RobStob

GP,

Read the old thread, or as much of it as you can. I found the accounts of peoples' experiences, in particular, to be very englightening and useful. Make sure you read the outline of the aptitude tests. There are some differences in the test now, however they're pretty subtle. PM me if you'd like any advice or have any questions.

Rob.

Ollie23

Yeah it's also nice to see some of the posts from airline pilots, who still frequent these wannabe forums today, when they were going through the selection years ago. 'BitMoreRightRudder' springs to mind.

A word of caution. Although the CTC threads are helpful they are very one sided, many of the posts tend to be from wannabes who have the blinkers on that CTC is the only way to train(I was one for a while). Be sure to read around other threads and speak to as many people within the industry as you can to get a balanced view.
Especially with the sums of money invloved in pilot training.

GPJ86

Thanks Rob, appreciate it. I've got a bit of free time in the next few weeks so i'll read as much as i can. One thing i wouldn't mind knowing now; i am not able to leave the country until August (weddings to attend in July and various other commitments before), am i as well waiting til nearer the time to apply or can they delay your enrolement (that is assuming i'm successful of course!)?

RobStob

Happy to help, GP.

Don't worry about those committments. CTC will allow you to elect a start date that's suitable for you. You need to be reasonable, and they do like you to start as soon as possible, but if they said, for example, go out in June/July, and you weren't available until August, they'll accommodate your needs. They're pretty flexible. Just concentrate on passing selection first!

Rob.

GPJ86

Yeah, trying not to get ahead of myself, just thought it would be a pain if the start dates were very rigid but you've shone some light on the subject.

99jolegg

Yes, you can get a reduction in hours and cost if you have a PPL with CTC...you can get around £3000 back from the foundation fee I believe. Your PPL must be current though if you're integrated, otherwise you can't use any hours against the integrated course.

RobStob

I've just passed selection a few weeks ago and have a PPL. They say it doesn't really matter either way, but I think it's useful in the sense that it evidences commitment and motivation, especially when you're young. It gives them confidence that you really want it. It certainly shouldn't hinder you! They'll expect you to demonstrate a higher level of ability at phase 4 if you apply with a PPL, but they seem to be pretty fair with what they demand based on your level of experience.

Good luck

sx_stavros

Hi guys

I just put myself down for Phase 2 on 31st March. Anyone on the same day please PM me. I have also booked a room at the Farm House (sounds preety good as its only 10 min walk from the assessment center and is much cheaper than any other local hotel).

Pi_R

Hey,

I will be at Dibden on March 25. for selection phase 2 (and I hope 3).
Does anyone else plan to go through it on the same day ?

Could be nice to have a first contact via PM :-)

Pierre

mrfilbert

Hi all,

I've been reading (on other, unrelated threads) rumours about CTC's partnership with easyJet coming to an end. Can anyone involved confirm or deny these rumours?

Cheers,
Filbert

99jolegg

It's not true...confirmed as not true by CTC management.

Ollie23

Yeah i heard that it isn't true either through a different source.
Although i must admit I generally take what i hear from CTC management with a pinch of salt at the best of times.

99jolegg

Yes, I'm sure there are lots of things that get some spin attached...but in this case the rumour was definitively rubbished.

Wing_Bound_Vortex

Nope easyJet are still using them, it's now only a 6 month contract over the summer though. There is no chance of a permanent contract as it stands, it's the new Flexicrew scheme.

WBV

ZeBedie

Are CTC managing to place people finishing training at the moment? And is there any hope of more than the six months unpaid?

Dadinafix

A few years ago I asked for advise regarding funding for my son, as not being in aviation myself, I was unsure as to advise him, regarding secured, unsecured loans. I got some very good and sound advise. One from a chap called Steve Whittingham from Bristol.

Now guys / girls I am able to report to you as a parent, of my trepidation at the time, when thinking about banks, loans, future employment, studying on the other side of the world. This was when CTC could boast of 100% placement and a full time contract. (Yes my son made it through, and yes he now works as a pilot.) To this day he is not aware of the advise I had recieved when times where bouyent and less volatile.

For two years my wife and I had sleepless nights, wondering how he would furnish the dept should he not gain employment. A further 6 months then passed when he was sat at home waiting for an airline to offer that holygrail, of a full time contract. And now he still has 5 years of his bond to repay, not a problem, however there is added interest to be paid to HSBC for deffering payments until he was employed. Could he get hold of anybody at CTC to explain anything about the situation? NO!

I kept in touch with other parents from the meet and greet throughout, and they if not all, were as worried as us to what if things went wrong. You see after the spiel, and the drink, and fine food, reality stays with us when Karen and Lee pander to the wanabee idiolgy. No parent wants to P** on their siblings parade, however it is important that the promises have to be delevered by CTC. YOU ARE THE CUSTOMER!!! YOU ARE PAYING!!! YOU ARE NOT PAID THE MONEY BACK FROM THE AIRLINE!!! YOU HAVE A REDUCED SALARY!!! YOU ARE NOT ON A SPONSORSHIP!!!

There is a lot of hidden costs also to be found of Circa 3K, if your careful with money. There is not a lot do in NZ when your broke, and studying most of your working day, and grouded because the weather is crap, or the plane is TECH.

BELIEVE ME ITS NO JOKE BEING MUM AND DAD DURING YOUR TRAINING!!

Ollie23

Great post, spot on.

I took my old man to the meet & greet and he was very sceptical, but like you say its hard for parents to pis* on their kids parade, especially after all the effort to get on the course. Beware, it’s a very slick marketing machine.

Sometimes it needs the sobering view of a parent to get us starry eyed wannabes to understand this bit;

Quote:

YOU ARE THE CUSTOMER!!! YOU ARE PAYING!!! YOU ARE NOT PAID THE MONEY BACK FROM THE AIRLINE!!! YOU HAVE A REDUCED SALARY!!! YOU ARE NOT ON A SPONSORSHIP!!!

Wing_Bound_Vortex

To re-hash what has been said before.....

It never was a sponsorship scheme, no matter what was said, you always have paid for it all, you don't get repaid from the airline your pay is just the same as any other pilot, just delivered in a more tax efficient way. And even that has stopped with the introduction of flexi crew.

Go into this scheme with your eyes open, it's a very different market now to a few years ago.

WBV

cloud9dk

There have been a lot of good posts on this thread, and helped me a lot during my assessments. I'm happy to say I got through and am flying to New Zealand soon to start the cadet course.

I'm very aware of the current financial stuation for airlines, and I'm glad I'm starting the course now rather than finishing. I think in a time of depression such as now, education is quite possibly one of the best places to be. 2 years from now, who knows what will happen. I admit to having been starry eyed by the course, but I think that in two years time, things will be looking better, CTC are getting new airline partners and hopefully more will be joining.

The loan is tough, first to get, and second to pay off and make no mistake I'm already preparing myself for when I get out. I know I wont be on a lot of money and I will have to pay back the loan and people should realise this as well. At the same time though it is one of the best schemes around by the looks of it, and a great opportunity to experience something new and follow a dream.

best of luck to all who apply

dartagnan

kids are writing this kind of crap for years! how do you know at 23 years old, that s one of the best scheme?.
have you been somewhere else in your life, kiddo?.
all these schemes are based on $. they dont give a damn toss about you, and there will be a very few chance to get a job.

I know many guys who got training for free and would fly a nice A320 before you..
so dont tell us, it s the best scheme around