British Airways Future Pilot Programme.
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For those that have already started the FPP process during round one - did you get allocated a start date or was it a discussion as to what worked best for you? Also how soon were you contacted once you got the acceptance email?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Firstly, a massive well done to all those that made the cut, and hard luck to those that didn't.
Davey, start dates were allocated last year, and there wasn't much leeway for change. I made sure to let BA/APL know that I was available to start immediately, and would have preferred a date as soon as possible. I wasn't the only one to do this, and ultimately when the dates were issued I was given a date in the middle of the range. I suspect the only way for things to be changed would be to have good legitimate reason; and to find someone in a similar position willing to swap. Even then...
I think everything took a little longer than planned during our early admin stages so there was a bit of a delay between receiving the email you've just received, and getting a start date. To then discover it wold be another 6 months before training began was slightly disappointing at the time, but the gap flew by, and many of the administrative creases had been ironed out in time for us to complete the required (and not insignificant) paperwork. I would also say that, whilst there is a lot of admin to sort, you will be given timely guidance regarding its completion. Those that need to know soon will. Those with later dates that may be yet to be decided will find out in due course, but in plenty of time. The one thing you can do is get an Initial EASA class 1 medical which must be done at Gatwick, and of course, it'll cost you. Those who already have medicals but may require renewals may be better to wait until BA get in touch - they may ( I stress 'may') be able to save you some cash.
All the above is of course my observation only, and any issues/queries you should have may well be better addresses to the BA team directly. I look forward to meeting some of you folks when the time comes, and when I'm not spending my evenings immersed in the intricacies of aerodrome approach lighting specifications, and instrument approach design. That's what you've got to look forward to!
Davey, start dates were allocated last year, and there wasn't much leeway for change. I made sure to let BA/APL know that I was available to start immediately, and would have preferred a date as soon as possible. I wasn't the only one to do this, and ultimately when the dates were issued I was given a date in the middle of the range. I suspect the only way for things to be changed would be to have good legitimate reason; and to find someone in a similar position willing to swap. Even then...
I think everything took a little longer than planned during our early admin stages so there was a bit of a delay between receiving the email you've just received, and getting a start date. To then discover it wold be another 6 months before training began was slightly disappointing at the time, but the gap flew by, and many of the administrative creases had been ironed out in time for us to complete the required (and not insignificant) paperwork. I would also say that, whilst there is a lot of admin to sort, you will be given timely guidance regarding its completion. Those that need to know soon will. Those with later dates that may be yet to be decided will find out in due course, but in plenty of time. The one thing you can do is get an Initial EASA class 1 medical which must be done at Gatwick, and of course, it'll cost you. Those who already have medicals but may require renewals may be better to wait until BA get in touch - they may ( I stress 'may') be able to save you some cash.
All the above is of course my observation only, and any issues/queries you should have may well be better addresses to the BA team directly. I look forward to meeting some of you folks when the time comes, and when I'm not spending my evenings immersed in the intricacies of aerodrome approach lighting specifications, and instrument approach design. That's what you've got to look forward to!
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@ Gforce - True that is the case now as absolutely no banks are giving out any unsecured loans. It wasn't always the case and might not be in the future (although I doubt it). But everyone seems to really slate these guys who can have that as an option.
Things like the FPP are good step in the right direction and I would hope other airlines would follow suit. But lets been honest I highly doubt they will, having said that flybe paid a contribution towards their MPL Scheme (despite current circumstances)
I feel for them.
@Mad jock - Okay I might have jumped the gun in making that statement, but I know a few guys seriously struggling to get any work having gone through the modular route. To be honest I would rather it was like the US over here and there was no quick fix into the RHS, because most pilots would have a serious large amount of hours under their belts having gone modular (please forgive my ignorance if I am wrong about the states).
The reality is if you want a better shot (not the only shot) at getting a job in this industry in this day and age then you will most likely have to go through the integrated route. Although which school you go through would probably play a significant role too.
Things look like they are going to get worse before they get better. Jobs in this part of the world are going to become even more scarce considering the likes of Ryan air have now closed off any recruitment in the near future.
Sorry to discuss something unrelated to the FPP in here.
