnelly2004]

Rameses,

The accomodation list may not come until the beginning of June but if you want to do a little research on the internet a lot of people seem to stay in Guest Houses on Westby Road in Boscombe. On our course quite a few people live there or near there and car share so I don't think your lack of transport will be a problem.
The forum is designed to sort that kind of stuff out.

:ok:

[Jebel Ali]

Hi Vicki

WEll done on getting through - things have chnaged alot since in the short time since I left the College.

Everyone's advice so far is very sound - not sure about the bias on the aerodrome side - sounds like a spotter to me!

Both are great jobs but what you have to consider is where you would want to work/live when you qulaify - if you don't mind Hampshire or Ayrshire/Glasgow then go for Area - both are loveley but its obviously warmer and drier in the south.

If you fancy a chance of working back in the Midlands (no guarantee) then choose the aerodrome/approach option.

The other thing to consider is that with aerodrome you also have more options worldwide (some are opening up in the area side too).

And also you have consider the long term in the UK - whilst some airfields are currently NATS airfields that may or may not always be the case. There is probably greater chance of the Area Centres remaining NATS in the longer term but all these things do change.

All this advice has probbaly not made anything clearer but what I do know is you have joined a great company with team of people and an interesting and challenging job. Which ever direction you go in all the very best of luck.

[ramesescolossos]

cheers snelly, ive been looking,
We were told we dont get a choice anymore between area and aerodrome, its decided for us, hence the signing of the mobility form.

[high-hopes]

Both are great jobs but what you have to consider is where you would want to work/live when you qulaify - if you don't mind Hampshire or Ayrshire/Glasgow then go for Area - both are loveley but its obviously warmer and drier in the south.


are Trainees really being sent to Prestwick ?
Last time I asked them they said no

[Vicki280_1]

Do many people take on second jobs to help supplement the 10k?

I have a car so getting round is not a problem, guess I can stay pretty much anywhere in the area.

Do most people stay in b&b's and how much do these cost?

;)

[smellysnelly2004]

2nd job probably not a good idea. I don't know of anyone who has one on our course as you need time to work and to relax. Also, you need permission officially from NATS and need to be able to prove that it won't affect your work. Most people are in B&B's and I believe they cost about £100 a week with evening meal but I could be wrong.

[Defruiter]

Believe me - You will have absolutely no time for a 2nd job if you are deadly serious about passing the course ;)

[Vicki280_1]

Does anyone privatley rent property down there or is it all B & Bs, not sure they will welcome me and my kitten with open arms!!

What is the quickest people go through the college (without quiting)? (for renting purposes)

What sort of social events are there at the college?

When people are sent to units whilst waiting for recourses how long can this be for?

Just more and more questions, they keep coming to me!!!

:O

[smellysnelly2004]

Check your PM's Vicki

[Courtenay]

Whatever you do, do NOT stay in the St. Michael's Hotel. It looks good value etc; however it is FawlteyTowers, with the humor removed.

It was so bad, that I and 5 others arrived on the Tuesday for the induction to start on the Wednesday, none of us knew each other before then., By Tuesday night we were in the bar looking on laptops for places to rent, by Friday we had viewed a house and put down a deposit. By the following Wednesday we had moved in. - That involved getting 6 sets of references.

So basically to re-iterate, I am saying do NOT stay in St. Michael's :-)

[Steakpie]

Do many people take on second jobs to help supplement the 10k?

Don't be fooled it is very hard on 10K and I know one person who got a second job because he couldn't make ends meet but he is now waiting for a training review - draw your own conlusions.


If you do aerodrome or approach, you will be in and out in 6 months (as long as you pass everything.)

If you do area, you will be out in 9 months (as long as you pass everything)


It is important to emphises the IF you pass everything, it is a minority of people who go straight through without a recourse, I would recommened that you do any of your financial planning based on 12-15 months (area)


If you are over 25 you qualify for Working tax Credits and Housing benefits - be sure to look it all up.