British Airways Future Pilot Programme.
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: UK
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I agree with JDA. There are no guarantees that the FPP will run again after next year and if being an airline pilot is your number one career ambition then it would be wise to apply for the next (supposedly last) intake.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Slough, UK
Age: 35
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DutchC,
Pilot recruitment is really hard to predict. You can use historical data to measure the attrition rate due to lost medicals, people jumping ship to other carriers etc but it's only a best guess. Also, delays to aircraft plus launching new routes (say an extra day downroute) etc also impacts pilot requirements. They can't even predict how many FPPs they'll need next year nevermind in a few years time. I think the figures banded about were just best guesses and probably erring on the conservative side. If the FPP is a success (the first intake is flying the line already and it appears it is), then it wouldn't surprise me to see BA extend it. Nothing in aviation is guaranteed so if you can, apply when it next opens.
I completely understand your dilemma though DutchC. I didn't apply for FPP 2011 because I'd just finished uni and was actually in the process of joining BA on their graduate scheme. I was already under enough pressure as it was with assessment days, referencing and finding a place to live so waited until 2012 opened.
Pilot recruitment is really hard to predict. You can use historical data to measure the attrition rate due to lost medicals, people jumping ship to other carriers etc but it's only a best guess. Also, delays to aircraft plus launching new routes (say an extra day downroute) etc also impacts pilot requirements. They can't even predict how many FPPs they'll need next year nevermind in a few years time. I think the figures banded about were just best guesses and probably erring on the conservative side. If the FPP is a success (the first intake is flying the line already and it appears it is), then it wouldn't surprise me to see BA extend it. Nothing in aviation is guaranteed so if you can, apply when it next opens.
I completely understand your dilemma though DutchC. I didn't apply for FPP 2011 because I'd just finished uni and was actually in the process of joining BA on their graduate scheme. I was already under enough pressure as it was with assessment days, referencing and finding a place to live so waited until 2012 opened.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Surrey
Age: 37
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All,
As JDA alluded too in an earlier post, there was a change in age legislation in 2006 concerning retirement ages for pilots. This saw an increase from 55 to 65. At BA, the first impact of this change will be reflected in retirement numbers next year when the first batch of the 55'ers now approach 65 and therefore leave the company.
As it stands, BA intend to recruit approximately 300 pilots this year, with a broadly similar number planned to join the business next year, in 2016, compromising DEP's and FPP's.
With the subsequent, modest, yet steady increase in retirements over the next few years, it would seem plausible that the FPP scheme will continue for the foreseeable future to supplement DEP recruitment. All in my humble opinion of course.
Best of luck to all.
As JDA alluded too in an earlier post, there was a change in age legislation in 2006 concerning retirement ages for pilots. This saw an increase from 55 to 65. At BA, the first impact of this change will be reflected in retirement numbers next year when the first batch of the 55'ers now approach 65 and therefore leave the company.
As it stands, BA intend to recruit approximately 300 pilots this year, with a broadly similar number planned to join the business next year, in 2016, compromising DEP's and FPP's.
With the subsequent, modest, yet steady increase in retirements over the next few years, it would seem plausible that the FPP scheme will continue for the foreseeable future to supplement DEP recruitment. All in my humble opinion of course.
Best of luck to all.
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: South
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Nuttynat416 & JDA2012
JDA2012 - Pretty much spot on answer, just one mistake. The retirement age increased to 65, so the retirement rate will return to normal next year. That being said, it is only a handful of retirements expected per year for quite a few years due to meeting the age barrier.
Also, BA are recruiting like mad at the moment. The DEP recruitment is aiming to fill short term holes in manpower, the FPP due to long lead times is looking slightly longer term. Whether that will make a difference to the overall numbers wanted from the FPP route, who knows.
