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British Airways Future Pilot Programme.

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British Airways Future Pilot Programme.

Old 20th May 2015, 17:33
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Well it was a no for me . First of all though massive congrats to everyone that got through, you all deserve it Obviously I'm disappointed but there are certainly positives to take away. Going into the process I felt the interview would be the stage that I was least prepared for, so it's re-assuring to know that my own assessment of my skills is similar to BA's. The opportunity for feedback should stand me in good stead for next year. The number of people getting through on their 2nd/3rd attempt is certainly heartening.

Once again, congratulations to the successful candidates. For everyone else, here's to FPP 2016
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Old 20th May 2015, 17:42
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Hello folks,

It still hasn't sank in. Currently enjoying a glass of champagne with my fiance. I honestly could not be happier. Has anyone ever seen the film pursuit of happiness? If not, I suggest you watch it. That's how I feel right now.

To the folks that weren't successful this year. Don't give up on your dream. You'll get there. I applied to BA initially in 2012 and although I made it through to the final stage. I was unsuccessful. I then applied again in 2013, again I was unsuccessful. I applied to Aer Lingus and reached final stages and was unsuccessful. I applied to Virgin, guess what? Unsuccessful. This is my 5th of attempt. Make of this what you will...

PPrune users, Naturals & GF0RC3 last year demonstrated exactly how hard they had worked to earn their place on the Future Pilot Programme. Read GF0RC3 blog Full Speedbird Ahead | My journey through the British Airways Future Pilot Programme. Read Naturals post on page 108 of this thread.

It is all about preparation. I started preparing 1 year ago when I received the rejection email from BA. Firstly, as verbal reasoning was one of my weakest areas and part of the reason why I failed in 2014, I challenged myself to reading The Times newspaper on a daily basis, New Scientist Magazine and National Geographic magazine on weekly basis all just to improve my verbal reasoning ability (this post isn't the best example that my verbal ability has improved). I passed this year and surprisingly found the test quite straight forward. I have two A4 notepads filled with notes about British Airways and examples from my life where I have demonstrated the qualities that BA were looking for. I have been practicing interview questions for the past 6 months even before I knew the FPP was going to open. I even had interview training with Airline Prep and Aviation Shake, two companies I highly recommend. There are lots of other things I did to prepare but the truth is this is the level of preparation I needed to do to be successful.

So, don't give up. If you want this bad enough and your willing to work for it then I can almost guarantee that you will get there. For the people that are on their third attempt, there are other schemes out there so keep on going and DO NOT look back.

If anyone wants any help or advice for assessments in the future then please don't hesitate to message me. I'm happy to help because I for one no exactly how much this means and I thank everyone who has helped me so far in achieving this dream - Naturals, GF0RC3, MaydayMaydayMayday,TheTravellingLemon, Coriolis Effect, Fulltanks to name a few. I can't thank you enough.

Anyway, now I'm off to finish off the champagne!

Best of luck for the future folks
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Old 20th May 2015, 17:44
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Hi all, just wanted to say a huge congratulations to those of you who received good news today. It's great to see such a strong sense of cameraderie on this thread. I was lucky enough to be selected for the first FPP back in 2011. It's a long journey to that right hand seat, and it certainly isn't easy, but I've now been at BA for over 18 months and already clocked up 1100 hours on the Airbus. I still can't wait to go to work each day - it honestly is a dream come true! Very best of luck with the course and I'll see you at BA!
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Old 20th May 2015, 18:15
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Funkyt111. I only met you briefly but what a great guy and what determination. So very pleased for you. Great advice too. I'll be having a celebratory drink soon but it's the middle of the night here!
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Old 20th May 2015, 19:04
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@claudiaupear,

Same goes to you! Your the perfect example as to why you should never give up on your dream. It's never too late... Congratulations again. You've done your family proud.
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Old 20th May 2015, 19:49
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Well, still haven't heard anything, don't expect to hear until tomorrow now. Don't really know what to make of it, but taking a pragmatic attitude that I've probably not made the grade once again. Still, ready to take my PPL this summer and apply again next year if worse comes to worst

Anyone else in the same position, or was I the one and only person out of 85 (or however many it was) who didn't get any news today?
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Old 20th May 2015, 22:45
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Congratulations to those who made it, you have been selected from a large number of applicants and obviously had what BA are looking for. The hard work starts now, there are 14 ATPL exams to pass along with a number of demanding flight tests before reaching the ultimate goal. My advice would be to take each stage at a time, don't treat each stage as a box ticking exercise but rather add it to your "tool box" and use the subsequent stages to build upon it. At times the course will be tough and it's no secret that the courses that bond together as a group the best achieve the best results, the course will give you some excellent new friends along with some brilliant memories.

