Speedbird Pilot Academy - Funded
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Hi DawnChrus01,
You have not missed anything if you have attended the first session on 09 August. However, now there are 70 places instead of 60. Which is good. The recruiters have not confirmed eligibility queries related to non-UK citizens or permanent residents.
Additionally, you can not live at your home while under training as BA will have paid the cost of accommodation and food to the chosen flight school.
Besides, if you have previous flying experience, then the Head of the Flight Training School will decide on how much reduction in flight training will be allowed.
I hope this helps you and other on the forum.
You have not missed anything if you have attended the first session on 09 August. However, now there are 70 places instead of 60. Which is good. The recruiters have not confirmed eligibility queries related to non-UK citizens or permanent residents.
Additionally, you can not live at your home while under training as BA will have paid the cost of accommodation and food to the chosen flight school.
Besides, if you have previous flying experience, then the Head of the Flight Training School will decide on how much reduction in flight training will be allowed.
I hope this helps you and other on the forum.
Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: United Kingdom
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Unfortunately not. They are still debating internally with their employer law team and immigration team to finalise on the eligibility criteria for candidates. My best guess is that non-UK Citizens may not be allowed to apply as UK Home Office Immigration Rules want to restrict people from outside the UK to come and work for a UK company.
It is political! General elections are within a year's time and British people want their fair share of employment and politicians want to please as many local people as they can. (i.e., classic politics)
I am not sure if this helps.
Join Date: Aug 2023
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Preparation
Some key points included:
Selection:
- Accommodation, food allowance and substance allowance provided
- Application window will open in September
- Flight school assessment in October
- BA assessment in November
- Offers made in November
- Training commence Q1 2024
- Could be based at Heathrow, Gatwick or London City (BA, Euroflyer, Cityflyer) on either A320 fleet or Embraer
- Choice of 5 different fleet types after initial freeze (6 years).
- Starting salary of £34,000
Selection:
- Online application - you'll be asked about your motivation to join British Airways and Maths and situational judgement test.
- Video interview - you will have to record your answers
- Flight school technical test - assess your ability to work under pressure and see how you react to increasing workload with various computer based tests from the cut-e suite
- Flight School Group exercise - assess your ability to work in a team, with a scenario you may face in your day-to-day role as a Pilot at British Airways.
- Flight School Interview - demonstrate you have what it takes to become a BA pilot.
- British Airways Assessment - interview and group exercise. There will be a presentation from the team to talk to you about life as a BA Pilot and also a chance to visit Speedbird Heritage Centre at Waterside
I echo what others have asked -- does anyone have any suggestions for how to best prepare for the assessment? Any recommended aptitude test sites or training modules that are not just a cash-grab?
Join Date: Jul 2017
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Hi PilotDoctor,
Unfortunately not. They are still debating internally with their employer law team and immigration team to finalise on the eligibility criteria for candidates. My best guess is that non-UK Citizens may not be allowed to apply as UK Home Office Immigration Rules want to restrict people from outside the UK to come and work for a UK company.
It is political! General elections are within a year's time and British people want their fair share of employment and politicians want to please as many local people as they can. (i.e., classic politics)
I am not sure if this helps.
Unfortunately not. They are still debating internally with their employer law team and immigration team to finalise on the eligibility criteria for candidates. My best guess is that non-UK Citizens may not be allowed to apply as UK Home Office Immigration Rules want to restrict people from outside the UK to come and work for a UK company.
It is political! General elections are within a year's time and British people want their fair share of employment and politicians want to please as many local people as they can. (i.e., classic politics)
I am not sure if this helps.
Join Date: Jul 2015
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On this Teams call, was it mentioned how the salary changes with time? And how do they decide who goes to mainline, Euroflyer, Cityflyer after completion of training? As the T's and C's are different at each one...
Join Date: Dec 2022
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i have also heard rumours from BA people that they are going to open applications first for internals only then externals can apply. On the bright side they have increased the intake from 60 to 70.
I’m just hopping they open the applications on the 1st of September, the sooner the better!
Join Date: Dec 2022
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Join Date: Dec 2022
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I think I heard them say if you do have a PPL you are still eligible to apply but I’m not so sure now!
Join Date: Jul 2018
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Most other cadet schemes will consider an applicant who have some ATPLs under their belt. Especially if passed first time.
Join Date: Dec 2022
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they are looking for people with literally 0 flying experience under their belt, I don’t know why!
