Fly be sponsorship scheme
Join Date: Sep 2002
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I received the pack yesterday, I'm puzzled as to the true value of applying, the cadet cost is the same (give or take a grand) as what I'm paying over the duration of my course. The possibility of a job at the end is a plus, but you graduate with less hours than a standard ab-initio course and if you don't get offered employment you are hanging on for up to three years with less hours than the other graduates. Tough decision really, but if you're not in it you won't get it, that is if you want it.
Join Date: Dec 1998
Location: UK
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Not a bad sponsorship if you can afford it! Still better than self sponsoring yourself as you've got an almost guaranteed job at the end of it.
The Cabair aptitude tests are a bit 'different', but you can learn to pass them - I failed them 2 times, and passed them the third after a lot of hard work, revision, and research. The tests don't change that much over the years. Its just another hoop you have to jump through - there are plenty more to come before you can fly an airliner and you just have to live with it! I guess it sorts out those who really want it and are willing to put the effort in.
Believe me, its worth it in the end! I didn't go through Cabair in the end, but wherever you go through its always going to be tough. Good luck everyone.
The Cabair aptitude tests are a bit 'different', but you can learn to pass them - I failed them 2 times, and passed them the third after a lot of hard work, revision, and research. The tests don't change that much over the years. Its just another hoop you have to jump through - there are plenty more to come before you can fly an airliner and you just have to live with it! I guess it sorts out those who really want it and are willing to put the effort in.
Believe me, its worth it in the end! I didn't go through Cabair in the end, but wherever you go through its always going to be tough. Good luck everyone.
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: ISLE OF MAN
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It's amazing how nothing has changed in nearly 20 years.
I remember asking someone at BA after I got hold of their prospectus, how the **** I was meant to get my hands on, as it was then, about 35k? It was clear then, as it is now, that you either have to have loaded parents who don't feel they have to make you learn the value of money, or have to be willing to prostitute yourself to make enough cash. Hurrah for the age of equal opportunities.
It almost becomes an inbreeding issue. There is little in the way of diversity in aircrew and I don't see things getting any better.
And before you ask, no, I don't know the answer!
I remember asking someone at BA after I got hold of their prospectus, how the **** I was meant to get my hands on, as it was then, about 35k? It was clear then, as it is now, that you either have to have loaded parents who don't feel they have to make you learn the value of money, or have to be willing to prostitute yourself to make enough cash. Hurrah for the age of equal opportunities.
It almost becomes an inbreeding issue. There is little in the way of diversity in aircrew and I don't see things getting any better.
And before you ask, no, I don't know the answer!
Join Date: Dec 1998
Location: UK
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It is possible to get graduate studies loans for up to 15-20k which is often enough for some sponsorships - bmi, airtours etc.
However, this still leaves you 15-20k short of the required for BE. Some people remortgage their homes (or their parents homes).
I guess if your parents are fairly well off they may be able to lend 15 grnad or so as an investment in you, which you pay back when you've finished. That's less of a leap of faith than the 50k you need to go through Oxford with no guarantee of a job at the end - and there are plenty who do.
The biggest problem with BE is that the starting salary was never enough to really be able to pay back 35k in a reasonable amount of time, unless you got promoted onto the jet within a year or so (which I believe used to / still does? happen). Maybe its slightly different now, but the sums didn't make comfortable reading when I looked into it.
However, this still leaves you 15-20k short of the required for BE. Some people remortgage their homes (or their parents homes).
I guess if your parents are fairly well off they may be able to lend 15 grnad or so as an investment in you, which you pay back when you've finished. That's less of a leap of faith than the 50k you need to go through Oxford with no guarantee of a job at the end - and there are plenty who do.
The biggest problem with BE is that the starting salary was never enough to really be able to pay back 35k in a reasonable amount of time, unless you got promoted onto the jet within a year or so (which I believe used to / still does? happen). Maybe its slightly different now, but the sums didn't make comfortable reading when I looked into it.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: A long way from here.
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Here's How I See It:
Well, pay £32k to get my fATPL (plus a bit) is a bit steep, but with a job at the end of it would be worthwhile.
