British Airways Future Pilot Programme.
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Personally I think it's unlikely that BA will take any negative inference from a foundation year.
To be honest I doubt it's much more than an initial screening. I know that my academic quaifications weren't even brought up other than when my certificates were photocopied on the very first day.
In fact, despite being successful on FPP1, I'd have been ineligible to apply for FPP2 at all due to my bare minimum qualifications and the minimum requirements changing. Go figure!
To be honest I doubt it's much more than an initial screening. I know that my academic quaifications weren't even brought up other than when my certificates were photocopied on the very first day.
In fact, despite being successful on FPP1, I'd have been ineligible to apply for FPP2 at all due to my bare minimum qualifications and the minimum requirements changing. Go figure!
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The leaving cert is much harder course compared to A-Levels, we do 7 subjects opposed to 3. I prefer the A-Levels because you pick your best three and perform well.
In fairness we do have an advantage over our British counter parts we done SEVEN SUBJECTS which makes it a more intense course, Pilot training isn't easy might look good that we where able do seven subjects! Plus getting good results too
As for good results I won an award for the school I attended, best results in my leaving cert class
not to shabby when I have the chance to bring that up in an interview(If & When ever I bloody get there 
).
One Question? Why are you looking to go to university in the UK, UL do Aeronautical Engineering and Carlow do Aerospace, plus the additional cost of studying in the UK is madness in my opinion.
Btw the FPP is it definitely opening again this year?
In fairness we do have an advantage over our British counter parts we done SEVEN SUBJECTS which makes it a more intense course, Pilot training isn't easy might look good that we where able do seven subjects! Plus getting good results too
As for good results I won an award for the school I attended, best results in my leaving cert class
not to shabby when I have the chance to bring that up in an interview(If & When ever I bloody get there ).One Question? Why are you looking to go to university in the UK, UL do Aeronautical Engineering and Carlow do Aerospace, plus the additional cost of studying in the UK is madness in my opinion.
Btw the FPP is it definitely opening again this year?
Last edited by Paxi_R6; 29th Sep 2013 at 16:09.
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I ain't mad and its far from madness looking at it from my circumstances. For the LC i dont understand how in Ireland your best 6 subjects are taken whereas UCAS ask for your best 5. I think it may have something to do with the fact they reckon an LC subject is equal 2/3 of an a-level, and so 5 LC subjects multiplied by 2/3 equals 3 (i.e the number of a-levels usually taken in the uk). So they may believe that makes them equal ? I certainly don't. But then again whether or not it's fair isn't an issue for BA as it ain't their fault.
And yeah, the FPP usually opens in november.
And yeah, the FPP usually opens in november.
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They've stated that BBC is required at A-Level, or BBBB at Scottish Higher. Well BBC at A-Level is 280 UCAS points, whereas BBBB at Scottish Higher is only 260 UCAS points. They could drop the A-Level requirements to BCC, which would be worth 260 UCAS points, and hence make the requirements equivalent (as far as UCAS are concerned).
But they haven't done that, and I suspect the reason is because the Scottish Highers were a bit of an after thought. Furthermore, if my memory serves me correctly, the Scottish requirements went up from the previous year, so BBBB is actually after a revision upwards.
The above all seems to imply that their requirements are only loosely related to the UCAS standards. Therefore, I wouldn't take those standards as a given one way or the other. Unless you've definitely got the minimum grades they have quoted, the only way to be sure you'll be accepted on initial application is to contact NARIC and get a letter stating that the qualifications are equivalent. We can ponder here all day long, but there isn't enough information to derive a definite answer on the borderline cases. Unfortunately that's just how it is.
By the way Mayday, how's the training going?
But they haven't done that, and I suspect the reason is because the Scottish Highers were a bit of an after thought. Furthermore, if my memory serves me correctly, the Scottish requirements went up from the previous year, so BBBB is actually after a revision upwards.
