CTC cadet vs. OAT/Netjets

[gkyip]

Ah ok thanks for the info hollingworthp. I take it your in the middle of the Phoenix bit? How was the selection and what's your training like? I reckon it would be better if Netjets did a similar selection process to CTC's simulator in that they should take you in one of their Hawkers and you each get to do a bit of general handling on your way to Lisbon! I'd be interested to know what percent of people who apply for Netjets get a place. For CTC it's around 4% I believe.

Oh and one further thing to add is that another influence for me was the fact that it looked like most of my university coursemates were applying for CTC and indeed have succeeded in selection so I will be around familiar faces throughout.

[hollingworthp]

Yep - it is 1520 and 40 degrees (it will get hotter yet today!). Did 2 duals and a backseat earlier (Holds & Approaches). Due back to Oxford in 6 weeks or so.

If I recall correctly, 5% of the applicants were successful on the scheme.

We do get several 'field trips' during our training (London City Airport and Flight Safety) and it is possible to arrange to fly in the back of a company jet if one is doing a suitable ferry flight (once you are on the course that is). A real benefit in my eyes is the close contact we have with NJE throughout - with the programme manager visiting the cadets once a week. We are definitely made to feel 'part of the NJE family' which is nice as the other schemes at OAA don't seem to get that (I may be wrong though).

There are quite a few University coursemates on our scheme - Loughborough graduates seem to be popular but I don't recall the other Uni's.

Do you get weather problems over in NZ? This is obviously supposed to be a fair-weather base but wind (and temperature) are quite problematic for the solos and we stop flying at 46 degrees (was 43 up until last week but the limit was raised .... probably by someone who did not have to sit in a warrior at that temperature

[gkyip]

I don't start until September so I don't know about the weather but I've heard that Hamilton gets a lot of dense fog sometimes which can be interesting.

I'm from Leeds university and have a degree in Aviation technology which is pretty good if you want to be a pilot.

Gary

[flightless_bird]

Wx in Hamilton

Just recently the weather in Hamilton has been pretty bad and there has been much less flying going on (or so I hear). But apparently part of the reason for doing the training out there is to improve cadets' decision making skills (with regards to diverting - or even whether to go in the first place).

[marcuzzofly]

Hi gkyip,

I've seen you got through ctc...well first of all well done mate!!!!

Then i've got just a quick question for you.....whot it is like the interview?

I'll have phase 2 shortly and as you know if I'll pass the pilapt I'll have the interview....I don't know what to expect, a very technique interview or what!!!! Unfortunately I don't have any flying experience which might help me...
I was gonna buy a book a guy told me here on pprune but by the time they deliver it to me it will be too late for phase 3....

Any clue?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers mate

[Bambe]

Hi marcuzzofly,

The interview, when I took it was a mix of tchnical question and some about your past experience.

Regarding the technical question, expect something like "Tell us how to stop an aircraft after landing?, What are the flaps used for?, Thomas Cook fleet?, Why does an aircraft fly?... It's not that hard as you're not supposed to have any flying experience, it's simply to know if you've made some research that show your interest for the job.

But the biggest part will be about YOU...

You will probably be interviewed by both a Captain and someone from HR. This one will ask you some question such as "Tell us about a time you've led a team, Tell us about a time you disagreed with someone and what was the outcome?, Why do you want to be a pilot?, What is a pilot's typical day?...
Don't forget that they don't want to hear about what you would have done in that situation but they need to hear an example from your past (job, college, hobbies...).

Good luck, think about your real motivations, be enthousiastic, try to relax. They will do everything to make you feel at your ease.
I personnaly was very stressed and finally enjoyed the entire interview.

[marcuzzofly]

Hi Bambe,

Thanks for it.
I started to do some research about it and to be honest I feel more confident if I'll get there....
So now is just a matter of time...

Let me ask you something...are you training with CTC now or already done it thus flying with one of their partners?

Cheers

Ciao

[The African Dude]

More about the wx in Hamilton - a lot of the time we get cloud about 2-3000' upwards, so given the high terrain to the south can make for some good decision-making practice. Also, in the later stages of the course we are operating near the legal VFR minima so in respect of routing and hazard avoidance techniques it's good fun. Equally enjoyable are the days of blue skies and smooth Controlled VFR up in Christchurch airspace at 6500'! It's a good mixed bag, but the exposure to rainy, foggy, cloudy conditions has been great. The fog is worst in winter but there is the occasional summer morning where we all get canned...

Wind is not normally such a problem one you've done your crosswind circuits - Hamilton's runway is orientated North/South with a prevailing Westerly wind!

Ultimately, even though we all hope to be flying IFR in the main, dealing with a lot of weather in the VFR stages has been very useful.

Hope it helps...
Cheers
AD