2012 CTC OAA & FTE Graduates review
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The point of this thread was very simple – to give those considering the big schools, very recent information.
The fact that those who’ve recently graduated over the last 12 months – and there must 300+ - can’t/won’t give minimal assistance to those that are only one further notch down the ladder than them is very disappointing.
The schools will no doubt fill any information gaps with their golden stats.
I’m alright jack.
The fact that those who’ve recently graduated over the last 12 months – and there must 300+ - can’t/won’t give minimal assistance to those that are only one further notch down the ladder than them is very disappointing.
The schools will no doubt fill any information gaps with their golden stats.
I’m alright jack.
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I think it's tricky and risky for those who still haven't found their first job, to comment on the quality of their flying school on such a high profile public forum.
Firstly, if they are relying on their FTO to provide careers services, the likelihood is they don't want to damage any chances (however unlikely) of getting put forward for any jobs, by slandering the quality of their training, online.
To that end FANS, I imagine you'll only receive feedback from those who already have jobs and after 6 sectors still have the sense (or quite the contrary) to come and read the futile arguments posted here on PPRuNe.
Secondly, the experience of going through an integrated flight school holds a lot of personal value. Therefore, I doubt graduates are too inclined to give away such information on public forums. Compare it to posting a thread with the title 'Airline Chief Pilots Post Your Details Here', it's unlikely you'll get many responses. However if you were to ask 'are there any graduates who would be able to answer a couple of questions over PM' there's a fairly good chance you'd get some (and more importantly, honest) answers.
I doubt you'll get much feedback now you've expressed your opinion of the general population of graduate pilots in the manner you chose, but perhaps be less expectant and demanding in the future, it maybe the difference between pleasing a HR manager or p**ing-up an interview.
Firstly, if they are relying on their FTO to provide careers services, the likelihood is they don't want to damage any chances (however unlikely) of getting put forward for any jobs, by slandering the quality of their training, online.
To that end FANS, I imagine you'll only receive feedback from those who already have jobs and after 6 sectors still have the sense (or quite the contrary) to come and read the futile arguments posted here on PPRuNe.
Secondly, the experience of going through an integrated flight school holds a lot of personal value. Therefore, I doubt graduates are too inclined to give away such information on public forums. Compare it to posting a thread with the title 'Airline Chief Pilots Post Your Details Here', it's unlikely you'll get many responses. However if you were to ask 'are there any graduates who would be able to answer a couple of questions over PM' there's a fairly good chance you'd get some (and more importantly, honest) answers.
I doubt you'll get much feedback now you've expressed your opinion of the general population of graduate pilots in the manner you chose, but perhaps be less expectant and demanding in the future, it maybe the difference between pleasing a HR manager or p**ing-up an interview.
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This thread is not for my benefit.
I set it up as I considered it would be helpful for people to hear of recent experience at these 3 schools and where cadets currently are. As helpful as Mad Jock's and Beazlebub's posts are, they are not from those that have recently gone through a course. Equally, we all criticise schools' statistics but won't provide any feedback.
The fact that there have been very very few replies from the many people who when selecting a school a few years earlier wanted to know every little detail confirms my view of those that have embarked on an untagged integrated course in the last few years.
I set it up as I considered it would be helpful for people to hear of recent experience at these 3 schools and where cadets currently are. As helpful as Mad Jock's and Beazlebub's posts are, they are not from those that have recently gone through a course. Equally, we all criticise schools' statistics but won't provide any feedback.
The fact that there have been very very few replies from the many people who when selecting a school a few years earlier wanted to know every little detail confirms my view of those that have embarked on an untagged integrated course in the last few years.
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Airline partners
Given that Easyjet is not an Airline Partner to FTE Jerez, would that mean that a student obtaining an ATPL through FTE Jerez would have next to no chance of being employed by Easyjet?
ie should we look at each schools airline partners when making a decision about which school to train at.
Thanks
ie should we look at each schools airline partners when making a decision about which school to train at.
Thanks
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Graduated OAA late 2011 with high 90s over ATPLs, first time passes and a solid report, nothing salient from them aside from Ryanair. Groundschool, Basic and Advanced (IR) Flying stages were good if not a bit poorly organised whilst out in America. Completed PILAPT assessment in May 2012 at Dibden Manor and joined the CTC ATP Holdpool in October 2012 after completing their Airline Qualification Course. Found CTC to be very good for the brief period I was there (1 month).
Now awaiting placement (plus, on the look-out for other opportunities) with one of their partner airlines, whilst working at a very large international airport in a pertinent and high-responsibility role for an orange carrier. I also instruct flight simulator experiences and run a aviation-related business part-time.
Approximately 75% of my OAA course are employed with Ryanair, the rest are not currently flying. I fly light aircraft fortnightly to keep my skills up.
Hope this helps.
Now awaiting placement (plus, on the look-out for other opportunities) with one of their partner airlines, whilst working at a very large international airport in a pertinent and high-responsibility role for an orange carrier. I also instruct flight simulator experiences and run a aviation-related business part-time.
Approximately 75% of my OAA course are employed with Ryanair, the rest are not currently flying. I fly light aircraft fortnightly to keep my skills up.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by LastMinuteChanges; 4th Jun 2013 at 08:56.
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Interesting post LastMinuteChanges...
From an employment point of view, I know obviously the basic reason that not everyone gets employed from the OAA integrated course is that there are not enough jobs to go around but beyond that can you shed any light on why some get jobs and some don't?
