Speedbird Pilot Academy - Funded
 

Looks like BA have decided to start funding training through their training partners.

60 slots, I will definitely be applying. :)

Can't post links but just give "Speedbird Pilot Academy" a google.

The competition for those slots will be fierce.

Up to 60

Nationality requirements for Speedbirt Pilot Academy
 

Do you have to be a UK citizen/resident in order to apply?

Here's the link...


https://mediacentre.britishairways.c...MNg-qMh1mXd-tU

great to hear, will be very competitive!

I'd imagine you'd need to and/or have rights to work within the UK.

Its times like these I wish I'd paid attention more at school, don't have the grades to apply,
only got gnvqs and btec diplomas from college so i don't believe they'll be enough for equivalents unfortunately, guess il have to stick to driving trains.

It`s more fun then driving a bus .!!

Get some GCSEs? No reason to assume you’re stuck with whatever you left school with.

If you wanted it enough you could easily get the last few GCSEs you need by next year.

I love this suggestion. Great to see this kind of encouragement! It's never too late :)

Just be aware there are two tiers of GCSE most school students will sit the higher tier where grade A is possible but there is also a foundation tier with a maximum grade of C or 5 because it's easier. However, lots of colleges, universities & employers do not recognise foundation tier passes as a high enough entry standard & having seen some of the questions I agree. Do maths & physics as that will help with ATPLs.

Well to find a fully funded program like this seems quite rare?
No way I could afford something like easyjet offer where you have to pay the money upfront so even if I did get the grades it wouldn't be in time for this campaign anyway.
Also just turned 40 so not exactly an ideal age is it compared to the amount of younger individuals who will be applying.

I wouldn't rule yourself out, if you joined the railway after Train Driver training followed the Apprenticeship model, then you'll have the passed the "Functional Skills" assessments in English, Mathematics and ICT (each I believe equivalent to a "C" grade at GCSE) or had the equivalent GCSEs, which would likely boost your academic qualifications. You'll also have an Apprenticeship Certificate. They'll probably get applications with people who've got qualifications abroad but who have British residency etc. and sometimes what is equivalent or not is a bit of a minefield.

You've also mentioned BTECs and depending at the level these are at, they may be equivalent to GCSE or A-Level.

If in doubt, I'd be tempted to apply anyway, you have nothing to lose by doing so and the fact you've had a year of intensive training for your current job and passed it, along with the responsibility and experience your current role offers, should add a lot of weight to your application.

My guy - don't give up! The age range is 18-55, if 40 were too old they wouldn't waste their time accepting applications.
They also plan to run the programme for at least the next years, hopefully indefinitely, so it's not too late to apply next year after getting any relevant qualifications.
They'll also be VERY interested in your passion, dedication and maturity. GO FOR IT!

Interested to see how many more mature candidate make it in. I applied 30 years ago and max age was 30, I was 2 months past but applied and was rejected due to age. I appealed, but to no avail. I assume these days they cannot discriminate on age so good luck to all who apply.

Hey guys,

did anyone record the speedbird academy teams call today, they had a live Q&A on teams

I tried to, but was having technical difficulties, did anyone manage to get in the call? Anything interesting that they said ?

Q&A Call
 

Some key points included:

• 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​​​​​​​

Very helpful thank you Pablopal

very helpful. Thankyou

Interesting info and thanks for posting! Does anyone know if this varies much from the FPP application process? I was training to be a driver with Virgin Trains when FPP was open, so I didn't apply. Going to throw my hat in the ring this time and see what happens.

To add, you’ll be training with one of two yet-to-be-announced schools and it’s an fATPL programme, not MPL.

Does anyone know if BA or the flight school that they’re working with will use Logical reasoning ?

Nice one Pablopal! Any idea on being able to bagsy a spot for 2025 instead? Currently on a 9-month notice period...

I couldn’t get on the Teams call either so thanks for sharing the info.

One quick question: did they say whether it’s an MPL or fATPL course?

They asked to only apply if you are able to start in Q1 of 2024, they will not allow candidates to postpone start dates.

However they also said that they will be running the same course for the following year, so if you aren’t ready to start on this one, you can apply for the next one when it’s announced.

What’s the worst they can do if you just give them three months? Likely absolutely nothing!

I know that BA has advertised UP TO sixty places, but did anyone catch on onto whether is actually sixty spots indefinitely in the teams call?

Does anybody have any recommendations of websites/providers to help prepare for the application process?

What is the ‘ situational judgment’ test in the initial online application?

Does anyone know what flight school it’s going to be with? I have a friend at L3Harris and apparently it’s not with them, which I’m surprised!

......why?

not sure, our flying won’t be done in the UK it’s going to be either in Florida or somewhere in Europe

training in Europe and US are so much cheaper and cost effective.

it was interesting that they did not include the citizenship or right to live and work which i was sure had in previous announcments so i checked it from wayback machine and yes they kept all the requirement except that. i will definitely apply from outside uk

Given that BA are a Spanish owned airline going to be FTE I'd have thought.

I heard it’s with FTE Jerez the rumours.

if I was BA it would be FTE Jerez and Skyborne

What was the recruitment call saying
 

I couldn’t get in, what were the main point brought up in the 2nd BA call

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.