Advice Prior To Starting Ab-Initio Course.

[VFE]

Hi folks,

I am due to start an ab-initio course with BAE very shortly along with quite a few others on this forum.
I was wondering if any of you may have some advice for us prior to starting? I know it's gonna be hard work but how did you get through the course and what parts did you find most taxing?

Thanks for any replies,

VFE.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have helped me get to this stage. Stand up PPRuNe Towers, Sick Squid, IFR, Captain PPRuNe, Wee Weasley Welshman et al. Thanks for all the advice and support. :)

[ 14 September 2001: Message edited by: VFE ]

[Budvar]

The first piece of advice is to enjoy yourself.Yes the ab initio courses are hard work but for most of us its all we have ever dreamed of doing. Secondly your coursemates will be the most important people in your life for the next year or so, stay together and help and support each other throughout the course, there will be aspects of the course that your mates will need help with and you will need help with other aspects. So socialise all together if you can still afford beer!!! Good Luck!!!

[AH64 APACHE]

I am here at BAe at the moment - and I would agree with the others that at the moment I would delay my course as I think that there will be a war break out at the moment and I would want to be training at the end of that war - also I would want the best out of the school that I was going to, not that several of the instructors might be heading back to war!!!!
:eek:
That said Good school bit just don´t get too overexcited as it is never as god as you thought and they will always eff you in some way!!
:confused:
I would advise that you all calm down a bit as everyone here thinks that you are all a bunch of sad tankers at the moment due to your geekness - chill out and you will love the place. And everyone will love you!!!!
:p :p :cool:

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

Oh I don't know - I think 'Viper' might be tempted to saddle up his Jaguar for one last blaze of glory... and if 'Jester' can find a serviceable Vulcan... ;)

1) After a few weeks you will hate BAE management and moan about the school. Do not be alarmed this is standard practice at every FTO. Once the novelty wears off you will refer to the premises as a prison camp.

2) After you graduate you will look back and fondly recall your time there, commend the place to others and sometimes wish you wereback there.

3) The one piece of advice I would give it to be Mr Nice on your course. Its sooo important to get on with people with whom you will work, eat and socialise for a whole year. If you can avoid being a clique and help the weaker guys out then you are following the right line.

4) BAE is not perfect by any means. However I think you have made the correct choice at this time of uncertainty in the FTO industry as they are the only school that can operate with a loss for year on year if Prestwick is anything to go by...

Good luck and buy me a beer when I drop by,

WWW

[ 15 September 2001: Message edited by: Wee Weasley Welshman ]

[AH64 APACHE]

Great Advice from the big W's - as usual. Have to apologise somewhat about my post but that is what a few beers in the mediteranean sun will do for you!!!

Just make sure that when you get here you chill out and get on with everyone on your course as WWW said as most courses seem to be like that and it works. Also though make sure you get to know others so that you do not live,breathe and socialise with the same people all the time - it can be a nightmare.

I would advise also that you budget for a car as it is good to get out from time to time. Also get your head down when you get here so that wehen the first set loom you can take them confident that you have put the hard work in.
And by the way - can you bring us a copy of the times!!!!!
:p
WWW - any idea when you are likely to come out here now??
Also have Go stopped the recruitment that they ran in Flight the other week?

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

I am trying to make the next graduation but the roster looks a little tight. Otherwise the middle of Nov looks certain.

WWW