The last week has been very eventful. Last Tuesday I had an interview with the Air League for a scholarship and I found out on Thursday that I am through to the final round of the Netjets Mentored Scheme Selection.

My interview on Tuesday was at the Air League’s office in London, near Victoria. I may be offered a flying scholarship of 12-15 hours towards a private pilot’s licence that I will be able to use this summer over a two week residential course.

The interview went really well and my interviewers were very welcoming and genuinely interested in me. That really helped with the nerves.

So far I’ve only been able to fly three lessons and I feel that when I am applying to airlines this is the weakest part of the person I’m trying to sell to them. It’s not easy to just build hours. Each one can cost in excess of £100 and you need around 45 to get a private pilot’s licence. Most of my spare cash goes on applying for things like this. Just to illustrate, my train ticket to the Air League offices cost about £75. A worthy investment but that’s another half hour in the air I can’t get at this stage. So it’s easy to see that this scholarship would be an amazing boost to my plans to become a pilot with a job.

Speaking of amazing boosts to my career plans, I have been offered an interview with Netjets next week. This will be the third and final stage of their selection process for new pilots coming in with no prior flying experience. Traditionally (or as traditional as you can be for a company started 1996) Netjets Europe only recruits pilots with in excess of 1500 hours of flying experience. Due to their growth and future plans, they have decided to take on cadets with no flying experience required. They will pre-select several cadets who will then fund their own training at Oxford Aviation Training. After their training they will go into training with Netjets and into a job. And the good news for me is that I’m still in the running.

After the Stage 2 assessment I had couple of weeks of waiting for the result. I was meant to find out on Wednesday. I was in the office all day (sometimes I can spend the whole day out and about). It was all I could do at times to stop myself checking my email every 5 minutes. At about half 2 I got an email saying that I would have to wait an extra day. The two weeks of anticipation had taken it’s toll and I felt gutted, but at least it wasn’t a rejection. Oh well, back to work.

Thursday was filled with nervous energy. I got more work done in that whole day than I have in some weeks. When the email finally did come I was ready to collapse and to my delight it was good news.

The email said that I was successful and that Netjets will be contacting me directly. This they did today. My interview will be next Wednesday and will be in Lisbon. Netjets will be flying all of the remaining applicants out the night before their interview, treating them to a meal, showing them their facilities and then putting them through a nervous hour’s worth of interview.

I’m incredibly excited. The company is fascinating. They operate business jets. Rather than having a fleet of aircraft that they charter out to businesses or individuals they encourage their customers to become owners and buy a share of an aircraft. That share buys the owners the opportunity to use any of the Netjets fleet anywhere in Europe at 10 hours notice. They then only pay for the hourly usage of the aircraft. It’s a great arrangement for people who need the convenience of having their own jet but don’t want the hassle of arranging hangars, engineering, pilots and all the other aspects of owning a plane. That may also explain why I’ve never flown with them.

I’m now preparing for this interview like I’ve never prepared before. I would love any general advice and tips. I had a couple of interviews last year and they weren’t successful so I know how difficult these final rounds can be. Feel free to wish me luck.

I’ve just finished day two of stage 2 of the Netjets selection for their training scheme at Oxford Aviation. I’m shattered.

I made it through day one, the aptitude tests, and was invited back for day two, the group activites.

Overall I think my performance was good and I’ll need to wait two weeks to see if I’ve made it to stage three, the all important interview.

I don’t feel up to writing too much right now but I think it’s worth mentioning that I had a good time, it was fairly relaxed and I was grouped with a great group of guys.

I’ve got an assessment next week that will determine my suitability as an airline pilot. The following is a description of the assessment and things I recommend doing to prepare.

The assessment is made up of two days. The first day is computer based tests and a ‘lesson’ in a simulator. The second day is made up of group exercises and a personal interview.

