Hello everyone!

For once, I have some news of my own to share with you. Last month, I had the chance to sit an assessment for the easyJet cadet pilot programme with CTC in Southampton. The first of these assessments involved a day spent at Dibden Manor, the headquarters of the CTC Aviation Group. Although daunting at first, it was a very enjoyable day that went very quickly! The day included aptitude and maths tests, group exercises and individual interviews (plus an amazing lunch)! I was unaware of just how nice the CTC headquarters at Dibden are; the buildings and grounds are very impressive, and the staff instantly make you feel at home.

To my surprise, I was then put forward to an easyJet assessment at Luton which was scheduled for a few weeks later and, I’m extremely pleased to say that…..

I PASSED!

So, this means that I will be beginning my pilot training with CTC this Summer! It’s incredible to think that in a few weeks I will be moving down to Southampton to begin the ATPL theory stage of the training programme with my coursemates on CP110

Dibden Manor, CTC Aviation Ltd Headquarters

For those of you who don’t already know, the ‘MPL’ is a new type of license which will train me specifically to fly easyJet’s Airbus A320. Instead of the traditional CPL/IR in a multi-engine propeller aircraft, I will be doing a vast amount of training in the A320 simulators using easyJet operating procedures, preparing me specifically for the multi-crew jet environment. Before this there is, of course, a phase where we will train on single engine piston aircraft. With CTC, this is done out in New Zealand on the Cessna 172! If you’d like to know more about the MPL, there is a link at the bottom of this post to a CTC interview with the ‘Father of the MPL’, Dieter Harms.

easyJet A319

So, the next few weeks will involve a lot of preparation and paperwork! Perhaps it will start to sink in soon as well, as I still can’t quite believe it. I will be sure to keep you all updated!

http://youtu.be/E60dYDaXn08 << An interview with Dieter Harms, ‘Father of the MPL’

My name is Georgie and I’m a 19 year old cadet pilot at CTC wings. As I write this I am at the stage between finishing my Module 1 ATPL theory exams and starting the second set. I started my training in February and should hopefully be finished around summer 2014.

I haven’t had much flying experience at all; in fact, I’ve only had an hour! For my 18th birthday, my parents bought me a trial lesson at Shoreham Airport in a Diamond DA40, which I thoroughly loved. I was able to take control of this machine and finally get a feel of what it is like to soar through the air high above the ground. This merely confirmed to me that I needed to get into the skies as soon as possible!

Georgie on his trial flight at Shoreham

Even before this lesson I had never considered any other career. It has always been a pilot – and always an airline one; military flying has never particularly appealed to me. Give me an A320 over a Eurofighter and day of the week! Remember when you wrote little stories in infant school, and your family patronisingly asked what you’re going to be? Instead of replying “I want to be a rockstar”, or “I’d love to be superman”, I just wanted to fly big metal tubes through the sky. As I grew up I researched various ways to make this dream a reality, although I never imagined that I would be able to make it a reality. I researched plenty of flying schools, the RAF and any other way possible, although decided that the way for me was an integrated course with a flight training organisation. After finishing my GCSEs and A Levels I finally applied to CTC Wings, and to my surprise I was asked along to assessment, where I was offered a place on the course. I was over the moon – I had finally opened to door to my dream career!

One of CTC’s full motion simulators

As I mentioned, I began training at the end of February, where until now I have been studying seven of the fourteen ATPL theory subjects, and I begin the final seven in a few days’ time. This phase of ground school is by no means easy, and it has made me realise just how much I want this. Once I have finished these exams in a few months’ time, I make my way out to New Zealand for nine months to gain my CPL, flying both DA20s or Cessna 172s, before moving on to DA42s. After this I fly back to the UK to complete my instrument rating at Bournemouth in more DA42s, followed by my Airline Qualification Course. Writing it down makes it all sound so easy! After this, I end up in the big wide world of commercial aviation, finally getting to fly my Airbus, Boeing, or maybe even Embraer at 36,000ft and Mach .78.

I still have to pinch myself that this is actually happening, and I honestly don’t think it has still sunken in! If you have the flying bug, and dream of spreading your wings – do it, because if you don’t? Well, you’re bound to regret it!

Looks fun!

You can follow Georgie’s progress over at his own blog – http://georgiegotwings.blogspot.co.uk . Good luck with the rest of your training Georgie!

Tag: selection

My airline pilot training begins!

I PASSED!