The CTC Wings (Cadets) Thread - Part 2.
 

The original, 75-page*, 1515-post CTC Wings thread was getting a bit unwieldy, so I've closed it. The signal-to-noise ratio was not good either, with far too many people posting social trivia and making it difficult for others to extract useful information from the thread. For those searching now, you'll probably find all you need in the first 10 pages of the original thread. After that, it becomes a never-ending succession of 'I'm on XX intake, anyone gonna meet me in the bar?' type posts. Useless.

So, hard rules from now on. If your post does not give useful information, it will be deleted.

Scroggs

*depending on browser and screen settings.

Start a CTC social thread?

No. This forum is for the exchange of aviation-related information, not for social trivia. PM, e-mail, instant messaging, even the bloody phone can be used for social chit-chat. It will not be allowed here.

Scroggs

CTC Phase II
 

Hello mates,

Will be at CTC end of November for stage 2, I believe I roughly know what tests to expect but how does it work exactly ?
What do you start with & how do they incorporate additional tests ?
By the way, how many tasks do u have to manage in the end ? (other than joystick ?) How long does it last for ?

Thx for kind replies, cheers & let me know if you are in the area !!
Pilatus

I take it you chose not to refer to the original 75-page, 1515-post thread on the subject that was linked to in the first post on this thread?

Some days are harder than others. :ugh: :rolleyes: :hmm:

Scroggs

Seeing as there are so many people who can't be bothered to make the effort, I thought I'd trawl through the old thread and pull out some gems. The following links are full of useful tips and advice. If the answer isn't in there, then it probably isn't that important.

Stage 2 - Pilapt

Stage 2 - General

Stage 3 - General

Stage 4 - General

You will notice that there is no link for any Stage 1 info, because if you haven't got the initiative to fill out an application form without someone holding your hand, then you're probably not what CTC are looking for.

Good luck to all who apply.

Streety.

Scroggs,

Is this thread for the CTC Wings Cadet Scheme (for those with next to no flying experience) or the CTC Wings ATP scheme (for those with a CPL/IR)?

The selection and requirements are quite different so maybe an idea to differentiate between the 2.

M330

The selection for the Wings course for stage 1,2,3 is the same regardless of whether it is cadet or ATP. Some of the links posted above are relevant to anyone thinking of applying to CTC.

Everyone has to take pilapt and everyone has to do, if successful with the pilapt, an interview and group exercises. Of course questions in the interview will be directed at your flying experience and own life experiences.

Where things differ is stage 4. Cadets get a sim ride. The ATP stage 4 is the Airline Qualification Course.

CTC Wings Scheme the original, 1500+ post thread

The CTC ATP Scheme Thread

The CTC Holdpool (ATPers)

CTC AQC

Is that all clear for you? Any more searches you'd like me to do on your behalf?

Scroggs

Scroggs, ignoring your rather biting sarcasm for a minute, the reason I believe MonarchA330 brought up that point is because CTC Wings encompasses both the Cadets and the ATP schemes; i.e. ATP is also a part of Wings.

The point being made was that the title of the thread is a little misleading (yes, I know it's always had that name but the point might as well be raised now). If this particular thread is to be assumed to only apply to the Cadet scheme then it should be named "The CTC Wings Cadets scheme thread" - that way people interested in the Wings ATP course will know not to post there because it doesn't apply to them. Calling it the "Wings" thread doesn't make that distinction.

OK, fair enough. As the original thread seemed not to cause any confusion, I was happy to leave it as it was. However, I'm happy to change it if you feel it's necessary. As for 'biting sarcasm', I'm just a pussycat today. Try me when I'm p+ssed off and tired!

Scroggs

ask for info
 

Hello, i'm new in this forum, and first i want to say an HELLO to everybody!
I've already read the CTC scheme thread.
But, i'd like to know if i fail in the CTC cadet selection, could i apply (sure after pass my CPL) for the ATP selection?

Thanks

Word of advice to anyone going to stage 2. Don't go to bed too early!!!!

I've just got back from my phase 2 but i haven't got a yay or nay yet. However, the day before yesterday i went to bed at 11:30 and got up at 7:00 alert and ready, perfect. Last night i went to bed at ten, when did i get to sleep? Probably about 2:30. Up at 7:30 that's 5 hours sleep. I was absolutely knackered! Basically i wasn't tired when i went to bed at 10 and as i was lying in bed my tiredness didn't increase. So i lay there all night growing more anxious by the minute. And the more anxious i got the harder it was to sleep.

As the pilapt test came around and my brain felt heavy. I dunno how i've done but if i failed it will be dissapointing, as i'll never know whether i could have passed had i done my best. Fingers crossed, but i'm preparing for the worst.

It was a great day though and the best of luck to everyone else who was there today.

