The African Dude

Geetea, I had the same interview! Was quite surprised... "what, you're not going to ask me about the Airbus' Green Blue and Yellow hydraulic systems?" Shame... alright perhaps I went a bit OTT with the prep. d'oh

sleepyrascal

You know the Bournemouth stereotype... full of OAP's filling out crosswords and watching cheap gameshows... Its true.

With the exception of the rather alert looking OAP who, like me, is rattling away on his laptop making great use of the hotels wireless network, the rest are all 65+, chatting about rambling and a nice flower they saw last week etc. The TV is up really loud too!

However, I have a pint and im just sitting here trying to cram for the next 48 hours. Stage 3 tomorrow, stage 4 on Friday..... YIKES!!!

Good luck to all who have their phase 3 tomorrow!!!

Oh, and my hire car is a fiat punto. A surprisingly fun car and i managed to get 120 out of it on the M25... eh, i mean 125 on the radio... eh, volume... eh... no, MPG... yeah. SOrry Mr police man/europcar.

DISCLAIMER: I would never and have never broken a speed limit on a public road and everything mentioned in this post is purely for entertainment value.

Alin83

Hi Sleepyrascal,

they don't really give much time between stages!!!!
Anyway, I'm going to have my stage 2 soon, do you know, apart from the pilapt-pre and the math test, do they test you as well on your eye-hand coordination (some excercises with joysticks), because I had to do some for FTE and I found it quite difficult without the right preparation!!??!!!

Any extra information about STAGE 2 are greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks

Alin

sleepyrascal

Alin,

I was given stage 4 the day after stage 3 only becasue of the distance i travel to CTC. Its costing about £300 each time. Ouch. I think there is usually at least a couple of weeks between each.

As for info on stage 2, there is a load of info on these forums which i used in my preparation for stage 2. There is a fair bit of hand eye coordination. Big tip, if you have some spare cash buy a copy of flight simulator and a joystick and run through the training missions. You will need a fairly slick PC set-up to run it at a decent quality. Im running quad processors and it still cant run on full res. Failing that any game which will familarise you with using a joystick will help. Also, hold the joystick with one hand and support the base of the grip with your other hand. I did this to regulate the amount of movement i put through the stick.

Make sure your up to speed with your mental maths etc. Nothing to complicated... adding, subtracting, division and conversions.

sleepyrascal

It was CTC who suggested i do stage 3 and 4 together so no hassle whatsoever!

Thanks for the support!!! I'll let you know how it goes!

Alin83

Sleepyrascal

thanks for the reply! I wish you the best for the upcoming stage!!!

Can you advise any particular version of the Flight Simulator?

I have one for the MAC that is called X-plane, but is not particullary good for training... I have access to a PC but is not one of the latest, is still worth buying it?

99jolegg

FSX or X-Plane are fine; it's the coordination that will help you for the tests. You don't need to run the software with the sliders at maximum with all the eye candy, you just need the thing to fly.

Personally, I found the Cockpitweb tests to be a great help, not as an improvement tool, but as a mind-resting tool. Going to do something that is completely new is far more daunting than going to do something that you understand and that you have done before (or something similar). Others may disagree.

sleepyrascal

Yo,

Im out of the running. Lack of technical knowledge let me down. Been invited back in 6 months but I dont think i'll be taking up the offer.

I had a chance to really think about my position. I was so far behind the rest of the guys in terms of knowledge and one thing kept niggling in the back of my mind the whole time. Ive put so much effort into my current career and im moving up the ladder quite quickly. My current job is based in my home town where my family/girlfriend are and im not unhappy being there. I guess what im saying is that if I was 100% dedicated to becoming a commercial pilot none of the above would come into play. When I met everyone today I realised how lucky I was to be there with a few guys who would kill to be a pilot.

I think everything happens for a reason so im not going to jump off a cliff or even feel dissapointed about this. Its just another learning experience and If I did decide to try again, be it with CTC or otherwise, I would know how to prepare and go in with a more diverse knowledge of the industry.

At least I have my current career to fall back so not all bad plus I got an email today advising what my pay review was going to be... it was quite pleasant.

It was great meeting everyone and for those who do get through I wish you the best of luck. Your gona have an amazing time in NZ!!! 99.9% of me wishes I was coming with you.

All the best,
SR

CapCon

Ah Ewan, mate that's tough! Sorry to hear that but it's good to see you've got a positive attitude. At least you know, I'm still pulling my hair out waiting for the email

Was good to meet you mate. If you want to be a pilot then there's plenty of other ways other than CTC. If not then good luck in whatever you choose to do.

