Some good advice here.
If he doesn’t get onto the Speedbird Pilot Academy, would he still look at other cadet schemes or consider funding a white-tail course anyway? If he’s serious about achieving his dreams, then he will make it if he has a decent aptitude and lots of support. None of it is rocket science but it does require lots of dedication and resilience.
I would also add that even if he plans to fly privately (I.e. a PPL) and not go the full commercial route, get a medical first. Cough up the money and get the initial class 1. Without that, you can’t fly commercially. If, for whatever reason, he is unable to get a class 1, then you don’t have to make difficult decisions around jobs, funding or family life. The decision is made for you! If he decides to fly privately in the future, you can let your class 1 lapse into a class 2 which is cheaper (and requires less frequent visits to your aeromedical examiner). It’s a small investment but is peanuts compared to the cost of uprooting your entire life to start a course he may not be allowed to finish.
champ