Time is ticking away quicker than ever. In less than 2 weeks I will be starting the next chapter of my life and working towards my dream job.
I have now completed my last day at TIMET and for all my colleagues who will read this, I would like to thank you all for making my last 2 and a half years a memorable time. I have really enjoyed my time there and that was mainly because of the people that had the pleasure of working with who were always willing to help me. During this time I have become a more confident person, I have gained valuable industrial experience and most importantly I have met some really great people who I will stay in contact with.
I have also had my final flight from Swansea Airport before my training commences. I'd like to thank all of the guys at the Cambrian Flying Club, I'm going to miss not going to the airport every weekend and hearing all the aviation stories from the past. They have all supported me throughout my flight training and have shown a keen interest in my future career ahead. A big thanks to my instructor Dave Jones who taught me to fly and get me through to my skills test to pass first time. We spent about 32 hours side by side in that small 2 seater cockpit and he told me many great stories which I will always remember.
Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I will do another post after my first week in Southampton.
Tuesday, 23 December 2014
Tuesday, 21 October 2014
Finally have the medical
After an agonisingly long wait due to some complications I have my QCAA class 1 medical and my notice has been given in.
Just some pointers for future cadets looking to do the Qatar MPL, when you are budgeting for the medical, you need to have a chest X-ray and an eyesight examination before you arrive at Aviation Medica. The chest X-ray can vary between locations. My X-ray cost £100. Specsavers occasionally do vouchers for you to have an eye test for £5, just make sure you take the QCAA eye test form with you so they can fill it out for you.
Next post will be after my first couple days of the course.
Just some pointers for future cadets looking to do the Qatar MPL, when you are budgeting for the medical, you need to have a chest X-ray and an eyesight examination before you arrive at Aviation Medica. The chest X-ray can vary between locations. My X-ray cost £100. Specsavers occasionally do vouchers for you to have an eye test for £5, just make sure you take the QCAA eye test form with you so they can fill it out for you.
Next post will be after my first couple days of the course.
Tuesday, 16 September 2014
Got the Job!
It was just over 2 months of waiting to hear about when my final interview with Qatar Airways was due to take place. The two months were long but it gave me chance to learn a lot more about the airline and decide if it is what I want to do. I was given about 2 weeks notice and that I was going to be interviewed by a captain for the airline.
Just like for my assessments, I decided to stay at Dibden Manor where the interview would commence at 11am the next day. I happened to be put in the same small room that I was in back in June. I had the evening meal sat with a few of the students that were doing the AQC (Airline Qualification Course)and it was good to mingle and listen to some of the stories of the things they have done throughout the course.
After breakfast, I brushed up on a few of the airlines facts & figures before heading up to the main building to wait for my interview. Interviews were lasting between 10-30mins each. There were 6 people who had come from all around the world to be interviewed, one person who I have kept in touch with is from Australia.
The interview lasted 10mins for the guy before me. I was up next. I was introduced to two captains of the airline. They made the atmosphere feel relaxed as they were just trying to get to know me. They asked the normal interview questions of tell me about you etc... That all went well and I taught them what a metallurgist was which they were very interested in. As I left, I was told I would hear if I had got through later that day.
It was about 17:00 when I had the phone call to say that I had been successful and that Qatar Airways had offered me a place on their course. I was so pleased to finally know that I will soon be doing what I have always dreamt of doing.
Next up, the QCAA class 1 medical which in the UK can only be carried out at Stansted Airport.
Just like for my assessments, I decided to stay at Dibden Manor where the interview would commence at 11am the next day. I happened to be put in the same small room that I was in back in June. I had the evening meal sat with a few of the students that were doing the AQC (Airline Qualification Course)and it was good to mingle and listen to some of the stories of the things they have done throughout the course.
After breakfast, I brushed up on a few of the airlines facts & figures before heading up to the main building to wait for my interview. Interviews were lasting between 10-30mins each. There were 6 people who had come from all around the world to be interviewed, one person who I have kept in touch with is from Australia.
The interview lasted 10mins for the guy before me. I was up next. I was introduced to two captains of the airline. They made the atmosphere feel relaxed as they were just trying to get to know me. They asked the normal interview questions of tell me about you etc... That all went well and I taught them what a metallurgist was which they were very interested in. As I left, I was told I would hear if I had got through later that day.
