Excel Airways (Oxford Aviation Training) Programme - 2006
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2001
Location: England
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
sagaris, not bitter in any way. It's a fact that even those who apply for such schemes go into the venture extremely nervous (about the financial implications) and uncertain of the outcome. And that's exactly how I applied. I didn't make it, I didn't expect to. It was a good learning experience though. Since then however, I have wised up. It's now a no brainer. £35-40k with a school based down the road, living in the same property I'm paying a mortgage for, or up to £100k for a course based 100 miles for a chance of a job at the end. If I wanted to buy a job I'd take my cash to RyanAir 
As for your suggestion that this is the way of the future....Only if you let it be.
As for your suggestion that this is the way of the future....Only if you let it be.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Not far from the airport
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It appears that this thread has brought together a bunch of bitter, anti-OAT folk who have jumped the gun with their comments about this scheme - bringing it down to sound like a pathetic attempt at recruit desperate people who want to be pilots and give an FTO a shedload of profit along the way.
I attended the Excel Airways assessment that was run last year at OAT and unfortunately for me, didn't get selected. But unlike most of you lot - I sat and listened to the details of the scheme from 'the horses mouth' and was extremely impressed with the deal being presented.
Yes the starting salary is a bit lower than most low-houred FO Jet positions but look carefully - it's the basic salary, and from what I recall, you still need to add on your duty pay / sector pay (sure someone from Excel could give you a ball park figure here).
The training cost is paid for. Full stop.
The type rating is paid for. No arguments.
Okay - so the job isn't guaranteed. Then again, nothing in life is guaranteed.
At the end of the day this is an opportunity to do a flying course at a well respected FTO (don't want to kick off any FTO vs FTO arguments here so just hear me out!) - with training costs going from zero hours to Frozen ATPL including Type Rating already paid for with a pretty excellent chance of starting work immediately after training.
I wish I were eligable.
I attended the Excel Airways assessment that was run last year at OAT and unfortunately for me, didn't get selected. But unlike most of you lot - I sat and listened to the details of the scheme from 'the horses mouth' and was extremely impressed with the deal being presented.
Yes the starting salary is a bit lower than most low-houred FO Jet positions but look carefully - it's the basic salary, and from what I recall, you still need to add on your duty pay / sector pay (sure someone from Excel could give you a ball park figure here).
The training cost is paid for. Full stop.
The type rating is paid for. No arguments.
Okay - so the job isn't guaranteed. Then again, nothing in life is guaranteed.
At the end of the day this is an opportunity to do a flying course at a well respected FTO (don't want to kick off any FTO vs FTO arguments here so just hear me out!) - with training costs going from zero hours to Frozen ATPL including Type Rating already paid for with a pretty excellent chance of starting work immediately after training.
I wish I were eligable.
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: daarn saarf
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by captwannabe
Quote sagaris: I met someone off a previous OAT/Excel scheme which was nigh on identical to this who is now in his RHS, and from what I can gather (and indeed what he said) he is leaps and bounds better off than his 'ordinary' FO colleagues.
Complete twaddle. You think he's better off (financially I presume) because he says so.
Quote: One has to indeed bite the bullet
Why? There are other ways to get to the RHS. Ts & Cs will continually become more eroded, especially for new recruits, if people indeed bite the bullet.
Quote: I know of airlines who no longer consider fATPLs from modular training
Yes, British Airways don't take low-hour pilots who have modular training.
CTC is still less expensive than OAT, and has better graduate placement.
Complete twaddle. You think he's better off (financially I presume) because he says so.
Quote: One has to indeed bite the bullet
Why? There are other ways to get to the RHS. Ts & Cs will continually become more eroded, especially for new recruits, if people indeed bite the bullet.
Quote: I know of airlines who no longer consider fATPLs from modular training
Yes, British Airways don't take low-hour pilots who have modular training.
CTC is still less expensive than OAT, and has better graduate placement.
2. I agree if ones bites the bullet and is willing to pay for all the training, low hours Ts and Cs will be eroded, but you find me someone who desperately wants to be a pilot, knowing an integrated scheme is what he needs, but will forfeit this for the betterment of the Ts and Cs for a following generation. Hense, times have changed im afraid. In this scheme (and other similar schemes) the TR is paid for too. 20k saving again.
Regarding the loan payments (should you have a loan), you have 11 years to pay back the HSBC loan, irrespective of how excel have structured payment to you. Remember the loan is between you and HSBC, not between HSBC and Excel/OAT. Therefore there is nothing stopping you paying off the loan on your own terms. If i had mortgages kids and all the rest of it, i'd not be paying this loan off in 5 years either. If the loan was the only debt I had, I think i'd be wise to use as much of that tax free cash as humanly possible to try and put this loan to bed.