BA, and the aviation industry in general, is incredibly reactive to pretty much everything else in the known universe. Business plans in the airline change from week to week, and quite literally day to day. It is impossible to say whether the scheme will continue and how long for, there are too many external (and internal) factors. However, the company are, I hear, rather happy with the output of the FPP scheme and it makes business sense to continue the scheme if possible.
As has been thrown around many times, seniority is king, so the earlier you can get in the better!
Best of luck to everyone successful on this intake, it's hard work but you'll enjoy it.
Also, BA are recruiting like mad at the moment. The DEP recruitment is aiming to fill short term holes in manpower, the FPP due to long lead times is looking slightly longer term. Whether that will make a difference to the overall numbers wanted from the FPP route, who knows.
BA, and the aviation industry in general, is incredibly reactive to pretty much everything else in the known universe. Business plans in the airline change from week to week, and quite literally day to day. It is impossible to say whether the scheme will continue and how long for, there are too many external (and internal) factors. However, the company are, I hear, rather happy with the output of the FPP scheme and it makes business sense to continue the scheme if possible.
As has been thrown around many times, seniority is king, so the earlier you can get in the better!
Best of luck to everyone successful on this intake, it's hard work but you'll enjoy it.
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Manchester
Age: 36
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Facebook Group
Were up to 36 future cadets in the "BA FPP 2015" group so please join if you haven't already. It would be great to get all successful candidates in there.
Inbox me on here if you can't find the group.
Inbox me on here if you can't find the group.
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: UK
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I have just received an email with my start date.
Anyone else starting on the 09/11/2015 and going to OAA??
Would be great to get to know anyone else who is starting on the above date.
Anyone else starting on the 09/11/2015 and going to OAA??
Would be great to get to know anyone else who is starting on the above date.
Last edited by VLT_029; 11th Jun 2015 at 17:50. Reason: Wrong year inputted
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: N.O.Y.B.
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Hoping to see some of you down in FTE in September! Im probably gonna do my assessment again in September in order to avoid doing the assessment again come FPP 2016, so it would be nice to meet some of you!
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Darlington, UK
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LandingConfig - We weren't given the choice to select dates really, only the option to ask for later start dates if possible, due to people finishing degrees or completing notice periods in their current jobs etc. Pretty happy with my earlier date as I don't have the above commitments to honour.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Coventry
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Same as Ryan93, they only asked in the interview at Waterside "what is the earliest date you could start?" No more than that. I'm very happy to have been given November.
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Surrey, England
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As ever, I am hugely excited for you all following these latest developments and surely the project now assumes shape. I presume your medicals and other paper work have a bearing on proceedings
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Manchester
Age: 42
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I sorted my medical last week - as it was due to expire in August anyway (initial was in 2012) and it's one less thing to worry about. We will need to arrange financing when the time comes of course...
I was also asked by BA about how soon I could start, and then asked the same by CTC via email - in both cases I advised of my current three-month notice period, and this has been respected.
I am aware of only two start dates for OAA at present, 7th September and 9th November, but would welcome hearing from anyone who knows of further dates.
Thanks to Geoff565 and 4015 for the corrections on my earlier post - I've edited this to reflect the updated info.
I was also asked by BA about how soon I could start, and then asked the same by CTC via email - in both cases I advised of my current three-month notice period, and this has been respected.
I am aware of only two start dates for OAA at present, 7th September and 9th November, but would welcome hearing from anyone who knows of further dates.
Thanks to Geoff565 and 4015 for the corrections on my earlier post - I've edited this to reflect the updated info.
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: East Midlands
Age: 42
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Hi Cpt_Hook, hi all - I went down to Gatwick on Friday and got my medical, so at last it feels like this is really happening
Could someone send me a link to the Facebook group? I can't seem to find it... Cheers!
Could someone send me a link to the Facebook group? I can't seem to find it... Cheers!
Last edited by Big bad ben; 22nd Jun 2015 at 17:21.
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Merseyside
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How did you find the medical and roughly how long does it take?
Speak to you soon.
Richard