Speedbird Pilot Academy - Funded
Joined: Aug 2025
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: London
Hi, same here. I was successful with Skyborne. I just had to make an account so can’t PM yet. But if there’s a WhatsApp group I’d be interested to join, thanks!
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Hampshire
same for me here, successful with Skyborne and still awaiting next steps, would love to know / be apart of a WhatsApp group with everyone!
Thanks all
Joined: Aug 2025
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: England
Joined: Aug 2025
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: London
Hello everyone,
Congratulations to all who were successful! I’ll be joining with Skyborne as well, and I also think it would be great to set up a WhatsApp group so we can share this exciting opportunity.
Since new accounts can’t send PMs, the easiest way might be via email. I’m not sure if a group already exists yet, but I’m happy to start one if not.
If you’d like to join, just drop me a quick message at: [email protected]
Looking forward to connecting!
Congratulations to all who were successful! I’ll be joining with Skyborne as well, and I also think it would be great to set up a WhatsApp group so we can share this exciting opportunity.
Since new accounts can’t send PMs, the easiest way might be via email. I’m not sure if a group already exists yet, but I’m happy to start one if not.
If you’d like to join, just drop me a quick message at: [email protected]
Looking forward to connecting!
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Hampshire
Hello everyone,
Congratulations to all who were successful! I’ll be joining with Skyborne as well, and I also think it would be great to set up a WhatsApp group so we can share this exciting opportunity.
Since new accounts can’t send PMs, the easiest way might be via email. I’m not sure if a group already exists yet, but I’m happy to start one if not.
If you’d like to join, just drop me a quick message at: [email protected]
Looking forward to connecting!
Congratulations to all who were successful! I’ll be joining with Skyborne as well, and I also think it would be great to set up a WhatsApp group so we can share this exciting opportunity.
Since new accounts can’t send PMs, the easiest way might be via email. I’m not sure if a group already exists yet, but I’m happy to start one if not.
If you’d like to join, just drop me a quick message at: [email protected]
Looking forward to connecting!
if you guys email the address in the above post, we can get you added ASAP
Joined: Aug 2025
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: London
Hello everyone,
Congratulations to all who were successful! I’ll be joining with Skyborne as well, and I also think it would be great to set up a WhatsApp group so we can share this exciting opportunity.
Since new accounts can’t send PMs, the easiest way might be via email. I’m not sure if a group already exists yet, but I’m happy to start one if not.
If you’d like to join, just drop me a quick message at: [email protected]
Looking forward to connecting!
Congratulations to all who were successful! I’ll be joining with Skyborne as well, and I also think it would be great to set up a WhatsApp group so we can share this exciting opportunity.
Since new accounts can’t send PMs, the easiest way might be via email. I’m not sure if a group already exists yet, but I’m happy to start one if not.
If you’d like to join, just drop me a quick message at: [email protected]
Looking forward to connecting!
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: uk
Congratulations to all who got through.
Hi, while wishing you all the best in upcoming months, can I just quickly ask for some help from one of you for the application process and some information regarding the pay!! I’ll email the above address, and if one of you could lend me hand with the info that would be much appreciated.
Joined: Sep 2025
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: sussex
Hello all, new to this forum and looking for any advice for the Speedbird academy. I am hoping it opens up again in a few months. A big question I have is around what they are looking for specifically, whether being mixed race or a minority helps, or that is simple not on their minds?
Kind regards, Brendan.
Kind regards, Brendan.
Joined: Aug 2022
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 240
Likes: 152
From: Edinburgh
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 291
Likes: 26
From: Hundred Acre Wood
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: uk
Zoom webinars
Anyone registered for the upcoming zoom webinar with BA staff? It’s on 1st October @5:30PM. Also someone whose gone through the process please outline the steps you have gone through till getting to the pilot training???
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: England
STAGE 1 – BRITISH AIRWAYS APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Online Application:
- Upload your CV
- Provide your answer the motivation question (for 2025 it was why BA, why SPA, why a pilot)
- Complete approximately 10 short questions based on the realities of the role and how you would feel about those situations.