For those that weren't successful. I'm sorry to hear that, I know it's unpleasant to find out and puts a total downer on the day. I recommend a few days away from anything aviation related and just get out there and do some activities you enjoy. What is important moving on from here is adopting the correct attitude, I know it's natural to apportion blame elsewhere but it's so important to complete a thorough self-analysis of your performance at every stage and try to work out what you can improve on for the future. Luckily BA have made this fairly easy this year being that the final stage is the interview so this process becomes far easier!

I'm unsure if BA provide feedback? I would certainly recommend giving them a call to find out. Think about the questions you were asked? Do you feel you conveyed everything that you wanted to? It's well worth starting to document everything you do in both your professional and personal life that could be used to answer a competency based interview question, very soon you will have a rather large document and it makes preparation far easier. Like with anything a healthy dose of luck is required, it may be on this day you rolled a one but could just have easily rolled a six. However, what isn't based on luck is how you use the time in between application periods to improve yourself to increase the chances for next time. For many it may mark the end of the road with the BA FPP - however do bear in mind it certainly isn't the only route to the RHS and certainly not the only route into BA.

I wish everyone the best of luck for the future.
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Old 21st May 2015, 03:13
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Great advice average-punter for both those who got the good news and those that didn't. You are quite right, the hard work begins soon and hopefully it will be enjoyable as well as extremely challenging.
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Old 21st May 2015, 03:45
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PPRuNe users, Naturals & GF0RC3 last year demonstrated exactly how hard they had worked to earn their place on the Future Pilot Programme. Read GF0RC3 blog Full Speedbird Ahead | My journey through the British Airways Future Pilot Programme. Read Naturals post on page 108 of this thread.
Thanks for the mention! Those of you who didn't make it, don't give up. I didn't get in first time; I know it's a bitter blow but it's also one of the best learning experiences life can give you.

Those who did make it; congratulations and, if you're OAA, I'll see you in the Autumn.
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Old 21st May 2015, 08:11
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smatticus - Have you heard anything yet? Which FTO did you apply to?
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Old 21st May 2015, 08:34
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I got the good news yesterday just as my flight was boarding, seems my post at that time didn't make it to forum. In the past 15hrs I've been on 2 flights between 3 international airports and it still hasnt sunk in that one day I'll hopefully be the one on the flight deck. I'm over the moon wth the result and a fantastic start to my holiday!

Congratulations to everyone that's had the good news, and to those that weren't successful this time, listen to those more eloquent than me and believe that there's always a next time or another way and never give up on the dream.
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Old 21st May 2015, 08:58
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Well done bluefish, welcome to the club and enjoy your trip! Which FTO did you apply through?
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Old 21st May 2015, 09:05
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Congratulations bluefish - bet that made the flight considerably more enjoyable.
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Old 21st May 2015, 09:49
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Congratulations to all who have been granted their dream. Hopefully I will be joining you in the skies one day. I was unable to apply this year due to certain commitments, but I will be applying again next year if it re-opens after beung unsucfessful in 2013. Something worth mentioning is that on my selection days, I met people on their 3rd attempts that then went on to be successful. What's worth pointing out is that not all of them got through to final stages before, in fact one guy had had his initial application rejected twice and was successful on his third attempt. Others had got to the final stage the first time, were rejected at the initial application on the second time and were successful on the third. My point is, don't give up based on how you did on your first or second attempts, if you work hard you can definitely be third time lucky.
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Old 21st May 2015, 10:08
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Well gentlemen (and ladies), looks like I'll be joining you in the RHS as well!!!!! Got my offer this morning, they had a mix up with the emails, but I got a phone call and a subsequent email at 10:31 today. Feeling absolutely ecstatic!!!!!!!!!!!!! Joined via CTC for those who asked.

