British Airways Future Pilot Programme.
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Not so far
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Guys,
Sorry to hear some didn't make it past the aptitude tests at Oxford. How did you feel it went ?
I'm through to the next stage and felt my scores were something like this:
Memory 6/7
Compass, RBI, Horizon 7/7 (I got this straight away and seemed it ran out of questions for me as it finished the test with 2 mins left..)
Slalom 6/7
Hand Foot 3/7 (My brain seemed to want to push the wrong pedal to correct)
MultiTasking Autopilot 5/7 (seemed that when you entered a value, it stopped you cancelling an alert)
Maths 6/7 (Completed all the answers in the time)
Physics 13/15
There is an element of luck involved. I'm sure that if the 80 that were selected last year chose a different FTO, different selection day etc then not all would have progressed. Also the majority of BA's pilots didn't have to pass these or similar tests, they either arrived before HR introduced them or have became BA pilots through mergers / aquisitions (BMI, British Caledonian etc etc)
You might find that you have better luck with a different test battery at another school next year..
Sorry to hear some didn't make it past the aptitude tests at Oxford. How did you feel it went ?
I'm through to the next stage and felt my scores were something like this:
Memory 6/7
Compass, RBI, Horizon 7/7 (I got this straight away and seemed it ran out of questions for me as it finished the test with 2 mins left..)
Slalom 6/7
Hand Foot 3/7 (My brain seemed to want to push the wrong pedal to correct)
MultiTasking Autopilot 5/7 (seemed that when you entered a value, it stopped you cancelling an alert)
Maths 6/7 (Completed all the answers in the time)
Physics 13/15
There is an element of luck involved. I'm sure that if the 80 that were selected last year chose a different FTO, different selection day etc then not all would have progressed. Also the majority of BA's pilots didn't have to pass these or similar tests, they either arrived before HR introduced them or have became BA pilots through mergers / aquisitions (BMI, British Caledonian etc etc)
You might find that you have better luck with a different test battery at another school next year..
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: In my own bubble
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@ Libertine Winno
Im afraid not. The rewards are not what they used to be. A typical Engineering career in Aerospace within Europe at a major firm would typically start you off at £25,000 and you wouldn't see over £60,000 at the peak of your career. That is with as many University qualifications coming out you @rse as you want! 
If I had your educational background then I would be at Airbus, Boeing, BAe, Lockheed Martin etc designing the planes rather than actually flying them...you will earn more, get better benefits and you certainly won't have to pay for the privilege of working for them!
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having worked at one of the aforementioned big three aerospace engineering companies, I can only reinforce the above.
The pay is not good and there are virtually no benefits, other than some interesting work. I started on £23000 at one of them... No other significant benefits.
I would imagine that there is not much between the companies. HR ensure that...
If you want a well paid engineering job, you need to look toward oil and gas, followed by nuclear, then automotive and civil or electrical. In my experience, aerospace sits at the bottom of the pay scales, but requires a high level of expertise and understanding. I have friends in all of the aforementioned sectors - some can buy and sell me.
When you consider what a bin man earns in London (£31,000), it really makes you question why you bothered to get a good, professional academic degree...
The pay is not good and there are virtually no benefits, other than some interesting work. I started on £23000 at one of them... No other significant benefits.
I would imagine that there is not much between the companies. HR ensure that...
If you want a well paid engineering job, you need to look toward oil and gas, followed by nuclear, then automotive and civil or electrical. In my experience, aerospace sits at the bottom of the pay scales, but requires a high level of expertise and understanding. I have friends in all of the aforementioned sectors - some can buy and sell me.
When you consider what a bin man earns in London (£31,000), it really makes you question why you bothered to get a good, professional academic degree...
Last edited by Poose; 9th Jan 2013 at 11:32.
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Surrey, England
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sam 17
Hello Sam 17
I have read your post with a very light heart. It shows what you are inside, a straight and professional man. I admire your honest but few of us can match what you have.
What I know is you've gain an invaluable experience just by making an attempt. You've offered yourself to the challenge. Only leaders do this. You have a drive and the ambition, no doubt about that and believe me you, this open admission might be a reflection that you were only not in the right state of mind when you made that application.
