Speedbird Pilot Academy - Funded

[EGNVBE20]

Originally Posted by LatitudeWest

Hi, I will also be starting at Skyborne on September 1st. It'd be great to be added to the Whatsapp group if possible. Would you be able to PM me (presumably if you send me a message it'll let me reply despite the 3 post limit)? Thanks

hi, if you dm on instagram @scottclaarke I will add you to the September WhatsApp group!

[EchoBravo07]

Bit late to the party but if anyone is in an FTE group and could add me that would be much appreciated. Its a new account so can't PM sadly. Thanks in advance

[GBarrow06]

Life after the speedbird pilot program?

Originally Posted by Breezy12

I was wondering the exact same thing as you.

Also, the starting salary is £34k... what is the progression after this? - Is the cost of the flight training paid back through a salary sacrifice scheme?

I understand there is an allowance during training, and many expenses (food/accommodation) are paid for. After 18 months, I have seen that you start on a salary of c£34,000. However, what would your job title be at this point? I've seen that for a first-year officer, the number is a lot closer to 60,000. Does anyone know the progression after 18 months in their speed bird pilot academy?

Thanks!

[RHT23]

I think we were told the starting salary is either £42k or £52k including flying and duty hours (I can't remember the exact number).

After the 18months of flight school you go straight in as a salaried First Officer then undertake type rating and base training for around 6 months.

[Jake98]

Originally Posted by RHT23

I think we were told the starting salary is either £42k or £52k including flying and duty hours (I can't remember the exact number).

After the 18months of flight school you go straight in as a salaried First Officer then undertake type rating and base training for around 6 months.

Type and Base training is 6 months?!

[Speed_Trim_Fail]

Originally Posted by Jake98

Type and Base training is 6 months?!

It’s not just type and base training - you will have to do fire and smoke, wet drills, usual OCC and admin stuff as well as a host of other courses for a new joiner. Getting ducks in a row for this takes time if you’re going to complete base training at a judicious moment to then start your line training.

[Chris the Robot]

Originally Posted by RHT23

I think we were told the starting salary is either £42k or £52k including flying and duty hours (I can't remember the exact number).

After the 18months of flight school you go straight in as a salaried First Officer then undertake type rating and base training for around 6 months.

Does the contract differ depending on where the cadet is placed (Euroflyer, Mainline, Cityflyer) or is the cadet on a universal cadet contract for the first few years regardless of where within BA they are placed? Does the pay increase much each year? Looking at the timescales, they could in theory have someone get a command whilst still on the reduced salary.

[RHT23]

Unfortunately missed out at the final stage so I've not seen the contract but we were told they weren't placing anyone in City flyer now (this could of course change as things seem to fairly regulary). The pay rises are annual and I think pretty standard across the board with direct entry and speedbird.

[Jullietalpha]

Hi, is there a GC on whatsapp or somewhere else to chat about the next intake etc ?

[RHT23]

I've heard there are a few webinars lined up for January to talk about the SPA process this coming year but can't find any info about them on the careers portal. Does anybody know how/where to book onto them?

[Capt_Dee]

Remarkable achievement this congratulations! Not an easy feat

Originally Posted by woody11

This is my first message on the forum, however i’ve been reading it since the beginning of the first speedbird application. Last year i applied and made it to the in person skybourne interviews at the age of 17, however sadly i didn’t make it any further. I was completing my a levels through this time and i knew that a pilot is want i wanted to become, so i didn’t let this stop me and it made me even more determined. So i reapplied this year with skybourne again and have made it onto the program this time around ( i’m 18 now, so it really shows that age is no barrier ). I have been given a start date of July. I was just wondering for the other candidates who have been accepted is there anything anyone is doing before we start in preparation or are you waiting to find out more from the webinar? And finally for anyone who is reading the forum looking for advice for applying next year then my biggest piece of advice would be to make sure you do your research and understand what a pilots role is and that your interview examples are relevant to the role of a pilot.

Hey there! Firstly I’m really happy for you. I first learnt about the program earlier this year and I have been trying to best prepare for the next intake as i felt short this year. I’m 20 turning 21 next year currently in my A level and it would be great to learnt how u pulled through the selection process. Please PM me as I’ve still not made upto 3 post yet

[Capt_Dee]

Originally Posted by Jullietalpha

Hi, is there a GC on whatsapp or somewhere else to chat about the next intake etc ?

I’m not sure but I think we should create one if there isn’t

[Capt_Dee]

Originally Posted by Flapjack321

Good news for me! I want to thank everyone here for keeping me sane the last 5 months, and for any advice. Best of luck to everyone, and massive and genuine commiserations to anyone who didn't make it this time.

Congrats!

[EIDW28R]

It’s back! 🙌🏻The Speedbird Pilot Academy will be reopening in February 2025. 🛫

With initial training now costing tens of thousands of pounds, the price of becoming a pilot has made the profession unreachable for many. This cost will now be funded by British Airways for up to 200 future pilots to fulfil their training at either Skyborne or FTEJerez; making it a genuine career path for all aspiring pilots.

We will be running a series of webinars in January to help you prepare for the selection process. In the meantime you can find more details here:

https://careers.ba.com/Speedbird-Pil...my-Preparation

[RHT23]

Spotted this on LinkedIn earlier. Second time lucky hopefully 🤞🤞

[Capt_Dee]

Originally Posted by RHT23

Spotted this on LinkedIn earlier. Second time lucky hopefully 🤞🤞

Same here! Thanks for the information

[verygoodmorning]

Hi! Applications open Feb 2025, but would anyone be able to hazard a guess as to when training would start? I'm not sure if I should be applying this or next year as someone completing A level exams June 2026. Thanks!

[Jullietalpha]

I would Imagine the earliest training wouldn't start until early 2026.
If you will be 18 by that time I'd suggest giving it a shot, even if you don't get through you will get experience of the process and what to work on if unsuccessful.
I also think that they will be "accommodating" as people may be coming from other jobs or schools. They will probably ask you for a notice period.

[verygoodmorning]

Originally Posted by Jullietalpha

I would Imagine the earliest training wouldn't start until early 2026.
If you will be 18 by that time I'd suggest giving it a shot, even if you don't get through you will get experience of the process and what to work on if unsuccessful.
I also think that they will be "accommodating" as people may be coming from other jobs or schools. They will probably ask you for a notice period.

Thank you! Let's hope

[Capt_Dee]

Hello everyone if you’re interested in applying to the speedbird program 2025 please private message me to be added to a preparatory whatsapp group