BA Future Pilot Programme (FPP)(Merged)
Join Date: May 2001
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Once a class one expires it reverts to a class 2 which is fine for training.
So after you have it, you will be good for 60 months up to aged 40 and 24 months until your 50 for training.
The only time it needs to be current again is for the issue of your license. At this point you will be about to be heading off for the sim and will be requiring it because you will be flying the line in the not so distant future so need a class 1. At this point BA have company doctors who will get it current again with no great hassles.
Getting the initial one is a complete ball ache compared to getting it renewed. Get it done ASAP don't hang around and risk you getting put back an intake because you don't have it.
It also means as well that those unfortunates that have issues can get them sorted before there slot comes up. There will be some that fail the medical.
Personally I would be on the phone tomorrow to book one.
So after you have it, you will be good for 60 months up to aged 40 and 24 months until your 50 for training.
The only time it needs to be current again is for the issue of your license. At this point you will be about to be heading off for the sim and will be requiring it because you will be flying the line in the not so distant future so need a class 1. At this point BA have company doctors who will get it current again with no great hassles.
Getting the initial one is a complete ball ache compared to getting it renewed. Get it done ASAP don't hang around and risk you getting put back an intake because you don't have it.
It also means as well that those unfortunates that have issues can get them sorted before there slot comes up. There will be some that fail the medical.
Personally I would be on the phone tomorrow to book one.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: London
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Thanks for all the information.
I still think I'm going to give it another week to see if any specific information is provided before Christmas. After that, I'll consider just going ahead and booking it anyway.
There's still plenty of time. 15 weeks at the earliest, could be as long as ten months until the course.
I still think I'm going to give it another week to see if any specific information is provided before Christmas. After that, I'll consider just going ahead and booking it anyway.
There's still plenty of time. 15 weeks at the earliest, could be as long as ten months until the course.
Join Date: May 2001
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Not a problem.
And sod it I know what the next questions are going to be about. Please excuse some of the spelling, I ain't BA material
The medical or how it was when I went for it.
You arrive and speak to the very nice lady at the front desk were you are shown into a waiting room and given a gown to change into keeping your underware on.
Then they have different sections which you go round in no particular order which on completion you head back to the waiting area.
1. Blood they take a very small sample with a pin prick and test a drop for hemoglobin and another for cholesterol.
You also have to pee in a cup which they dip for diabeates.
Take your weight blood pressure and the other gubbins.
2. Chest xray, walk in the door get it done and walk out again.
3. General examination, there is no finger up the arse or anything nasty. General prod at you including the old cough thing. A sit down and chat how your feeling and your history. Some range of movement stuff and a look in your ears, up your nose and eyes. Don't worry if you have history and have said to anything on the form I have had three yes's on my form for the entire time I have been flying and haven't had any problems with a class one.
4. Eyes. Go into a dark room and do as your told. The drops in the eye were a bitch but I believe they have a puffer thing now which is a bit of a shock if you haven't had it before but infinately more pleasant than drops in the eye and having to sit still while they poke a needle thing in it.
5. Hearing test, sit in a box and press a button when you hear something.
6. ECG they stick a load of electrodes on you and depending if you are hairy or not they may shave patches.
And in my day you had a set of electrodes stuck on your head by an attractive irish nurse who then flashed lights in you face and got you to open and close your eyes for 40 mins but I believe they have dropped this requirement.
And I think thats it. You won't be told on the day if you have passed as the ECG and the xray need to be looked at by the consultant. Then if you have passed it turns up in the post a week or so later depending when the consultants get to see your stuff.
There really isn't anything to be concerned about when you go. They are extremely pleasant and friendly.
And sod it I know what the next questions are going to be about. Please excuse some of the spelling, I ain't BA material
The medical or how it was when I went for it.
You arrive and speak to the very nice lady at the front desk were you are shown into a waiting room and given a gown to change into keeping your underware on.
Then they have different sections which you go round in no particular order which on completion you head back to the waiting area.
1. Blood they take a very small sample with a pin prick and test a drop for hemoglobin and another for cholesterol.
You also have to pee in a cup which they dip for diabeates.
Take your weight blood pressure and the other gubbins.
2. Chest xray, walk in the door get it done and walk out again.
3. General examination, there is no finger up the arse or anything nasty. General prod at you including the old cough thing. A sit down and chat how your feeling and your history. Some range of movement stuff and a look in your ears, up your nose and eyes. Don't worry if you have history and have said to anything on the form I have had three yes's on my form for the entire time I have been flying and haven't had any problems with a class one.