Good luck,

Ollie

Alin83

Sorry to hear that you out of the run Sleepyrascal, but I admire your positive attitude!!!
The more I read this messages the more I get worried about the test!!! I haven't even pass stage 2 yet and I'm already worrying about stage 3... let's see...
I just wonder how technical are they getting at the interview??? Do you need to know all AIRBUS and BOEING fleet inside out???????? Or is it about general knowledge such as principles of flying, etc.???

Goodluck to everyone else!!!!

99jolegg

They don't expect you to be a guru of aircraft. Have a good understanding of the principles of flight, what each aircraft looks like, the main differences between Boeing and Airbus. Also, a good knowledge of the industry and the business / management side of flying is a great help.

I wouldn't worry about what they are going to ask you. It's likely they'll ask you something that you had no idea they were going to ask you...something that makes you actually sit there and think before answering rather than reading off rehearsed lines. The more you get hooked up on learning each question you think they'll ask, the more likely you'll do badly on the ones that really count - the ones they know you won't really have prepared a specific answer for.

Mr_Turner

Evening there guys,

I have been reading these forums off and on for about six months now, and have contributed very little. Though finally I have set a date for phase two the 1st of April.

I know more or what to expect thank goodness thanks to this forum, though anybody heading down on the 1st of April would like to get chatting then feel free.

Though am I correct in saying that there are no representatives of CTC at phase two ? I thought there would be, considering that phase two is at a CTC centre ? Or am I mistaken ? Thank you.

sleepyrascal

The INTERVIEW>>>

Its not all technical stuff in terms of hydraulics, thermodynamics etc... Perhaps my initial post was misleading.

What you need is a base knowledge of the industry as a whole. Know a little bit about everything rather than know a lot about a few things. I fall into the 'knowingf a lot about a few things' and they simply didnt touch on the areas I am strong in.

I got roasted on my comments regarding carbon emmissions. What i mean is i talked about aviation being behind in the 'green' race compared to the car industry. I talked about the aviation industry having to embrace change and prepare to make changes. My mistake was that I didnt have the figures or the evidence to back up what I was saying. I was asked what the emissions per mile/per head was for an aircraft compared to a car. I had no idea and the interviewer simply said, "you should know that if your going to talk about carbon gasses". I initiated the carbon emmisions conversation in the first place. SO i guess if your going to have a speciality and want to bring it up in the interview, learn that subject inside out and make sure you know what your on about becasue you can bet your ass the interviewer will know at least as much as you.

TOP OF THE LIST: Read the threads on this forum about the negatives of being a pilot. Think about it. Think about it again and make sure your 110% dedicated. After today i realise im not and the interviewers saw that very quickly i think.

99jolegg

Yes there are representatives of CTC at Stage 2. You'll speak to the lady at the reception desk (Gemma if she's still there), Daphne will give you a talk and presentation and will answer any questions you have, and Julie (I think) is the Human Resources manager that will talk to you about Phase 3.

I think I got the names right...

Mr_Turner

Thank you very much Joe, Ah yes I think I have spoken to Gemma and a few others because there was a problem with my application. Nice enough people........on the phone at least haha !

Looking forward to this day actually, I hope thats not a bad thing !

Mad_Max1984

Ewan, sorry to hear the news.
You shouldn't give up though, but if you don't feel CTC is worth another shot I wish you luck with your job.
Max

Penny89

hi, i am going to Stage 2 in April and i was wondering if anybody could tell me the sort of thing that is in the Maths test. i am a bit concerned as my maths is not the best! it would be good to know the sorts of questions etc to expect. thanks

CapCon

Finally got the phone call! Blimey what a relief! Phase 4 on the 13th of March. Anyone else going then? How did everyone else on Phase 3 yesterday get on?

Good luck

CapCon

sleepyrascal

Max,

I have to go back in 6 weeks but im having a think about it before agreeing to that. Its nothing against CTC, its a fantastic opportunity. Its more my own uncertainty. Maybe ive just been thrown off course a bit. I have time to think.

Ollie thats great news for you! You deserve it! Phase four should be ok I would have thought. Remember to work out your age in months and practice your backwards alphabet!!!!

Mad_Max1984

Nice one Ollie mate, I got the call too. Can't believe it.
Haven't booked phase 4 yet though.
Glad your giving it thought Ewan, I think you will go through 2nd time round, but like you say you have time to think.