Week 1: Maths and M&B

Well, that first week went quickly, we're 1 subject down, 13 to go!

When people say that ground school at CTC is intense, they aren't lying... it's been a very busy first week. Studying 9-5 in a classroom then going home and doing 3-4 hours more in the evening at home has taken some getting use to but I'm now starting to get into the routine, which makes things a lot easier going forward.

We started off the week with a maths refresher day on Monday, which although not overly difficult, took a while to take in as it's been a few years since I've really done any proper Maths (and I was never brilliant at it, if I'm going to be honest...)


The following morning marked the start of our ATPL theory study, beginning with Mass and Balance, which was taught to us by Nathan Powrie, a former CTC Wings Cadet himself. This lasted from Tuesday until Thursday, and I think I speak for everyone when I say what a large amount of information we've learnt in a matter of days! Although it may not be the most interesting of topics, M&B has significant real world importance. We learnt about the components that make up an aircraft's mass and how they are determined, also how the centre of gravity of the aircraft is measured and adjusted for performance and safety reasons, amongst other things that must be taken into consideration when loading an aircraft for flight. If an aircraft were overloaded or loaded too far forward or behind the centre of gravity limits, there could be disastrous consequences...


Moving on from that slightly morbid note, yesterday we began our second and much lengthier topic, Principles of Flight, which as the same suggests, teaches us the various principles that allow an aircraft to fly. We've only covered a days worth of material so far but have already learnt how lift is generated and its effects on the aircraft. It's fair to say that there is a LOT more to learn than in M&B and frankly the amount of information yesterday came down on me like a tonne of bricks (an interesting tonne of bricks though..). This will last all of next week and after finishing will mark the halfway point in our module one studies.


As I've said, it's been a tough first week, but still thoroughly enjoyable and I can't wait for next week! In the meantime, here's a photo of CP135 and CP135G after finishing M&B on Thursday:

Meet + Greet and APD 1.

After all this waiting, I'm happy to say that I'm now officially started at CTC after finishing my Airline Preparation Day this afternoon!

Meet and Greet

Tracking back a bit first, it all started yesterday with my meet and greet with the other Cadets starting on CP135, CP135G, CPN06, and QA23. This was my first chance to meet the other cadets before starting our ground school studies on Tuesday morning (CP135 and CP135G that is, the others are straight off to NZ.)   This was followed by a short presentation outlining the structure of the programme, after which we were given our epaulettes, hitting home that I was finally at CTC!

Whilst our families were given a tour of the centre, we received our uniform and flight bag, meaning we now looked the part!

After having been given the keys to our accommodation, myself and the 3 other guys I'll be living with; Eren, Jake and Ollie, made the short drive to our house out by the airport. I'll be honest, I'm very happy with the house we've been given (I've even managed to get an ensuite!)

Myself, Ollie, Eren and Jake outside our new home for the next 6 months!

APD 1

The following day, we had the first of our Airline Preparation Days which will be staggered between the various phases of training. This was a great chance for us cadets to further introduce ourselves to one another, learn what is expected of us during our time on the course (Working hard being the main thing...) and also some fun group exercises which capped off quite an enjoyable introduction to the course before the hard work starts next week!

The Beginning...

Well, let me start by telling you a little bit about myself..

My name is George Hayward, and as of writing this, I'm 20 years old, having just had my last shift as a barman less than 2 weeks ago. I'm about to start as a CTC Wings Cadet on course CP135G, and I'm in the final process of getting ready to move down into my house in Southampton with some of my fellow course mates. I'm embarking on what I'm certain is going to be the toughest, yet most exciting 18 months of my life, and I'm hoping to provide you all with an insight into what it's like training to become a commercial airline pilot, whilst also completing a BSc Degree in Professional Aviation Pilot Practice at Middlesex University.