4. Eyes. Go into a dark room and do as your told. The drops in the eye were a bitch but I believe they have a puffer thing now which is a bit of a shock if you haven't had it before but infinately more pleasant than drops in the eye and having to sit still while they poke a needle thing in it.
5. Hearing test, sit in a box and press a button when you hear something.
6. ECG they stick a load of electrodes on you and depending if you are hairy or not they may shave patches.
And in my day you had a set of electrodes stuck on your head by an attractive irish nurse who then flashed lights in you face and got you to open and close your eyes for 40 mins but I believe they have dropped this requirement.
And I think thats it. You won't be told on the day if you have passed as the ECG and the xray need to be looked at by the consultant. Then if you have passed it turns up in the post a week or so later depending when the consultants get to see your stuff.
There really isn't anything to be concerned about when you go. They are extremely pleasant and friendly.
Join Date: Dec 2011
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New to here, I was successful, and just for those asking I have zero flying hours, and no previous experience in aviation, 29 with a degree and 5 years in a management position. Proof and hope for those in a similar position that experience really isn't required, so it's worth going for. Looking forward to starting the course. 
Join Date: Dec 2010
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ask.oxfordaviation.net • View topic - How to Obtain a UK CAA Class 1 Medical Certificate
ask.oxfordaviation.net • View topic - Goodyear FAA 3rd Class Medicals
All the details on applying for the medical and the FAA Class 3 (for those at OAA, Arizona)
ask.oxfordaviation.net • View topic - Goodyear FAA 3rd Class Medicals
All the details on applying for the medical and the FAA Class 3 (for those at OAA, Arizona)
Join Date: Dec 2011
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Thanks Mad Jock, nice to know what we will go through at Gatwick! For those wondering about references, I don't know any facts, but I also don't see why BA would wait weeks or months before asking for them. If you are worried about your boss finding out before you have told him/her, then do consider that it might happen sooner rather than later.
Join Date: Dec 2011
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A little update regarding MJs post. It's changed a bit. You don't have to put on the gown anymore. I was allowed to stay in normal clothing, although there was one chap wondering around in a gown.
You also get told the results on the day now and leave with your certificate.
I did mine in June 2011,
There was no chest xray, there was also no drops in the eyes (That doesn't sound very nice!!!) and no puffer with poking! You now have to put your head in a machine and press a button whenever a white light appears. It tests your peripheral vision I believe. Just reading through my initial documentation and I've just noticed that it does say 'As part of the eye examination drops may be used which will blur the vision'
You also have to exhale into a tube as hard as you can (can't remember what this test determines)
There was a lot of sitting around between tests so be prepared to be there for about 4-5 hours.
You also get told the results on the day now and leave with your certificate.
I did mine in June 2011,
There was no chest xray, there was also no drops in the eyes (That doesn't sound very nice!!!) and no puffer with poking! You now have to put your head in a machine and press a button whenever a white light appears. It tests your peripheral vision I believe. Just reading through my initial documentation and I've just noticed that it does say 'As part of the eye examination drops may be used which will blur the vision'
You also have to exhale into a tube as hard as you can (can't remember what this test determines)
There was a lot of sitting around between tests so be prepared to be there for about 4-5 hours.
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Out of interest, what's the main reason people fail the medical?
I've never had a chest Xray or ECG so I'm not sure about them. I would have thought eyesight is the most common area of failure, I have doubts over this and I'm going for another eyetest tomorrow!
I've never had a chest Xray or ECG so I'm not sure about them. I would have thought eyesight is the most common area of failure, I have doubts over this and I'm going for another eyetest tomorrow!
Join Date: May 2001
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ECG isn't a biggie you lie on a gurney and they stick pads in various places none of which are embarressing they tell you to relax, they press a button and heap of paper squirts out the box of tricks and they pull the tabs off.
Chest xray you stand up against a post with a film in it and a lead shield protecting your gonads and push your shoulders forward, hold your breath for the 10secs when they tell you to and thats it.
From purely things I have heard about reasons to fail and all of them have been mentioned in the medical forum at some point.
Colour blindness. which I would have hoped that the FTO's had shown you the plates during selection to see if that would be a problem.
Outside the optical limits.
ECG picking up stuff which ain't normal.
Blood pressure both high and low.
Deafness.
Don't worry about it though. Don't drink caffeine 24h before going and make sure you are not dehydrated. There is nothing you can do in the next 6 months which will affect the outcome from a negative to a postive.
Chest xray you stand up against a post with a film in it and a lead shield protecting your gonads and push your shoulders forward, hold your breath for the 10secs when they tell you to and thats it.
