British Airways Future Pilot Programme.

[Luke_Stern]

Hello to All,

I've read this and last year's BA FPP threads, older BA Direct-Entry threads, have used the Search function; still no answer is solid throughout … About me: I'm 35 years old. I can meet all the requirements to apply for BA FPP. But there is one issue on my CV I'm worried about. In addition to having approx. 5 years of work experiences and for the past 2 years successfully running my own business, my Resume looks a bit undistinguished due to several years of unemployment. In total I have approx. 6 years long time gap of no provable job & work experiences on my CV. I was never on jobseeker's allowance but preferred to live off my on own savings.

My Question: Would the long-term unemployment gap on my CV ruin my chances for getting selected at BA FPP? To refrain my question, would the HR Personnel at British Airways find the 6-years gap of employment too much of a concern, and I'd be bypassed over someone else who's demonstrated a more stable career path?

If anyone who's already made it through the BA FPP or Ready-Entry Recruitment can shed some light on my question please do. I would appreciate an honest and truthful answer. Thanks.

[MaydayMaydayMayday]

@Luke_Stern

I'm not quite clear whether you're meaning one 6 year period or various short periods adding up to 6 years. Maybe a couple of things worth thinking about are that firstly you'd likely be aiming to highlight productive, interesting activities you managed to do during the time 'off' and, secondly, that you'll certainly need some pretty good corroborative references to show you were doing what you say you were doing and in the place(s) you were doing them. I'd think that second point is pretty vital when it comes to security.

Considering the economic conditions over the last few years it can't be uncommon or unexpected for applicants to have periods of unemployment (I had a few months of unemployment after university, most of my classmates did, although having claimed jobseekers it did allow it to be corroborated). A solid 6 year gap does of course sound more difficult to shed in a positive light than an accumulated period of 6 years over a longer time frame, but there's a lot more to a CV than just job experience, as long as you can provide context for the gaps.

All you can really do is put in the application and try and highlight the positive aspects. The fact that you started a business and it didn't fold within the first 12 months is a pretty obvious one, most others seem to!

Best of luck.

[LM1996]

Hi,

I am a new poster and hope to apply to the FPP when it opens again this year and I have a question about the entry requirements. It states that you need BBC at A levels, but I am currently studying for my A levels and will receive my results in August 2014 and so didn't know whether that would rule me out from applying this year even though my predictions exceed the requirements?

Thanks

[planedrive]

@LM1996.

If you read the requirements what does it say? Predicted BBC or BBC at A Level. After that you should be able to answer your own question.

[Jask99]

@LM1996

Last year I was in the same position as you appear to be, in year 13/ upper sixth applying for the FPP. When it came to filling out my details however, there was no option for predicted grades. I queried this by emailing BA and they told me I must already have the grades upon applying, and so I had to withdraw my application. As they said to me, this isn't what you want to hear I'm afraid, but I would still apply this year with this in mind if I were in your position, just in case the rules have changed. I hope this helps.

[king of kong]

Anyone knows wether BA will re-open FPP this year?
I've googled and "ppruned" the subject enough and not found anything relevant. But I still read comments in this thread of people that seem very sure it WILL and there will be a new application period.
Thanks!

[LM1996]

Thank you for your reply, I suppose now I should wait and see if there are changes to the requirements when the application process opens again this year. I assume you will be applying this year for the FPP and wish you luck.

[planedrive]

@King of Kong,

Both CTC and Oxford seemed almost 100% confident that the BAFPP would open again, but they hadn't any news on when it would and if it did, what sort of numbers the intake would be. With the first intake already being placed on other duties after their training for an unknown period it may be later rather than sooner, but as with everything in aviation, who knows?

[EZY_FR]

Im fairly certain BA said in their Q&A session that they intend to run the programme for the foreseeable future, but I wouldnt put a lot of water in that as you never know what will happen.

[G-F0RC3]

BA FPP website says:

You will need:

5 GCSEs at Grade C or above, including English Language, Mathematics and a Science (single or double award), excluding General Studies.

PLUS

either 3 A-Levels at Grades BBC or above, excluding General Studies.
or an Honours Degree at 2:2 (or higher) or a pass (or above) in a higher degree such as MSc, MA, MPhil, DPhil, PhD, MBA

If you are only predicted to get the above, then that's not the same thing as actually having the above. The question has been asked before, and the answer is that BA doesn't accept predicted grades.

But worry not, the BA FPP will run this year and for at least the next couple of years beyond that. Clearly this cannot be 100% guaranteed (nothing can be - particularly in this industry), but all the evidence suggests it:

1) IAG's growth strategy hasn't changed from a few years ago - they are still expanding their fleet and still foresee a need for more pilots in the future.
2) BA originally suggested that they'd be recruiting on the FPP at least until 2016, and haven't since suggested otherwise.
3) All the FTO's involved are pretty certain that the FPP is going to continue as originally planned.
4) All the BA staff I've spoken to (including some very senior captains), have suggested that they know of no reason why the FPP would not continue as originally planned.

