British Airways Future Pilot Programme.
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Unfortunately my head just wasn't with it on the day due to having worked exceptionally long shifts in the run up to the assessment centre.
The centre ask you not to give explicit details of the assessment day and so I will respect their wishes, however there is a group interview/task followed by an individual interview.
As an aside, in response to people asking whether age plays a major role in the selection process, the chap who was assessing me was a BA 777 pilot, and he stated that last year's intake had several people who were over 40 years of age, so don't let that aspect put you off going for it.
Best of luck to all still in it.
The centre ask you not to give explicit details of the assessment day and so I will respect their wishes, however there is a group interview/task followed by an individual interview.
As an aside, in response to people asking whether age plays a major role in the selection process, the chap who was assessing me was a BA 777 pilot, and he stated that last year's intake had several people who were over 40 years of age, so don't let that aspect put you off going for it.
Best of luck to all still in it.
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It's fine, rather given to me blunt than covered with roses. Since that's far from what the industry is.
I only asked since even Universities these days accept people with Level-3 BTEC's fine, simply because the qualification is just as good as an normal A-Level.
I only asked since even Universities these days accept people with Level-3 BTEC's fine, simply because the qualification is just as good as an normal A-Level.
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Not being funny,but....coming from someone who know's the airline inside out after working there for many years, and meeting pilots everyday,some of you...you really need to get out of your high horse very fast!So much hostility towards your fellow candidates,you haven't signed your contracts yet and talk with such levels of arrogance that I can see what type of F/O's you'll become,the ones that will be eaten alive once on-line by the training Captains,they will smell the cockiness out of you and let me remind you that,after the industrial dispute in 2010,the company are spending a lot of resources to "ease" tensions,and improve camaraderie,and they take CRM very very seriously and you will be judged all the time on your attitude,please,have some class and start now....Aviation is a small world and people eventually will figure out who you are by your comments here.
The nicest pilot I ever met, happen to be an ex-fighter pilot(F-18's and F4's)also was on the Space programme,he was incredibly humble...then you get guys who haven't even touched a plane yet,talking to others like they have flown Concorde's...beyond unbelievable!
Is just some advice,take it as it is!
The nicest pilot I ever met, happen to be an ex-fighter pilot(F-18's and F4's)also was on the Space programme,he was incredibly humble...then you get guys who haven't even touched a plane yet,talking to others like they have flown Concorde's...beyond unbelievable!
Is just some advice,take it as it is!
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Anunaky,
Let them dream, it s all they will get before the wake up call.
Most will not certainly fit the ball and will be washed out before the enter a ba cockpit. all their life they will have to work at tesco to pay back their loan....
BA doesn't need pilot. They just get a commission for each guy they can send to oxford or else.
Just wait for an attack from Iran, and their dream will be over.
Become a dentist... Safer and you can buy your plane.
Let them dream, it s all they will get before the wake up call.
Most will not certainly fit the ball and will be washed out before the enter a ba cockpit. all their life they will have to work at tesco to pay back their loan....
BA doesn't need pilot. They just get a commission for each guy they can send to oxford or else.
Just wait for an attack from Iran, and their dream will be over.
Become a dentist... Safer and you can buy your plane.
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BA Careers website
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BA general questions
Hi all
I am new to pprune so please don't have a go.
I have applied for the BA fpp and have been luck enough to make it past the aptitude test. I have a couple of question which are directed at current BA pilots as they are most likely to have an accurate answer. It would be helpful if people who do not know the answer refrained from answering with misleading info and also no BA bashing as that isn't constructive.
1. Are the contracts the offered to graduates of the fpp the same as those of the current pilots?
2. Which pension are the new pilots enrolled into, is it BARP or is it another scheme?
3. As a graduate of the programe are you classified as a cadet or a first officer? And as such if it was as a first officer would you be on the same incremental pay scale as the current first officers?
I am new to pprune so please don't have a go.
I have applied for the BA fpp and have been luck enough to make it past the aptitude test. I have a couple of question which are directed at current BA pilots as they are most likely to have an accurate answer. It would be helpful if people who do not know the answer refrained from answering with misleading info and also no BA bashing as that isn't constructive.
1. Are the contracts the offered to graduates of the fpp the same as those of the current pilots?
2. Which pension are the new pilots enrolled into, is it BARP or is it another scheme?
3. As a graduate of the programe are you classified as a cadet or a first officer? And as such if it was as a first officer would you be on the same incremental pay scale as the current first officers?
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@KIAS, when I was at the assessment last week and I got told conflicting information from two of the assessors. The man that I spoke to said that there were 175 people left at FTE. Then we I had the one to one interview with the lady she told me that there were 375 applicants left. The man said about half of the 175 applicants would go through to the final stage with a guaranteed 24 slots for FTE. However the woman said that if only 5 applicants were good enough for the next stage then only 5 applicants would go through. The man worked for FTE and the woman said she worked for an agency and would be interviewing at the final stage too. 
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Hopeful Cap
Question 1 and 3:
Question 2:
The first is from the FAQ's on the FPP website, the second off the BA careers website.
