The CTC Wings (Cadets) Thread - Part 2.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Somwhere with girls, wine and cars that shine..
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oh man....
1 french, 2 poles....even swiss people....oh man....dont they have their own programs in their countries? you know...the ones us brits cant apply to?
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Mid Wales
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Life in NZ???????
Hey,
I'm due to fly out to NZ in September and was interested to see what is awaiting me, can anyone enlighten me?
What is the work pattern- is it 5days a week and times i.e 7am til 5pm, is all the ground school self study?
I know it will be very very hard work, but on a sale of 1 to 10 how hard is the course???
A general description of a day in a life of a cadet would be great ?
If someone can help that would be great....
Many thanks
Lee
I'm due to fly out to NZ in September and was interested to see what is awaiting me, can anyone enlighten me?
What is the work pattern- is it 5days a week and times i.e 7am til 5pm, is all the ground school self study?
I know it will be very very hard work, but on a sale of 1 to 10 how hard is the course???
A general description of a day in a life of a cadet would be great ?
If someone can help that would be great....
Many thanks
Lee
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: UK
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All I know is you get loads of time off - so much so that many cadets learn to surf etc. Every course gets a car and a minibus and are free to do loads of different activities.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Lee,
I'm not sure Locarno is being entirely accurate saying "you get loads of time off". The training centre in NZ is a 7-day-a-week operation. The times you can be scheduled to fly varies depending on the season (due to daylight hours, obviously) but by the time you're there it'll be getting towards summer so you can expect to be scheduled any time between 06:30 and 20:00. There are limits to the number of hours you can do in a day, however, so if you did get two flights in a day you wouldn't get them at the two extremes. Last summer it used to shut by 5pm at weekends, although whether that will be the same this time round I don't know.
As has been mentioned elsewhere, you are not allowed to do more than 6 days consecutively and must have 3 off in 14. This means you'll get an adequate number of days off, but don't automatically assume you will get weekends free. It is true you get the use of a couple of vehicles and can use them to go places in your spare time, but training activities obviously take priority.
The ground school system has changed slightly, it was until recently all self-study but now there are classroom lessons to go with the computer-based study.
How hard is the course? Well, it's impossible to put on a scale of 1-10 (what exactly are you comparing it to?) but suffice to say if you've passed selection then they obviously believe you probably won't have an issue coping with it.
I'm not sure Locarno is being entirely accurate saying "you get loads of time off". The training centre in NZ is a 7-day-a-week operation. The times you can be scheduled to fly varies depending on the season (due to daylight hours, obviously) but by the time you're there it'll be getting towards summer so you can expect to be scheduled any time between 06:30 and 20:00. There are limits to the number of hours you can do in a day, however, so if you did get two flights in a day you wouldn't get them at the two extremes. Last summer it used to shut by 5pm at weekends, although whether that will be the same this time round I don't know.
As has been mentioned elsewhere, you are not allowed to do more than 6 days consecutively and must have 3 off in 14. This means you'll get an adequate number of days off, but don't automatically assume you will get weekends free. It is true you get the use of a couple of vehicles and can use them to go places in your spare time, but training activities obviously take priority.
The ground school system has changed slightly, it was until recently all self-study but now there are classroom lessons to go with the computer-based study.
How hard is the course? Well, it's impossible to put on a scale of 1-10 (what exactly are you comparing it to?) but suffice to say if you've passed selection then they obviously believe you probably won't have an issue coping with it.
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Thanks
Hi,
Thanks for all your help, at least i have an idea of wait is awaiting me.
One last question, in the event that I fail one of the atpl's, can you resit it? I know you can with OAT cabair etc... but as your only in the uk for 3 weeks to do your exams, what would happen?
Many Thanks
Lee
Thanks for all your help, at least i have an idea of wait is awaiting me.
One last question, in the event that I fail one of the atpl's, can you resit it? I know you can with OAT cabair etc... but as your only in the uk for 3 weeks to do your exams, what would happen?
Many Thanks
Lee
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: With my head in a sandbox!
