Things are looking up

[OneMileHigh]

Some cheerful news at last, although sadly not for me (I'm too old).

I was talking to some guy at the Cranfield Rally recently, generally discussing the latest depressing economic figures and the cost of flying. The conversation got around to flight training, in particular commercial flight traing. I thought the world was against flying, so you can imagine my surprise when he told me that Atlantic Airlines are looking to expand and will shortly be recruiting cadets to start training through their training division, Atlantic Flight Training.

I checked this out by speaking with one of their instructors on the phone (sorry, can't remember his name), who confirmed this information.

As I said at the top, I'm outside the age bracket but for all you younger wannabees out there, the chance of a free ATPL is on again. Give them a call.

It's amazing what you can find out just by chatting in a bar !!:eek: :eek:

[leonbrumsack]

What age range and qualifications, etc. are they looking for?

Thanks,

Leon

[Fly_146]

I think you mean Air Atlantique/Atlantic Express. I think you'll find its partial sponsorship, not full.

[gorky]

do they have a web site?

[mr.cool]

I too have heard that Air Atlantique are starting up their full sponsorship again. This is where they train you up to a frozen ATPL and MCC for free in return for loyal service with the company. On completion you would fly for either Atlantic Express, a new division of the group (www.atlanticexpress.co.uk), or Atlantic Airlines (lockheed electra) or Highland Airways (Jetstream 41 I think). Many have taken this great opportunity in the past, and are now well placed in the aviation industry. It is certainly an opportunity not to be missed in my opinion.

As far as I am aware most of the students going through now are on a slightly different deal where they paid half and were meant to be sold on to other airlines. Think in the present state of the market Air Atlantique would find it difficult to sell them on as there are so many type rated people out there. I'd imagine with the present expansion of the company, most of them would be taken on within the company.

All the best to those who apply to this scheme. It is indeed news of another sponsorship offering new hope to wannabes.

[OneMileHigh]

I gave them another call today in order to answer Leons question about age range. I was told 18 to 26.

Oh if I was a bit younger. I hope this will prove a breakthrough for some though, and if so the news was worth sharing.

There is a website but I don't know what it is. I could find out but then again, I've done my bit. I've got too many other things to do, like sticking my nose back into the notes.:( :( :(

[leonbrumsack]

Argh! Am still a little bit too young at 17. What route would people recommend into flying? Am taking A levels in maths, physics, german and english, and still have another year to go. Am fully bilingual, healthy, etc, etc. Need to get some ideas now as my school is pushing us to all apply to university in September and I am getting a bit :confused: What do I do??

Leon

[Pandora]

Leonbrumsack,

if your only problem is that you are too young (and if you are too you for the Air Atlantique thing you are too young for them all) you really have no problem at all. At school they are probably trying to push you towards uni because even when the airlines are desperate for new pilots the path to becoming a pilot is a difficult and unlikely one. the fact that you have no experience at all of anything beyond your school years is not going to help you either.

So, as you asked, what do you do? Apply anyway. and then start thinking up your backup plan. The one that is so red hot that the airlines will be falling over themselves to steal you away from it. Friends of mine who have all been successful with sponsorship applications have done various things, including being a lawyer, engineer, teacher, ITU nurse, archaeologist. As you can see everyone on my list had to get a degree first in order to shine so brightly that an airline wanted them (BA in this case). There are people out there who are good who didn't do a degree. They have generally managed to acheive this level of brilliance before needing to go to uni. So go on and apply to a uni course you like the look of. The subject doesn't matter. The parties will be the best in your life, and a full array of societies are just waiting for you to be the best president/secretary/sports team captain they have ever had just so that you can show on your sponsorship form how good you are. And when you finish you will still be 5 years younger than the average age of people on my BA course at OATS.

One last thing. Don't wail 'but I want it nowwwwww'. It doesn't show maturity and wishing whole years of your life away is not a good thing.