Flybe sponsorship 2010
 

I have some questions about the Flybe sponsorship 2010. I saw a lot of stuffs about that on the website, but i still have some interrogations who get know answers:

- Is the mathematics and physics tests are really though? Mathematics kind of logical test? Physics which subject (electronics, electromagnetism, optical...)?
- Are all the applicants trained on the pilapt test (the one of cockpitweb even if it's being different from the real one on the test exam)?
- What is the general level of the applicants: scolar and aeronautic (they ask for less than 60 hours of flight but have the impression that a lot of applicants have more)?
- What is the ratio of admission, i mean between generally the ones who applied and the ones who are taken?

In advance thks a lot.

Regards.

Phase 2 for part sponsorship (flybe)
 

Hi,

I've also applied for the sponsorship offered by flybe with Cabair :ok:.

I believe we will find out early next week if we have passed phase 1 - the application. I've been looking for a thread that may contain some more information on the different phases, I haven't found anything up to now.

All I can say about phase 2 is what it states in the prospectus- "Complete two computer-based elements. Maths and Physics will be assessed (KS3 I believe. Cabair have a link on the website to bbc bitesize KS3 questions. I couldn't get the practice papers to load). Finally Pilapt tests. Sounds like fun. I hope i'm fortunate enough to undertake these tests.

I would imagine there would be a large number of applicants (approx 1000-2000 at a guess) and 3-4 required, so it's going to be pretty tough, however don't hold me to this i'm just guessing.

Best of luck :ok:
Lee

I applied last year and got through to stage 3. Flybe had 4 places, not sure how many this year.

Stage 1 is the application, stage 2 is the tests. The maths and physics tests are fairly simple, mainly GCSE level sometimes slightly higher but fairly simple and are multiple choice. You cant train really for the pilapt tests, the whole point is you can either do them or not. They consist of lots of little tasks, aimed to see how you pick things up, learn from mistakes etc. There isnt a true pass or fail on this, as it will just depend on how well everyone else does and if your in the top group.

Stage 3 will be the final 16 people and is a group exercise, debate, followed by a single interview.

stage 4 is the final 8 people and is with flybe. As far as i know this is just an interview with them and thats it.

Ok thks for the answer!

KS3 and GCSE i don't really know what does it means because, I'm french (which will add more some more diffuclty i think!!!). It was no possible to load also the KS3 bbc link for me also..Will try to look on the internet to have more information, but if u've got some links could be good also!

AJWTCX on the pilapt that was my point also, because i sure it depends of the result of the others applicants, and I had tried last year Air France cadet scheme, all the candidates (or a lot) were trained to their kind of test, and so it change a lot the result... thk for your answer and the explaination of all the phase.

Sounds though, good luck leigh_logan. I think we would know this week.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/

Whatever people say; it can definitely help to prepare for the tests in advance. In particular getting your mental arithmetic up to speed by practise (eg when you go shopping add up your bill as you go - in your head, also learn/revise your times-tables, get used to noticing which numbers are multiples of 60 for speed/distance/time calcs etc) as this'll save you time & improve your scores in the tests.

Likewise if you have done some flying it can help you in the hand-eye co-ordination tests, the spatial awareness tests and the ones where you have to read instruments. With no practice a perfect candidate will undoubtedly still do well, however I was not perfect and the work I put in beforehand helped me no end...

Best of luck :ok:. BM

PS - Leigh, I could be very wrong as things have changed markedly in the last 2 years but the schemes I went for in 2007 had nearer 200-300 applicants, though you are 100% correct that either way it is highly competitive:ugh:

Hey guys. I have managed to reach stage 2, and was wondering if anyone who has previously been through the selection process could recommend a cheap hotel nearby?

Thanks :ok:

FC86

PHASE 2
 

Hi All,

Well I had some good news earlier this week i'm through to phase 2 :ok:, I'm scheduled for monday 14th December at 0800 (that's an early start...lol). How did you get on Flythe777?

What is the duration of the maths and physics test?

Are the pilapts tests similar to the ones in this link Pilot computer test software: pilot aptitude test, job application, pilot recruitment, pilapt. (BOTTOM OF THE PAGE).

So if we're fortunate enough to get through to phase 3, the group exercise is based on what- do we have to build something or is it a discussion?

FC86, Cabair attach a document with a list of accommodation with in the local area, I just choosen a random one and booked via phone.

Good luck with phase 2 guys:ok:.

Best
Leigh

PS. I would imagine flight simulator would help with the pilapts.