These are the computer based tests as I remember them:

• Hand-eye co-ordination. You will take control of various shapes that want to move. Your main objective will be to keep those shapes from moving. Most of the shapes seem to resemble instruments from a cockpit. I would practice on flight sim or other computer games, preferably with a joystick (and rudders if you have any).
• Spatial awareness. You will be interpreting images displayed in unfamiliar ways. I’m not sure how to practice for this. I think it’s one of those things you can do or you can’t. It’s similar to being able to read maps. You could go for a walk/bike ride/rally with a map of somewhere you don’t know! But from my experience I think you’ll get the practice you need just getting to the airport
• Personality. You get some questions about you and your feelings or responses to different situations. If you get hold of any book on psychometric testing most will say that you can’t really revise but being familiar with the type of question can give you a bit of added confidence.
• Maths. Addition, multiplication, division, basic trigonometry, Fourier transforms (only kidding), nothing too hard. I practice by multiplying two two-digit numbers in my head. Also, on the recommendation of Mike Langley at OAT, playing darts is a good warm up.
• Physics. The physics is fairly basic. Having said that, despite completing a master’s degree in engineering I found it a little difficult to remember what you’re supposed to know at GCSE and A-Level. I’m using this unfortunately named website to refresh my memory:http://www.s-cool.co.uk/topic_index.asp?subject_id=2
• Multitasking. This is great. You do a set of mundane tasks and take the appropriate action when an ‘emergency’ takes place. I think it’s a metaphor for real airline flying. I practice by doing my preparation for the maths whilst driving to work. I also recommend listening to the girlfriend whilst the Simpsons is on.
• Memory. I can’t remember what this test involves….. actually it’s coming back. You’re asked to recall numbers and information that is presented to you for decreasing periods of time. I practice by asking for the phone number of people calling me at work and then writing it down after they hang up. I think if you examine your day enough there are plenty of opportunities to recall numbers you only see briefly.

Calling out licence plates on cars, whilst driving, doing mental arithmetic and driving comfortably should get you ready. Stick the radio on for an extra challenge.

The simulator test is great fun. You get briefed, you get in the simulator, you are asked to do a few things, you have a chat with the instructor, you get out, you feel good. Simple.

Don’t worry, if my explanations aren’t that clear. It all gets explained very clearly on the day.

For general tips and advice on interview and testing techniques I recommend this website:http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/
which did me a great favour and pointed me to this sample test produced by Quantas.

Click to download the sample test as a PDF (317kB)

If you’re taking an aptitude test soon, good luck, I hope this has helped!

More good news! I have been invited for an interview with the Air League for a flying scholarship. The award is for 12-15 hours of flying training towards a National Private Pilot’s Licence (NPPL). My interview is in late March and as I have already taken the aptitude test at RAF Cranwell last year I wont be asked to again.

The Air League Educational Trust (ALET) is a charitable trust, offering careers advice and annually awarding flying scholarships, flying bursaries, gliding scholarships, a balloon PPL scholarship and engineering scholarships.

For more information go to:
http://www.airleague.co.uk/scholarships.html

The Schools Aerospace Challenge provides an opportunity for teams of 16-18 year olds from the UK to attend one of two residential courses at the School of Engineering, Cranfield University.

Cranfield has established a worldwide reputation as a centre of excellence in aviation over many years. Activities during the course include the study of aircraft and aero-engine design, wind tunnel operation, team building exercises and the opportunity to pilot both a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter.

Teams are invited to consider the history of RAF airpower in all its forms from satellite communications through defensive and offensive aircraft operations to support and logistic roles and then to offer ideas for the future.

For details on how to apply for this great opportunity that will enhance your CV go to
http://www.imeche.org.uk/aerospace_challenge/index.asp

I found out today that I am through to Stage 2 of the Netjets Pilot Training Scheme at Oxford Aviation. I’m pretty excited. I’m going to have to redo the assessment that I did about a year ago. It will involve computer assessed aptitude (just like a computer game), maths and physics tests phychometric, testing, a simulator assessment, group exercises and interviews. The cost is around £195 (plus travel). Should be good fun!

Flybe are looking to mentor more students through FTE’s integrated ab-initio course. Application can be started online at at:

http://www.flighttrainingeurope.com/

You’re going to need a minimum of 2 A-Levels grade C or above or the equivalent and 5 GCSEs grade C or above in English, Maths and a Science subject. You will also need the right to live and work in the UK.