The essence of situations like these is drawing a line under by learning the lessons which quite clearly you seem to be a master at. I hope this does come over again in the autumn for this experience to shine you through.
With my best wishes, Sam - do not despair.
I have read your post with a very light heart. It shows what you are inside, a straight and professional man. I admire your honest but few of us can match what you have.
What I know is you've gain an invaluable experience just by making an attempt. You've offered yourself to the challenge. Only leaders do this. You have a drive and the ambition, no doubt about that and believe me you, this open admission might be a reflection that you were only not in the right state of mind when you made that application.
The essence of situations like these is drawing a line under by learning the lessons which quite clearly you seem to be a master at. I hope this does come over again in the autumn for this experience to shine you through.
With my best wishes, Sam - do not despair.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Uk
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@Swatson12 yes I sat the aptitude test at OAA on 11th Dec. I thought it went well but obviously I was wrong.
@Flys4Fun How do you know you royally
up? Just a gut feeling or did you contact OAA for exam results? I was under the impression no feedback or marks would be given.
@Flys4Fun How do you know you royally
up? Just a gut feeling or did you contact OAA for exam results? I was under the impression no feedback or marks would be given.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Uk
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@slowhand87
I was told that day 2 at OAA would take place on either the 14/15th Jan. Last week I had a gut feeling I had not got through to that stage after I read on here people getting invites and I had heard nothing and of course time was ticking away getting closer to next Monday and Tues. Sadly yesterday I got the email though saying I wasn't successful but I knew what the email was going to say before I read it based upon that gut feeling.
Are you sure you havent been sent an email that you haven't received? Check the BA.com/careers site to see the record of emails sent as I know that I didn't receive one email into my inbox (the actual invite to the compass test!) and so nearly missed my chance. I guess if no email has been sent to you, then you can still live in hope but not knowing is the worst feeling!
I was told that day 2 at OAA would take place on either the 14/15th Jan. Last week I had a gut feeling I had not got through to that stage after I read on here people getting invites and I had heard nothing and of course time was ticking away getting closer to next Monday and Tues. Sadly yesterday I got the email though saying I wasn't successful but I knew what the email was going to say before I read it based upon that gut feeling.
Are you sure you havent been sent an email that you haven't received? Check the BA.com/careers site to see the record of emails sent as I know that I didn't receive one email into my inbox (the actual invite to the compass test!) and so nearly missed my chance. I guess if no email has been sent to you, then you can still live in hope but not knowing is the worst feeling!
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Cookstown
Age: 31
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I haven't received any emails from OAA either and I sat my assessment on the 11th... I think it's pretty obvious I'm not through to the next stage if stage 2 is taking place next week but I'd prefer to have confirmation.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: uk
Age: 33
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@slowhand87
I did mine on the 12th Dec and still not head back either, i called them last week and they said they will not have finished testing people till the end of this week and so we will hear back by next week. I think someone on here mentioned that they are running the Day 2 process till Jan 21st.
I did mine on the 12th Dec and still not head back either, i called them last week and they said they will not have finished testing people till the end of this week and so we will hear back by next week. I think someone on here mentioned that they are running the Day 2 process till Jan 21st.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: N/A
Age: 35
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I sat the COMPASS test at Oxford yesterday morning and got a reply back this morning inviting me to the next stage. The representative at the school informed the group that all replies should arrive by the beginning of next week at the latest.
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Not so far
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cheers, so there is hope for people yet.
I suspect the people that have not been told are within a mark or two of passing depending on how the final people go. A little trick I have used to see if the day 1 testing is going on is to go back to the website where you paid your 250. Last check showed dates up to the 14th for the first day.
So based on what other people have said, I think 30% got invited to day 1 and only 10% to 15% through to day 2. I suspect <5% will get to cranebank towers.
I suspect the people that have not been told are within a mark or two of passing depending on how the final people go. A little trick I have used to see if the day 1 testing is going on is to go back to the website where you paid your 250. Last check showed dates up to the 14th for the first day.