Phase 2 14th December
 

Hello,

First post on PPRune so I guess I should introduce myself first:

Romain, 26, Civil engineer in France. I'm through to Phase 2 on the 14th december. We'll meet in Cranfield Leigh :ok:

Hope Flythe777 (another frenchy ;) ) made it

Hello,


I'm also selected for the phase 2, so will meet like everyone i think the 14th December.

RomainB sounds good that I'm not the only one french there!

Congratulation for the others (leigh_logan, futurecaptain...)for the fisrt step passed!!

Hi all,

Congrats on getting through to phase 2.

I am at Cabair now but not Sponsored.

As for hotels in the area i stayed at the Travelodge @ Bedford Marston Moretaine. If your driving its only a 5 minute drive away and it cost me 19 pounds for the night!

Good Luck

I found the accommodation email from Cabair just after I posted! I think I will use the travelodge. Im scheduled for 1.30pm, on the 14th. Anyone else on that sitting?

Leigh_logan. Apparently, think I read it on here somewhere, the standard Cabair pilapt tests are very similar to the ones in the cockpitweb package. I have just downloaded it to use and practice (though I need to get it working first!).

They dont specify what is involved in the group exercise, though it says in the prospectus that they will be evaluating communication, team working and leadership skills. It could be anything. CTC, for example, get you to build something, whereas Oxford have a debate I believe.

Andy, (other people may be wondering this), in your opinion, what did you feel the level of Maths and Physics was when you took your selection tests? They say GCSE level, but on the study guide I recieved they include things like "angular velocity". I dont remember this being GCSE material, more like A2!

Congratulations to everyone who reached phase 2.

FC86

Hello,


FutureCaptain, i just wonder if u bought the softwares on cockpit test. I was a bit hesitating because of the price, and if it the case which one did yoo buy? The one at 99.99lbs?

Is there no one way to have them for free?

Im also interest for the answer for the GCSE level!


Thanks, regards.

Definitely wear a suit... you will be watched and things will be noted throughout the day.. not just during the tests! Cabair have been through this process many times before and they know what they are looking for in potential candidates. Looking smart and interacting well with everyone around you will be of more importance than you think.. good luck.

Flythe777, yes I bought the cockpitweb software. Though I got the numerapt (for practice with maths!) one with it too, for £119.99.

It is a good investment, as it will make you more aware of what to expect on the day. People can improve their scores with practice. Whilst high scores are obviously desirable, one thing they look for is an improvement in your score with each attempt you take. This will be a good indicator of your potential to learn to fly.

FC86

Hello,


got a small question for UK people:


Wanna know that when your doing some physics for example, like acceleration formula or speed... are u using the SI systems: meter (m), kilograms (kg) or the imperial units: lbs, ft....


Thanks, have a nice evening!!

When I did assessments (not Cabair) only the SI system seemed to be examined. However, in the ATPL theory exams metres, lbs, inches, kg etc will all be used freely so it is worth being conversant with both SI and imperial units and being able to convert between them. Even better if they do appear in assessments.

SI are what're taught in UK schools for all those such formulae so I'd be very surprised if they ever expected much more than passing familiarity with imperial in tests (my asst tests were also SI).

They might however use such units in questions where it doesn't actually matter, just to see if you're thrown by it. Ie both qn and answer are in the same units & hence no conversions required. Could always ask Cabair themselves.

Good luck. BM

Hi guys,

Am I right to believe that the maths and physics tests are multiple choice? Does anyone know the number of questions/ time scale of the tests?

See you on Monday.
Leigh :ok:

Hey guys, how did everyone from the morning session find the tests?

It was great meeting you guys from the afternoon session by the way.

FC86

Any feedback so far on the test contents or heads up on areas ot brush up on? I'm down at Cabair on Thurs morning, I'll look forward to meeting everyone.

PHASE 3
 

Hi Chaps,

I've got some fantastic news to share..... I've passed phase 2 and scheduled for phase 3 on the 13Jan2010 :ok:, I've got a lot of prepping to do for this one!

How did everyone get on? Flythe777 how did it go?

Merry Christmas everyone
Best
Lee

Hey,


Unfortunatly it did'nt go well for me.. I'm not going through Phase 3..They didn't give me my results.

Nice Leigh_logan and congratulation, do your best for the next phase!

I'm going to see for another selection.. (if I find one!)

Merry christmas

Keep in touch when u got the result for the final phase.

I am sorry to hear you didnt pass, flythe777. Keep trying, dont give up! You can get the marks for your test back after the whole selection process is over (29th January), that was what Keren told us.