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You're in the UK for more than 3 weeks usually - its generally about 5 I think. If you fail one, you resit it in the next module when you return from NZ for good if the subject was one of the first eight, or you have to head to a testing centre from Bournemouth once you are based back there if it was in the second module. Not entirey sure of the details and what the procedure is, but you are able to resit (although obviously not an ideal scenario).
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Hi Lee,
Have you read all of bjkeates's diary? I found it very useful for getting a flavour of what is to come (I'm also on cp53 so I really enjoyed reading it!) I can't remember the exact web address but I believe it is linked somewhere earlier in this thread.
bjkeates - hope you don't mind me referring to your blog but I think its great for people wanting to find out more about the CTC course.
Regards,
G.U.N
Have you read all of bjkeates's diary? I found it very useful for getting a flavour of what is to come (I'm also on cp53 so I really enjoyed reading it!) I can't remember the exact web address but I believe it is linked somewhere earlier in this thread.
bjkeates - hope you don't mind me referring to your blog but I think its great for people wanting to find out more about the CTC course.
Regards,
G.U.N
Join Date: Jul 2006
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http://www.cp41.net
For more info if people are interested.... Diary link should give some more ideas of life out here through some cadet's eyes....
For more info if people are interested.... Diary link should give some more ideas of life out here through some cadet's eyes....
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: between the books
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Hi guys
I've been talking to a guy who has applied to CTC a few months back.
He had passed through stage 1, 2, and 3. However when they emailed him regarding stage 3 results, they told him that he had successfully passed stage 3, but regretfully was not selected.
The guy told me that 99% this was because, for example CTC needed 30 at that time, out of, say 60.... and they sort of chuked him out. This guy is not Brit.
Can anyone maybe shed light on how CTC selects people and/or maybe any comments about this event?
This guy shocked me when he was telling me to be honest!!
I've been talking to a guy who has applied to CTC a few months back.
He had passed through stage 1, 2, and 3. However when they emailed him regarding stage 3 results, they told him that he had successfully passed stage 3, but regretfully was not selected.
The guy told me that 99% this was because, for example CTC needed 30 at that time, out of, say 60.... and they sort of chuked him out. This guy is not Brit.
Can anyone maybe shed light on how CTC selects people and/or maybe any comments about this event?
This guy shocked me when he was telling me to be honest!!
Join Date: May 2007
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Maybe he was lying?!
Seriously though, I don't see why they didn't select him. If CTC are continuing to take application then why would they have not put him in a hold pool so to speak?
Seriously though, I don't see why they didn't select him. If CTC are continuing to take application then why would they have not put him in a hold pool so to speak?
Join Date: May 2007
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Yet another question regarding age...
On the cp41.net blog there are only 2 peoples profiles, both are uni grads.
Is anyone out in NZ at the moment, or has been in the past, who can tell me what the age of the cadets is/was?
It seems like it is around the 25 mark.
I ask because at stage 2 Daphne mentioned that many 18/19 year olds have been rejected due to a lack of life experience. As a 19 year old going for stage 3 soon, this doesn't bode too well for me!
Any replies from people in the know would be much appreciated.
On the cp41.net blog there are only 2 peoples profiles, both are uni grads.
Is anyone out in NZ at the moment, or has been in the past, who can tell me what the age of the cadets is/was?
It seems like it is around the 25 mark.
I ask because at stage 2 Daphne mentioned that many 18/19 year olds have been rejected due to a lack of life experience. As a 19 year old going for stage 3 soon, this doesn't bode too well for me!
Any replies from people in the know would be much appreciated.
Join Date: Sep 2004
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The age range here varies from 18 through to around 30 or so. I would imagine most cadets are around 21 to 25 and this is mostly because they completed a uni degree before setting off to CTC although there are people here without uni experience. Those people however usually have a certain amount of good experience in other fields appertaining to selection such as a large amount of travel experience on their own, sports, work experience or flying exposure to make up for uni. Its all about life experience to prove that you can hold your own down under. Obviously the older you are the more time you have had to gain this experience and illustrate these experiences to the selection board.
Lovezzin: you'll be pleased to know that a fair amount of the CTC cadet base is made up of French, Italian, South African (there are a few of us) and Canadian cadets...