Ever since I was 6 years old, I've always dreamed of becoming a pilot. Upon attending the Eastbourne Airshow for the 1st time in 2001 and seeing the Tornado F3, Harrier and most importantly the Red Arrows perform their displays, I knew that becoming a pilot was what I wanted to do when I was older. I've never wanted to do anything else, a mindset that has stuck with me to this day. After having been a member of my school's Combined Cadet Force and completing my A-Levels in 2013, I was lucky enough to be awarded an RAF Gliding Scholarship and gained my solo wings, which gave me my first taste of flying an aircraft. This reinforced what I already knew: that becoming a pilot was the career for me.

Me after completing my RAF Gliding Scholarship at RAF Kenley with 615 VGS in August 2013.

After unfortunately being unable to pursue a career in the RAF as a pilot, I immediately started to research the opportunities available to me in the commercial side of aviation. CTC's Wings course stood out to me as the most impressive route available, most notably because of their ability to place cadets with a broad number of airlines. So, after much consideration, I started my application..

Application

I started to fill out my application form back in December 2014, a straight forward process which asked for simple details such as my qualifications, work and flying experience. After having submitted my application, I passed the first stage and was invited to an assessment day in the first week of February, and frantically increased my preparation for the big day!

Dibden Manor, where CTC's assessment days take place.

Assessment Day

After staying overnight at CTC's assessment day facility, Dibden Manor (Having eating very little that morning!), I waited nervously with the other 8 hopefuls waiting for the day to begin. It started with a presentation by one of the members of the selection team, outlining the CTC Wings Programme, what to expect during the day, answering any last minute question we had, whilst also trying to keep us as calm and stress-free as possible!

After the presentation, we were split into 2 groups. Whilst the other group went off to start the PILAPT and maths tests, our group started off the morning with an problem solving exercise of sorts, allowing us to demonstrate our teamwork, communication and leadership skills. Now I'm not really allowed to tell you what the exercise involved,  but it was actually an enjoyable start to the day having a discussion with the other guys, almost forgetting that there were people at the other end of the table assessing us!

Following that we moved on to what I had been the most apprehensive about: the PILAPT and maths tests. PILAPT is a collective term for the computerised tests that CTC use to test your natural aptitude, spatial awareness and multi-tasking ability among other qualities that pilots must have to perform their job properly. Now again, CTC probably wouldn't be very happy with me spilling the details on all of their tests, but let's just say they weren't easy! Each test required me to use a keyboard, joystick, or on one occasion even both to complete to complete the various tasks. After finishing the tricky PILAPT tests, I moved on to the maths. This was fortunately much more straight forward: 15 multiple choice GCSE level maths questions in 15 mins, which after completing meant it was time for a well-deserved lunch break.

Interview

The final stage of the day was a 1 on 1 interview with a member of the selection team, discussing things such as my motivation to become a pilot, the experiences I've had in the past which demonstrates the qualities they're looking for, and even how I would cope with a difficult scenario on the flight deck working as a pilot. Again, I was made to feel relaxed and had what seemed like a calm discussion, rather than being grilled like I can imagine many other interviews to be like! It was after the interview that I wished the other cadets good luck, and started to make my way home, absolutely shattered but feeling happy with how the day went.

Aftermath

I can honestly say that in my life so far, I have never had a weekend go slower than the one following my assessment day! After waiting for what seemed like an eternity and refreshing my email inbox about a million times, I got the email from CTC saying that I had been successful and was offered a place on the Wings Programme. After I had calmed down, I accepted the place on their July Course (CP135) which gave me just enough time to get all the finances and other fun stuff sorted so I was ready to start!

A short while after agreeing to join as part of CP135, I was given the option to complete my basic flight training out at CTC's new training facility in Phoenix, Arizona rather than in Hamilton, New Zealand. Because of the excellent, reliable weather, the training in the USA finishes 2 months earlier than in NZ, so I chose Phoenix instead and would be joined by 5 other cadets on my course, which meant I was now part of a smaller group known as CP135G (I still don't know what the G stands for by the way..)

CTC's training facility at Goodyear Airport in Phoenix, AZ.

So, here I am now, with just a week left to go, doing lots of pre-studying to try to ease myself into ground school as much as possible. I am nervous, yet excited about the 6 months of studying and exams that lay ahead, and I hope to keep you updated with everything that's going on as much as I can!