2. Online Situational Judgement Test
- Scenario-based questions assessing how you would act as a BA pilot or SPA cadet.
3. Online Maths Test
- Fast-paced, calculator-allowed multiple-choice arithmetic test.
- Time pressure is a key factor. Make sure you prepare effectively and know how to quickly and accurately use a calculator.
4. Online Checking Test
- You are given data sets and asked to identify correct information, spot errors, or extract relevant details.
- Again, time pressure is significant. Preparation helps massively.
If you pass all of the above, you are progressed to the next step.
5. Audio Interview
- A role-play style exercise, such as delivering a PA or briefing a colleague.
- You are assessed as if you were a BA pilot in that scenario.
If successful and shortlisted by the flight school, you progress further.
STAGE 2 – FLIGHT SCHOOL ASSESSMENT (FTE / SKYBORNE + SOME BA INVOLVEMENT)
6. Online Assessment (FTE / Skyborne)
- A suite of aptitude-style tests delivered via an online portal.
- Includes elements similar to AON, CUT-E, DLR, reasoning, and cognitive assessments.
High performers move on to the next stage.
7. In-Person Assessment at Waterside (Half Day)
Includes:
- Presentation on flight training, program, and being a BA pilot
- Handling test
- Eagle capacity test
- Group exercise
- Document checks (passport, GCSEs or equivalent)
- Physical checks such as cockpit fit/height.
Although not explicitly stated, this is an assessment for a fully funded cadetship and airline role, so expect professionalism and how you conduct yourself throughout the day absolutely matter. This means suit/formal attire, arrive early, be kind and polite, smile, talk to fellow applicants and staff, so on.
Strong performance across all elements leads to progression.
8. Online 1:1 Interview (FTE / Skyborne)
- A structured interview with a member of the flight school admissions team.
- Duration is usually 45–60 minutes.
- Friendly and supportive environment, but still scored formally.
Highest-scoring candidates are invited to final stage.
STAGE 3 – FINAL ASSESSMENT (BRITISH AIRWAYS)
9. Full-Day Assessment at Waterside
- Tour of the BA Heritage Centre
- Additional programme information
- Repeat handling test
- Speedy interview
- Lunch and informal networking
- Idividual exercise
- Reflection interview
This is a full day at BA's HQ and is entirely BA-led.
After that, it’s the long wait for a decision. If successful, you’re offered a place as a Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet.
General advice for success
Nail your CV and motivation answer.
- These are critical to reach stage 2: flight school stage.
- Guy Bowen mentioned during one of the 2025 webinars that reaching Stage 2 significantly increases your chances of being successful.
- In your CV, waste no space and highlight clear evidence of pilot competencies and show your genuine passion for commercial aviation.
- Keep your CV in a traditional CV format and easy to read, opens correctly on different devices/file types, one page in my opinion, and you must at minimum have one of each pilot competency evidenced.
Don’t underestimate the audio interview.
- I read last year that some have understood the audio assessment to be simply “how well can I give a PA” or speak to an audiencr. While true, in reality it’s still a form of interview that will have marked criteria.
- Remember that every stage - including this one - is assessing younon how well you demonstrate all of BA qualities and pilot competencies - in this case, you have to convey it within a very short timeframe and in situ.
- While not always possible, you want to show at every assessment stage/test that you have every quality, behaviour and value of BA - and the pilot competencies in abundance. This maxes out your chances of being successful at each stage.
Prepare thoroughly and in stages.
- Give yourself as much time to prepare as possible and prep smartly.
- Focus soley on maths, checking, situational judgement, CV, and motivation initially. Don’t try to master everything at once.
- Take each stage as it comes.
- Don't leave it to chance, prepare as much as you can, others will also be preparing extensively.
Enjoy the process where you can.
- It’s stressful, but it’s also something many of us have dreamed about for years. There are genuine “pinch me” moments along the way, great people to meet, and experiences worth appreciating regardless of outcome.