However, with no guarantee of a job, £150 for the interview process, no flex in flying training, and 3 YEARS effectivevly tied to the company if they decide not to offer a job at the end...... sorry, but that isn't realistic, fair or reasonable. Sorry, but I won't be applying.
HOWEVER, it's good news in general that sponsorships are appearing. Let's just have some more sensible ones.
Ciao!
However, with no guarantee of a job, £150 for the interview process, no flex in flying training, and 3 YEARS effectivevly tied to the company if they decide not to offer a job at the end...... sorry, but that isn't realistic, fair or reasonable. Sorry, but I won't be applying.
HOWEVER, it's good news in general that sponsorships are appearing. Let's just have some more sensible ones.
Ciao!
Join Date: Dec 1998
Location: UK
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Whilst I agree there's no guarantee of a job, you've got a much better chance of getting one than if you self sponsor yourself, plus you get a fATPL from a major school which will carry weight with an employer if the unfortunate did happen. 32k for a frozen ATPL is pretty good for this country for a full tiem course. You could do it cheaper by doing the self improver route, but think of all the potential lost revenue whilst you're still training. BE offers a VERY good chance of a job at the end.
Where does it say you'd be tied to company for up to 3 years
if they can't offer you a job? You should be free to go elsewhere if they can't.
I agree its not the best sponsorship ever to be offered, but its not the worst (that honour goes to Virgin - 45k up front with a 18k starting salary!), but at the moment there isn't much else out there and you might as well go for it. If you're not willing to spend 150 quid on the interviews, well there are plenty who will, and maybe you don't have the necessary commitment to get a sponsorship. Harsh, but there it is.
Where does it say you'd be tied to company for up to 3 years
if they can't offer you a job? You should be free to go elsewhere if they can't.
I agree its not the best sponsorship ever to be offered, but its not the worst (that honour goes to Virgin - 45k up front with a 18k starting salary!), but at the moment there isn't much else out there and you might as well go for it. If you're not willing to spend 150 quid on the interviews, well there are plenty who will, and maybe you don't have the necessary commitment to get a sponsorship. Harsh, but there it is.
Join Date: Sep 2002
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got my prospectus though today. Won't be applying though. A couple of points do seem abit unfair IMO.
£150 for the tests! whats the betting that most people get invited to attend.
"once employed by flybe, the pilot candidate will be paid the appropriate sponsored pilots salary, which may be LESS than the market rate for a non sponsored pilot" so you may not even get paid as much.
"In the event that employment is not offered immediately following the completion of the course, but that the airline intends to make an offer, pilot graduates will be required to accept the offer for a period of up to 3 years following graduation" So if they don't give you a job straight away you can't even go out and find one off your own back! Could you be 3 years unemployed? no salary at all.
plus only 4 positions and they "particularly want to hear from those in Jersey Guernsey or Belfast area" Not that this is unfair but would decrease my chances
£150 for the tests! whats the betting that most people get invited to attend.
"once employed by flybe, the pilot candidate will be paid the appropriate sponsored pilots salary, which may be LESS than the market rate for a non sponsored pilot" so you may not even get paid as much.
"In the event that employment is not offered immediately following the completion of the course, but that the airline intends to make an offer, pilot graduates will be required to accept the offer for a period of up to 3 years following graduation" So if they don't give you a job straight away you can't even go out and find one off your own back! Could you be 3 years unemployed? no salary at all.
plus only 4 positions and they "particularly want to hear from those in Jersey Guernsey or Belfast area" Not that this is unfair but would decrease my chances
Join Date: May 2002
Location: A long way from here.
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Propellorhead- see Pythagoras' post in answer to your query about the whole '3-year' issue.
The problem is that few employers with any sense will take on someone who may well be forced to go and work for flybe instead.....
And I don't feel I need whatever 'weight' studying with CCAT will give me......... I've got plenty of my own.
Ciao!
The problem is that few employers with any sense will take on someone who may well be forced to go and work for flybe instead.....
And I don't feel I need whatever 'weight' studying with CCAT will give me......... I've got plenty of my own.
Ciao!
Join Date: Dec 1998
Location: UK
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Wow, I don't think that was in the contract when I applied! Is that legal? They should at least pay you a retainer for every month you're not employed. I don't think they could keep you hanging on for 3 years, and if they did, well I guess you could always break the contract and let them pursue the costs of the course. I wonder how far they'd get in court with that - not very I think.
