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.