From purely things I have heard about reasons to fail and all of them have been mentioned in the medical forum at some point.
Colour blindness. which I would have hoped that the FTO's had shown you the plates during selection to see if that would be a problem.
Outside the optical limits.
ECG picking up stuff which ain't normal.
Blood pressure both high and low.
Deafness.
Don't worry about it though. Don't drink caffeine 24h before going and make sure you are not dehydrated. There is nothing you can do in the next 6 months which will affect the outcome from a negative to a postive.
Join Date: Dec 2011
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http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/1943/20110...)March2011.pdf
They no longer do a chest x-ray according to above pdf!
They no longer do a chest x-ray according to above pdf!
Join Date: Aug 2011
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City Chump
First off: Congratulations! You will fare well on your course; of that, I am quite sure. In the meantime, would you please ask your new mates: Robin, Barry & Mo, to make the process a whole lot simpler? Otherwise, I might never get in.
Join Date: Dec 2011
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Type rating and budget
Hi everyone, just starting to work through my budget plan for the training (I'm with OAA). Scary numbers!!
There is plenty of information on the OAA website about the Oxford- and Arizona-based training but very little of the type rating training that takes place afterwards.
Does anyone know how long a newly-qualified pilot's first type rating will typically take with BA?
Is there any help from BA with accommodation or other costs during this period?
Thanks, once again congratulations to all the successful candidates, and happy Christmas all.
There is plenty of information on the OAA website about the Oxford- and Arizona-based training but very little of the type rating training that takes place afterwards.
Does anyone know how long a newly-qualified pilot's first type rating will typically take with BA?
Is there any help from BA with accommodation or other costs during this period?
Thanks, once again congratulations to all the successful candidates, and happy Christmas all.
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Referencing
For those wondering about references, I don't know any facts, but I also don't see why BA would wait weeks or months before asking for them. If you are worried about your boss finding out before you have told him/her, then do consider that it might happen sooner rather than later.
Of course I can't guarantee this is what will actually happen but very good news if it's true.
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Despite not making the grade myself, I hope you accept my humble opinion/knowledge.
I did ask one of the assessors at OAA (who happened to be a BA pilot) about the type-rating element of the FPP; I was told that any new pilot comencing a type rating with BA is officially an employee. You may therefore assume that if you do indeed start the type-rating element, it is day one of your official new career with British Airways.
Whether you're temporarily made (due to economic reasons) a flight attendant after this is another matter.
Obviously you guys need to get that confirmed, but I would assume that would include a British Airways salary during this type-rating training period.
Good luck and best wishes guys.
I did ask one of the assessors at OAA (who happened to be a BA pilot) about the type-rating element of the FPP; I was told that any new pilot comencing a type rating with BA is officially an employee. You may therefore assume that if you do indeed start the type-rating element, it is day one of your official new career with British Airways.
Whether you're temporarily made (due to economic reasons) a flight attendant after this is another matter.
Obviously you guys need to get that confirmed, but I would assume that would include a British Airways salary during this type-rating training period.
Good luck and best wishes guys.
Join Date: Dec 2010
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That is incorrect; while true for DEPs, we are salaried employees only on successful completion of the LST (but the implication is before base training sectors, which is a little unclear really...I would expect it to be once type is included in licence at Gatwick...)
See here:
British Airways Future Pilot Programme
Obviously timing of the TR may not be immediately following the completion of the IR at Oxford, so I have built multiple redundant buffers into my financial planning to accomodate potential delays
I have budgeted 6 to 8 weeks for the entire time at Cranebank before LST, after which base training would be conducted, thus with a good 4 week wait for courses, 18 months with no salary is not unlikely.
BA do not help with accomodation or other costs which are our responsibility during TR, base and line training - remember that our base will be either LHR or LGW, so getting to Hatton Cross is not really unreasonable!
See you next year RW - trying again I assume?
See here:
British Airways Future Pilot Programme
Obviously timing of the TR may not be immediately following the completion of the IR at Oxford, so I have built multiple redundant buffers into my financial planning to accomodate potential delays
I have budgeted 6 to 8 weeks for the entire time at Cranebank before LST, after which base training would be conducted, thus with a good 4 week wait for courses, 18 months with no salary is not unlikely.
BA do not help with accomodation or other costs which are our responsibility during TR, base and line training - remember that our base will be either LHR or LGW, so getting to Hatton Cross is not really unreasonable!
See you next year RW - trying again I assume?
Last edited by City chump; 15th Dec 2011 at 16:07.