British Airways Future Pilot Programme.

[searching904]

Thanks for the advice both of you guys.

I've always wanted to fly and when I was in my last 'career path' so to speak one of the first things I wanted to do was save up and do my PPL. However it's only in the 2 weeks I've decided that I want to go for commercial aviation as my job 100%, after months and months of research into this and other aviation jobs.

Basically had the FPP not came up just now Id've visited heathrow, waterside, flyer exhibition in april, taken a BA flight amongst lots of other things and tried to gather a few more flying hours, then felt properly ready to bash out a good 'go' at the FPP.

Guess I just don't want to be that guy who's changed career choices recently and doesn't have adequate 'stuff' on my application to back up that I'm serious and have considered things well. I know I'm genuine, and not just going "aw here flying those jets looks half decent lets do that" but it's them I need to convince haha! just my luck its next month, I guess I'll just try to fit tons of stuff in and have the best go at it I can

[Blantoon]

Calling the BA selection a lottery is being generous. Find any group of professional pilots and they will all have stories of how completely baffled they were when persons A, B and C didn't get into BA while X, Y and Z did.

[BaronVonBarnstormer]

I think with all these hyper competitive airline schemes it is a case of being the right person, in the right place at the right time. Reading the DEP thread there is apparently a need for 250 pilots to be recruited to the A320 SH fleet. Hopefully that means there will be a large intake from the FPP.

[wiggy]

........if it opens again (not guaranteed at all, I know)

If you are looking for one single but utterly compelling reason for applying this month, that's it, right there.

As has been mentioned it only needs the likes of a 9/11 , a sudden massive spike in oil prices, for whatever reason, or something unforseen coming out of left field that leads to a downturn and the company's plans will change.

[UCDflyer]

Hi all,
Does anyone know if any EU resident can use this facility BA offer:

If you’re not in a position to secure an asset-based loan then you could be eligible for our British Airways guaranteed loan scheme. If this is the case, our partner bank will run a thorough check of your credit history. Should this come back clear and you pass the Future Pilot Programme selection process, British Airways could act as your loan guarantor. You will then be able to borrow the money from our partner bank in order to deposit the required security bond with APL.

I am an Irish resident, does this apply to UK residents only? Or if I get to the end will I be able to use this facility if I pass the credit check requirements?

Thanks

[CRNUI]

Application for Irish residents

Hi all,

Im a 22 year old with 2 months left in a Mech Engineering degree. I have always wanted to be a pilot for as long as i can remember but decided to go to university before applying to flight schools to be 100% sure as the financial commitment is quite substantial. I am applying to the BAFPP this round and have a few questions:

- Is the BA loan scheme open to Irish citizens or is it only for UK citizens? I have exhausted all my other financial options.

- Of the three schools running the BAFPP, which is most recommended? (Based on cost of living, quality of training, atmosphere)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[UCDflyer]

My situation exactly, except I am E&E engineering.

[Hamburger_]

Dear All,

I decided to apply to the FPP this year, and found earlier this forum where I read through the comments with pleasure, especially in this thread. Was interesting and very exciting to follow thorugh the progress of the last application process Hope those who were selected are progressing well and having fun during. Maybe it would be good to read some update from them

Unfortunately I couldn't find relevant information to following:
- was there an option during the initial online applicaton to attach and upload different documents, like PDF-s? For example references from workplaces, ICAO English exam, any kind of flying logbooks, etc. And if yes, does BA/the FTO need that during the initial applicaton? Does that make any difference, advantage for the applicant?

Any answers are appreciated!

Thanks!

[average-punter]

CRNUI and UCDflyer

The BA guaranteed loan is available to anyone successful applicant to the FPP.

It's good to learn about the small difference between FTOs, but the problem is you won't find someone who has trained at all 3 establishments on their intergrated course so it's impossible to find a balanced opinion. It is well worth thinking about the extra costs and planning how to budget during your training. These are freely available on each FTO's website.

[Stocious]

The choice of school is purely personal preference. Do your research into each regarding costs, location, whats included and what isn't and make your choice from there.

BBVA provide the finance product, with BA as a guarantor, so provided you are suitable for a loan from them, then BA should back it. There are non-UK residents on the FPP, though I'm not sure of what their financial arrangements are.

It may be worth a call to recruitment once the window opens.

