FREE Helicopter Instructor Rating >>> 2008 Winner announced!
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 1
From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
I hope John won't mind me saying, but he's a CPL with ATPL theory.
John, if you DO mind me saying, then you can whoop my ass!!
Cheers
Whirls
John, if you DO mind me saying, then you can whoop my ass!!
Cheers
Whirls
Gatvol
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 0
From: KLAS/TIST/FAJS/KFAI
but he's a CPL with ATPL theory.
Where did I go wrong on this......
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: London
I've been called for THE interview!
Hi Flash
After 3 years I have finally made the shortlist!
I have read with interest, excitement, palpitations your excellent and detailed overview of the GAPAN process. It made me feel a lot more confident about their expectations especially with regards to the brief. So I'd like to thank you very much for taking the time to write it, that was very generous of you. If I win (fingers crossed) or I guess even if I don't there'll be things I would have learned so I'll try to make a contribution if I can think of any other tips. Next year is the last year it runs.
I have a few questions that I would like to ask if you have the time to answer.
I am struggling a little bit as to what to talk about, I was thinking vortex ring or autos. I am a ground instructor so you'd think it would be easy for me! But I want it to be perfect plus my lessons are significantly longer than 10mins usually! I have only been an instructor for just over 9 months and up until now my whole life's ambition hasn't been dependent on my lesson! The only subjects I can talk about with any confidence are aeronautical engineering or aviation based or since you said it does have to be I could go the other way completely and talk about Dyslexia. I am dyslexic so I'm hugely comfortable talking about it. But I'm not sure if that could be seen as a too "soft" a subject? and too much about me - i talk in general terms but i obviously pull from my own experiences?
How much are you expected to know about the Guild? I am a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, which has strong links but from what you say,there are some real benefits to joining the Guild too.
Finally, I didn't put down Helicopter Services as one of my choices but you make them sound very attractive, they are the most conveniently positioned for me so that makes me all the more interested. If I am successful (crossing my fingers firmly again) can you change your choices?
Thanks in advance for your further help.
cheers
Heliboy
After 3 years I have finally made the shortlist!
I have read with interest, excitement, palpitations your excellent and detailed overview of the GAPAN process. It made me feel a lot more confident about their expectations especially with regards to the brief. So I'd like to thank you very much for taking the time to write it, that was very generous of you. If I win (fingers crossed) or I guess even if I don't there'll be things I would have learned so I'll try to make a contribution if I can think of any other tips. Next year is the last year it runs.
I have a few questions that I would like to ask if you have the time to answer.
I am struggling a little bit as to what to talk about, I was thinking vortex ring or autos. I am a ground instructor so you'd think it would be easy for me! But I want it to be perfect plus my lessons are significantly longer than 10mins usually! I have only been an instructor for just over 9 months and up until now my whole life's ambition hasn't been dependent on my lesson! The only subjects I can talk about with any confidence are aeronautical engineering or aviation based or since you said it does have to be I could go the other way completely and talk about Dyslexia. I am dyslexic so I'm hugely comfortable talking about it. But I'm not sure if that could be seen as a too "soft" a subject? and too much about me - i talk in general terms but i obviously pull from my own experiences?
How much are you expected to know about the Guild? I am a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, which has strong links but from what you say,there are some real benefits to joining the Guild too.
Finally, I didn't put down Helicopter Services as one of my choices but you make them sound very attractive, they are the most conveniently positioned for me so that makes me all the more interested. If I am successful (crossing my fingers firmly again) can you change your choices?
Thanks in advance for your further help.
cheers
Heliboy
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 73
From: Pewsey, UK
Choose a topic outside aviation - the folks on the interview are pilots / instrucxtors / examiners and will rip you to pieces if you get it wrong - choose a non-flying hobby, something from a previous career, anything but.
They're looking for someone who can present a topic in a readily digestible format, not necessarily someone who's got presenting aviation topics down pat. I took in some pre-prepared sheets (1 each for the panel and a fuller set for me with notes on) and used them to talk through my topic, which was something obscure and work-related.
Do a little bit of boning up on the Guild, but you don't need to be able to recite names of Masters from December 1903 onwards.
For me, Helicopter Services had the attractions of Mike Green (don't know if he's still there) and Leon Smith - in a purely aviation "attraction" way, of course
and of not being one or two other schools I could have chosen.
They're looking for someone who can present a topic in a readily digestible format, not necessarily someone who's got presenting aviation topics down pat. I took in some pre-prepared sheets (1 each for the panel and a fuller set for me with notes on) and used them to talk through my topic, which was something obscure and work-related.
Do a little bit of boning up on the Guild, but you don't need to be able to recite names of Masters from December 1903 onwards.
For me, Helicopter Services had the attractions of Mike Green (don't know if he's still there) and Leon Smith - in a purely aviation "attraction" way, of course
and of not being one or two other schools I could have chosen.
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 168
Likes: 1
From: Mega city One.
EENGheliboy. Forgive me but I have only just seen this years postings for the GAPAN shcolarship. I was FLASHOVER999 and have had to change my title to Heliboy999 due to a miscarrage of justice last year and me becoming banned under FLASHOVER999. I wasnt ignoring you, I just didnt see the post.
Anyways, its all done and dusted and I hope that you won. I would have answered the best I could.
For your info, I spoke about the physiology of respiration and the path oxygen takes on its way to the brain and its effects when it doesnt reach the brain. I think it was just a simple and unusual way of explaining a complicated subject and it kept the panel interested for the entire time. I over-ran my time but they didnt notice. lol I had nothing but my hands to wave around. No props or papers. Dyslexia would be a great subject to talk about as it is misunderstood and sometimes underexposed and it would be good to educate, I am Dyslexic as well and wish I had known more about it when I was growning up.
I now have my own school and I am doing ok in this troubled time and it was only possible due to winning the GAPAN. Any other questions feel free and if you dont win make sure you try again next year.
Cheers. HB999
Anyways, its all done and dusted and I hope that you won. I would have answered the best I could.
For your info, I spoke about the physiology of respiration and the path oxygen takes on its way to the brain and its effects when it doesnt reach the brain. I think it was just a simple and unusual way of explaining a complicated subject and it kept the panel interested for the entire time. I over-ran my time but they didnt notice. lol I had nothing but my hands to wave around. No props or papers. Dyslexia would be a great subject to talk about as it is misunderstood and sometimes underexposed and it would be good to educate, I am Dyslexic as well and wish I had known more about it when I was growning up.
I now have my own school and I am doing ok in this troubled time and it was only possible due to winning the GAPAN. Any other questions feel free and if you dont win make sure you try again next year.
Cheers. HB999
Last edited by heliboy999; 8th July 2009 at 18:34. Reason: missed some stuff
Chief Bottle Washer
Joined: Sep 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 7,252
Likes: 1,437
From: PPRuNe
From GAPAN Scholarships:
Flight Instructor Rating (Rotary) 2009
The Weetabix Scholarship, covering all direct training and examination costs for the successful candidate as they achieve their Helicopter Instructor Rating.
Applications for 2009 are now closed. Six candidates were called forward for interview on 19th June and the panel were faced with a very difficult tasl in choosing the winner. Thank you to all who applied, and especially to those who attended the interview session, and we look forward to hearing from you again next year.
The Weetabix Scholarship, covering all direct training and examination costs for the successful candidate as they achieve their Helicopter Instructor Rating.
Applications for 2009 are now closed. Six candidates were called forward for interview on 19th June and the panel were faced with a very difficult tasl in choosing the winner. Thank you to all who applied, and especially to those who attended the interview session, and we look forward to hearing from you again next year.