- Some of the tests are a lot of fun, if they weren't in such pivotal circumstances, try to enjoy them if possible. My favourite was the Eagle test, but I might be alone in this one.
Reflect at every opportunity
- Don’t wait until a rejection or offer to analyse your performance. Learn continuously.
- Apply to other schemes too. The feedback I received after failing another airline's assessment centre was instrumental in patching gaps and preparing effectively.
- Honestly and thoroughly reflect, even if you were successful or haven't been given formal feedback.
I can share more advice and lessons from my experiences over time if people want, but I won’t give specifics or tip offs such as interview questions, assessment techniques, etc. That’s to keep the process fair and respectful to those running it and applying.
Best of luck to all applying, and to the future 2026 SPA cadet who could be reading this right now - yep, that could be you in roughly 8 months time!
Last edited by FutureFlyer360; 27th December 2025 at 08:23.
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Where did you learn about this webinar? I've been subscribed to BA's career notifications for a while but don't recall ever seeing anything about this?
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: United Kingdom
Does anyone know if there's a Discord Server or anything similar for SPA? I've got the impression the forum is more for formal conversations/questions, also a Discord server seems like it would be useful for announcements, communication, and updates regarding the process?
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: uk
Assuming the question is about the full application journey rather than just the steps after selection (such as medicals or onboarding), here’s a breakdown of the process as I experienced it.
STAGE 1 – BRITISH AIRWAYS APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Online Application:
2. Online Situational Judgement Test
3. Online Maths Test
4. Online Checking Test
If you pass all of the above, you are progressed to the next step.
5. Audio Interview
If successful and shortlisted by the flight school, you progress further.
STAGE 2 – FLIGHT SCHOOL ASSESSMENT (FTE / SKYBORNE + SOME BA INVOLVEMENT)
6. Online Assessment (FTE / Skyborne)
High performers move on to the next stage.
7. In-Person Assessment at Waterside (Half Day)
Includes:
Although not explicitly stated, this is an assessment for a fully funded cadetship and airline role, so expect professionalism and how you conduct yourself throughout the day absolutely matter. This means suit/formal attire, arrive early, be kind and polite, smile, talk to fellow applicants and staff, so on.
Strong performance across all elements leads to progression.
8. Online 1:1 Interview (FTE / Skyborne)
Highest-scoring candidates are invited to final stage.
STAGE 3 – FINAL ASSESSMENT (BRITISH AIRWAYS)
9. Full-Day Assessment at Waterside
This is a full day at BA's HQ and is entirely BA-led.
After that, it’s the long wait for a decision. If successful, you’re offered a place as a Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet.
General advice for success
Nail your CV and motivation answer.
Don’t underestimate the audio interview.
Prepare thoroughly and in stages.
Enjoy the process where you can.
Reflect at every opportunity
I can share more advice and lessons from my experiences over time if people want, but I won’t give specifics or tip offs such as interview questions, assessment techniques, etc. That’s to keep the process fair and respectful to those running it and applying.
Best of luck to all applying, and to the future 2026 SPA cadet who could be reading this right now - yep, that could be you in roughly 8 months time!
STAGE 1 – BRITISH AIRWAYS APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Online Application:
- Upload your CV
- Provide your answer the motivation question (for 2025 it was why BA, why SPA, why a pilot)
- Complete approximately 10 short questions based on the realities of the role and how you would feel about those situations.
2. Online Situational Judgement Test
- Scenario-based questions assessing how you would act as a BA pilot or SPA cadet.
3. Online Maths Test
- Fast-paced, calculator-allowed multiple-choice arithmetic test.
- Time pressure is a key factor. Make sure you prepare effectively and know how to quickly and accurately use a calculator.
4. Online Checking Test
- You are given data sets and asked to identify correct information, spot errors, or extract relevant details.
- Again, time pressure is significant. Preparation helps massively.
If you pass all of the above, you are progressed to the next step.
5. Audio Interview
- A role-play style exercise, such as delivering a PA or briefing a colleague.
- You are assessed as if you were a BA pilot in that scenario.