So based on what other people have said, I think 30% got invited to day 1 and only 10% to 15% through to day 2. I suspect <5% will get to cranebank towers.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Here
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't know about the individual FTOs, but last year each school sent 100 applicants to the final stage at Heathrow. According to the BA there were around 3500 applicants. Therefore around 8.5% of applicants get through to the final stage. Of those 300 who got through to the final stage 95 got the nod, (approx 2.7%).
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Southampton
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
still nothing!
so the fact that i'm still yet to hear from ctc regarding my initial application is probably not a good thing then....??! 
according to the ba website, the last e-mail sent to me was at the end of Nov acknowledging receipt of my application!
according to the ba website, the last e-mail sent to me was at the end of Nov acknowledging receipt of my application!
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Slough, UK
Age: 35
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Went to the CTC assessment yesterday. We were told about 1/3 of us had been selected from the batch of initial applications. Assuming a fairly even split of applicants across the FTO's (doubt it is but oh well!), then you're looking at around 1500 initial applications to each, so 30% of that is more or less 500 to assess at each FTO. Each FTO will put forward 100 applicants to BA for the final stage at Waterside towers (not Cranebank, the recruitment centre moved last week...). I believe OAA was the most popular FTO selected last year and I've no reason to believe anything has changed this year.
As for my assessment yesterday, I'm sat on the fence. Don't think I did badly but it all depends on the quality of the other candidates!
As for my assessment yesterday, I'm sat on the fence. Don't think I did badly but it all depends on the quality of the other candidates!
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: maidstone
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dear John....
Sat my COMPASS etc at OAA on 7th Jan and got my reject today. Pretty gutted of course but glad I had a go. Like others have said, through all the nerves, I actually quite enjoyed the day.
Thought some parts went well and others not so well. Does make sense to me that some who have been waiting a long time are borderline for getting through. I was obviously sufficiently under the bar to receive swift no.
Was just wondering if others who have got an OAA reject got the "your scores may make you eligible for our APP first officer course" and "look out for other sponsorship schemes"
I.e is this any indication of my score or just a standard trying to tout for business reject email?
Congratulations and good luck to those still left in.
Thought some parts went well and others not so well. Does make sense to me that some who have been waiting a long time are borderline for getting through. I was obviously sufficiently under the bar to receive swift no.
Was just wondering if others who have got an OAA reject got the "your scores may make you eligible for our APP first officer course" and "look out for other sponsorship schemes"
I.e is this any indication of my score or just a standard trying to tout for business reject email?
Congratulations and good luck to those still left in.
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Coxie
Unlucky. Well done for going for it, there will doubtless be subsequent years where you can try again, should you so wish.
The offer to join their "regular" program of training is not unusual. I'm willing to bet nearly everyone who takes the OAA/FTE/CTC tests and fails to get into the mentored scheme (whichever one it may be) is "invited" back in this manner.
Treat the offer with extreme caution as what they are really saying is, "we'll take your money - why wouldn't we - but you don't have a job waiting at the end of it".
Unlucky. Well done for going for it, there will doubtless be subsequent years where you can try again, should you so wish.
The offer to join their "regular" program of training is not unusual. I'm willing to bet nearly everyone who takes the OAA/FTE/CTC tests and fails to get into the mentored scheme (whichever one it may be) is "invited" back in this manner.
Treat the offer with extreme caution as what they are really saying is, "we'll take your money - why wouldn't we - but you don't have a job waiting at the end of it".
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: uk
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
unlucky coxie mate. If it's any consolation, I failed mine too so probably feeling the same way. Knew it before even reading the email, when I saw the subject in the inbox contained no attachment this time round 
Last edited by unluckywannabe; 10th Jan 2013 at 13:20.
Treat the offer with extreme caution as what they are really saying is, "we'll take your money - why wouldn't we - but you don't have a job waiting at the end of it".
Afterall, if the plan is to apply again next time, then you cannot really put a price on experience of assessment processes.
I do, however, echo what you say regarding going down the non-mentored route.
Last edited by pug; 10th Jan 2013 at 11:48.