Stobart Cadet Programme

[Officer Kite]

https://afta.ie/stobart-air-partnership-with-afta/

"Together, Stobart Air and AFTA have developed an extensive 16-month training program that involves 220 hours flight time through Cork International Airport, with ongoing one-on-one mentoring from a Stobart Air pilot."

Surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet, good luck to anyone applying

[Chris the Robot]

I wonder what the funding arrangement is? No mention of it anywhere I've looked.

[Chris the Robot]

For me, manual flying would be much preferable to watching an autopilot and especially since it seems one or two of the big airlines aren't what they once were, I think it's probably a great way to start a career. Fairly quick command, home most nights and a nice regional base too.

If it was announced as fully-funded, I have no doubt it would be just as popular as the Aer Lingus programme. The BA Cityflyer and Cityjet threads have been fairly quiet too, apparently applications for those are usually a few hundred rather than the few thousand Aer Lingus get. Just goes to show the great extent to which lack of cash is preventing people from applying.

[cumbrianboy]

It may have an autopilot, and it's an OK one, but it's still a very hands on aeroplane, significantly more so than many others

[Officer Kite]

For me, manual flying would be much preferable to watching an autopilot and especially since it seems one or two of the big airlines aren't what they once were, I think it's probably a great way to start a career.
.
Just because an aeroplane has propellers doesn't mean it is flown manually with no autopilot. There are cessna 172s out there with fully functioning autopilot systems that the pilots make full use of. You'll find the ATR is flown on autopilot lots of the time too.

[Chris the Robot]

What I was thinking was that I don't believe there's any autothrust, I can't say I know much else about how the engines are regulated. Likely to involve more regional airfields without LHR-esque airspace so I imagine the option is there to do it manually if the commander is happy and the SOPs allow it.

[theexpandingman]

Assessments are end of July and into August, first with AFTA (compass test, sim test, basic HR interview) and then interviews with Stobart direct. Successful candidates will be offered a contract with Stobart on completion of the course, that bit we know.

The funding required is €75k for the training with AFTA. Stobart will then cover the full cost of the type rating and will bond you, not sure how long for but expect 4 to 5 years. If you already hold a PPL or beyond you can apply for the course and they will credit you back something against the cost of training. In this case my understanding is that you can jump straight into the commercial training, ie it's not a defined schedule for all 24 candidates - if you skip the PPL for example you could be finished all training in 12 months and ready to start work.

The bit I don't know is salary and benefits at Stobart for a brand new FO - anybody got those figures?

[Alex757]

Just had an email back from AFTA - confirming it is a self funded program as suspected. Seems like a good course though.

[Field Required]

I called up and got the following info:

Course costs €75,000 as previously mentioned
Stobart are looking for 24 trainees annually
Up to 40 hours equivalent to €6,000 can be deducted if you already hold a PPL.
You complete the course sooner if you hold a PPL
Assessments are held in Cork and costs €300.
Assessments run Mon - Fri.
Assessment dates are currently booked up for the next 4 weeks.
First course start dates: Sept 18.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

[IrishB1]

75k and guaranteed hours is nothing to be sniffed at.

[thisishomebrand]

75k and guaranteed hours is nothing to be sniffed at.

Not saying it is a bad opportunity, just difficult to be in a position to have that kind of money available (be that cash or borrowing).

[Logun94]

Hi guys I'm thinking about applying for this but am a little worried about the compass test as maths is not my forte .Can anyone give me some advice or help as to how to approach a compass test and how to prepare for the day .
Thanks in advance
Also is it hard to move from a turbo up to a jet once you have the hours ?

[theexpandingman]

Hi guys I'm thinking about applying for this but am a little worried about the compass test as maths is not my forte .Can anyone give me some advice or help as to how to approach a compass test and how to prepare for the day .
Thanks in advance
Also is it hard to move from a turbo up to a jet once you have the hours ?
PadPilot have a great little free book in the iBooks store which will get you in shape for the compass maths test. Search "Maths and Physics for Pilots" by Slate-Ed (sorry, can't post URLs due to being new here!)

Best of luck with your application at Stobart.

[agfoxx]

Guys - I'm booked in for an assessment in late August. Any advice from anybody who's done the assessment day? Thanks!

[flyerflyer1]

I finished with AFTA a while ago and can give you some information if anyone would like. Ill give a little break down and you can ask specific questions then?
First off its a good school and well run for the most part. If you aren't afraid of hard work then you will be fine and they offer every opportunity to do well.
-75,000 for all the hours and exams 1st time, also includes MCC/JOC on a 737-800, so it is not just designed for Stobart and if you go there there will be no pressure to go with stobart if you don't want to.
-75,000 does not include over hours (told to hold for 30 minutes in pa34) which can be very expensive which I found out. Does not include failing ATPL results.
-ATPLs should be finished in 6 months which is hard but do able.
-Recently there has been a lot of students come in so the competition for flying spots on the roster is fairly high (only 4 pa34 and 8 c172 I think). Its summer now so I am guessing people are flying a lot but don't expect to be on the roster everyday getting it done as fast as you want to.
-Instructors are very good, more so so as you get towards the end of the training but still met some excellent instructors.
-Course should be finished in 16 months which depending on the weather and start date can be very hard. During winter you may not fly at all.
-Initial assessment is fine as long as you can do basic math, english and physics. Show in interest and have the money to pay.

