Kerosine

Be aware that there are different training captains doing stage 4 so your experiences will differ, some may land and others might not I suppose. I spent 50 mins in the sim and it was the most fun I've had in ages. Managed to land the thing on the threshold which I was pleased about, although we have to override the autobrake to stop just short of the end of the runway due to a substantial balloon!

The chap who I had (David Powell) was great. Very calming and relaxed, also very interesting to talk to; really made it an enjoyable day. That being said, I've heard all of them are very good.

woskam

I had Eg too! One of the nicest guys I've ever met!

gkyip

My experience seems to be the same, just to add assurance for those of you with phase 4 coming up. There was about a 40 min briefing which covered basic instruments, and how they work and covered a brief overview of speeds, basic flying controls and procedures. The first thing the instructor did was to say this is the overhead panel, this is the centre pedestal...forget about these as they won't be used. The engines, flaps and MCP are all handled by the instructor so just focus on your instrument scan.

Instructor took off for me, handed control over to me around 4000ft and asked me to level off at 8000ft. Then some normal turns to track headings and steep turns. Then it was radar vectors for an ILS approach. My printout showed me skirting around the localiser a bit and following a pretty good steady -700fpm for the glideslope. My landing wasn't too bad, I asked 'Egg' what he thought of the landing and he said my passengers would be very scared!

Egg was fantastic, top guy and made me and the two others there feel very relaxed and I got the impression that we were there to mostly enjoy the day. Now I'm through, looking to get a lot more sim time later on in the course!

Best of luck and enjoy it!

belongins

Did mine yesterday - and passed
CP67 oh yeah

Incidently i did my own throttles - 55% N1 ....or there abouts and an ILS approach into 24L Gatwick after doing a series of banked turns ascents and descents including descending banked turns too weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee


Great fun - for those about to rock ....please just chill and enjoy the day its immense!

B

woskam

Well done mate!
Out of curiosity, how many flying hours have you got? Obviously everybody's P4 is tailored to their experience but I've never heard of anybody handling the throttles before!

belongins

Indeed and sorry for forgeting to tell you
I have around 13hrs on Chipmunks via the ATC but as the more astute of you will know i am 34! so this was a while ago to say the least!
Also i did the basic glider pilot course at RAF Chivenor VGS via the ATC which saw me through to a solo circuit in a Venture T2 motor glider after around 5 hours flight tuition.

It is tailored and expectations are related to your experience.
Also I was told that the P4 is not regarded in isolation. You whole selection process performance is adjudicated the afternoon after you P4 assessment and a descision usually arrives the same day.

IMHO I reckon they are looking to see if anyone freaks out on the flight deck and says 'You know what this isnt for me.' Quite right really considering the undertaking and the financial risk. Very responsible of CTC IMHO

B

belongins

LOL
Chelsce whihc course are you on?
B

wiblywoblywonder

belongins - congrats in getting through! When are you starting? I hope I will be joining you!

Does anybody know where is the best place to stay in Nursling for Phase 4? Bearing in mind I'm using public transport!!
(I know I already asked you for Bournemouth & I'm sorted there!!) Tried a few but they are £70 a night, if there was anything cheaper I would be interested! See if I get past Phase 2/3 I have Phase 4 the next day so just getting it sorted!

If anyone in for June 4/5 let me know!!

Streety

Sounds like they've moved the runway round since I was last there....

belongins

Ooohps bugger
Sorry still dilerious with joy 26L hehehhehehehehe

Wibly
Thanks!
Dont stay at the Star Hotel in the centre of town. £50 a night, noisey and pants
Someone siad on here that you could ask Southampton Uni for a room - seems like a pretty good idea.
Also i noticed what looked like a sweet place on the A34(?) main road into Southampton but may not suit public transport?

B

Robbo0885

Wibly,

I'm heading down to phase 4 next week, 5th June from Aberdeen. I'm staying at a B&B in Totton which seems OK in terms of location-only £35 a night too (who says Aberdonians are tight?!). I'm not that fussed what the place is like tho-just want a bed for the night! The guy at the place reckons a taxi to CTC at Nursling from there is around £8, so not too bad. PM me if you want more details.

Robbo

wiblywoblywonder

Hey guys thanks for that.
Rob,can you PM me the details of that B&B. WIll be handy for a taxi in the morning!!
Good price too, the hotel CTC recommended was £70!!!
Tried PM'ing you but it wouldn't work
Cheers
P

Jenny149

I have been going through the info pack and just wondered if everyone had taken out their insurance with the company suggested by ctc?
Has anyone looked elsewhere at insurance?

poss

Well done belongings!
I didn't bother shopping around, as dave said for what we need its quite difficult to find. You may as well not take the risk and just go for the company ctc recommended, I believe the only savings others have made have been less then £100.

d41xcs

you're about to spend roughly 65 grand on a training course, and instead of "doing" what CTC "suggest" (which is getting insurance from PJIS), numerous cadets seem to think that hunting around insurance companies so they can save 100 quid or so is a good use of time...

the requirements are very very specific. CTC have years and years of experience about what works, and what doesnt...so why do people feel the urge to ignore their advice?!

dont get me wrong - i love a bargain, but in this situation, is it worth taking the gamble? maybe i've missed a trick here, but i'd say its more important to just get all in prep done to the T, than risk getting your visa refused cos you thought you'd save (in the grand scheme of things) a few pennies.

please note - this is not me suggesting that cadets dont watch what they spend, and spend wisely at that...

poss

Pfft tell me about it Dave. I'm so poor I make a bum look rich.
Saying that though my £400 for this month came through just today but got to spend it in moderation.
I've not heard of anyone getting the insurance anywhere cheaper and it covering everything that is required but please someone correct me if i'm wrong.

Kerosine

I'm still awaiting the info pack so maybe you can help with this; do we have to pay for our insurance outright or is it covered in some way by the loan? I pretty sure I now what the answer is but wanted to confirm with someone!

Thanks!

d41xcs

Paying for the insurance is seperate from the loan, as the insurance itself covers the loan (if that makes sense)...ie: they are not going to lend you money to cover a loan which they are issuing.

the logical order of things is (assuming you need the loan):

1) Medical (cos if you dont get it, you'll never be flying anyway!)
2) Loan
3) Insurance (cos it covers the loan, and is only worth getting if you can afford to go! It also means you have the correct cover to apply for....
4) Visa (cos you need to have paid your foundation course fee via your loan and you also need the right insurance).

I got my insurance the other week and it was £1112.

thats the long and short of it anyway...

Kerosine

Thansk for that Dx, I remember a time when a grand was a large sum of money, now it pales in comparison to the other 75K...

xbilz

I passed my phase2 and had phase 3 on the same day. However, CTC decided not to take my application further. But they have asked me to re-apply again stating that I was very close to their standards. They have asked me to re-apply in 6 months time... is it usual?? do I have to go through the whole process again or would it just be the interview?? has anyone been able to get it done earlier than 6 months waiting time?? 6 months is a lonnnnnnnnnnnnng time.