I mean is it ATPL theory marks, flying skill demonstrated on the course, or just how a candidate performs in an airline's assessment having been invited? Do Oxford try harder with placements for people who have performed better on the course? To what extent does the standard achieved on the course influence job prospects? Or is it just chance/luck?
Also on a separate note you mention you work for a certain Orange airline now, do you see any hope in applying to them if they run their internal pilot recruitment again?
Thanks for posting on this thread, for people yet to go through the process it is very much appreciated.
From an employment point of view, I know obviously the basic reason that not everyone gets employed from the OAA integrated course is that there are not enough jobs to go around but beyond that can you shed any light on why some get jobs and some don't?
I mean is it ATPL theory marks, flying skill demonstrated on the course, or just how a candidate performs in an airline's assessment having been invited? Do Oxford try harder with placements for people who have performed better on the course? To what extent does the standard achieved on the course influence job prospects? Or is it just chance/luck?
Also on a separate note you mention you work for a certain Orange airline now, do you see any hope in applying to them if they run their internal pilot recruitment again?
Thanks for posting on this thread, for people yet to go through the process it is very much appreciated.
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ContactTower,
Essentially some get jobs whilst others don't because it does boil down to your grades and performance over the course.
Since I have been in the OAA holdpool, aside from Ryanair, only two jet jobs arose - flying as an SO for Air Atlanta Icelandic at no cost to you, but only secure for 2 months, or flying as an SO for Volotea, at a cost of £25K for a B717 TR. No turbo-prop jobs have been offered unfortunately.
In my case, I did not apply for either as Air Atlanta Icelandic would have clashed with my CTC Airline Qualification Course training, and at the time, I didn't think it suitable to spend a vast sum of money (albeit on a jet) on an aircraft that had such a limited amount in service in Europe.
Sometimes people can refer to it as 'pot luck', but the blunt matter of fact is, that most graduates up until now, have qualified at OAA and then attended Ryanair assessments. Some have been successful, some haven't and unfortunately there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to their recruitment methods - so I can't comment on that unfortunately.
You need a high standard to be considered for job interview. When OAA send out an email to all graduates stating there is a job available for 'said carrier', you will be competing against perhaps 100 other individuals (it was once less, but now CAE have taken over OAA, they've added their pilots into the mix) who are just as ambitious and as driven as you - if they have better grades, reports and above all, perform better on the day - they will get the job, not you.
Aim for above 90% on your ATPLs, with no failures in those exams whatsoever, as well as first-time passes in your CPL and ideally your IR. A good MCC report is crucial too. Your CV needs to show you 'have a life outside of work' too, so make hobbies and subjects studied varied, and not just about aviation.
OAA run 'Interview Preparation Workshops' and also host seminars, I believe tomorrow is with Air Tankers on their role with the RAF.
My role is contracted out to the orange carrier, so unfortunately I do not work directly for them. But, this orange carrier is a prominent recruiter from the CTC hold pool, and prior to my graduation, operated the APPFO+ scheme to take on graduates from OAA. Although this approach may look quite like I'm adopting 'tunnel vision' in my search for a job, it can't hurt to have fingers in different pies so to speak.
The orange carrier is my dream airline, but we shall see. 'Best laid plans of mice and men often go astray'.
Good luck, you can PM me if you wish buddy.
Essentially some get jobs whilst others don't because it does boil down to your grades and performance over the course.
Since I have been in the OAA holdpool, aside from Ryanair, only two jet jobs arose - flying as an SO for Air Atlanta Icelandic at no cost to you, but only secure for 2 months, or flying as an SO for Volotea, at a cost of £25K for a B717 TR. No turbo-prop jobs have been offered unfortunately.
In my case, I did not apply for either as Air Atlanta Icelandic would have clashed with my CTC Airline Qualification Course training, and at the time, I didn't think it suitable to spend a vast sum of money (albeit on a jet) on an aircraft that had such a limited amount in service in Europe.
Sometimes people can refer to it as 'pot luck', but the blunt matter of fact is, that most graduates up until now, have qualified at OAA and then attended Ryanair assessments. Some have been successful, some haven't and unfortunately there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to their recruitment methods - so I can't comment on that unfortunately.
You need a high standard to be considered for job interview. When OAA send out an email to all graduates stating there is a job available for 'said carrier', you will be competing against perhaps 100 other individuals (it was once less, but now CAE have taken over OAA, they've added their pilots into the mix) who are just as ambitious and as driven as you - if they have better grades, reports and above all, perform better on the day - they will get the job, not you.
Aim for above 90% on your ATPLs, with no failures in those exams whatsoever, as well as first-time passes in your CPL and ideally your IR. A good MCC report is crucial too. Your CV needs to show you 'have a life outside of work' too, so make hobbies and subjects studied varied, and not just about aviation.
OAA run 'Interview Preparation Workshops' and also host seminars, I believe tomorrow is with Air Tankers on their role with the RAF.
My role is contracted out to the orange carrier, so unfortunately I do not work directly for them. But, this orange carrier is a prominent recruiter from the CTC hold pool, and prior to my graduation, operated the APPFO+ scheme to take on graduates from OAA. Although this approach may look quite like I'm adopting 'tunnel vision' in my search for a job, it can't hurt to have fingers in different pies so to speak.
The orange carrier is my dream airline, but we shall see. 'Best laid plans of mice and men often go astray'.
Good luck, you can PM me if you wish buddy.