The closing date for on-line applications is 2 March.

To apply for the scheme click here: MAPS at FTE
For more information on Flybe: Flybe Pilots
To read about my experiences with FTE: FTE

NetJets have announced a mentored training scheme to train people from 0 hours flying experience straight into a job as a first officer on a jet.

The mentored scheme like those before it will pre-select candidates from those who apply and offer them a job on the condition that they satisfactorily pass their training. In other words, get selected, get trained start work as a pilot. It’s a very nice arrangement.

For more details and to get applying go to www.oxfordaviation.net/netjets

It’s not quite a sponsorship as Flight International 6th Feb 2007 described it as you will have to pay the cost of training yourself.

NetJets offers a range of solutions for private travel. Their fleet is made up of

• Cessna Citation Bravo
• Hawker 400XP
• Cessna Citation Excel/XLS
• Hawker 800XP/XPC
• Falcon 2000, 2000EX, 900, 900EX
• Gulfstream GIV-SP, V, 550

The first stage of the selection process is in the form of an online application which includes two essay questions. The application closes this Sunday so make sure you leave some time free to fill it out.

Refreshingly the information given on the OAT website is very detailed. It actually quotes the cost of training as £75,000 and gives a value of a starting wage of €56,500 (£37,614) and suggests that the repayments on your loan will take that wage down to €36,500 (£24,300). All essential information when you’re trying to apply for loans, thinking of remortgaging your parent’s home or trying to think up wacky fund raising schemes.

The application information mentions HSBC as a possible source of a £60,000 loan. That covers all but £15,000 of the training. No small amount. Additionally, and I need to check this, if I remember correctly student loans are deducted from the maximum loan you can take out. If you’ve spent four years at uni and relied on a student loan you could see the maximum HSBC will offer you reduce to £45,000. That could leave you £30,000 short with two loans to your name. Ouch!

Also, I’m really pleased to see that the expected dates of the selection process are on the website too. It shows real understanding of applicant’s other commitments. The selection processes for mentored schemes can take place on four days spread over the space of a month. So, if like me, your employer doesn’t know you want to be a pilot you might want to start thinking up some excuses for work in advance. If you’ve got a good excuse I’d love to hear from you. I bet schools aren’t too impressed with time being taken off if you’re in your last year of A-Levels, but it has to be done.

If you’re applying, good luck and I hope I see you at the final round with a big smile on your face.

For more information about NetJets: www.netjetseurope.com

To apply for the mentored scheme: www.oxfordaviation.net/netjets

To discuss the mentored scheme: PilotSponsorship Forum

GAPAN have updated their website with details of the scholarships on offer this year.

The scholarships being awarded are for:

• A Private Pilots Licence (PPL)
• A Flight Instructors Rating (Fixed Wing - Aeroplanes)
• A Flight Instructors Rating (Rotary - Helicopters)

Application forms are now available on the GAPAN website at
http://www.gapan.org/careers/scholarships/schols07.htm

Sadly it appears that the J N Sommers Scholarship for a full ATPL - the licence needed to be an ailine pilot - will not be awarded this year.

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I hadn’t realised it but I made it into the Guild News - the monthly GAPAN newsletter. The article is mainly about aptitude testing, see Getting Started, but it also mentions the six finalists for the 2007 J N Sommers Scholarship awarded. There is also an article on the eventual winner with further reference to the other finalists (me included).

It says about the the scholarship that there were “nearly a hundred applicants who complied with the scholarship’s entry requirements, from which 20 were invited to sit the Morrisby pychometric tests at City University, London. The performance of six of these candidates was considered exceptional, meriting a new top rating of A*. The three men and three women, all in their twenties, later took the Guild’s practical pilot apptitude tests at the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre at RAF Cranwell before being interviewed by a Guild selection board consisting of Pat Masters Rod Fulton and Dick Felix and Liveryman David Lewis who established the candidates motivation and suitability for a career in aviation.”

This picture of me appears on page 12. If you can’t find me, I’m the one getting my head knocked off by a spitfire propellor.