The above all seems to imply that their requirements are only loosely related to the UCAS standards. Therefore, I wouldn't take those standards as a given one way or the other. Unless you've definitely got the minimum grades they have quoted, the only way to be sure you'll be accepted on initial application is to contact NARIC and get a letter stating that the qualifications are equivalent. We can ponder here all day long, but there isn't enough information to derive a definite answer on the borderline cases. Unfortunately that's just how it is.
By the way Mayday, how's the training going?
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The foundation degree point earlier seems illogical to me. I'm pretty certain that BA would not look anything but favourably upon you acquiring such - and certainly not negatively. Sure it might demonstrate that your A-Levels (or equivalents) weren't in and of themselves good enough, but your A-Levels (or equivalents) would demonstrate that on their own anyway. In my opinion getting your foundation degree says that you realised you had a problem, and so you commited yourself to finding a solution, which is itself a good quality to demonstrate. As long as you have the minimum entry requirements (equivalent as per a NARIC letter or otherwise), I really don't see that being the reason your application is rejected.
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It was mentioned to me in an IM that the previous year they'd asked for BBBCC at Scottish Higher, which would have been 295 points. It now works out as fewer points, but better performance in each individual exam. It can't all be down to points, though. 4 A grades is 320 points, whereas 5 B grades is 325. Which is better? You could probably argue for either, although realistically if any student was likely to get four A grades, the school would be likely to push them to do five anyway. Anyway, I'm going off on a tangent...
As far as training is concerned, haven't started yet! Still, only a few weeks away. Think perhaps the first OAA group might have just started? Can't say about CTC. I'm working my way through a 'Spanish for beginners' course on the iPad!
As far as training is concerned, haven't started yet! Still, only a few weeks away. Think perhaps the first OAA group might have just started? Can't say about CTC. I'm working my way through a 'Spanish for beginners' course on the iPad!
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But they haven't done that, and I suspect the reason is because the Scottish Highers were a bit of an after thought. Furthermore, if my memory serves me correctly, the Scottish requirements went up from the previous year, so BBBB is actually after a revision upwards.
It just really goes to show how arbitrary the minimum requirements are in a way, never minding the debate about equivalency of Scottish, Irish and England and Wales examination frameworks.
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Nelson, with the amount of criticism for the new 'Curriculum for Excellence', no wonder it's getting confusing. If the teachers don't know what the hell they're supposed to be teaching and how it stacks up against the previous system, good luck to anyone else trying to make sense of it! They'll need to change the minimum requirements to four Eh's and a WTF?! 
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I have mixed views on the CofE. For primary school kids I have no doubt that it's a massive step in the right direction. The research almost entirely supports that. However, at high school level (particularly Standard Grade +) I'm not convinced that it's such a good idea.
Anyway, to try to keep on topic; I do think the new system will more or less be the same as the old in terms of how many points UCAS suggest each grade is worth (i.e. a 1 at SG will be the same as an A in the new version of SGs, and so on). The more complicated part is comparing grades across borders.
A question that BA should probably look to answer: if BBBB is required then will they accept BBBCC, where the two Cs are considered equal to or better than one B? We see this type of question asked frequently enough in here for it to warrant an answer in their frequently asked questions.
Anyway, to try to keep on topic; I do think the new system will more or less be the same as the old in terms of how many points UCAS suggest each grade is worth (i.e. a 1 at SG will be the same as an A in the new version of SGs, and so on). The more complicated part is comparing grades across borders.
A question that BA should probably look to answer: if BBBB is required then will they accept BBBCC, where the two Cs are considered equal to or better than one B? We see this type of question asked frequently enough in here for it to warrant an answer in their frequently asked questions.
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Ah, so it's almost a year after your initial application before you've actually started training on the course. That has been quite a wait Mayday! I'm sure it'll be worth it though.
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The start dates seem to have ranged roughly from within the last month right through until next summer (June is the latest I'm aware of, but I'm not clear on the dates with OAA or CTC). Obviously for some people this will allow them to finish degrees, etc. This worked out nicely for me as my current job is very busy through the summer and much quieter in the winter. That said, being stuck up a mountain in the snow isn't so bad when you're getting paid for it!
