My Tips for Future CTC Cadets

After spending 6 months at CTC Aviation in Southampton, I thought I’d compile a little list of my helpful tips for new cadets.

1. The car park my be a little busy at times (by a little, I mean absolutely rammed) so try not to get there any later than 8:45am
2. When you're studying GNav, get used to the CRP-5 fast, it'll save you so much hassle. 
1. You can learn this really quickly, using the small booklet that comes with it. You'll be taught how to use it in GNav anyway, and if you need any additional help, Steve (Instructor) is a genius and will turn you in to a master within moments!
3. If you’re feeling a little demotivated, usually around module 2 (coined ‘the ground school blues’) I REALLY recommend helping out at one of CTC’s open days. It’s a great opportunity to interact with people who want to be where you are, it really puts into perspective where you are, what you’re doing and just how lucky you are to be doing what you’ve always wanted to do! We all know that other jobs are boring compared to flying! Plus you get free bacon rolls, coffee and pizza so what other motivation do you need! Plus, you'll most likely get to spend a LOT of time in the simulators, and if you're like me, you'll love every minute! 

   

   Watching one of our incredible AQC  instructors take the  737 for a spin around Gatwick.

4. Find time to relax, non stop studying can sometimes be a bit too overbearing so remember to take 15 mins ever hour and a bit to let your mind recover. For me this usually cam in the form of an episode of The Big Bang Theory, or a trip to Sainsburys to get anything unhealthy. Usually Ben and Jerry’s (always on offer in the Bedford Place Sainsburys)

   

   This is all you need. Being 20 seconds from a Sainsburys at easter was the highlight of my year :p

5. If you have ANY problems at all, Sarah Butler is amazing to talk to. Be it about problem at home, or a problem with your studies, Sarah will always help. Honestly, one of CTC’s best assets. You’ll probably meet her on APD1.
6. The instructors are phenomenal, they’ll do whatever they can to help you if you need it. You’ll soon realise that Steve Barnes is clearly the best person you’ll ever meet. Ever. Just wait until you have him for Gnav or Rnav and you’ll agree.
7. Tony (the Chief Theoretical Knowledge Instructor – CTKI) is a really great guy and is great to talk to about any issues you feel you may have in your studies. He takes a great interest in your learning and will do whatever he can to make your training the best experience it can be.
8. Buy page tabs! They’ll be invaluable when you return to your notes for revision and when you study flight planning and need to mark pages in your Jep!
   

This is the BEST thing I bought for CTC. Dead cheap from Amazon!

     9. Be Über organised. like  Über Über. It'll be so much easier to get things done if you stick to a regime. 

This seriously was how I studied, it worked well for me! Whiteboards are a really good buy too, and if you live in central Southampton like I did, Staples is really close, as is ASDA and you can buy one from there too.

   10. You should definitely go to Sprinkles. It's the most amazing place, ever. Go. Now.