It was about 17:00 when I had the phone call to say that I had been successful and that Qatar Airways had offered me a place on their course. I was so pleased to finally know that I will soon be doing what I have always dreamt of doing.
Next up, the QCAA class 1 medical which in the UK can only be carried out at Stansted Airport.
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
The application process
While I was at university, BA decided that for the first time in a long time, they would be offering a sponsored scheme called the FPP(future pilot program). I applied for this which CTC Wings when the applications opened in December 2011. Unfortunately I did not get past the first stage which was a bit gutting but it could have been because I was still at university and wasn't due to finish until May 2012. As there are so many applicants, there are no opportunities for feedback.
So after working at Timet for a few months, BA opened their applications once again. I applied again, but this time I applied for Oxford as a FTO (flight training organisation). To my amazement I passed the application process and was offered a place on an assessment day. I attended the assessment day along with about 20 others. We were split up into 3 different groups. First up for my group was the group exercise. For this we are given a scenario where you have to work as a team to think up a solution within the given time. You are marked on how well you work as a team, not so much on what solution you actually come up with. Next up for our group was the COMPASS test which consists of a maths test and the aptitude test. There are various tasks you have to do for this test. If you want to see the type of tests then you can see them on either latestpilotjobs.com or pilotaptitudetest.com After that test I had my interview with a BA HR manager and a commercial pilot which I felt went well.
A couple days later, I had an email which gave me the bad news that I hadn't made the cut. This time I was offered a call to get some feedback which of course I did. During this call I was given feedback on the areas that I had not passed in but was told that I could reapply in 3 months time for the Oxford course.
I had heard that Qatar Airways were accepting applications with CTC Aviation for an MPL (basically a slightly different licence which is tailored to Qatar) programme. This course has a slightly different layout to the integrated course which is detailed on their website. I was given good news a couple days later that I had made it through the first stage and the next step for me was the assessment day. The assessment day was in January 2014. I decided to stay the night before at the Dibden Manor where I was given a pretty big room which was great.
There were 12 of us in total at the assessments. We were all given a lanyard with our names which already made me feel like I was a step closer.
First thing we did was sit down for a presentation to give us more information about the course and for a chance to ask questions. After this, we were split into two groups. While my group did the group exercise, the other group did the PILAPT test. Again the group exercise was similar to Oxford group exercise where you are given a scenario and you have to work as a team to come up with some answers. There are no right or wrong answers for it as they are only looking to see how you communicate with each other. Next up was the PILAPT test which can take up to 2 hours depending on how quick you make your way through it. It is a series of tests which you can get an idea of on the websites above. It is normal to finish that test and feel like it went rubbish because some of the tests are really challenging. Next we were given lunch and we had to wait for an hour and a half before we would be given our results. The longest hour and a half ever!! The time came and 3 people were taken to another room while the rest of us went into the room we started off in. We were all given bad news that we hadn't made it through to the interviews in the afternoon. Again, very gutting news to take in. We were told that we would have an email later that day that would let us know if we were eligible to reapply in 6 months time.
Later that day I had an email saying I was close enough that I could reattempt in 6 months time.
During this time I could have gone for another assessment with Oxford but chose to wait the 6 months and give CTC another shot as I'd prefer to train with them and have the chance to work for Qatar Airways. So I decided to revise the PILAPT tests every night for the next 6 months so that when I went back I would be ready for it. I contacted CTC in June for some feedback and to rearrange a reassessment. I was given news that I had actually passed the PILAPT tests and had actually failed my maths test by 1 mark (gutting to know I was so close) and the group exercises by a couple marks. So I booked my assessment for 4 weeks from that call. Every morning and night I was practicing my mental maths to improve my speed as you only get 15 mins for 15 questions.
The day before the assessment came. This time I decided to travel to Dibden earlier in the day so I could spend my day practicing my maths and preparing for the interview. My room was a bit smaller this time, so small in fact I didn't need panoramic view and I could just about fit a whole A4 piece of paper on the desk:
The day came. This time there was only 3 of us who turned up so the group exercise was going to be a little easier to involve them both. The day format was the same as before but obviously we weren't split up. Group exercise was first which I felt went well. Then for me it was just the maths test to sit and then wait in the dining room for the other 2 to finish their aptitude tests.
After lunch we were separated, I was taken to one room and the others taken to another room. I was nervous at this point. I was given good news, I was through to the afternoon session of a one on one interview. I was so pleased and relieved that I had finally got another step closer. I was told that they could see that I had worked hard over the last few months as it showed in my results.