Join Date: Jul 2018
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unfortunately this is true, I was on the live call which they have stated anyone that has over certain amount of flying hours PPL / any who already has ATPL modules are deemed as over qualified.
they are looking for people with literally 0 flying experience under their belt, I don’t know why!
they are looking for people with literally 0 flying experience under their belt, I don’t know why!
I literally bank on these opportunities. I see them as a golden ticket to the flight deck. I am quite surprised as most cadet schemes allow some ATPL exams. A lot of good pilots will fall between the cracks here if this is the case.
I imagined that having some ATPLs under your belt would reassure BA that you are competent in the most difficult part of the whole course, as most will know - the ATPLs require a lot of hard work and dedication.
Join Date: Dec 2022
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this is a real shame. I’m a few years in to my modular journey, and I dedicate almost every minute of my spare time (alongside a full time job) to get as much done as I can to fulfil my dream.
I literally bank on these opportunities. I see them as a golden ticket to the flight deck. I am quite surprised as most cadet schemes allow some ATPL exams. A lot of good pilots will fall between the cracks here if this is the case.
I imagined that having some ATPLs under your belt would reassure BA that you are competent in the most difficult part of the whole course, as most will know - the ATPLs require a lot of hard work and dedication.
I literally bank on these opportunities. I see them as a golden ticket to the flight deck. I am quite surprised as most cadet schemes allow some ATPL exams. A lot of good pilots will fall between the cracks here if this is the case.
I imagined that having some ATPLs under your belt would reassure BA that you are competent in the most difficult part of the whole course, as most will know - the ATPLs require a lot of hard work and dedication.
100% agree with you, I heard Aer Lingus cadet scheme take on candidates with some ATPL modules also check out TUI later in the year!
Join Date: Aug 2023
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unfortunately this is true, I was on the live call which they have stated anyone that has over certain amount of flying hours PPL / any who already has ATPL modules are deemed as over qualified.
they are looking for people with literally 0 flying experience under their belt, I don’t know why!
they are looking for people with literally 0 flying experience under their belt, I don’t know why!
It's not a question of being "over qualified" and they never mentioned anything about having a maximum number of allowable PPL hours. They stressed that you aren't at a disadvantage if you haven't done PPL, although they recommended doing at least a taster flight if you had never had that experience before.
this is a real shame. I’m a few years in to my modular journey, and I dedicate almost every minute of my spare time (alongside a full time job) to get as much done as I can to fulfil my dream.
I literally bank on these opportunities. I see them as a golden ticket to the flight deck. I am quite surprised as most cadet schemes allow some ATPL exams. A lot of good pilots will fall between the cracks here if this is the case.
I imagined that having some ATPLs under your belt would reassure BA that you are competent in the most difficult part of the whole course, as most will know - the ATPLs require a lot of hard work and dedication.
I literally bank on these opportunities. I see them as a golden ticket to the flight deck. I am quite surprised as most cadet schemes allow some ATPL exams. A lot of good pilots will fall between the cracks here if this is the case.
I imagined that having some ATPLs under your belt would reassure BA that you are competent in the most difficult part of the whole course, as most will know - the ATPLs require a lot of hard work and dedication.
You either go the Modular route, generally the better route anyway, or hold out for one of these schemes, you can’t do both.
Join Date: Jul 2018
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It has always been the case. It can get real fiddly if you’ve already had sittings. I’d suggest you’re perhaps mistaken by the type of cadet programmes on offer if they accept ATPL attempts. Big difference between a cadet programme and just getting a type rating somewhere.
You either go the Modular route, generally the better route anyway, or hold out for one of these schemes, you can’t do both.
You either go the Modular route, generally the better route anyway, or hold out for one of these schemes, you can’t do both.
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What if you’ve got all ATPL examinations complete in one series? First time passes? With an average above 85%.
The reason I’m questioning this, is because having ATPLs is still a fair distance away from having the requirements to apply for their other future pilot programmes. I will still struggle to find the funding to complete a CPL ME IR? And an UPRT?
If I didn’t have a full time occupation I could clear my remaining ATPL exams in few months.
The reason I’m questioning this, is because having ATPLs is still a fair distance away from having the requirements to apply for their other future pilot programmes. I will still struggle to find the funding to complete a CPL ME IR? And an UPRT?
If I didn’t have a full time occupation I could clear my remaining ATPL exams in few months.