The majority of people who got in last year had a degree and a mate of mine very nearly got in and he was doing the Aeronautical Engineering degree at BEng level. I don't think it matters if you are over qualified or not, as long as you can prove the skills they are looking for, be it from extra-curricular activities or team sports etc, then you shouldn't be at a disadvantage. Good luck.

flying free.LEVC

You would need to check the BA future pilot website which details how to get a letter of comparability to prove equivalent qualifications.
British Airways Future Pilot Programme

FrankMatt

Don't worry about it, just apply. If you're willing to dump your phd for the course then it shows how much you want it. You're not over qualified - your performance on the day and what you write for the essays on the application form will have more bearing on whether you progress or not.

Jonuff - there are risks involved with any scheme and if some crisis hits the aviation industry that could happen but the risk is far smaller than for those paying 85k up front with no sponsor. Historically BA are quite good at looking after their cadets in the long term.

As someone said, BA select the best people regardless of age, race, sex, background, family connections etc. It's a very level playing field. If you're one of the best, you get the sponsorship. Simple.

I think each school sets it's own timetable, but I believe final interviews will be around March. I guess School assessments in Dec - Feb.

Well when I spoke to The BA Training Regulation Manager at CTC he said that the selection process is unlikely to start until after the new year. I believe the final interviews are meant to take place in March 2013, with final selection taking place in April 2013.

Anyone knows untill what year BA will keep their FPP open? I have doubts about it being either 2013, 2014, or 2015.

Frankmatt

just following on from what propellerhead said. BA won't give two figs about your qualifications or phd course. it's about whether you would fit into their company ethos, team work skills, commercial awareness etc. so no they don't go on qualifications or being over-qualified, it's impossible in this business.

and your other question about degrees and post-grad degrees, no is the short answer. a few friends of mine fly for ryanair, none have degrees, one doesn't even have any a-levels, it matters not. all about skills, coolness under pressure...list goes on.

Which percentage of all the applicants will hold the combination of degree + ppl??

Probably quite a few but everyone should stop getting hung up over the qualifications and just give it their best shot (so long as you meet the minimum). People with a PPL + degree tend to do well as they've got the experience, proven track record of learning ability, plus aptitude and enthusiasm for flying. This helps them during the assessments and looks good. However, plenty of people without either have also succeeded.

As good as the opportunity looks to jump on, does anyone know the extent of the aptitude tests that will be taken during the application process?

As in, are these advanced physics, advanced mathematics and 'state pi to 10 decimal places' questions or more along the lines of 45x63, and/or aptitude tests similar to OASC Cranwell?

It may seem like an obvious answer maybe, and although a high caliber of applicant is expected, I was wondering the level of filtering they may use on applicants.

Obviously, you cannot fully prepare for any aptitude tests, but an intense few weeks of maths revision will not hurt your chances. A big decision to make, especially when each aptitude test is £200+ a pop.

The maths and physics is very basic, nothing more than GCSE standard. It's worth learning how to do the maths very quickly, as this section is very limited in time, that's where the revision is handy.

andyrik

What 17PA said is absolutely correct, just spend time preparing for the maths and physics as it is all very basic.

FrankMatt

I applied for the cadet scheme many moons ago, whilst two years through a PhD. I put my date of earliest joining as one year away, and they gave me a one year deferred entry place on the scheme. Six months later, I realised I was not going to be complete in that time, but was going to need a further six months on top of the year. The company granted that extension on the proviso I'd be happy to come to interview again to check my commitment... I decided not to take the gamble, quit the PhD and began flight training. I literally left college in the morning and arrived at the flight school an hour or so later, having quit my PhD after nearly two and three quarter years, rapidly written up a thesis, and obtained an MPhil for my efforts. I've never looked back.

Good luck!

Advice for application
 

I got through the paper sift last time. I don't know what I wrote that ticked the boxes, but I was thorough in checking that I had answered the questions asked as fully as I could within the word allowance. I also checked and double-checked my grammar and spelling. Note I was mid-late thirties with A levels, plus around 300hours fixed wing time. This includes some very challenging flying requiring precise handling skills, not just PA28 cruising.

