08 February 2022
2016-06-23 18:32:56 2017-06-02 02:10:13 Follow my time as a cadet at CTC Aviation as I chase my dream and train to be an airline pilot. I'll be writing blogs and filming vlogs along the way.
Pilot George
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Pilot George | CTC Cadet Blog

Story of a Commercial Airline Pilot & Former Integrated Whitetail Cadet

Previous Posts


Coronavirus: A Year On

One year since the start of the COVID lockdowns I reflect on the state of the industry and give an update on what I'm doing now.

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About Me

Hello and welcome to my website. My name's George and I'm a Commercial Pilot by trade and an avid blogger by hobby. Having created the Pilot George blog at the start of my pilot training in 2016, I went on to share the highs and lows of the course through the creation of 100+ blog and vlog posts.

If you've ever wanted to be a commercial pilot and wondered what it takes to get to the pointy end of an airliner then you've come to the right place. You can browse my blog or vlog posts from the main menu links at the top of the site.

If you'd like to learn more about my background, education, employment etc, then click the button below.

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The Day Job

Find out about the highs, lows and particulars of being an airline pilot as your day (or night) job.

 
All Things Airbus A320

Curious about how things on airliners work? In this category I aim to answer those questions for the Airbus A320 family.

 
Process & Procedures

In this category I'll be explaining things such as fuel requirements, navigation, slot delays and much more.

 
L3 Airline Academy Selection Process

Read about my time at selection for L3 Airline Academy (formerly CTC Aviation) and view tips to help you in preparing for own assessments.

 
Ground School (ATPL Theory)

Read blogs about the topics covered throughout my time at ATPL Ground School in Nursling, Southampton.

 
Flight Training (New Zealand)

Blogs & Vlogs about all things to do with training out in New Zealand including Visas, Transport, Phone Networks etc.

 
Instrument Rating (Bournemouth)

Content from my time working towards my Instrument Rating at the Bournemouth training centre.

 
Upset Prevention & Recovery

Learn more about the Upset Prevention & Recovery flights we complete in the Slingsby Firefly and Diamond fleet.

 
Airline Qualification Course

Read blogs about the post CPL/ME/IR training a prospective airline pilot must complete.

 
Hold Pool & Job Search

Finding that first job is perhaps the hardest part of the entire process and in this category you can read the blogs posted while I searched for my first employer.

 
Type Rating

To fly the Airbus A320 family I had to complete aircraft specific training.

 
Induction & Base Training

Read about the first week or two at my first airline, known as Induction, and the exciting day that is Base Training.

 
Line Training

Read about my first few weeks in the right hand seat, otherwise known as Line Training and culminating with check flights.

 
Accommodation

Have a tour around my accommodation at the various stages of training.

 
Pilot Loans (BBVA & Optimum Finance)

Having part-funded my course with a mortgage, I explain the application process, requirements and more in this section.

 
Finances

Food, drink, bills, travelling etc, you can find posts related to the money side of flight training in this category.

 
Insurance

Learn about the various insurance policies and performance protection trainees are required to have or are provided with.

 
Cadet Life

It wasn't all studying, we had fun too - honest!! Take a look at the various things I got up to on my travels.

 
Flight Training (Arizona)

Blogs & Vlogs about all things Arizona including FAA medicals and U.S. visas before I was switched to New Zealand.

 
Miscellaneous

All of the posts that don't fit anywhere else :-)

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