Things like the FPP are good step in the right direction and I would hope other airlines would follow suit. But lets been honest I highly doubt they will, having said that flybe paid a contribution towards their MPL Scheme (despite current circumstances)
I feel for them. @Mad jock - Okay I might have jumped the gun in making that statement, but I know a few guys seriously struggling to get any work having gone through the modular route. To be honest I would rather it was like the US over here and there was no quick fix into the RHS, because most pilots would have a serious large amount of hours under their belts having gone modular (please forgive my ignorance if I am wrong about the states).
The reality is if you want a better shot (not the only shot) at getting a job in this industry in this day and age then you will most likely have to go through the integrated route. Although which school you go through would probably play a significant role too.
Things look like they are going to get worse before they get better. Jobs in this part of the world are going to become even more scarce considering the likes of Ryan air have now closed off any recruitment in the near future.
Sorry to discuss something unrelated to the FPP in here.
Last edited by Future_Pilot_Pal; 16th Apr 2013 at 21:14.
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Remember, BA are putting us through this to train us, they know they aren't taking on experienced pilots so don't splurge on a PPL just to make yourself a 'better' candidate, get some life experiences instead.
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Future_Pilot_Pal,
Ryanair are starting a big expansion in 2014/2015... they will need a whole bunch of new pilots in the not too distant future.
It's difficult to imagine the US system working in Europe. In the US they have a huge amount of GA opportunities including bush flying, a million air shows and other cool stuff. At least there's opportunities out there for them to build hours. In Europe all this is very limited. It's either instructing or glider towing. The latter typically being next to impossible as gliding clubs don't really want people towing for the sake of building hours. GA opportunities are far and in between.
I love the way all pilots always tell wnnabes the 'best' way of doing it... and it always seems the way THEY did it.
Let me guess, you did an integrated course before finding work? I have spoken to multiple modular guys with low hours who are happily flying jets. I'm not saying modular is better, I'm saying it works just as well, if not better in some cases. I know a few biz jet pilots who got work after going modular recently (and others in the airlines too).
Anyway, lets no hijack this thread. Congrats to those who made it into this year's FPP. Super jealous
. And I wish everyone else the best of luck with their persuites. I will see some of you during selection for the next FPP (hopefully!).
Adios!
Ryanair are starting a big expansion in 2014/2015... they will need a whole bunch of new pilots in the not too distant future.
It's difficult to imagine the US system working in Europe. In the US they have a huge amount of GA opportunities including bush flying, a million air shows and other cool stuff. At least there's opportunities out there for them to build hours. In Europe all this is very limited. It's either instructing or glider towing. The latter typically being next to impossible as gliding clubs don't really want people towing for the sake of building hours. GA opportunities are far and in between.
I love the way all pilots always tell wnnabes the 'best' way of doing it... and it always seems the way THEY did it.
Let me guess, you did an integrated course before finding work? I have spoken to multiple modular guys with low hours who are happily flying jets. I'm not saying modular is better, I'm saying it works just as well, if not better in some cases. I know a few biz jet pilots who got work after going modular recently (and others in the airlines too).
Anyway, lets no hijack this thread. Congrats to those who made it into this year's FPP. Super jealous
. And I wish everyone else the best of luck with their persuites. I will see some of you during selection for the next FPP (hopefully!).Adios!
Last edited by Bearcat F8F; 17th Apr 2013 at 00:24.
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Bearcat has it right.
There are different streams and quite a lot of the time they don't mix.
The modular guys tend to get the jobs that aren't advertised and involve a fair bit of networking. Once you have 500 hours on a multicrew aircraft it doesn't matter how you trained.
The issue is that one stream is wanting a bit of action that was traditionally the other streams way in. In the main all that has meant is more paper in the bucket.
And it is to be seen if its expansion or just fleet replacement.
There are different streams and quite a lot of the time they don't mix.
The modular guys tend to get the jobs that aren't advertised and involve a fair bit of networking. Once you have 500 hours on a multicrew aircraft it doesn't matter how you trained.
The issue is that one stream is wanting a bit of action that was traditionally the other streams way in. In the main all that has meant is more paper in the bucket.
And it is to be seen if its expansion or just fleet replacement.
Last edited by mad_jock; 17th Apr 2013 at 03:10.