If successful and shortlisted by the flight school, you progress further.
STAGE 2 – FLIGHT SCHOOL ASSESSMENT (FTE / SKYBORNE + SOME BA INVOLVEMENT)
6. Online Assessment (FTE / Skyborne)
- A suite of aptitude-style tests delivered via an online portal.
- Includes elements similar to AON, CUT-E, DLR, reasoning, and cognitive assessments.
High performers move on to the next stage.
7. In-Person Assessment at Waterside (Half Day)
Includes:
- Presentation on flight training, program, and being a BA pilot
- Handling test
- Eagle capacity test
- Group exercise
- Document checks (passport, GCSEs or equivalent)
- Physical checks such as cockpit fit/height.
Although not explicitly stated, this is an assessment for a fully funded cadetship and airline role, so expect professionalism and how you conduct yourself throughout the day absolutely matter. This means suit/formal attire, arrive early, be kind and polite, smile, talk to fellow applicants and staff, so on.
Strong performance across all elements leads to progression.
8. Online 1:1 Interview (FTE / Skyborne)
- A structured interview with a member of the flight school admissions team.
- Duration is usually 45–60 minutes.
- Friendly and supportive environment, but still scored formally.
Highest-scoring candidates are invited to final stage.
STAGE 3 – FINAL ASSESSMENT (BRITISH AIRWAYS)
9. Full-Day Assessment at Waterside
- Tour of the BA Heritage Centre
- Additional programme information
- Repeat handling test
- Speedy interview
- Lunch and informal networking
- Idividual exercise
- Reflection interview
This is a full day at BA's HQ and is entirely BA-led.
After that, it’s the long wait for a decision. If successful, you’re offered a place as a Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet.
General advice for success
Nail your CV and motivation answer.
- These are critical to reach stage 2: flight school stage.
- Guy Bowen mentioned during one of the 2025 webinars that reaching Stage 2 significantly increases your chances of being successful.
- In your CV, waste no space and highlight clear evidence of pilot competencies and show your genuine passion for commercial aviation.
- Keep your CV in a traditional CV format and easy to read, opens correctly on different devices/file types, one page in my opinion, and you must at minimum have one of each pilot competency evidenced.
Don’t underestimate the audio interview.
- I read last year that some have understood the audio assessment to be simply “how well can I give a PA” or speak to an audiencr. While true, in reality it’s still a form of interview that will have marked criteria.
- Remember that every stage - including this one - is assessing younon how well you demonstrate all of BA qualities and pilot competencies - in this case, you have to convey it within a very short timeframe and in situ.
- While not always possible, you want to show at every assessment stage/test that you have every quality, behaviour and value of BA - and the pilot competencies in abundance. This maxes out your chances of being successful at each stage.
Prepare thoroughly and in stages.
- Give yourself as much time to prepare as possible and prep smartly.
- Focus soley on maths, checking, situational judgement, CV, and motivation initially. Don’t try to master everything at once.
- Take each stage as it comes.
- Don't leave it to chance, prepare as much as you can, others will also be preparing extensively.
Enjoy the process where you can.
- It’s stressful, but it’s also something many of us have dreamed about for years. There are genuine “pinch me” moments along the way, great people to meet, and experiences worth appreciating regardless of outcome.
- Some of the tests are a lot of fun, if they weren't in such pivotal circumstances, try to enjoy them if possible. My favourite was the Eagle test, but I might be alone in this one.
Reflect at every opportunity
- Don’t wait until a rejection or offer to analyse your performance. Learn continuously.
- Apply to other schemes too. The feedback I received after failing another airline's assessment centre was instrumental in patching gaps and preparing effectively.
- Honestly and thoroughly reflect, even if you were successful or haven't been given formal feedback.
I can share more advice and lessons from my experiences over time if people want, but I won’t give specifics or tip offs such as interview questions, assessment techniques, etc. That’s to keep the process fair and respectful to those running it and applying.
Best of luck to all applying, and to the future 2026 SPA cadet who could be reading this right now - yep, that could be you in roughly 8 months time!
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: uk