Do you have a PPL? If you are looking at sponsorships, Atlantic Airlines do one. Although you have to have a PPL in order to apply. They are a cargo airline based in Coventry here in England.

And, well done leigh_logan! I passed too, mine is on the 15th! What do you think of the essay title?

And anyone who went through the interviews last year, it would be great to hear about your experiences.

Best of luck to everyone. Merry christmas!

FC86

I can't believe anyone fails!!!! It's only the size of your bank balance that counts........2 arm 2 legs and 2 eyes you are in!!

Be careful guys.........not sure Cabair is not trading insolvent at the moment and just wants your money for cashflow purposes.....check out the Company accounts before paying any money out........all the flight schools are currently up for sale and NO takers!!

Also check out the job situation........10,000 hour Captains are unemployed.....Reality Check required!!

Caveat Emptor

Shipshape - could you offer any more detail? Specifically on the aspects of the business that are 'up for sale'?

ShipShape 79 Charlie
 

You my friend have serious issues. Do you actually know what this thread is about? It is about a SPONSORSHIP with a major UK airline. So, your bank balance is of little help as they will have a rather large pool of applicants to choose from and will choose the best candidates....regardless of financial status.

Do you not think flybe (a highly successful and well run business - possibly in the best shape of any UK airline at the moment) would have perhaps satisfied themselves of Cabair's ability to deliver the course? Don't forget flybe invest a large amount of cash in each successful applicant so if they had any doubts they'd send their people to one of the other schools. Simple.

Yes, but this is a sponsorship leading to an eventual full time job as a first officer in the UK. No paying for type rating or any other weird and wonderful scam. The number of 10,000 hour captains unemployed is rather irrelevant in the context of this scheme.

It is a fantastic opportunity and I wish those applying all the best. It's no secret I fly the Q400 for flybe so I can assure you the reward at the end is definitely worth the hard work now.

Don't be so bitter and negative :ok:

£50k for a course that costs £45k elsewhere, could possibly be waiting up to 2 years for a job. Whos going to pay your wages while you train to fly or are you going to have to borrow your living money as well?

Am I correct in saying that Flybe were also sending their new pilots to cabin crew duties for a while?

All that for £25k a year... no thanks! :ugh:

Not quite. They offered graduates from the mentored scheme a job as cabin crew whilst they waited for a pilot position to become available. The guys in question worked as cabin crew for about 3-4 months and have since started their type rating training. A much better option than being unemployed and at least shows some loyalty from the airline to the person.

This scheme is slightly different as the company are investing money in the training themselves and hence will not be planning to spend their cash on someone they will not employ.

As far as job prospects go - the market is pretty dire at the moment as we all know. There are very limited jobs and prospects available. For those that aspire to become pilots I would say there is not a better scheme out there at this time. CTC is now nothing more than a route to slavery with easyjet and their 'pay to fly' cadets. This sponsorship is as guaranteed as a job is at the moment. Yes the basic pay is about £25K (probably just over £30K by the time you add on flight/disruption pay) however it is with an airline that will not make you pay for your type rating, that pays for your HOTAC, that will provide you with LOL cover, private medical insurance etc etc. The basic also rises pretty quickly and I would expect it to have been improved by the time these guys start with the company.

Right, well thanks for your input and how unfortunate I will clearly never have the pleasure of flying with you.

Some Quotes from Page 3 Cabair Flybe Prospectus 2010

I have no axes to burn, I drive a 737 and get paid quite well for it.

I just thought that the above quotes are quite interesting, especially the fact that after training Flybe do not have to give you a job, BUT if you do take another job with a airline you are obligated to go to Flybe if they ask.

Tread with caution

Officeboy, why would T's and C's improve, Flybe have you signed up for several years, if you leave you must pay them your bond back.
Be very very careful assuming salary's will increase.:ok:

ford cortina
 

Hi.

I am speaking in general terms re: pay. I would expect that by the time these guys would start there would have been a pay review for the better. Of course, that is not certain as nothing in this industry but is what I would expect as someone within the company. This year we had a pay freeze and it is yet to be decided what the case is for 2010. We shall see in due course. Yes they have you bonded/signed up for 5 years however a cadet from this scheme would be on the same Ts and Cs as the rest of the pilot body. To suggest they have you signed up so don't have to improve anything ignores the other 800 or so pilots.

The caveats in the prospectus are understandable. If you leave within the stated period why shouldn't you have to pay a bond back? I'd choose a bonding over paying for a type rating any day, particularly the way things are at the moment.