As for the 'weight' that CCAT carries - it's not just that, but the fact that airlines will quite often approach one of the big schools (Oxford, CCAT, BAe) if looking for a small number of pilots, as it saves a lot of recruitment costs, and they can 'cream' the best students from the best schools.
As for the 'weight' that CCAT carries - it's not just that, but the fact that airlines will quite often approach one of the big schools (Oxford, CCAT, BAe) if looking for a small number of pilots, as it saves a lot of recruitment costs, and they can 'cream' the best students from the best schools.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Aberdeen
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I also recently received the application pack in the post, and have to agree with much of what has been said. £32k+ is one thing if you are guaranteed a job with a decent salary at the end of it, but nobody knows what will happen to the requirements of Flybe. in the next 18 months. Being tied to any possible offer for up to three years is ridiculous - what do you do in the meantime? If the starting salary is about £19K (anyone know different?) then it is in effect a glorified loan with several catches. While I could concievably scrape together the money, I can't help thinking that it would be better invested in continuing by the self-sponsored route - even with reduced job opportunities at the end of it. I might even find one that pays half decent money. I am undecided whether to apply for this or Malgus.
I agree it will be interesting to find out how many people willing to hand over £150 for the privilege of being interviewed will find themselves invited...
TCM
By the way, anyone else going to check out Malgus at the weekend?
I agree it will be interesting to find out how many people willing to hand over £150 for the privilege of being interviewed will find themselves invited...
TCM
By the way, anyone else going to check out Malgus at the weekend?
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Im still deciding whether i want to apply for this scheme. Ive applied for the Britannia scheme and i am waiting for the result of the aptitude test. I feel that the Britannia scheme seems much much more reasonable.
All in all, the FLYBE scheme does not sould like a good opportunity for the reasons other people have mentioned. One of the criteria seems to be ARE YOU LOADED? If you have money, then you have a chance, if you don't, well, you probably aren't upper class enough to work for us. This may sound harsh, but i wont let my working class backgound stop me from being a pilot. If i can fly the plane, does it matter weather my dad was a scientist or a roadsweeper?
Ive seen a few airline application forms, they always ask are you bonded to a training scheme...... If you graduate from Cabair and BE don't have any jobs then other airlines wont touch you. Then what happens if your IR expires. You can take the re-test but could you afford to keep to IR standard? Could you afford to pay the £32K loan off on the wage they are offering (if you had to borrow it)? Could you afford to start paying this loan (if you had to) whilst you waited for BE to give you the job?
The money you are saving by doing the sponsorship instead of the modular route seems to involve you in more risk - the fact that you have to be available for 3 years after graduation.
The case for going for the sponsorship is reasonable, but the case for not doing it seems very very strong......
All in all, the FLYBE scheme does not sould like a good opportunity for the reasons other people have mentioned. One of the criteria seems to be ARE YOU LOADED? If you have money, then you have a chance, if you don't, well, you probably aren't upper class enough to work for us. This may sound harsh, but i wont let my working class backgound stop me from being a pilot. If i can fly the plane, does it matter weather my dad was a scientist or a roadsweeper?
Ive seen a few airline application forms, they always ask are you bonded to a training scheme...... If you graduate from Cabair and BE don't have any jobs then other airlines wont touch you. Then what happens if your IR expires. You can take the re-test but could you afford to keep to IR standard? Could you afford to pay the £32K loan off on the wage they are offering (if you had to borrow it)? Could you afford to start paying this loan (if you had to) whilst you waited for BE to give you the job?
The money you are saving by doing the sponsorship instead of the modular route seems to involve you in more risk - the fact that you have to be available for 3 years after graduation.
The case for going for the sponsorship is reasonable, but the case for not doing it seems very very strong......
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Chichester, West Sussex, UK
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Part of my concern is the level of the costs, for example the half board accommodation is £7000 for 56 weeks + VAT. A few simple calculations show this to be £146.87 per week.
I lived at Cranfield for one year, studying at the College of Aeronautics, and I paid £50 per week for a room in halls. Now some people say I have a healthy appetite, but there's *no* way I'd spend anything even approaching £96.87 per week on breakfast and dinner. It seems someone somewhere is making a bit of money on this............