Lovezzin: you'll be pleased to know that a fair amount of the CTC cadet base is made up of French, Italian, South African (there are a few of us) and Canadian cadets...
Last edited by SA242; 17th Jul 2007 at 00:09.
Join Date: Jul 2007
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To follow up on bjkeates' comments on how intensive the course is:
Total SE flying probably about 180ish hours, spread over about 8 or 9 months (average), so about 20 hours flying a month. In practice this is usually a month of zero then a month of 50 but you get the picture. Flying syllabus has changed completely now integrated but hours are pretty similar I guess.
Ground school time is what you make of it, has all changed since I was there but it really isn't particularly time pressured at all.
When you get to NZ you'll find that everyone is complaining about not having enough to do rather than being too busy!
I'm about to slip into a long rant so I guess I should stop there. Any more questions PM me.
Total SE flying probably about 180ish hours, spread over about 8 or 9 months (average), so about 20 hours flying a month. In practice this is usually a month of zero then a month of 50 but you get the picture. Flying syllabus has changed completely now integrated but hours are pretty similar I guess.
Ground school time is what you make of it, has all changed since I was there but it really isn't particularly time pressured at all.
When you get to NZ you'll find that everyone is complaining about not having enough to do rather than being too busy!
I'm about to slip into a long rant so I guess I should stop there. Any more questions PM me.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Surrey (NZ 7th November CP55)
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CP55 - Anyone?
Afternoon all,
Just got confirmation that ill be going to NZ on the 7th November! CP55
Its been a stressfull journey the last three weeks, but i am glad i am with CTC now!
Anyone else on CP55? drop me a message if you are be good to know who else is going!
I am off for a beer! the adrenaline is pumping!
Niagra1
Just got confirmation that ill be going to NZ on the 7th November! CP55
Its been a stressfull journey the last three weeks, but i am glad i am with CTC now!
Anyone else on CP55? drop me a message if you are be good to know who else is going!
I am off for a beer! the adrenaline is pumping!
Niagra1
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hamilton NZ
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Good lad Jamie. Stage 3 was great fun as far as I'm concerned, had a great time and met some really interesting folks. Best bit of all........Stage 4.
I had Steve Billet as my instructor and was sh
ing myself. Shouldn't have though as I passed and had a great time while I was at it.
You'll be 3 months down the line from me by the time I get out to NZ as I'm flying out on 9th January for CP57 starting on 14th January so I'll be expecting plenty of hints and tips and, of course, a few obligatory beers.
Speak soon mate. I'll PM you my mobile number so we can keep in touch mate.
Stevie
I had Steve Billet as my instructor and was sh
ing myself. Shouldn't have though as I passed and had a great time while I was at it. You'll be 3 months down the line from me by the time I get out to NZ as I'm flying out on 9th January for CP57 starting on 14th January so I'll be expecting plenty of hints and tips and, of course, a few obligatory beers.
Speak soon mate. I'll PM you my mobile number so we can keep in touch mate.
Stevie
Join Date: Jun 2007
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yeah steve ill be old hat by the time you are there! 
Looking forward to it all to be fair, the stage 4 was extremely enjoyable! a lot of people never get to experience anything like that (my mates were so jealous!) and as long as you listen to the instructor/examiner and dont over-correct to much (and if you do make a mistake keep talking through the corrective measures) it is real fun! I had issues with the trim part, concentrating on everything else, THEN realising to trim it up (made it so much easier when it was trim - otherwise it was like a workout in the gym!)
looking forward to xmas out there, and looking forward to meeting the rest of my class!
And of course, a beer will be mandatory!
cheers
J
Looking forward to it all to be fair, the stage 4 was extremely enjoyable! a lot of people never get to experience anything like that (my mates were so jealous!) and as long as you listen to the instructor/examiner and dont over-correct to much (and if you do make a mistake keep talking through the corrective measures) it is real fun! I had issues with the trim part, concentrating on everything else, THEN realising to trim it up (made it so much easier when it was trim - otherwise it was like a workout in the gym!)
looking forward to xmas out there, and looking forward to meeting the rest of my class!
And of course, a beer will be mandatory!
cheers
J