Took me all of two minutes to find it, as I said earlier you need to use initiative and common sense. I am not being harsh, to succeed in this career you have to 'step up to the plate'
Best of luck.
Question 1 and 3:
The Future Pilot Programme involves completing all flight and simulator training, up to and including the type rating licence skills test (LST), as a cadet pilot and during that time the cadet pilot is not an employee of British Airways, APL or the FTO, and no salary is earned.
If a cadet pilot successfully completes all training to the required standards, and pilot vacancies at British Airways exist at that time, they will be offered an unconditional offer of employment as a first officer. From that point on the cadet pilot will become a permanent employee of British Airways Plc.
The year 1 basic salary for a Future Pilot Programme first officer is Ģ22,770, with a further Ģ8-Ģ10,000 of flying allowances typically being earned in a full year of flying (please note that these allowances are not guaranteed and are subject to levels and type of flying completed). Remember that as well as pay and allowances, British Airways will pay you back your security bond, taxfree, at the rate of Ģ12,000 per year for the first seven years of your employment as a pilot.
If a cadet pilot successfully completes all training to the required standards, and pilot vacancies at British Airways exist at that time, they will be offered an unconditional offer of employment as a first officer. From that point on the cadet pilot will become a permanent employee of British Airways Plc.
The year 1 basic salary for a Future Pilot Programme first officer is Ģ22,770, with a further Ģ8-Ģ10,000 of flying allowances typically being earned in a full year of flying (please note that these allowances are not guaranteed and are subject to levels and type of flying completed). Remember that as well as pay and allowances, British Airways will pay you back your security bond, taxfree, at the rate of Ģ12,000 per year for the first seven years of your employment as a pilot.
British Airways Retirement Plan (BARP) is the pension scheme for all new employees. This is a contracted in, defined contribution scheme. Additionally members of BARP will, subject to a qualifying period, qualify for Permanent Health Insurance.
Took me all of two minutes to find it, as I said earlier you need to use initiative and common sense. I am not being harsh, to succeed in this career you have to 'step up to the plate'
Best of luck.
Last edited by ford cortina; 21st Jan 2013 at 17:36.
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Ford
Thanks for the reply, I had already read your quotes, however I don't find them satisfactory as I know first hand that BA don't always tell you everything and a job title doesn't mean anything when it comes to contracts.
To add add another question, if the new pilots are in BARP then which pension are the old boys in?
Thanks for the reply, I had already read your quotes, however I don't find them satisfactory as I know first hand that BA don't always tell you everything and a job title doesn't mean anything when it comes to contracts.
To add add another question, if the new pilots are in BARP then which pension are the old boys in?
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I will indeed have over 280 UCAS points! My equivalent from the BTEC to A-Level is two A's. I'm also doing Geography A-Level, which is a standard A-Level course and looking to get a B. So at the end of it I'm hoping for AAB!
Maybe I'll give it a shot next year! Thank you.
Maybe I'll give it a shot next year! Thank you.
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Hopeful Cap
and to think I have been acused of being a mad:
I hope you get your answers and wish you the very best on the rest of selection.
However juding by your response, you may have to wind your neck in a bit
however I don't find them satisfactory as I know first hand that BA don't always tell you everything
I hope you get your answers and wish you the very best on the rest of selection.
However juding by your response, you may have to wind your neck in a bit
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Ford Cortina is right.
Every other post is 'what do we do...' 'How do we do....'
Guys if you don't even have the effort to read the website, Call recruitment or even ring the FTO's yourself then I don't know why your even bothering trying to get into BA.
They have set a very high standard and I guarantee that those very select few who do pass, are not wasting time on here asking all sorts of questions and are actually just getting their head down and preparing for that 'One Shot'.
I wish you all good luck with assessments and give it your absolute best.
Those of you who don't succeed I shall see you in the 'Ryanair Sim & Assesment' Thread
Every other post is 'what do we do...' 'How do we do....'
Guys if you don't even have the effort to read the website, Call recruitment or even ring the FTO's yourself then I don't know why your even bothering trying to get into BA.
They have set a very high standard and I guarantee that those very select few who do pass, are not wasting time on here asking all sorts of questions and are actually just getting their head down and preparing for that 'One Shot'.
I wish you all good luck with assessments and give it your absolute best.
Those of you who don't succeed I shall see you in the 'Ryanair Sim & Assesment' Thread
While I understand the sentiment of "try doing things yourself" being touted by many here, I think it's misplaced.
Forums are just another way of gathering information after all, albeit a fairly unreliable one. But if you have a question, why not ask? You might learn something you didn't know before, and if you get innaccurate info- well that's the price you pay for trusting random posters over finding the info directly. Doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. For all the "you should do this yourself" comments there is also a fairly accurate answer to each question posed in this thread. What does that tell you?