CTC does have a better placement average compared to OAT, but i'd say if you were accepted onto one of these OAT schemes, the odds of immediate work are as high as CTC. The reason for CTC's figures is down to the selection. CTC is very selective, however statistically less selective than these OAT schemes. I believe that anyone who gets a place one this Excel scheme, or the previous Excel/TCX schemes would have had no difficulty getting into CTC. These are the people the airlines want. High calibre.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Ask Crewing
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by jimsmitty01
Hey guys, does anyone know whether I can apply for the OAT integrated Atpl course without doing bloody maths at A Level or Uni!? Of course I passed at GCSE, but as they are not taking calls or even emails (which is very annoying) I was wondering if anyone is in the same predicament as me?
Although it says you need it in the 'requirements' section, I've had testing days with similar things in the past that said the same thing but still allowed me to give it a go non-the-less. - Anyone with any info? or are they that strict on that one? Cheers!
Although it says you need it in the 'requirements' section, I've had testing days with similar things in the past that said the same thing but still allowed me to give it a go non-the-less. - Anyone with any info? or are they that strict on that one? Cheers!
Join Date: Dec 1998
Location: UK
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's up to the individual to decide whether the Excel / OAT course is for them and you'd be wise to explore all the different options. However, those that decide to go for it should be pleased at some of the negative attitudes on here - less competition! Besides, in my experience anyone who shows those kind of attitudes at this stage is unlikely to succeed at selection anyway!
You have to confront the commercial realities of the day, and if you want the job badly enough, and you're lucky enough to be able to get financial backing then go for it!
It's fair to say that someone on the Excel / OAT course still has a better chance of employment than those on a CTC course!! Also, I don't know many CTC graduates who get their type rating paid for (saving ~15k).
18k may not be a great amount to live on for a few years but it is possible in rented accomodation - its fair to say its more than the Excel cabin crew you will fly with will earn and they manage! Give it 5 years and either you will be close to a command or very marketable for a DEP salary at a major airline (BA / easy etc) earning 45k+ (more like 50-55k+ with allowances).
When you apply for training places you just have to learn to get on with it and jump through the hoops. Either that or someone else will.
Good luck.
You have to confront the commercial realities of the day, and if you want the job badly enough, and you're lucky enough to be able to get financial backing then go for it!
It's fair to say that someone on the Excel / OAT course still has a better chance of employment than those on a CTC course!! Also, I don't know many CTC graduates who get their type rating paid for (saving ~15k).
18k may not be a great amount to live on for a few years but it is possible in rented accomodation - its fair to say its more than the Excel cabin crew you will fly with will earn and they manage! Give it 5 years and either you will be close to a command or very marketable for a DEP salary at a major airline (BA / easy etc) earning 45k+ (more like 50-55k+ with allowances).
When you apply for training places you just have to learn to get on with it and jump through the hoops. Either that or someone else will.
Good luck.
Join Date: Dec 1998
Location: UK
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From the OAT website it would seem to be one course of Excel students, who will also be on a course with self sponsored students. Therefore as the average course is around 16-18 students (?) it's between 1 and 17!
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: london
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well i just applied for this scheme. Just wanted to wish everyone luck! sounds like a fantastic opportunity..
Well last time they selected six so a reasonable assumption would be that they are looking or six this time. For the TCA scheme there were six too.. 
Cesco, How do you know it is 6 places?
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Newbury, Berkshire
Age: 39
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey just got email saying im through to stage2! Woo! Anyone else?
Now i need to get the old aptitude tests a practicing...how exciting
I have to say the cynic in me isnt surprised given theyre charging £195 for this next stage :o
Now i need to get the old aptitude tests a practicing...how exciting
I have to say the cynic in me isnt surprised given theyre charging £195 for this next stage :o
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Newbury, Berkshire
Age: 39
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Also did anyone by chance save the recruitment page that was up? Its gone down now the applciations closed but quite interested in the dates they were saying for interviews and things and just the general T+Cs
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Barcelona
Age: 41
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah i'm down on 18th September... sweeet. Agree with you guys about having to pay all that dosh, I mean how much can it really cost to do some maths tests and play with a joystick!
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: london
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good luck all i shall see you there 2.
how do you know? 
i only recieved the one e-mail telling me that i had got through
Anyone else have their date?
Yeah i'm down on 18th September... sweeet.
i only recieved the one e-mail telling me that i had got through Anyone else have their date?
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Barcelona
Age: 41
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ah no worries man. I sent them an email asking if I could have it after 12th as I've got phase 3 of ctc then. They got back to me this evening which was pretty impressive. I'm sure it said in the email that they'll let everyone know by tomorrow.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have CTC Phase 2 on the 11th, a drive to/from Bournemouth and a hotel stay, plus accom for this stage 2 and the £195!
Will have to see which date they give me, it would be a huge shame to have to pull out. I've only just got the email which is too late to request a date aswell.
I need to have another look over how it is all financed to make sure i could afford it if i got it!
Will have to see which date they give me, it would be a huge shame to have to pull out. I've only just got the email which is too late to request a date aswell.
I need to have another look over how it is all financed to make sure i could afford it if i got it!