There is always a risk in pilot training. All I am trying to say is that as far as the industry is at the moment, for a newbie considering training, this is the least risk scheme with by far the best chance of a job at the end of it. Let me make it clear that I am not promoting people running off and doing a training course at the moment as a general rule, however I feel this is as good an opportunity as there is around at this moment in time. As long as the cadet completes the course satisfactorily, they will in all likelihood end up working for a good, stable, respectable company and fly decent equipment with a UK base.

If anyone can suggest a better route into the RHS of an airliner at the moment I'll be pleased to hear it so I can tell my friends who have been pretty down about their prospects of ever getting there over the last year or so.

Officeboy, That is good you support your company, I too support mine.
I was not having a dig at Flybe, or for that matter any other airline, recruitment scheme etc. I was offering some unbiased views on what might happen. They might give everyone a pay rise, then again they might not.

My experience of the outside world, being 40 helps, shows that companies, tend not to think very far ahead and would love to cut their salary bill down as much as they can.

This is a quick fix in pilot training, it gives a select few a chance and that is about it, it is not that long ago that Flybe and Oxford were going to do a MPL, what happened to that?

There is no such thing as a best route in to the RHS of an airliner and many pilots struggle for years before getting a job flying a Airliner. To all concerned good luck, the market is unstable, the UK is still in recession, airlines are going under. I really don't think it is a good time to gamble lots of money on a chance.

Just to add that I am a regular passenger with Flybe to and from CDG, I have no problem with the crew or the aircraft. I am just trying to add some common sense to a crazy world.
merry Christmas everone.:ok:

You may be right, it may be the best integrated route at the moment but I still wouldn't recommend it.

£25k (which rises fairly quickly) is a great wage if you don't have any debts. If thats to cover your training fees as well then it's not a lot each month.

It's in no way a sponsorship scheme, more like a cashback scheme.

MP1 OAA & Flybe MPL Course is what happened to that. sounds like a good course to be on.

Indeed. Merry Christmas to all.

I'm certainly not supporting this scheme through bias and have plenty of experience of the outside world myself to know how things work (having worked in management for several years before flying). However, I stand by my opinion that as things go this scheme is as good as it is probably going to get for a wannabe. Recruitment is going to be pretty dire across the industry for a sizeable amount of time. There is a large pool of experienced pilots out there looking for work. I would not want to be a newbie out there now. Look at what options they have...

Easy? Have you seen their latest 'opportunity'?? Pay £34,000 for 'training' and get dumped out after 150 hours so some other sap can pay for the privilege of flying passengers around for them. There really is NO JOB at then end of that - I'd say that was a bad deal.

Ryanair? Hmm pay a fortune for a type rating and all that comes with it and then work as a contractor. Flying dries up as soon as they start having to pay you. Not a great deal.

BA, bmi, Thomson, Thomas Cook, Monarch etc etc? NOTHING doing here for a while I think you'll agree.

Yes it's £25K (in reality more like £30K per annum with flight pay etc) and it's not going to buy you a Mercedes any time soon but it's a PAID job with a decent company where you're not paying more at every turn for type ratings, own accommodation, medicals and so on.

There is NOTHING else out there at the moment for those that aspire to get into the RHS of an airliner. The only other option is to just advise people to forget about flying and go do something else.

In reality, people will make their own decisions and hopefully in a few years I'll be flying with people who have applied to this scheme and they will think they made the right one for them.

The MPL was not with Oxford it was with FTE Jerez and started on 26th June:

FTE Jerez: News Detail

Yes, I know it is a chance for the select few. I must clarify the general outlook for wannabes is dire.

Very true, 6 is not many and good luck to them. My information came from this:
Oxford Aviation Training

they have never failed to give a sponsored student a job. FACT,
...
The past is no indication of the future. I am sure the Flybe scheme is very good.
Just trying to help people make an informed decision.

Wise words from FC, especially given the changes going on at flybe.


This is not a sponsorship, and if you need to borrow the money, you can't afford it.

As an aside, how much do flybe get from cabair for this scheme?

What changes would those be? Please enlighten us oh wise one.

The rest of your post isn't even worth bothering about.

Hi,

I'd like some infomation about phase 3, if anyone can help?

FC86..... The essay question isn't too bad, could have been worse, Well done for passing stage 2, and good luck for the 3rd phase mate.:ok:

I have a friend who has completed such a scheme with flybe (last year), he is now a FO on the Dash 8, he tells me the airline is functioning well, they are extending routes next year, are taking on experienced pilots, new aircraft are on order etc.... Flybe don't seem to be doing too bad to me!

Hope you all had a nice Christmas.
Best
L