Ask away.

[Logun94]

hi flyer flyer thanks for the detailed reply that was great of you my assessment is coming up next week and I'm obviously nervous but more excited ,do you remember the specifics of the maths test and verbal reasoning tests as iv been using a few software programs with verbal reasoning and they are very difficult for me I'm not an illiterate person but these test just seem to be designed to trick you out and thats what I'm worried about , any advice regarding the assessment would be fantastic of you ,cheers

[Sharklet7]

hi flyer flyer thanks for the detailed reply that was great of you my assessment is coming up next week and I'm obviously nervous but more excited ,do you remember the specifics of the maths test and verbal reasoning tests as iv been using a few software programs with verbal reasoning and they are very difficult for me I'm not an illiterate person but these test just seem to be designed to trick you out and thats what I'm worried about , any advice regarding the assessment would be fantastic of you ,cheers
hi do you have an assessment with AFTA or are you going for the next stage with Stobart? Thanks

[Logun94]

Just an assessment at aft currently ,you ?

[Logun94]

Flyer ,Yes i understand its going to be 6 months of hard graft but I'm interested in it all so looking forward to it as the benefits and rewards outweigh the relentless study for me. I'm going to have to do give up 6 months for bookwork iknow but it will be worth it in the long run for me.Thanks for the reply.
As for accommodation there how does that work ?

[Sharklet7]

Flyer ,Yes i understand its going to be 6 months of hard graft but I'm interested in it all so looking forward to it as the benefits and rewards outweigh the relentless study for me. I'm going to have to do give up 6 months for bookwork iknow but it will be worth it in the long run for me.Thanks for the reply.
As for accommodation there how does that work ?
Do you mean accommodation for when you are taking the course? All accommodation is up to the student to sort themselves. The school will if helpful put class mates in contact with each other in order that they might look together for a flat to share together.

When is your assessment? Do we know if the plan is to have a class of stobart students are will they be spread across a number of classes?

[Logun94]

Do you mean accommodation for when you are taking the course? All accommodation is up to the student to sort themselves. The school will if helpful put class mates in contact with each other in order that they might look together for a flat to share together.

When is your assessment? Do we know if the plan is to have a class of stobart students are will they be spread across a number of classes?

Hi sharklet .My assessment is Monday so its just arround the corner and yes thats what i meant about accomodation and it seems cork it quite expensive but sharing a flat would deffinetly be a viable option .Does anyone know if afta has any banks or partners affiliated with pilot loans or is it stricktly a case of you have the money to pay already situation. Just asking as i know l3 and oxford have thier own lending partners .Cheers

[Sharklet7]

Hi sharklet .My assessment is Monday so its just arround the corner and yes thats what i meant about accomodation and it seems cork it quite expensive but sharing a flat would deffinetly be a viable option .Does anyone know if afta has any banks or partners affiliated with pilot loans or is it stricktly a case of you have the money to pay already situation. Just asking as i know l3 and oxford have thier own lending partners .Cheers
All the best for Monday. Let us know how you get on and all that is involved in the assessment day? Are you local to Cork?
Unfortunately I don't believe there is any relationship with a bank or loan provider. This is being harder to access even the likes of L3 and others don't have lending partners anymore as these loans just aren't being offered to the same extent as they once were.

[Eiwings1]

ive heard that a lot of first officers at stobart make the leap across to aer lingus after a few years, is this true and does it happen often?

[IrishB1]

ive heard that a lot of first officers at stobart make the leap across to aer lingus after a few years, is this true and does it happen often?
yeah a good few in the past few years have made the move across

[Eiwings1]

does anyone know if there are any reqirements for this programme like age?

[Sharklet7]

does anyone know if there are any reqirements for this programme like age?
Hi, there is no specific age requirement I don't believe.

Do you intend to apply?

[timdouglas90]

Hi,

Just been reading about the Stobart scheme with AFTA...I mean it sounds like an amazing opportunity which I would be 100% up for, until the price was posted. I currently hold a PPL(A), a share in an old C172 I'm building hours in and am studying my ATPL theory whilst working full time to afford it all.

I can't help but be jealous of the people around me just quitting their jobs to study full time, or even applying for a scheme which would cost them a cool €75,000...for 12 + months...with no inclusion of accommodation OR food??

Maybe I'm missing something, I had to take out a loan for a year to do my PPL(A), then another one to pay for my ATPL theory exams...I got my share of my C172 with a bonus from a place I used to work and I'm struggling to balance work with study. Is there a mystical pot of gold somewhere near a rainbow anybody could point me to?

I know there are specific training lenders, but they all require a house...just in case you can't pay it back.

Hopefully by the time I get all my ratings the pilot shortage wont be over!

Also any practical help would be appreciated?

Cheers,

Tim