Personally, i'd like to find out if a calculator is allowed in the CTC numerical reasoning test. My own internet browsings are suggesting no... but i've got no reply from CTC on the matter yet
Forums are just another way of gathering information after all, albeit a fairly unreliable one. But if you have a question, why not ask? You might learn something you didn't know before, and if you get innaccurate info- well that's the price you pay for trusting random posters over finding the info directly. Doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. For all the "you should do this yourself" comments there is also a fairly accurate answer to each question posed in this thread. What does that tell you?
Personally, i'd like to find out if a calculator is allowed in the CTC numerical reasoning test. My own internet browsings are suggesting no... but i've got no reply from CTC on the matter yet
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Fair point Hamsterminator, but when you are simply dismissed when trying to help....
I have no axe to grind here, I am not trying to become a cadet. I have been in the industry for approx 10 years, I have a great job, I am not looking to join BA.
I am merely trying to pass on some hard won knowledge. I don't have to and judging by the reception I have received I should not have bothered.
It is one thing to ask for advice, it is another to ask for something that is easy to obtain, but you are too stupid/ignorant/lazy to look for yourself, even worse just to dismiss something someone has taken the time to write, just because you 'know better'
I can assure you British Airways is NOT looking for those type of people.
Please don't think I include yourself in this. I am only trying to help, if you want to succeed in the FPP, you will to shine, really shine.
Best of luck to you all, sorry I cannot help with the calculator
I have no axe to grind here, I am not trying to become a cadet. I have been in the industry for approx 10 years, I have a great job, I am not looking to join BA.
I am merely trying to pass on some hard won knowledge. I don't have to and judging by the reception I have received I should not have bothered.
It is one thing to ask for advice, it is another to ask for something that is easy to obtain, but you are too stupid/ignorant/lazy to look for yourself, even worse just to dismiss something someone has taken the time to write, just because you 'know better'
I can assure you British Airways is NOT looking for those type of people.
Please don't think I include yourself in this. I am only trying to help, if you want to succeed in the FPP, you will to shine, really shine.
Best of luck to you all, sorry I cannot help with the calculator
Last edited by ford cortina; 22nd Jan 2013 at 21:00.
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No Hamster you never get to use a calculator in a numerical reasoning test.
The reason for the test is because vast numbers of people just can't do numbers in their head. Haven't a clue how to divide and only know how to spell fraction. And time and motion is only to do with having a dump.
I will admit most of them will have better spelling and grammar than me. But as yet no plane has crash due to either of those traits. Quite a few though have crashed because some person hasn't managed to spot a gross error of over 10 tons on a load sheet due to a failure to carry a 1.
The reason for the test is because vast numbers of people just can't do numbers in their head. Haven't a clue how to divide and only know how to spell fraction. And time and motion is only to do with having a dump.
I will admit most of them will have better spelling and grammar than me. But as yet no plane has crash due to either of those traits. Quite a few though have crashed because some person hasn't managed to spot a gross error of over 10 tons on a load sheet due to a failure to carry a 1.
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Mad_Jock, never say never! You certainly do get to use a calculator in the numerical reasoning test for FTE, although of course that's no indication of how CTC set theirs up. (It was, I should add, made clear in the FTE emails, in case anyone thinks I'm giving out privileged information!)
Perhaps there's more than one way to skin a cat.
Perhaps there's more than one way to skin a cat.
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There is a difference between numerical reasoning and a test which tests pratical application of maths.
The pratical application of maths it would be suitable to use a calculator because your are applying geometric principles along with physics concepts and the aritmetic is a means to an end to see if you understand those principles and concepts.
For numerical reasoning calculators will defeat the purpose of seeing how you mind processes numbers.
Its normal to have a time limit on numerical test which is quite tight because there are usually 3 different ways of solving the problem. Only the inherent ability to spot proportion and series and using rounding to simplify the problem will get it to work within the time limits.
Although it doesn't suprise me that thought if they have dumbed it down.
The most switched on pilot with mental aritmetic I have flown with was a 2nd generation Pakistani lad from Bolton who's parents ran market stalls. He could do a load sheet in his head including the moment calculations. If you had a LMC a second later he would tell you the new weights.
The pratical application of maths it would be suitable to use a calculator because your are applying geometric principles along with physics concepts and the aritmetic is a means to an end to see if you understand those principles and concepts.
For numerical reasoning calculators will defeat the purpose of seeing how you mind processes numbers.
Its normal to have a time limit on numerical test which is quite tight because there are usually 3 different ways of solving the problem. Only the inherent ability to spot proportion and series and using rounding to simplify the problem will get it to work within the time limits.
Although it doesn't suprise me that thought if they have dumbed it down.
The most switched on pilot with mental aritmetic I have flown with was a 2nd generation Pakistani lad from Bolton who's parents ran market stalls. He could do a load sheet in his head including the moment calculations. If you had a LMC a second later he would tell you the new weights.
Last edited by mad_jock; 23rd Jan 2013 at 09:32.
To settle the matter- advice received from CTC is to prepare to do the test with and without a calculator! That's fairly cryptic, but I think it's a polite way of saying they can't discuss the matter until the day. Still as Madjock says, it can't hurt to be quick with the mental and written arithmetic.