British Airways Future Pilot Programme.
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Keeflyer as I've already said, this story was doing the rounds at BA weeks before the brexit vote and when the opinion polls were still firmly in favour of remain. It has got absolutely nothing to do with Brexit at all, not just alone, despite the fertile imaginations on here. Need I say it again? The termination of the FPP is nothing to do with Britain leaving the EU.
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Based off a friend I know within the airline, the FPP could certainly end up being put on hold. He got his info from a recruiter/interviewer. He also added that it MAY be possible for them to start taking the top % of cadets from each FTO. Regardless of what has been said here, you should treat it all as pure speculation until we hear directly from the horse's mouth.
de minimus non curat lex
It is just a pity that the new recruits didn't/couldn't start off of the 737s to earn their spurs.
At least the BA students going through training in the late 1980s, early 1990s at Prestwick/Oxford then had steam driven ac to build a solid foundation, before migrating onto more sophisticated types.
The initial part of any apprenticeship needs a fundamental building block.
If you are in any doubt, ask one of them next time you fly with what will now be a fairly senior chap.
At least the BA students going through training in the late 1980s, early 1990s at Prestwick/Oxford then had steam driven ac to build a solid foundation, before migrating onto more sophisticated types.
The initial part of any apprenticeship needs a fundamental building block.
If you are in any doubt, ask one of them next time you fly with what will now be a fairly senior chap.
Last edited by parkfell; 3rd Jul 2016 at 09:26. Reason: syntax
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Are we sure this isn't PPrune rumours going into overdrive? BA have been confident for a long time now that the FPP will open this summer.
On a related note, if anyone is going to the exhibition in Leeds next weekend posts some clearer answers it would be much appreciated
On a related note, if anyone is going to the exhibition in Leeds next weekend posts some clearer answers it would be much appreciated
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I think I'm definitely going to have to attend the pilot event in Leeds now and ask someone at BA myself, it would be good to get to the bottom of the rumours.
It would be such a shame if it was on hold.
It would be such a shame if it was on hold.
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It is just a pity that the new recruits didn't/couldn't start off of the 737s to earn their spurs.
At least the BA students going through training in the late 1980s, early 1990s at Prestwick/Oxford then had steam driven ac to build a solid foundation, before migrating onto more sophisticated types.
The initial part of any apprenticeship needs a fundamental building block.
If you are in any doubt, ask one of them next time you fly with what will now be a fairly senior chap.
At least the BA students going through training in the late 1980s, early 1990s at Prestwick/Oxford then had steam driven ac to build a solid foundation, before migrating onto more sophisticated types.
The initial part of any apprenticeship needs a fundamental building block.
If you are in any doubt, ask one of them next time you fly with what will now be a fairly senior chap.
The 737-400 was well past its best. I'd say it's more of a shame that there weren't things like the highlands and islands routes of days gone by. I'd have loved to start off on a turboprop buzzing around in ****ty weather. My F Reg Audi 80 didn't have power steering, although I'm not convinced making someone drive it will make them a better driver than someone with a new A3 as their first car. Operational experience strikes me as the key thing, which is why starting on smaller aircraft with lots of sectors and shorter routes seems more effective than using older technology for the sake of it. It does make you wonder about the schemes where folk go straight to long haul. Anyway, there's no reason that cadets shouldn't be cutting their teeth by taking all of the automatics/FD's, etc out and flying the Airbus manually on a regular basis, at least once the capacity bucket has enough space in it.
Last edited by MaydayMaydayMayday; 8th Jul 2016 at 11:05.
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I would suggest that neither does the poster know whether it has been terminated (or postponed) nor whether or not it has anything to do with the current political situation. I'd also suggest that any company who didn't consider potential negative effects on the economy in relation to their short to mid term recruitment or expansion probably wouldn't be doing their jobs very well, alongside a whole load of other factors.
In short, nobody but the recruitment team knows what they intend and, even then, they are probably dependent on a green light from the accountants before committing to any plans.
In short, nobody but the recruitment team knows what they intend and, even then, they are probably dependent on a green light from the accountants before committing to any plans.
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Straight from the horses mouth of the recruitment team. No Launch of FPP this summer. There is a review of the scheme ongoing to see in what shape or form it may re launch in the future.
Personally I cannot believe it is a permanent move. Cadet schemes at EasyJet and Ryanair are beneficial to the airlines. They provide a stream of qualified people who they can pay less than an experienced pilot. The A321 issue is a red herring. The rules have changed to say that cadets with less than 6 months experience cannot land the A321. All that means is that they are pilot not flying for that sector.
Personally I cannot believe it is a permanent move. Cadet schemes at EasyJet and Ryanair are beneficial to the airlines. They provide a stream of qualified people who they can pay less than an experienced pilot. The A321 issue is a red herring. The rules have changed to say that cadets with less than 6 months experience cannot land the A321. All that means is that they are pilot not flying for that sector.
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LandingConfig; Probably the size element of the A321 would require a certain degree of experience (knowhow) reflected in PIC logged. It's a bigger aircraft for sure 
de minimus non curat lex
In common with all ac, it is a question of using the prescribed techniques as laid down by the manufacturer. It is as simple as that.
The longer the ac, the more aware you become of the potential for a tailstrike.
And that applies to Boeing as well, especially flying the 737-800.
Do what it says on the tin.
The longer the ac, the more aware you become of the potential for a tailstrike.
And that applies to Boeing as well, especially flying the 737-800.
Do what it says on the tin.
Last edited by parkfell; 6th Jul 2016 at 15:24.
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Personally I cannot believe it is a permanent move. Cadet schemes at EasyJet and Ryanair are beneficial to the airlines. They provide a stream of qualified people who they can pay less than an experienced pilot. The A321 issue is a red herring. The rules have changed to say that cadets with less than 6 months experience cannot land the A321. All that means is that they are pilot not flying for that sector.
What I fear is that the delay is actually due to costs or Brexit fears. BA has one of the better schemes out there at present for cadets with the bond repayment, loan guarantee and relatively good salary on offer. I hope to be proved wrong, but this could be the new chairman's famous cost control having an impact
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There is a long history (world wide) of tail strikes occurring, even on the A320, due to inappropriate landing technique being employed by inexperienced pilots. Hence why cadets at EasyJet are not permitted to do Flap 3 landings for the first period of their line flying due to the increased risk of a tail strike.
It is however particularly relevant to the A321. A simple way of mitigating the risk is to say that when the A321 is flown, the Captain is the PF. It really doesn't throw up any rostering problems at all so I don't see why that, in itself, would cost the airline money. I suppose insurance costs do increase if you employ cadets but that is surely offset by the fact they are paid considerably less.
I would be gobsmacked if BA didn't launch another cadet program at some point in the future, but I would wager that a) It will not be in 2016 and b) when it does launch the terms and conditions may be different (worse) than the current scheme.
It is however particularly relevant to the A321. A simple way of mitigating the risk is to say that when the A321 is flown, the Captain is the PF. It really doesn't throw up any rostering problems at all so I don't see why that, in itself, would cost the airline money. I suppose insurance costs do increase if you employ cadets but that is surely offset by the fact they are paid considerably less.
I would be gobsmacked if BA didn't launch another cadet program at some point in the future, but I would wager that a) It will not be in 2016 and b) when it does launch the terms and conditions may be different (worse) than the current scheme.