Polorutz

Equinox, CTC can be tough at times... and sometimes even the best prepared fail at the easiest tasks due to nervousness or whatnot.

I failed my Stage 3 about 4 months ago and got reinvited back, it turned out that I failed one of the team exercises due to being nervous, it actually happened in the second exercise, you see? I thought I had done bad on the first one and really tried hard on my second one to accomplish the task and I kinda stopped worrying about the team vibe... They sent me the feedback and I was sure I was going to get something about my interview but to my surprise it came out perfect... my interview was flawless.. I studied and prepared myself and it paid off and even though it all went ok there the team exercise doomed my chances of going to nursling for phase 4. Next time I try I will leave the nervousness behind and act like a team member.

Maybe that was what happened to you?

-Polorutz

PPL152

Sorry to deviate from the current discussion.

I'm 19 and have my application on hold. I am deciding whether to pursue studying at University or else go directly for the selection.

I am hardly motivated to continue studying at Uni!

Regards.

pcoltas

well dont tell ctc that when you have your interview!

my mate had his phase 3 and said at the interview he was finding it difficult to stay motivated in his last few weeks at uni, to which they replied "well if you're finding it hard to be motivated now how are you gonna manage at ctc for the next 14 months?" he didnt get through to phase 4

Polorutz

The uni degree is not required, I myself did not finish my degree and know people who did finish one and have failed the selection process... if you manage to go through stage 1 without the degree I reckon you'll be ok going to the selection and giving it your best, however, it all hangs from the selection and if you show even a hint of weakness on the CTC phases you'll be purged.. so make up a good excuse as to why you left your college.

I am currently doing my ATPL exams which you will do if you pass the selection and depending on your field of university studies could help you a lot with them, I studied computer science in a very good university which gave me a strong physics and calculus foundation with which absolutely none of the math involved on the ATPLs have been a challenge.

Also, you're young still and getting that degree can give you a fallback in case you don't get a job at the end.

Just my 2 cents.


-Polorutz

PPL152

Thanks for the responses.
I haven't go to Uni yet, and prefer to start my pilot career now rather than study for 5 yrs stuff which I do not really like.

My dilemma is whether to go to uni now or else forget uni and go for ctc.

bjkeates

Well, what's your back-up plan if you don't get in to CTC? Do you then intend to go to university? Or something else? It's something you need to consider. The CTC selection is tough.

Locarno

I have my phase 3 soon so I'm brushing up on the partner airlines and what they fly.

My question is this:

Where would I find information on where the different types of aircraft are likely to fly (I.e 737 -short/medium haul) etc.

Any and help is greatly appreciated

greywind

Well try the airlines websites first.
Theres a few with really good info on the fleets (monarch and mytravel)
Then the likes of Thomas cook whose website isn't great for the airline information.

Than try wikipedia but always bear in mind that wikipedia is not 100% accurate but has pretty good descriptions of most types of aircraft and the airlines.

Then of course the manufacturers, you could spend days reading through everything on boeing and airbus' websites

Polorutz

Don't focus too much on the really technical parts of the partner ailrines operation, they usually don't go into such detail, if you know from where they fly and what they fly you'll be ok.

Locarno

Okay what I've been studying is:

The companys, where they are based, core UK hubs, fleet size, aircraft, aircraft on order and when the company is formed.

As for the aircraft themselves, I have picked 737-600/800, 757-200/300 and the A320. Seat numbers, MTOW, Range, Fuel, Cost and where they are likely to fly to.

Think that is too much?



I'm panicking about what questions they are gonna ask really, technical and otherwise. I actually feel sick thinking about it - unusual for me, I am generally very relaxed!

I've read every post on every thread regarding CTC and I still don't know what the best way to prepare is. Any tips?

Cheers, Jason.

EZYramper

MTOW?

Well you can never be too prepared I suppose. Does anyone have any experience of the technical questions? I thought they would be more to do with the general physics of flight.

As for me so far I've studied (in relation to partner airlines) hubs, fleet with engine types, CEO and notable people, focus cities, future development, stock price and recent history, the mergers, Airline history and route map.