I lived at Cranfield for one year, studying at the College of Aeronautics, and I paid £50 per week for a room in halls. Now some people say I have a healthy appetite, but there's *no* way I'd spend anything even approaching £96.87 per week on breakfast and dinner. It seems someone somewhere is making a bit of money on this............
Join Date: May 2000
Location: UK
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Oh come on guys, they're only after four people! From reading previous posts in this thread most people are painting an image of NOT getting a flying job with BE at the end of the scheme.
That's probably why they're only after four people, because four people are easy to integrate into a small airline than, say, twelve or sixteen, as in previous airline schemes.
If they were looking for twelve in the current climate then yes, I'd be concerned but it's only four.
I personally think they put that spiel in to somewhat cover themselves in case they do go belly-up.
MB
That's probably why they're only after four people, because four people are easy to integrate into a small airline than, say, twelve or sixteen, as in previous airline schemes.
If they were looking for twelve in the current climate then yes, I'd be concerned but it's only four.
I personally think they put that spiel in to somewhat cover themselves in case they do go belly-up.
MB
Join Date: Apr 2002
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I am considering applying for the sponsorship.
Can anyone confirm the starting salary at flybe for sponsored cadets?
Out of the cadets who have been selected for the sponsorship in the past few years how many have been from Jersey, Guernsey or Ireland?
The reason I ask is because there are only 4 places up for grabs. If they have four decent candidates apply for the sponsorship from the ‘desired’ geographical locations (which they probably will) then the chances of success are significantly reduced and in my opinion it isn’t worth applying.
I am not having a go at flybe or cabair, they are offering more than any other airline (with the exception of Britannia), I am just evaluating whether it is worth applying if you are not from the ‘desired’ geographical location.
Thanks in advance for any information on this matter.
Can anyone confirm the starting salary at flybe for sponsored cadets?
Out of the cadets who have been selected for the sponsorship in the past few years how many have been from Jersey, Guernsey or Ireland?
The reason I ask is because there are only 4 places up for grabs. If they have four decent candidates apply for the sponsorship from the ‘desired’ geographical locations (which they probably will) then the chances of success are significantly reduced and in my opinion it isn’t worth applying.
I am not having a go at flybe or cabair, they are offering more than any other airline (with the exception of Britannia), I am just evaluating whether it is worth applying if you are not from the ‘desired’ geographical location.
Thanks in advance for any information on this matter.
Join Date: Apr 2002
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I have a couple of questions that someone who is more familiar with this type of sponsorship may be able to help me with.
Regarding the bonding to the value of £40 000, if my parents agree to secure it against their house, what happens if I become medically unfit and unable to complete the 5 year contract? Is there some insurance that would be available to cover this?
Also, in the event of having to pay the £40 000 (for leaving for whatever reason - unlikely I know!) would there be a resonable terms of payment, or would it be a case of 'sorry Dad you've lost the house?'
These may seem like trivial or academic points in the general scheme of things, but I'm sure I'm not the only wannabe (or wannabe's parent) who has thought about this.
Does anyone know what flybe. are like to work for?
Thanks for any advice.
TCM
Regarding the bonding to the value of £40 000, if my parents agree to secure it against their house, what happens if I become medically unfit and unable to complete the 5 year contract? Is there some insurance that would be available to cover this?
Also, in the event of having to pay the £40 000 (for leaving for whatever reason - unlikely I know!) would there be a resonable terms of payment, or would it be a case of 'sorry Dad you've lost the house?'
These may seem like trivial or academic points in the general scheme of things, but I'm sure I'm not the only wannabe (or wannabe's parent) who has thought about this.
Does anyone know what flybe. are like to work for?
Thanks for any advice.
TCM
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Canterbury
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For those of you who have applied.......
On attending a CABAIR open day/seminar last weekend I found out that so far only 6 people had applied for the scheme which closes in a couple of weeks.
I haven't applied because of the obvious money factor. But good luck to those of you who have
On attending a CABAIR open day/seminar last weekend I found out that so far only 6 people had applied for the scheme which closes in a couple of weeks.
I haven't applied because of the obvious money factor. But good luck to those of you who have