I was given 15/20mins to compose myself and get rid of my nerves and read over my notes. The interview just consists of your normal interview questions which are trying to make sure what you have written down in your application is true and then to gauge how passionate you are about flying. I thought the interview went well. I would find out the next day if I was through to final stage interviews.
The next day came. At about 2pm I had a call to give me good news that I had passed the CTC requirements for the course and that I was short listed for the final interviews with Qatar.
Now its just a waiting game until the interview. In the mean time I am trying to start sorting out the loan and the QCAA medical which I have to get.
So after working at Timet for a few months, BA opened their applications once again. I applied again, but this time I applied for Oxford as a FTO (flight training organisation). To my amazement I passed the application process and was offered a place on an assessment day. I attended the assessment day along with about 20 others. We were split up into 3 different groups. First up for my group was the group exercise. For this we are given a scenario where you have to work as a team to think up a solution within the given time. You are marked on how well you work as a team, not so much on what solution you actually come up with. Next up for our group was the COMPASS test which consists of a maths test and the aptitude test. There are various tasks you have to do for this test. If you want to see the type of tests then you can see them on either latestpilotjobs.com or pilotaptitudetest.com After that test I had my interview with a BA HR manager and a commercial pilot which I felt went well.
A couple days later, I had an email which gave me the bad news that I hadn't made the cut. This time I was offered a call to get some feedback which of course I did. During this call I was given feedback on the areas that I had not passed in but was told that I could reapply in 3 months time for the Oxford course.
I had heard that Qatar Airways were accepting applications with CTC Aviation for an MPL (basically a slightly different licence which is tailored to Qatar) programme. This course has a slightly different layout to the integrated course which is detailed on their website. I was given good news a couple days later that I had made it through the first stage and the next step for me was the assessment day. The assessment day was in January 2014. I decided to stay the night before at the Dibden Manor where I was given a pretty big room which was great.
There were 12 of us in total at the assessments. We were all given a lanyard with our names which already made me feel like I was a step closer.
Later that day I had an email saying I was close enough that I could reattempt in 6 months time.
During this time I could have gone for another assessment with Oxford but chose to wait the 6 months and give CTC another shot as I'd prefer to train with them and have the chance to work for Qatar Airways. So I decided to revise the PILAPT tests every night for the next 6 months so that when I went back I would be ready for it. I contacted CTC in June for some feedback and to rearrange a reassessment. I was given news that I had actually passed the PILAPT tests and had actually failed my maths test by 1 mark (gutting to know I was so close) and the group exercises by a couple marks. So I booked my assessment for 4 weeks from that call. Every morning and night I was practicing my mental maths to improve my speed as you only get 15 mins for 15 questions.
The day before the assessment came. This time I decided to travel to Dibden earlier in the day so I could spend my day practicing my maths and preparing for the interview. My room was a bit smaller this time, so small in fact I didn't need panoramic view and I could just about fit a whole A4 piece of paper on the desk:
The day came. This time there was only 3 of us who turned up so the group exercise was going to be a little easier to involve them both. The day format was the same as before but obviously we weren't split up. Group exercise was first which I felt went well. Then for me it was just the maths test to sit and then wait in the dining room for the other 2 to finish their aptitude tests.
I was given 15/20mins to compose myself and get rid of my nerves and read over my notes. The interview just consists of your normal interview questions which are trying to make sure what you have written down in your application is true and then to gauge how passionate you are about flying. I thought the interview went well. I would find out the next day if I was through to final stage interviews.
The next day came. At about 2pm I had a call to give me good news that I had passed the CTC requirements for the course and that I was short listed for the final interviews with Qatar.
Now its just a waiting game until the interview. In the mean time I am trying to start sorting out the loan and the QCAA medical which I have to get.
Friday, 27 June 2014
How it started
I thought this would be a good time for me to start writing a blog of my journey so far to live the dream and becoming an airline pilot. I will then update this throughout my course for family and friends to keep up to date with my progress.
A brief background of how the dream started.
When I was 7 my parents had organised a surprise trip to Orlando (I literally didn't know until we were following my cousins boarding a 777. I was told we were just waving them good bye on their holiday). It was a night flight and not long after we reached cruising altitude the pilots were offering views of the flight deck. Naturally I wanted to go in there to see it. As soon as I entered the flight deck and seen all of the displays, the lights and the street lights of the ground far below, I was keen to one day live the dream and become a pilot.