Edit: I'm delighted to say that i've passed. What a relief! I really thought i had funked it.

Sat down to think about what to do to prepare for stage 3 for next month, which began by trawling through the part 1 thread again. So i've started reading the ins and outs of the partner airlines to a very detailed level, and ordered an interview book specifically for piloting jobs. I've also applied for a few jobs just to try and get some interviews as i've never really had a proper one.

I have had no flying experince, just a worrying obseseeion with the industry. Would it be worth my while getting one lesson before i go to the interview?

I guess it would be - It would give you an insight into flying for a start and also what the basic function of the controls are. You might even find you hate it :} Good Luck

stage 3 reapplication
 

Hi,

Does anyone ahve any experince of stage 3 for the second time?? I have it next week and was just wondering if anyone know if there is any difference between this and the first attempt e.g is it run with stage 3 first timers or is it all second attempt applicatnts? any ideas of the success rate?. Any advice would be much appreciated

Thanks

Murray

I know they say no flying experience is necessary but when you are sat around the table at the start of phase 3 and they ask you to introduce yourselves and say how many hours you have you might feel like a bit of a plonker if you haven't even set foot in a plane for a lesson!

I would really, really recommend getting at least a couple/few hours - First of all, you know you like the idea of flying but what if you actually don't particularly enjoy the physical flying itself? You'll either find that it ignites your passion for flying, which will show in your interviews, or that maybe flying isn't everything you thought - either way it's something worth finding out!

It'll give you a bit of first hand knowledge to answer questions with, and who looks more committed and motivated - the guy who turns up with 0 hours or the guy who turns up having paid off his own back to try and at least get a taste of flying?

Personally I'd be proud I'd made it to phase 3 without ever stepping foot in a plane for a lesson.

Thanks for the advice though, i may well take a trial lesson beforehand. Even though it's really not compatible with my current financial structure.

RJ111

It might not be within the scope of your present situation to have a lesson, however all it takes is an extra few hours here and there at work to afford it. However, having had financial troubles get in the way of my flight training, I know what it can be like!
After my first trial flight, I couldn't afford any lessons but kept going and hanging out at the flying school watching the aircraft/talking with instructors on the observation deck - as a result I was able to take a number of 'ad-hoc' back seat trips... (caution it becomes dangerously addictive!)


Good Luck!

:ok: ezy_3

I really would recommend it, even if it's in an ultralight aircraft like a eurostar EV...

If I remember correctly you can get an hour long introductory lesson for under £90-£100 in one of those - and they are quite fun too!

If however you can go the full £130-40 ish then I can wholeheartedly recommend White Waltham which is within reach of you (it's just off junction 8/9 of the M4) - great instructors, atmosphere, and lovely Piper PA-28 Warriors.

Alright, alright you've twisted my arm. Bloody hell! :}




















:)

To add further thoughts:
On our course, some 'short' ie had PPLs, some of us were 'long' ie no PPLs. Of the latter, two had a couple of hours' experience flights. I had no powered experience to my name, just gliding. One had done a degree in aerospace engineering.
Long and short of it is, you do not need flying experience, nor do I think it will gain you a massive advantage (though it will do absolutely no harm whatsoever) in the selection stage. All you need is to prove your motivation, be it through getting a PPL, working in the industry, gliding/UAS, or maybe family connection. Yes, if you go for a trial lesson you will get a feel for flying. But what if the weather's bad (will put you in good stead for NZ mind!;)) and you don't enjoy it? Remember too that you won't be in a light aircraft forever, the 757/737/Airbus handles a bit different to a Katana!
To summarise, my feelings are that if you can prove a motivation to the job, commitment to study and determination to succeed that will stand you in good stead for the interview. Just my tuppence worth, use or discard as you feel appropriate!

While I agree that it isn't something that passing all the phases is contingent on, would you not consider it almost "necessary" to at least have had a single trial lesson before embarking down a career that requires you to take substantial financial risk and investment of time? I wanted to be a lawyer for quite some time, and as far as I knew I absolutely wanted to do it... a month or two of work experience in various firms showed me that I absolutely did not.


Anyway, just to give this post a bit more value, would it not be safe to say that if it is at all within your means a minimum of a single trial lesson would be recommended? I personally believe that beyond giving you a tiny taste of flying it also lends everything you say in the interview about why you want to fly that little bit more authority. Rather than saying "I think" you can say "I know"....

But hey, that's just one guy's view. Feel free to take or leave my advice!


As an aside regarding the weather comment, my first flight was in some seriously turbulent weather (for a light aircraft) and I stepped out of the aircraft grinning from ear to ear, it was great fun getting chucked all over the place - like alton towers but better :}!

Phase 3, 22 Nov
 

has anyone reapplied after being unsuccessful and managed to get back on the application process, as I know it says you cant reapply unless selected?

