I passed phase 4 in March and they allowed me to postpone my departure until August to enable me to finish my degree. Having said that, they knew I was still in my final year at University when I applied so they must have known I would be wanting to finish it.

If backpacking is your reason, rather than something like a degree which you're already committed to, then I don't know. The application form does give you an option to specify what is the earliest date you would be available for training (if I remember correctly!). I would say definitely go for your phase 2 resit on one of the dates allocated, and then have a word with the staff on that day. They're the best people to ask.

Hi bjkeates
I did not know that they allowed you to apply while still at uni. I myself am at uni and would like to approach CTC in the same way. Are they then fairly open minded when it comes to students applying and postponing their departure for NZ? Do you know of any body else who has done this?
Thanks in advance and the very best of luck in NZ.

Applying whilst at uni
 

I applied in October last year after just starting my masters (1 year course) and I got through the application form and follow up questions stage. As my availability date was October this year, they put me on hold until closer to my availability date, so I haven't been invited to stage 2 yet.

Haha - CTC have invited me back for phase 4 after I failed at this stage last time. They want me to pay £100 'process costs'.... I don't think so.

Docash - I think they tend to be fairly open-minded. Most people who I've met at selection days have been in their early 20s and either not long out of uni or still there. Given the entry requirements (good A-levels) and bearing in mind that most people who get good A-levels will then go on to university, I would have thought that they expect a large number of current students to apply. I can't speak for them, of course, but it would seem logical.

Don't let the fact you're still at university put you off applying, but I certainly wouldn't apply if you're not in your final year unless you intend to drop out if you pass selection (but then this might not necessarily look good if you're asked about it in an interview.) As an example, I applied in December last year and had completed the four stages and class 1 medical by the end of March. I had a five-week wait between stages 2 and 3, which is much longer than some people, so if you're considering applying with the intention of finishing your degree first I would personally suggest doing so in January or February of the year you intend to go, and then see what happens. As NickS said, it is possible for them to accept your initial application and then put you on hold, depending on what you specified as your first available date on your application form.

And thanks for the best wishes... I can't wait to get going! Leaving for LHR in a couple of hours... :ok:

Edit to say: Pilot37 - given the high pass rate at Stage 4 and what the course can offer if you do pass, are you really going to pack it in at this stage? Many applicants would give a hell of a lot to be in that position. Not a criticism, just curious.

FDD - i plan on going in September 11th ( :ooh: ) as it gives me a little more time to plan the trip (it's a long way from Newcastle) and to practice up if i find anything to help me out.

Do you know of any way to practice the area we both failed on?

BJK - I am one of those people that would give so much to be in a similar position to that.

Sicky I'm probably thinking 11th Sept is a better choice for me too, don't think I'm giving myself enough time to see if i can improve any areas of PILAPT if i go for August. I've tried looking for similar progs on the net but with limited success. Now I have read alot on here that people don't think you can do much to practice for the PILAPT tests as either you have it or you dont!! But on reflection from the first time i did them, I think that you can at least try multi tasking programs which must do something to improve those needed skills and especially flight sims to practice keeping cross hairs in the centre of the screen. Just like with anything practice makes perfect.... But then again are CTC looking for practice and dedication or just natural skill?

I think both are good qualities, for me, it would be more about finding a routine to use that suits me best. I know for the one where you match the colour, shape and whether they line up, i scored 100% because i got myself into a routine and stuck ot it. Im pretty sure if i could do the same thing\practice doing it, it would help me greatly.

I had a look at cockpitweb (£60) and pilapt-prep (£23). They both seem useful, but im the same as you, not sure how useful!

Hope to see you there on Sept 11th! (i swear...all these tests and interviews are making me bankrupt!!)

