Module 3 Exams + APD 2

Well, it's finally happened! After 6 long months, over 32,000 practice questions and endless cups of coffee later, ATPL ground school has finally come to an end!

A few light notes I've made over the course of ground school...

Last time I updated the blog, I was just about to sit my Module 3 mocks, which thankfully I passed first time, meaning I could then make the final push towards the last 6 exams. So, about a week later, I sat what I hoped was my last set of exams..

The real exams were a bit of a mixed bag really; my Systems/Engines/Electrics exam was by far the hardest exam I've sat, whereas the VFR and IFR Comms exams were 'slightly' easier, to say the least! We didn't get the results through until quite late the morning after, which meant I was rather anxious during my exit interview at 9.15 am! However, they did eventually come through, so I finally have a complete set of 14 exam results:

• Human Performance and Limitations - 92%
• Principles of Flight - 94%
• General Navigation - 95%
• Mass & Balance - 94%
• Flight Planning & Monitoring - 93%
• AGK: Instrumentation - 98%
• Radio Navigation - 98%
• Performance - 92%
• Airframe/Systems/Power Plant/Electrics - 90%
• VFR Communications - 100%
• Meteorology - 90%
• Air Law - 97%
• Operational Procedures - 93%
• IFR Communications - 100%

• Overall Average = 95%

I was told by a former cadet before starting my training that "The more work you put in at ground school, the more you get out". So with that mindset, I've worked harder over the last 6 months than I've ever worked in my entire life! I'm absolutely delighted with the results I've achieved, and the same goes for my course mates, who've all done brilliantly as well!

After a rather long night of celebrations after our exams, we came in the following day for our exit interviews, and the day after that, our second Airline Preparation Day (APD 2). We were joined by a former CTC cadet who is now flying as a SFO for Monarch Airlines, and the day mainly consisted of reflection on the skills we've learnt and experiences we'e had over the course of ground school, whilst also looking towards the future and what we hope to achieve during the next phase of our training out in NZ / USA.

The only downside of the day was finding out that due to various circumstances out in the USA, our flight out is delayed, meaning we don't fly out until early March. Whilst the news is a little disappointing, it gives me a chance to relax and see family before another 6 months away from home.

As am writing this, we've now got less than 3 weeks until the 6 of us on CP135G fly out to Phoenix, therefore I've got time to have a quick holiday before heading off. The other 9 of my course mates have already flown out to NZ and look like they're having a great time, which is making me rather jealous right now! That being said, next time I update this blog I'll be out in Phoenix, and so I'll finally have a chance to experience what the USA has to offer!

A final photo in front of the so-called 'Mansion'. (Credits: @jakeyreynolds)

Weeks 19,20,21 + 22: Module 3 and Christmas Break

I think it's an appropriate time for a long overdue blog update! The Christmas break has just come to an end, so it's time to head back for the last few weeks of ground school before flying out to Phoenix for the next stage of my training. Over the course of what turned out to be a very busy December, we've managed to cover the rest of the Module 3 syllabus (apart from one lesson when we get back!).

The first of which is Meteorology, which includes all the sorts of weather that we as pilots can expect on a day-to-day basis, as well as severe weather such as hurricanes and monsoons that we need to be aware of! In addition to learning the ins and outs of how these sorts of weather form, we've also been learning how to interpret weather reports in the forms of METARs and TAFs, which give pilots a summary of the conditions for the area in which they are planning to fly, whether it be a calm day with few clouds and good visibility, or rain showers with potential thunderstorm activity!

An example of a METAR for London Heathrow (EGLL)

Further to this, we learnt about different types of weather charts, which help give a visual representation of the weather over a certain area, which could be the wind conditions, as well as the types of cloud and conditions that these bring with them. For example, below is an image of a cumulonimbus cloud, which can extend thousands of feet through the atmosphere, and brings with it rather nasty conditions such as icing, rain, hail, thunderstorms and severe turbulence (To name a few!), so it's definitely one to be avoided if at all possible!

As enjoyable as Meteorology was, it's proven to be rather difficult at some points. There are many variables to consider regarding weather so you really have to think about the answer sometimes, meaning it doesn't jump out at you unlike some other subjects we've studied!

The second big topic of module 3 we completed before the Christmas break was Aircraft General Knowledge. This is split into 3 sub topics; Airframes and Systems, Electrics, and Engines.

Electrics mainly deals with things such as AC and DC generators and how electrical power is generated and distributed throughout the aircraft, in turn supplying power to other systems. I was never brilliant at Physics, so some parts of it I've found tricky to understand, but fortunately there isn't much to learn which makes things a bit easier!

Airframes and Systems covers the broad range of different systems onboard the aircraft, without which it wouldn't get off the ground! For example, Hydraulic systems onboard the aircraft utilise fluid under pressure which is then pumped around the system to generate large forces used to operate things such as the landing gear, flight control surfaces and wheel brakes. Fuel systems, flight controls and the construction of modern aircraft  are a few more examples of areas which we've looked at in depth over the last few weeks.

The final part of the AGK syllabus was Engines, which was by far the most interesting part of the subject. Aircraft engines are essentially based on the principle of "Suck, squeeze, bang, blow". In a nutshell, this implies that air enters the engine intake, is compressed and mixed with fuel, ignited and produces a significant amount of power which is then converted to thrust, used to propel the aircraft through the air. Of course the process isn't as simple as I've made it sound, it's rather intricate and very precise to operate correctly, which makes you realise how clever the engineering is!

The inner workings of a gas turbine engine.

So after a busy month of teaching, we had about a week or so off over the Christmas period before coming back to sit our mock exams. We also had what will sadly be one of our last group dinners together, as our course soon parts ways to go off to both the USA and NZ! I'm glad to say I was able to spend time with friends and family over the break, and also watch a bit of rugby whilst I was back, meaning I've come back rested and am now ready to make the final push over the last 3 weeks of ground school!