[Hamburger_]

FTO-s

I was putting together pros and cons for myself for each FTO in order to ground a decision, and between many other factors some are as follows:
- FTE is making the whole training in Spain, can be an advantage for those having family, etc. not to being away from them (in USA or in NZ) for a year or so
- as flying training is in Spain that means you learn to fly in European airspace, where you will be flying mainly
- New Zealand must be a great adventure
- FTE is the most expensive in regards to "other costs", although it is stated that meal is included in the price 3 times a day in the campus, which is a large cost factor. There it seems to be really "all-inclusive" for the £9000
- With OAA it is £7000, but not including food, and I'm not sure about accomodation costs
And there are many other factors. So it's not easy to choose and worth to read after the details as average-punter wrote.
At the moment I'm more thinking of FTE to select.

[Aviator_In_Progress]

Despite being interested in aviation from a young age I always thought that not having 20:20 vision precluded me (-2.0 in the left and -2.25 in the right) from airline work. It seems not and after having just found out about this scheme recently, I am looking to apply this year (I am a software engineer at the moment and have been for the past nine years). This thread has been an interesting read over the past couple of weeks that's for certain.

One question I do have is based on the references provided by my current employer - i.e. its company policy not to provide detailed references. HR will provide a letter stating that I worked there and the from and to dates but nothing else, is that likely to be an issue should I get through to the reference checking point?

Thanks.

[MaydayMaydayMayday]

Originally Posted by Aviator_In_Progress

One question I do have is based on the references provided by my current employer - i.e. its company policy not to provide detailed references. HR will provide a letter stating that I worked there and the from and to dates but nothing else, is that likely to be an issue should I get through to the reference checking point?

Thanks.

That shouldn't be a problem, assuming the system remains as it currently is. The employer references are really just to show where you've been for the last five years.

Everyone needs to account for the full five year period directly prior to applying for an airside pass, both prior to starting training, and then again just prior to commencing employment (yes, the whole thing gets done twice!). This includes employment, unemployment (eg. periods claiming jobseekers allowance) and education. Personal referees can be used to cover any gaps that may appear where there's no official way to prove what you were doing.

They also need criminal record checks for any countries of residence during that period, as well as during training (ie. if you go to FTE then after you've finished training you'll need a Spanish CRC as well as one from your home country).

Credit reference checks are also done if you're applying for a loan, but that's a different matter.

Hope that's useful!

[byrondaf]

BA taking CTC Wings Cadets

As stated by someone else on here, there were a few cadets that applied and got taken on by BA due to a shortfall from the FPP last year. To clarify BA's current position on recruitment for CTC "whitetail" or Wings cadets, this is copied directly from an email sent to me from their assistant pilot recruitment manager, who visited us at CTC NZ a few weeks ago.

"In terms of numbers for Whitetails we will not know how many if any will be required in 2015 / 2016. However, I would recommend that if a career with British Airways is your ultimate desire please do ask CTC at the appropriate juncture whether there would be a possibility. As mentioned during the talk we have an ongoing requirement for over 300 new pilot entrants into the business over 2015 and envisage a continued recruitment need thereafter."

I asked him directly during his talk if they would be recruiting any low hour cadets outside the FPP in the next 18 months and the short answer was no. Looks like the Orange carrier will be the destination for most.

[Aviator_In_Progress]

That shouldn't be a problem, assuming the system remains as it currently is. The employer references are really just to show where you've been for the last five years.

Everyone needs to account for the full five year period directly prior to applying for an airside pass, both prior to starting training, and then again just prior to commencing employment (yes, the whole thing gets done twice!). This includes employment, unemployment (eg. periods claiming jobseekers allowance) and education. Personal referees can be used to cover any gaps that may appear where there's no official way to prove what you were doing.

They also need criminal record checks for any countries of residence during that period, as well as during training (ie. if you go to FTE then after you've finished training you'll need a Spanish CRC as well as one from your home country).

Credit reference checks are also done if you're applying for a loan, but that's a different matter.

Hope that's useful!

Yes thank you

[UCDflyer]

Does anyone from previous years know whether or not written references are required for the application? If so I would like to start contacting my referees now to avoid delay later on.

Thanks.

[4KBeta]

I imagine references will be required upon successful recruitment / offer.

It will also usually be the case of the company in question contacting your referees and not the other way round.

[EZY_FR]

Details on how to apply for the FPP are now available via this link: http://www.britishairways.com/career...rogramme.shtml . A CV and a covering letter is now required for the application, and it appears as though the final selection day has now been split up into 2 separate days.

[funkyt111]

I think the cover letter is referring to the application essay questions and I assume the final stage has been split into 2 stages due to lots of applicants failing the numerical reasoning (or other aspects). Seems like a logical approach to me and will definitely save a lot of time from HR's point of view.

[BaronVonBarnstormer]

Anybody learned anything about how the 100 selected will be split between the FTOs?