Resits
 

Good Evening All,

Firstly a massive congrats to bjkeates who is now, no doubt, on his/her way to Hamilton!! What I would give to be in that position:ok: All the best :D

My question is that I have got my resit at stage 3 approaching and wondered what the resit questions were like. I studied the economy and aircraft fleet before which from my feedback scored quite well. Will I be asked the standard questions like how many of these aircraft do we have? what routes do we fly ect or will it be a quick........ so what have you done to improve since last time type questions??

Anyone resat stage 3 recently care to let me know? Would just like to know where to focus my time as alot has happened in the last 4 months.

Thanks again
The Reverand :ok:

I have no experience, but imagine that they would ask similar questions, but maybe concentrate on whichever area it was that let you down the last time.

Hahaha, yes I am literally on the way to Hamilton now - currently somewhere up in the air on SQ321! Loving the Connexion by Boeing - it's brilliant! :p

I got through stage 3!!!

I'm absolutely ecstatic!!!

Anyone got their stage 4 on 10th August?

Hey guys n girls.

Anyone who has actually progressed through the whole selection, can you advise me the total cost of obtaining a JAR class 1 medical certificate. The cost sheet here states £435.00 but that includes all the "if needed" tests. Does CTC require all the tests do be carried out or just the minimum specification?

thanks

The cost of a CAA Class 1 medical now stands at £302

I had mine just over a week ago, it takes roughly an hour and a half although this will increase the more of you ther are (there were 5 people when I had mine).

You have to pass the medical with NO EXCEPTIONS

Danny :p

lovely, cheers for the info

questions - am i being blind?
 

Hi folks, my first post on this thread so please be gentle with me!

Firstly I want to say thanks to all those who have taken the time to post helpful info in here - I really appreciate the effort from all those who have revealed all from the selection process, particularly those who haven't made it but have still decided to share. Thanks.

Anyway, question 1!!
I've just finished reading the previous 50 odd pages of this thread and several people have mentioned being 'sponsored' or 'pre-selected' by one of the partner airlines but I can't find anything that says how you go about getting this sponsorship? All the airline websites just link to the CTC site and say 'don't apply directly to us, apply to CTC'. Can anyone shed any light on it for me (apologies if I'm missing something really obvious!)?

and also...
I am 26, and likely to be nearly 27 by the time I'm ready to apply (financially and personally - want to be sure that this is really what I want before I put myself through all that heartache!). Several people have mentioned that the partner airlines have lower age limits than CTC's '30-on-day-of-application'. Does anyone know if this has stopped older cadets getting jobs at the end of the process, or whether greater age is seen as a disadvantage that you need to overcome in the selection process?

thanks very much - any help very gratefully received!

girl friday

Well done Pazu888 just the sim left for you and good luck.

Didn't tell you my username on pprune but I was the guy who gave you a lift in the morning from the B&B. I got through to stage 4 ( also fantastically happy!!) for the ATP section and so did the other ATP guy I knew. Not sure how the Swedish guy did.

Best of luck


Mooneyboy:ok:

Waiting time from Phase 1 to 2
 

Some people were asking reciently how long people had to wait for an invitation to stage 2 after sending in their fax pack. I sent my fax on June 16th and got an invitation today (3 Aug) to stage 2.

Now to traul through the whole thread to get as much info as possible

girl friday =>
About the sponsorship, I think after you've applied to CTC and have done the initial training, the airline contacts CTC and asks for cadets, then you (hopefully) get recommended to them. The airline then pays for your type rating and you remain forever in their debt.

I got this from the CTC website and from other threads, but I don't know from experience. Someone'll correct me if I'm wrong, I'm sure.

Also it won't make you feel better, but I feel old at 23 and having not started training yet. From looking at www.cadetpilot.com, it appears that some cadets are in the older end of the age bracket and secured sponsorship from an airline, so there's still hope.

Cheers mate, well done to you too! I had a feeling you might get through...:ok: I reckon it was the wolves that did it for us...! Thanks again for the lift.

I got a taxi back to Southampton with the Swedish guy and he wasn't too happy, I haven't heard from him though.

Good luck with your ATP, do you have to do any more stages?

Pazu