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Quote:
It really depends on whether you want to take the risk and matter into your own hands as opposed to sitting around for your entire life hoping that one day a cadet scheme will work out for you. Personally I wouldn't hang around forever. That's just me though... different approaches work for different people (but it's always a gamble )
Thanks for the advice Bearcat. Yeah the above is pretty much the point i'm at decision wise. I will be 30 next year and while that is hardly ancient it does mean I am at the point where I don't want to be hanging around year after year on the off chance I make it through on one of these programmes, particularly when the competition is so intense.
It really depends on whether you want to take the risk and matter into your own hands as opposed to sitting around for your entire life hoping that one day a cadet scheme will work out for you. Personally I wouldn't hang around forever. That's just me though... different approaches work for different people (but it's always a gamble )
Thanks for the advice Bearcat. Yeah the above is pretty much the point i'm at decision wise. I will be 30 next year and while that is hardly ancient it does mean I am at the point where I don't want to be hanging around year after year on the off chance I make it through on one of these programmes, particularly when the competition is so intense.
As far as joining BA age wise, I would suggest an upper age of 35. Some may disagree, however with a 15yr+ wait for a shorthaul command, you'll be 50+, and then if your lucky you may achieve a long haul command before your 60th birthday. With the current BA demographics, unless you are a young chap and/or desperate to fly longhaul, it may not neccessarily be the best option available to you.
Either way, best of luck going forward.
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As far as joining BA age wise, I would suggest an upper age of 35. Some may disagree, however with a 15yr+ wait for a shorthaul command, you'll be 50+, and then if your lucky you may achieve a long haul command before your 60th birthday.
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Would you elaborate what you mean by the 15 year wait for shorthaul command?
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If you jump back a couple of pages there's a bit of a discussion about just that. From post #912 onwards (page 46 of this thread, at least in my browser. My response is #913)
I've not got much flying experience, nope. The little I do have was definitely extremely useful, but didn't feel disadvantaged by not having had dozens of hours. I think having at been at the controls of an aircraft at least once is a very enlightening thing. The first time, I certainly worried that if I didn't enjoy it it'd blow all my lofty ideas out of the water. Thankfully, I bloody loved it. I don't think any amount of FSX can prepare you for that initially attack on the senses (yes, all of them). I do have a friend who had been fascinated with flying for years but, after their first lesson, never wanted to get anywhere near the controls again. He's now a dentist. Frankly, I think that's far more terrifying!
Pop back to the earlier part of the discussion, I wasn't the only one with a handful of hours.
I've not got much flying experience, nope. The little I do have was definitely extremely useful, but didn't feel disadvantaged by not having had dozens of hours. I think having at been at the controls of an aircraft at least once is a very enlightening thing. The first time, I certainly worried that if I didn't enjoy it it'd blow all my lofty ideas out of the water. Thankfully, I bloody loved it. I don't think any amount of FSX can prepare you for that initially attack on the senses (yes, all of them). I do have a friend who had been fascinated with flying for years but, after their first lesson, never wanted to get anywhere near the controls again. He's now a dentist. Frankly, I think that's far more terrifying!
Pop back to the earlier part of the discussion, I wasn't the only one with a handful of hours.
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Thanks Mayday (can I just say it once for short? 
)
I have an EASA PPL and was thinking of applying for the FPP next time around. I've never applied for anything like it before, so it'll be a new experience for me. Anyway, not to go off topic; all the best for the course and for your future flying career.
)I have an EASA PPL and was thinking of applying for the FPP next time around. I've never applied for anything like it before, so it'll be a new experience for me. Anyway, not to go off topic; all the best for the course and for your future flying career.
Just interested to know and you can PM me if you want this kept quiet, but of those who got through did many spend a significant amount of time using FSX or similar?
I don't know how I did in the individual rounds of the assessment, but one of the aptitude tests in particular was something which I had never encountered before in terms of scale and complexity.
I don't know how I did in the individual rounds of the assessment, but one of the aptitude tests in particular was something which I had never encountered before in terms of scale and complexity.
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one of the aptitude tests in particular was something which I had never encountered before in terms of scale and complexity
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@naturals
Last year, I noticed a lot of people that were accepted were from the IT industry and based on one the aptitude tests, I'm not surprised as I believe it will have suited them perfectly.
Last year, I noticed a lot of people that were accepted were from the IT industry and based on one the aptitude tests, I'm not surprised as I believe it will have suited them perfectly.