Hope it's helpful.

[LM1996]

Thanks you @G-F0RC3, really helpful information I suppose I was just hoping that it would be similar to universities as they state in requirements pages, for example, AAB at A Level but you would apply before you achieve those grades.

[chocsaway08]

Qualifications

Does anybody know, either from previous experience or otherwise, whether BA achknowledge Level 4 qualifications such as HNC? A bit of background is that I served an apprenticeship with a very very well known aerospace engine macufacturer and subsequently moved up the ranks to programme manager. I currently hold a HNC, which is classed as over and above A-Levels and I am in my final year of a Honours degree which has been taken part-time. My CV reads extremely well but the qualification requirements look very regimented on the website.

[Fostex]

If you are committed, why not take another A-level or re-sit the ones you have done?

Competition is extremely high and it is important to stand out. Not only that, the commitment to do the above will no doubt impress the interviewers who are not only looking for academic prowess, but strong personal drive and life skills as well.

[yanny]

FlyVeryHigh - Why don't you just finish your degree? As long as your GSCEs are suitable and you get above a 2:2, you're fine.

[chocsaway08]

Essentially i do not wish to undertake qualifications that i already academically exceed. I am thinking of using the NARIC awarding body to prove that the HNC is beyond A-Levels, i was just wondering if anyone had encountered this previously and the subsequent judgement from BA?

[G-F0RC3]

chocsaway08: BA do accept equivalent qualifications to those listed, but one HNC on its own would not be enough. It's quite complicated, but one HNC is worth roughly as many UCAS points as an A at Advanced Higher, which is 130. That's the equivalent of 2 Bs at Higher.

However, when you've passed your degree you should exceed the minimum entry requirements, and in any case your best bet would be to finish your degree off anyway in my opinion.

tennisten: There needs to be some method of differentiating applicants without having to employ someone to look at each one individually (it would take too long and cost too much money). On average, those with better A-Levels will outperform those with poorer A-Levels. Clearly this might miss some talented individuals, but those individuals can still go and get better A-Levels if they want to.

But it's not just about doing extremely well in the COMPASS tests. If that's all there was to it then selection wouldn't require academic qualifications. The acedamic requirements are there to demonstrate that you can work on a range of subjects at the same time and work hard for an extended period - because training to become a pilot is about working hard as well as having the aptitude. In other words, they could take on the most intelligent people in the country (who would probably perform extremely well in the COMPASS tests), but they might all fail the course because they can't handle the workload. This - incidentally - is also the reason why the range of A-Levels is not so important, although Maths and Physics will clearly be advantageous.

FlyVeryHigh: What's wrong with English, Psychology and Religion as subjects? They might not be as relevant to the mechanical workings of an aircraft, but there is so much more to being a pilot than that. BA are looking for well-rounded individuals who value different cultures and religions; so religion as a subject can really enhance your application. And a knowledge of psychology is also very helpful and relevant; and indeed if you look at many AAIB or NTSB accident reports you'll see how psychology can (and does) often play a factor in human error.

[EZY_FR]

tenniston: How do you know you were above the BA requirements?

[BARKINGMAD]

SO NO CHANGE THERE THEN?

"What I find difficult to take on board, is that how you can have BBC in English, Psychology and Religion and be eligible, although my a-levels are all science and design based. Very frustrating."

Back in the golden days of Hamble, Perth and Oxford, my application failed as my high-grade 'A' levels in Physics and Geometrical/Engineering Drawing were not stated as adequate. The latter was not considered suitable, though for the last 42 years as a professional pilot I have spent my time doing something connected with Physics and studying aircrafts' innards and kicking the outsides on my walkaround.

Sad to know that nothing changes and an 'A' level in History or Underwater Basket-Weaving is more relevant according to the HR wallahs?

As you battle your way through the recruitment struggle, just remember the permanent disconnect between fact/logic/reasoning when it comes to aviation.

Good luck in your efforts to get in (anywhere). It took me 4 applications over 30 years to temporarily wear the BA uniform, other companies may take a more practical and pragmatic view as to what makes a suitable candidate.

[G-F0RC3]

Read above tennisten. There's no point in whining about it, it's done as it is for a good reason. There's more to training to become a pilot than simply having the aptitude. If you want it badly enough and don't have the entry requirements then go and get the entry requirements!

Edit: ...and by the way, you've now suggested several examples which you think support your argument. But if you had a look at the big picture you'd realise that on average people with better A-Levels are better-prepared to handle the workload required of training to become a pilot. Why wouldn't BA employ such a system - just like universities do? It's the only fair and objective way to do it whether it suits you or not.

[G-F0RC3]

Because if you think about it, if you cannot achieve BBC at A-Level (which isn't all that difficult) then how can BA be sure you'll be able to learn the ATPL theory to a high enough standard?