For the Compass tests I brushed up on Maths and Physics. I found some sections of the test to be relatively easy, however the one that got me was the hand-eye coordination test. This looks like an aeroplane type scenario, but it isn't. It has one gotcha in that the sense is reversed in one part compared to a conventional display, although this didn't bother me because I fly non-conventional as a matter of course. The main issue for me was that the input / response was also nothing like a real aeroplane, for example when dealing with upsets from a required path, the idea is to put in a small input and return to normal to allow convergence onto required path. This is usually achieved as a sequence of continuous smooth control changes, but the computer test didn't behave as per the model. Here is where I think fewer hours flying experience will be better for you, since you won't have such ingrained, preconceived ideas as to how to handle controls.

So, I failed on part 1 of the school assessment. I did go back at the invite of the school to be assessed for regular entry to their integrated course, and did really well on the rest of the assessment - high scores in the sim (not used for FPP), team exercises and group discussion. Amazingly no major flaws in the psychometric assessment either. The interview was with two BA FOs, who were incredibly professional, polite, funny, and well spoken. If they are an indication of your future colleagues, you are in for good times. I scored top marks for the interview too, and was offered a place on the in-house integrated course.

Unfortunately, finances let me down, so I have gone my own way. I now have a reasonably likely conditional job offer for commercial flying (funnily enough, through a personal recommendation from a former BA Captain). It's low pay, but great experience. I will probably never get to work for BA, which is a shame, but actually I think the loss is mutual and not worth getting upset about on either part.

So, in summary - age doesn't need to matter
- qualifications do need to meet the minimum, but minimum is ok
- lots of flying hours do not give you an advantage on the test
- some flying hours may stand you in good stead on the interview, since you can speak authoritatively about why you like flying
- get your class 1 medical; it's a waste of money to go for assessment including fees and accommodation if you aren't sure you can get the medical

And finally - if you get through, great! It's an incredible opportunity and seize it with both hands
- if you don't get through, can't get it out of your head, and have enough means to try it, think really really hard. If you absolutely must do it, and can do it without incurring huge debt, it might be worth it. But only might, only you can make the decision as to whether it's worth it.

Would applying through CTC or FTE give better odds than OAA anyone? OAA meaning no need to relocate major distances etc. I applied last time and got through to the 2nd day at OAA. Does anyone know if the tests at each selection center are the same i.e. same computer tests, interviewers looking same qualities or is it selection center style dependent?

Why? Do you not think you are good enough to beat lots of competition?

It makes no difference. They will pick the best 72, regardless of the schools chosen

V2 - I was told at the CTC open day with BA last weekend that all three schools will have an equal number of FPP candidates during this intake. As opposed to last year when it was simply the top x number of candidates with distribution between the 3 FTOs being irrelevant. Therefore one might think applying to FTE would give you a slightly higher chance seeing as it's the least popular of the 3.

Fair enough, I stand corrected!

I guess now you have just got to hope that everyone else doesnt have the same idea, and infact the majority actually end up applying to say FTE and not OAA. Although is there anything stopping them still taking the best 72, and then asking people to transfer to even up the spread? I just wouldnt have thoguht they would take the "less able" candidates just because they need to fill up a certain school.

So do you pick what you believe is the best school, the one you'd most enjoy, or the one you think gives you the best chance (statisticly) of being accepted. Interesting dilema...

Re- applicants
 

My son, who now lives abroad, enquired about re-applying this year and received the following email from BA. Has anyone else heard this? Last year he got to the final interview stage. It seems ludicrous that he would be excluded from re-applying. -

Thank you for your email.

Regrettably we do not accept duplicate applications from previously
unsuccessful candidates for the same role within a 12 month period. Our
experience shows that there is not usually a significant change in the
results of re-applicants within that period of time.

However, we would be interested to receive your application if this role
becomes available again after a year, and you feel you have the appropriate
skills and experience.

Thank you for your continued interest in British Airways.


Yours sincerely
British Airways Recruitment

[email protected]
British Airways