Bond/OAT "Sponsorship"
 

Surprised this has been mentioned on here yet? (or am I just blind!)
On reading £30k whilst a lot of money, isn't too bad for whats on offer.
Does anyone have any further information, gather Oxford are doing the selection and Bristows (HAI) are doing the training.

www.oxfordaviation.net/bond/bond_info.htm

Applications open tomorrow at 12pm. Shotgun first in the queue!

I'm very surprised they even need to run this sheme. Isn't Bristow's academy /every other flight school already full of pilots/students gagging for this type of opportunity? There must also be a lot of self-funded/ex-mil IR holders out there also.

Yes, I was fairly shocked myself on discovering it!. They are talking about 3 intakes next year as well, seemed like quite a lot to me!?

My question is how many of the airline trainees on or thinking about "approved" schemes are going to decide they may want a rotary career. It could save them a few bob!

Looks like TeeS was right on the money!

S.

Agree 100%!!!

If I wasn't 1/2 way through a PhD I'd apply to this in a heart beat. Hopefully Bond and/or others will still be running similar schemes in 18 months to 2 years or so, when I'm free to apply!

S.

Anyone explain what type of qualifications that is?

Not sure how to convert to Swedish schooling! GCSE are the exams done at 16, generally around 6-10 subjects at a time. 'A' Levels are done at 18, normally 2-4 subjects, and are the requisite qualifications for University entry. So, basically, you need to have done reasonably (but not exceptionally) well at 'High School'.

That is fantastic news!

I wish all the applicants the best of luck.:ok::ok::ok:

I totally agree.................The ex mil applicants pool with experience is slowly drying up. It can only be good news for wannabees!!!!!

But why Bond and not one of the larger two companies?

:D:ok:

Does anybody know what a normal starting salary for bond would be?

Although I'm delighted to see a scheme like this make a come-back, I must say I'm a little surprised too that Bond would need to run such a scheme in the first place. Granted, the pool of experienced guys is drying up, but if anything I thought they would have looked towards more experienced pilots and offered maybe an IR/AS332L2 TR sponsorship rather than ab-initio.

As I say, not complaining by a long shot!

Good luck to all the applicants. I hope to be joining you in a year or 2 (providing this, or schemes like it, are still running). Here's hoping....

S :ok:

I am aware of the age legislation rules etc. But are Bond likely to have a cut off point in mind fro applications.

Is it fair to expect quite a few applicants getting through to the OAT test stage then getting chopped after that.
I presume most people with the basic quals would got to OAT with their £195 to do the tests and then get chopped afterwards, or is there likely to be some sifting beforehand?
Just interested as I would expect that to be ALOT of £195 cheques making their way to OAT!!

How long are you "bonded" (no pun intended) to them at the end of the trainining?

FNW

The current bond for IR & TR is, IIRC, 5 years.

So, I imagine that a bond for the value of £70k is going to be in the region of 7-10 years. :eek:

(And this doesn't include paying back the additional £30k loan, of course...)


Mid £30s.

Brassmeup that's because Bond are a quality company.

When I worked for Bond they were quality.

Their Training of course used to be excellent I presume it still is.

Why Bond?

Perhaps Bond are struggling more than Bristow/CHC to find pilots...As to why that could be, well, deeper question ;)

BG

Good i'm glad they are.:D

Its always good to have positive feedback then somebody tapping away after too many red wines slagging down the company that treats them so bad! :sad:

Riddster if you have the true motivation for flying and using the sponsorship route this question should be nowhere near the top of your list!!! Speaking as someone lucky enough to come through one of Bond's previous sponsorship schemes, I was just happy for them to pick up the initial tab. OK, I had to pay back 50% over the next six years, but it came out of pre tax salary so it was a good deal for me!!! I was very happy to sign not knowing what the salary would be or even where I was going to be based!
My advice would be, if you are going to apply, think of something different to ask them if you get invited for testing!!!:ok:

Pitchlink,
That's good interview advice but the reality of sponsorships these days is that there is still a big financial burden placed on the shoulder of the candidate. The starting salary may be a key factor in someone deciding if they are able to go for the sponsorship from a financial point of view. Sound and realistic financial planning is essential before investing your life savings in a training course.
Actually sounds a good scheme financially compared to some recent airline schemes.

Pitchlink,
While I agree it's not the sort of question you would ask at the first interview for this, I thought that was a perfectly valid question to be asked here. Surely when you are paying out 30k, admittedly a fraction of the total cost, for this training you have a right to know how much they are going to pay you at the end of it. You have to be realistic about these things, people have morgages/loans etc that have to be covered.