From that day forward, I have done everything possible to make the dream into a reality. This involved work experience at British Airways Maintenance Cardiff (highly recommend to anyone chasing a pilot or engineering career) which was fantastic experience of the real world of people working in teams and having a taster of working shift patterns. Other work experience included GE in Nantgarw, again great experience for seeing how a jet engine is stripped to singular parts and then built back up to working condition.
During my final year of A-levels in school, I went to a CTC open day to help decide whether or not I should apply straight away to aviation school or go to University. A great day out where I met the current cadets, CTC admin staff and the instructors. Learnt a lot about the process on that day and for anyone considering going to CTC I would recommend going to a careers event. Lastly, the simulators, they are simply amazing! I had the chance of landing both the A320 and the B737. Both completely different to fly even though I only had a couple minutes to experience them both. The A320 was quite easy to get a soft landing. The B737 was a bit more challenging with a harsher landing, but I enjoyed them both.
Even though I started my application on that day, I decided to postpone the course and do a degree in Aerospace Engineering. There was a good reason for it. (well it seemed like a good idea until the 2nd year of it) I thought that if I learn how a plane functions and how Engineers design the birds of the sky, then it should ease my learning when I start a course with CTC.
Following obtaining my degree I was given the oppotunity of a job as a Graduate Metallurgist at Timet in Swansea. I took full advantage of using my wages for my flight training and use the industry experience to toughen me up and become more confident in dealing with people . I started my flight training a month after starting at Timet. After 10 hours of flying my instructor let me loose for a solo circuit. What a feeling, no words can describe how I felt. Then 11 months after I started, I was taking my flight exam. After landing and parking up, the examiner gave me the news....I had passed. Just when I thought the best feeling was going solo, this exceeded that feeling, again I could not describe the feeling as you only ever get the chance of experiencing that once. Although when I finally get my CPL/MPL licence I may well get that feeling again.
A brief background of how the dream started.
When I was 7 my parents had organised a surprise trip to Orlando (I literally didn't know until we were following my cousins boarding a 777. I was told we were just waving them good bye on their holiday). It was a night flight and not long after we reached cruising altitude the pilots were offering views of the flight deck. Naturally I wanted to go in there to see it. As soon as I entered the flight deck and seen all of the displays, the lights and the street lights of the ground far below, I was keen to one day live the dream and become a pilot.
From that day forward, I have done everything possible to make the dream into a reality. This involved work experience at British Airways Maintenance Cardiff (highly recommend to anyone chasing a pilot or engineering career) which was fantastic experience of the real world of people working in teams and having a taster of working shift patterns. Other work experience included GE in Nantgarw, again great experience for seeing how a jet engine is stripped to singular parts and then built back up to working condition.
During my final year of A-levels in school, I went to a CTC open day to help decide whether or not I should apply straight away to aviation school or go to University. A great day out where I met the current cadets, CTC admin staff and the instructors. Learnt a lot about the process on that day and for anyone considering going to CTC I would recommend going to a careers event. Lastly, the simulators, they are simply amazing! I had the chance of landing both the A320 and the B737. Both completely different to fly even though I only had a couple minutes to experience them both. The A320 was quite easy to get a soft landing. The B737 was a bit more challenging with a harsher landing, but I enjoyed them both.
Even though I started my application on that day, I decided to postpone the course and do a degree in Aerospace Engineering. There was a good reason for it. (well it seemed like a good idea until the 2nd year of it) I thought that if I learn how a plane functions and how Engineers design the birds of the sky, then it should ease my learning when I start a course with CTC.
Following obtaining my degree I was given the oppotunity of a job as a Graduate Metallurgist at Timet in Swansea. I took full advantage of using my wages for my flight training and use the industry experience to toughen me up and become more confident in dealing with people . I started my flight training a month after starting at Timet. After 10 hours of flying my instructor let me loose for a solo circuit. What a feeling, no words can describe how I felt. Then 11 months after I started, I was taking my flight exam. After landing and parking up, the examiner gave me the news....I had passed. Just when I thought the best feeling was going solo, this exceeded that feeling, again I could not describe the feeling as you only ever get the chance of experiencing that once. Although when I finally get my CPL/MPL licence I may well get that feeling again.
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