Just to be clear, though; neither does anyone get to directly choose a start date, nor can you simply elect to swap. I think this would be entirely at the discretion of the various companies involved and likely under exceptional circumstances. Don't quote me on it, though! There are various opportunities during the recruitment phases to state at which point you would be available to commence training, if successful.
Incidentally, I agree with you about CforE with regard to primary education. Have plenty of teacher friends and it's mostly the high school ones who're complaining. That said, they complained a fair amount before the new system was even suggested.
Just to be clear, though; neither does anyone get to directly choose a start date, nor can you simply elect to swap. I think this would be entirely at the discretion of the various companies involved and likely under exceptional circumstances. Don't quote me on it, though! There are various opportunities during the recruitment phases to state at which point you would be available to commence training, if successful.
Incidentally, I agree with you about CforE with regard to primary education. Have plenty of teacher friends and it's mostly the high school ones who're complaining. That said, they complained a fair amount before the new system was even suggested.
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Oh so you're going from snow on a mountain to sun and sand - nice swap of climates.
Were the FTE selection days in Dec last time around? And then when was the final day at Waterside? I'm guessing around Feb?
Were the FTE selection days in Dec last time around? And then when was the final day at Waterside? I'm guessing around Feb?
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Last time around the FTE assessment days were in January and the final assessments were in March.
I'm assuming it's going to be somewhat less cold and rainy than Glasgow.
I'm assuming it's going to be somewhat less cold and rainy than Glasgow.
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How is the foundation year argument illogical ? A student doesn't do a fdn year out of their own free will in most cases, therefore (as i already mentioned) BA are most likely to look negatively upon it as it is something which I would have been forced to do due to qualification limitations. It makes logical sense that they would prefer someone that could get the qualifications to get straight onto yr 1 of their chosen degree (due to a percieved greater effort in trying to achieve it). As for the display of effort you claim an fdn year displays, wouldn't it make more sense that a student who couldn't get straight to yr 1 showed a lack of effort in their studies in the first place (@ a levels) in order to achieve their first goal at uni ?.
Effort only gets you so far, there comes a time when they will be looking for you to achieve something due to the effort.
Effort only gets you so far, there comes a time when they will be looking for you to achieve something due to the effort.
Last edited by momo95; 30th Sep 2013 at 17:15.
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momo95...Why are you getting yourself wound up about how BA could potentially view the foundation year? As I understand it, you meet the entry criteria. That's that, as far as BA are concerned. BA are much more concerned about your skills and competencies in a professional and social environment i.e what work experience you have done and how you demonstrated team work etc..blah blah blah...you know the score.
The academic qualifications set for entry by BA are just a means of filtering through a manageable number of applications. From then on, in terms of academics, most will depend on your performance in the assessment tests (verbal/numerical reasoning, aptitude tests etc.). I don't think my secondary education subjects and results came up once throughout the whole assessment & interview phase, aside from some photocopying.
The academic qualifications set for entry by BA are just a means of filtering through a manageable number of applications. From then on, in terms of academics, most will depend on your performance in the assessment tests (verbal/numerical reasoning, aptitude tests etc.). I don't think my secondary education subjects and results came up once throughout the whole assessment & interview phase, aside from some photocopying.
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As already mentioned, academic achievements are not brought up at all in interview, unless you perhaps raise them as an answer to a question.
If you meet the criteria to apply in the first place, forget about the rest of it and concentrate on other things to help your application.
If you meet the criteria to apply in the first place, forget about the rest of it and concentrate on other things to help your application.
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British Airways Future Pilot Programme 2013
I have just read inside BA's magazine that the third round of the FPP is going ahead, to be launched on "26 October, for about a month and is seeking 60 recruits." Nothing else is mentioned, just keep an eye on bafuturepilot.com for more info.
In addition they comment that the very first intake are planning to start as BA pilots in November, "subject to the successful completion of their Airbus type rating".
Great news all round!
Good luck all!
In addition they comment that the very first intake are planning to start as BA pilots in November, "subject to the successful completion of their Airbus type rating".
Great news all round!
Good luck all!