PILAPT pass marks??
 

Evening all!!

Does anyone have any idea of the marks that are required to pass the CTC Pilot aptitude tests?
I think that they are marked in the form of hits and misses.
Any ideas would be appreciated as I am preparing for the tests on Friday.

Thankyou;)

Not to sure what your asking, i have been working on an essay all day so my eyes have had it...

I took Pilapt, and it goes on Marks out of ten, I got a fair few 9's but no 10's. I think 10's are for cool and slick people who are bang on with everything and dead correct...

When i took it, an Avrg of 7 was needed, may have changed now as it was more or less a year ago, well 8 months...

They have a nice colorful print out at the end, and the raw marks, cant really say much more about Pilapt as it was pretty easy...

The only things that cause minor problems was the suitecase man, and Number, Colors and Crosshair at the end, two are not a problem, all three are or was to me...

I had done the CTC pilapt test about six months ago. As you said i had found the final stage of the test very demanding. however the easiest part i found to be was the flying through boxes scoring 10/10 on all occasions.

How i got my results were in the form of an e-mail saying that i was ranked in the high 30% of european pilots.

CTC Phase 4
 

Had my phase 4 on the 9th November but didn't manage to pass the stage.....I was absolutely gutted!! I wasn't 100% myself on the day and feel I could have done alot better. They haven't put me up for reselection but has anyone else been in this situation and later down the line been asked to come back to repeat stage 4?

I had my heart set on being part of the CTC course so as you can imagine its not a good feeling not getting through. I have planned out what I want to do with regards to other training schemes but first I am going to get at least 5hrs of flying experience which I have already enquired about. It will cost about £585 (Including membership) but well worth the money for the experience and to show determination to become a pilot!!

Anyone going to stage 4 good luck!! hope you are more successful!! :ok:

Ramshorn-I storngly advisse you research the exisiting numerous CTC threads as this subject has been discussed so many times before.

I passed my CTC selection back in July and all i can say about my Pilapt was that my scores were not actually all that great.

I think its a case of being able to improve on each attempt rather than get top marks each time (i could well be wrong here).

In fact in one of tests, i got a 7, 6 then a 7 . Dont let the scores phase you as it can be very disheartening. Remember they are there for a reason and I suppsoe part of being a good pilot is being able to distance yourself from personal problems and focus under pressure, in a professional manner.

Good luck anyway

SIdent.

Last time I asked, about 6 months ago, pass mark was 6/10.

Doubt this would have gone up as CTC now need 10 cadets a month or something and are struggling to fill the places.

Cheers
 

Thanks guys for your assistance!:ok:

Hi.
I was unsuccessful on my phase 2, and i got a mail from them saying that Since i was so close to passing i would be able to reapply after 6 months.:ugh:
But still it's a long wait and if i don't get anything else I'll do it, but if i get a job see ya CTC. :O

FM

The other person on my phase 4 originally failed stage 2 got a retake and is now flying out to New Zealand in the next couple of months!! 6months is a long time to wait just depends if you want to get on a course sooner....at the end of the day there are plenty of other ways to skin a cat you just have to find the one that suits you.

I have no idea where you got those figures for the pass mark as they certainly didnt let anyhting on when i ewnt. All i know is I got 4,6,7 for that first test and 4,5,8 for the flying through boxes and i passed. Just go and do your best and if oyure good enough youll get through...what difference does knowing that you need a 6 make anyway? Probably make you perform worse if anything

On the deviator indicator i got 2, 3 then 5. But i somehow managed to pass. I really was quite tired at this point and was making silly errors like not noticing you had 30 seconds to play around with the controls and get used to the inverted up and down and the joystick. It was only when i got to the last multi-thing that i figured this. I was all over the shop on the first two rounds. It's a miracle that 5 turned up.

Morals: Don't worry about the score, just try your best. Read insructions. Good nights sleep.

Question....

What aircraft types do CTC train you up in? It was mentioned in the talk but i've forgotten and i'm not too hot on my non-airliner aircraft. :)

Rj111,

It's a bit of a mixed bag at the moment - we have Diamond DA-20 Katanas, Cessna 172s and Robin 2160s/Alpha 160As for the single-engine phases. Eventually, I believe the intention is to phase out the C172s and Katanas and have a uniform fleet of Alpha 160As. These are being built at the Alpha hangar literally right across the road from CTC. The twin-engine phase is taught on Diamond DA-42 Twin Stars.

Waiting time
 

hey guys and gals

Any idea how long does it take for CTC to give you feedback in the application life cycle...i.e....

(1) After you send the intial application
(2) After phase 1 and all the other phases

Every second of my waiting time seems an eternity...
thanks

Well, during that eternity please look through the original thread - where your questions have been answered several times.

Scroggs