I'm not too sure what to study technically though, I read the book Understanding Flight by David F. Anderson and Scott Eberhardt which I found to be excellent in explaining every aspect of flight.

How much of your interview is used to talk about your answers to the essay questions?

kieranmp

Hi,
I have my phase 3 in a month too, my advise to you would be to try and relax a bit, if you are up tight now that may come across in the interview!? Just go over what is on this forum but remember the interview is just as much if not more about them finding out about you than an exam about the commercial industry. Go over your psotive points and how you can make a difference and you will be fine!!

Locarno

Nah I'm fine - When I get there I'll be much more relaxed and I'll do my best.
I'm just sooo apprehensive at the moment.
My 4 questions are great - I could talk all day long on those.
I think I'll be able to pass easily on the technical questions.
But I'm severely worried on the remainder. Is it just the usual "Why do you want this position?" "what would your friends think of you?" etc?


Is anyones date the 11th July?

PAJ

Technical questions are likely to be commensurate with your flying experience to date. Doubt you need to know any performance figures of any of the aircraft though although if you have the time to get all that under your belt, fine. However just as important as knowing the fleet technicalities, know about the mergers and how this will affect long term strategies for these new/ rebranded airlines. A common question that seems to have come up is "if you were CEO of easyJet (or any other of the airlines) what would your medium and long term strategy entail?" This is a good question to get if you know your stuff - allows you to bring in loads of examples - route expansion, building a brand, upgrading fleet, how you will offset climate change, what new hubs you might like to branch out to......the list goes on and on! I also got a question on what the core differences are between Airbus/ Boeing narrow-body aircraft (fly by wire, sidestick, winglets, engines), and I was also asked why we are seeing winglets on more aircraft today.

Most emphasis will be placed on questions about times you have done things like lead a team, or give an example of..., how would you deal with..... Very important you have lots of examples!

honkster

Im also there on 11 Jul mate. Where you travelling from?
Have you booked your accommodation yet for the tuesday/wednesday night?

Lee

Locarno

Luckily I don't have to book accommodation as my sister is an Air Traffic Controller and lives in bournemouth so thats quite good.

I'm flying Prestwick to Bournemouth so thats actually quite handy for me.

When was your stage2? If you have MSN or any kind of chat medium send me your email addy over PM - I've been dying to talk to someone else thats going!

Pilot RatBoy

I have my stage 3 on 12th july. the kind of stuff i have been looking at is the aircraft that each partner airline tends to fly, and the usual routes for that aircraft. I think researching such stuff as MTOW is a bit much, but as has been said its better to be over prepared. I think we will be required to have a basic knowledge about why planes fly (ie the basic principles) and have an understanding about how airlines operate. believe it or not, i have been using such programs as airline and airport to understand the airline side of thing, whilst seconds from disaster and air crash investigation to learn about the technical side (plus it gives me an excuse to be an anorak!!).

Apparently from what I have heard though, it its the questions about yourself that are the more taxing to answer. So dont forget to think about why you actually want to become a pilot and try and think of good experience of things from your past (such as team working, voluntary etc).

For the group activities, the key is to take an active part but not be overbearing. Make sure the assessors can see that you are getting involved.

Having said all that, it would now be sods law for me to fall down. if anyone else has their stage 3 on 12th, gimme a buzz.

EZYramper

"Is it just the usual "Why do you want this position?" "what would your friends think of you?" etc?"


If that is a serious question, do you think they would accept "I couldn't care less" as a serious answer?!

Gingerbread Man

Can anyone tell me what the current fleet for CTC consists of? I'm aware it has changed fairly recently and I can only remember DA42s and the Robins from the presentation at stage 2. I've read about an order for Alpha A120s but don't know if they have them yet, and do they still have DA20s?

Many thanks,

Ginger

EZYramper

This may be wrong, I'm trying to remember what Daphne said about it at my stage 2, I believe CTC grounded their fleet of DA-20s or are getting rid of them. Why? I don't know. She said they have very soon or very recently began taking delivery of the new fleet of Alphas built in NZ as their single engine fleet and have retained the fleet of DA-42s.