Hi,
Long time lurker, first time poster - So I thought it would be useful to 'get off the mark' with a post that shares some of my own research (I'll stay objective).
Post 9/11 and for various other reasons (lower profit margins, huge number of low hour pilots and so on), fully sponsored schemes ("free") no longer exist. The closest (and arguably the best) thing available to us wannabes is the British Airways Future Pilot Scheme (FPP). Under certain circumstances (They don't outline the T&Cs unfortunately), BA will stump up the security for a BVA loan.
It is about as good as you will get in the current climate. However, it is extremely competitive with multiple thousand applicants competing for tens of spaces.
Last year (and i believe the year before too), the scheme opened around October / November. No news on the state for the coming year, but I think people would be surprised if it wasn't running this year too (although, you never know...) since BA have stated, in the past, they will be actively hiring a large number of pilots (Both experienced DEP and low hour cadets) up to 2016.
Pop over to CTC and sign up for the newsletter. BA also have a website dedicated to this scheme although it's not current (They may change the T&C's). You may as well give it a try to be honest! EDIT: Also have a look at FlightDeckFriend.com as they have a little list of cadet schemes and some other bits of info that could be interesting (Check out the state of advertised low hour pilot jobs and GA jobs)
The other cadet schemes* open to us are all self funded (that I'm aware of). You need to stump up the cash from a secured bank loan (BVA again). The training costs a tad more than the standard integrated route but you do have a better chance of employment (Note: better chance. It is NOT a guaranteed job. Airline needs can change or you may fail your sim check (for example) and not be eligible for the CTC/OAA refund package leaving you very high and very dry).
Also take a look at the integrated vs modular thread. An awful lot of good information in that thread.
*With the exception of the Flybe one which Flybe pay £23k of the training costs - however, be warned... I've read horror stories on this site where they, one year, had to lay off the cadets they selected leaving them with a huge dept and an almost useless licence (MPL != (F)ATPL although I guess it would be possible to convert). Not sure how that story ended and if anyone actually went bankrupt as a result.
Good luck!
Last edited by dbowler92; 12th Jun 2014 at 23:08.