CTC Icp

[newbie008]

Does anyone recommend this? I have spoken with regarding it and wondered if there is anyone out in NZ currently and what its like? Apparently depending on circumstances you can get an unsecured loan to fund it all. Obviously the idea is to go on to the ATP when it reopens, but what do you think employers will think if that isnt a viable option - Easier to get a job as it was CTC who trained me?? Any opinions welcomed especially people who are doing it..

[PAJ]

As far as I know, there are not any iCP guys out here at the moment - I think there are supposed to be some starting in December though and maybe before then. As for what employers will think of the course, it's hard to say at this stage. CTC are very highly regarded in the industry now and the pass marks in both ATPLs and CPL/IR first times is excellent so I would expect that training with them would definitely make you more appealing than a modular trained student. CTC aims to run like an airline as much as possible which is very good preparation for a position on the flight deck. We are not taught to fly like private pilots and then converted to airline-style flying in our IR phases like other training might do, we have to follow SOPs and procedures from the outset. Hamilton has excellent training facilities and can get fairly busy which again trains a pilot to be more aware and farmiliar with procedural departures/ arrivals from the first flight.

Flying in NZ is not like learning to fly in a desert in America where you get crystal clear weather most days. You don't fly in those kinds of conditions often in the UK which some may argue under-prepares you for UK flying and might slightly reduce your ability to make suitable decisions as PIC in poor weather. In NZ, we have mountains which provide interesting weather most days and lots of moisture surrounding us in the Pacific, yet still manage to get days where the visibility is well in excess of 100km. The airspace and radio services out here are also very similar to that of the UK familiarising you with operating in controlled airspace.

I couldn't tell you about the ins and outs of the scheme and whether an unsecured loan is available - Wings cadets do get up to £75k unsecured but our training contracts are a bit different to that of the iCP. I'm fairly sure you would be able to get a portion of the loan unsecured but perhaps get in contact with CTC/ HSBC about this. Hope some of that helps.

[newbie008]

thanks PAJ very informative. The info I quoted was from CTC having spoken with them and I was under the impression ICP guys had already started or are about too. I didnt make it as far as you on the cadets unfortunately, but originally saw the ICP as a money making scheme and just having 2nd thoughts and wondering who else has applied..