Once again, massive congrats to those in the same boat as me, and commiserations to those who didn't, but keep trying, and you'll get what you ultimately deserve.

Now, time to go and reap the rewards

Last edited by smatticus; 21st May 2015 at 10:55.
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Old 21st May 2015, 10:20
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smatticus - Huge congratulations, very strange regarding the email mix-up but I can only imagine the relief you're under. Well done!
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Old 21st May 2015, 11:07
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Firstly congratulations to those who were successful, commiserations to those who were not...

Now, time to go and reap the rewards
Without wishing to rain on anyone's parade in particular please be aware you're still very much at the beginning of a long process ( probably a "journey" in HR cuddly speak) that hopefully will end up in a year or two in the RHS of a BA aircraft.

So by all means enjoy the moment, make the most of it for sure, but be sure to be ready for the hard work that will start at the FTO and will continue right through your line training at BA and beyond....
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Old 21st May 2015, 12:08
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smatticus - very well done! The first email I received after my FTO assessment stated that "I regret to advise you that you have not met the British Airways criteria and sadly we will not be taking your applications forward" - one swift correction, two more rounds of assessment and six weeks later and here I am. I assume that, as I did, you feel a little confused but very happy! An emotional rollercoaster indeed...
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Old 21st May 2015, 13:01
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While I do have an underlying jealousy for those who have made it, I would just like to say congratulations and best of luck going forward for all of you. Of course now the hard work starts - but it will be very enjoyable hard work with an incredible end goal.

Best of luck everyone, and the hard work starts for all of us wanting to make it next time!
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Old 21st May 2015, 13:37
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Right, the dust has settled a little here and I think I've now replied to all of the PMs and emails

I would like to extend my very sincere thanks to the following (sorry for turning this into the Oscars!):

- My fiancée, who has been very supportive during a process which is going to lead to a lot of changes and uncertainty for us
- My parents, who have told me to stop worrying and being so critical of myself at every step of the process and had a lot more faith in me than I did myself
- A.N.T. Flying School at Blackpool Airport, where I earned my PPL, NR and IR(R) and 121 hours SEP time
- Paul, Jim and Howard of the BA Heritage Collection at Waterside, who were excellent and knowledgable hosts
- The crew of BA189 on 18/11/2014, for putting up with my questions and persistent study of various bits of the aircraft
- The caretakers and hosts of the institutions housing Concordes AA, AB, AC, AD, AE, ST, DN and FA (haven't visited the others yet but am sure they are just as impressive)
- All of the supportive fellow candidates here, but especially funkyt111 and EZY_FR, who have both gone above and beyond in the assistance and support they have shared
- All of the equally supportive current pilots and existing cadets who have shared their insights, particularly G-F0RC3, wiggy, FullTanks and naturals
- The existing cadets and BA pilots who took the time to chat with me and answer my questions on the FPP programme and BA lifestyle (and whom I will not name as I wouldn't want them to be swamped with requests, sorry!)
- The lovely chap who debriefed me following a failed (non-FPP) OAA assessment day last summer - I remember him saying that the joy of his position was to be able to see people who had previously been rejected learn and grow from the experience and come back stronger to a successful outcome. I hope I can bring a smile to his face when I return to Oxford
- All of the FPP cadets who have kindly shared their experiences online, including:

British airways future pilot programme blog | Speedbird cadet
https://rossthepilot.wordpress.com/
Full Speedbird Ahead | My journey through the British Airways Future Pilot Programme

I have an enormously detailed breakdown of the preparation which I put into this year's application, but I will not subject you to it here. If anyone is interested, or would just like to ask any questions, then please do get in touch and I will try to assist in whatever way I can (without revealing anything about the process itself!). It has been a lot of work (and it still will be!) over a long time, but it has all been worthwhile.

You cannot be too prepared for this process, and should approach it as though there is always someone who has put in just that little bit more effort or has that tiny bit more motivation than you have and to whose level you should aspire - because there probably is!

Remember also that BA have never yet achieved their desired intake numbers, so if you meet the standard, you will get in. Your fellow candidates are not your enemy, nor are they your competition in any real sense, and you will find a community of like-minded, supportive friends once you realise this. You will also enjoy the process a lot more and will find that any group exercises go much more smoothly!

Last edited by JDA2012; 13th Nov 2015 at 21:17.
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