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.

Riddster, I am a wannabe like yourself so don't take my info for gospel. I got it from http://www.pilotjobsnetwork.com/.

According to the website starting FO salaries are between £30k and £35k a year for Aberdeen operators. Bear in mind the info might be out of date or the fact cadets might start on reduced salaries. I don't really know!

On OAT's messageboard there is a post saying more info will be made available to those who attend stage 2 of the selection process.

Good luck if you decide to go for it. :ok:

Thanks Rico, much appreciated.

Does anyone know who from Bond will do the stage 2 interview process, and are they likely to do the similar phsycometric testing as CHC?

£30k is enough for the first 'stage' of helo career
 

Hi there.

I, as a wannabe, have researched many training routes, spent hours on end on PPRuNe, etc etc.

I do agree that knowing length of bond and starting salary is kinda important. It's not a sign of not being passionate or serious about one's aviation future.

I'm budgeting with about £40k for 200hr TT JAA CPL training /to be able to get hired as instructor in the US/ incl US CFII in Bristow Academy /former HAI/, FL. That's inclusive of some associated costs such as flights, fees, housing etc.

One can say round £30k for up to +-150-160 hours JAA CPL in BA according to their current price list. So they'd sponsor accommodation in the US and if anything goes wrong, they won't lose much. And naturally, they'd invest into one's JAA IR, type rating etc only after being successful to the CPL point.

IF someone could get another 10-15k for other costs, JAA FI, there's no need to get tied to the company. Depending on their conditions, how much would be repaid, term of the bonding etc.
It would take 1-3 years longer to get proper job, but how much is 'freedom' worth? :-D

I'd rather do it my way than paying almost the same BUT with the perks of quick steps towards second pilot in turbine chopper. That'll save time 'hanging around' as helo instructor, chasing the first "real job" etc.

I read the advert on their website. Sounds good for someone who wants to stay in the UK for a very long time.
I'm getting UK passport in couple years' time, but flying around the world is so captivating. Not in this weather for 5-10 years in a row :-/

Call me a moaner, but while I see the advantages of singing up /being picked/ for this cadetship, I don't find it that great. That JAA IR is the biggest hurdle and that could be sponsored - see Bristow.

Still got few years of hard work, saving, fundraising till I can start training. Sucks. Well, c'est la vie.
IF Bristow, ERA, PHI or CHC started intership with much lower /eg PPL/ self-funding, I'd go for it. I'm not sure they'd do it within three years anyway.

They will be the standard OAT APP/FO tests, probably with a very slight helicopter bias.

More details of these tests (and what to expect at every stage) can be found in the Wannabes forum.

That is all well and good, I am not knocking someone for having basic financial planning, but if you really want it I am sure you will cope! After all, if you work hard, you will have a reasonably well paid job at the end of the day!!! I started on £16K as a second officer, I am sure this must have at least doubled by now. My experience of talking to people looking for sponsorships today is that they want it on a plate. What they need to understand is that they are entering the big, bad commercial world and there are no free lunches, unless you have worked hard, bitten the bullet and are able to get them of the rigs when you land on!!!!!!!:E

I assume from the advert's reference to obtaining a visa to work in the US, that following the HAI course you'll be 'used' (sorry, gain valuable experience) as an FI there. Any ideas for how long?

I think that you've got the wrong end of the stick, 212.

The OAT ad refers to a 'right to work in the EU' but only needs a visa for 'training in the US':

• Have the right to live and work in the European Union
• <snip>
• Anticipate being able to gain a Visa for undertaking training in the United States

Edited to add: Aha, I've just double checked the Flight ad and you're right, it does say 'Be able to gain a Visa for working in the USA'. I can only imagine that this was just a typo when the longer OAT details were condensed for the Flight ad.

212man:
It does not say about doing FI /US term = CFI/. What's the point? If it's supposed to be cadetship, they'd take on +-250h TT guy as SIC. It won't make sense otherwise.
That ads talks about 1 year training. That's about the max time someone should do JAA CPL at HAI/BA.

To be able to do FIing, one needs J1 visa which is for 2yr max incl training.
EG 9-12 months training and the rest of 2 yr instructing. But I don't think there's need for that from BOND's side.
IF THERE IS, WHOLE CADETSHIP IS POINTLESS.
UNLESS someone lives in the UK, doesn't want to 'test the waters' around the globe for foreseeable future.

pitchlink:
Nobody wants anything 'on plate'. Just that committing so much as bond thanks to JAA IR 'cuts the wings of freedom' a bit.
I didn't say it's no good at all. It just won't be for everyone.
I would be inclined towards it more if it was Bristow as they got operations around the world and no need to get tied to UK and its weather.

if what BRAVO73 says is right, whole speculations about 212man's question is pointless. I won't do that.

IF I fund whole training, got J1 in the US, I'm likely to do some FIing hopefully up to 1000hr TT and then I could be sponsored for JAA IR if wanted in the UK. Check out other topics in case you don't know /you guys with 1000s of hours don't really care anyway/.

Howgh

How many of us Rotorhead Ppruners have applied for this?

I completed my application last Thursday and am now busy praying to every god, idol and deity that I get through the process!

L A

Applied last Tuesday, I have the absolute bare minimum in academic qualifications, but have previously passed the OAT "selection" procedures and have a bit of flying/aviation experience so am hoping they may turn a blind eye to my rather sparse academic achievements!

What kind of qualifications/flying experience do other applicants have?

Damn, i missed this!!!

I guess that there´s no time to apply now...doH!

Regards,
Smike

Why not, Smike?

Although before you do apply, I suggest that you read the rest of the advert in much more detail next time. :ok:

Thx Bravo,

I read that 27th August bit...that´s why i thought maybe it wouldnt make any sense applying afterwards.

Anyways, sorry if i felt like a lazy b**ch...;o)

All the best,
Smike

You do know it's only August 20th don't you smike? :}

S.

Lolllll...What an arse i am!! Someone should kick me in the A**, thought we were on September already. Time to take my medication i see!

Thx and sorry for my sillyness, geez!

Take care,
Smike

Ha, ha... funny Smike. You sound like my missus!!

Buzz34: I have got the bare minimum requirements on A-levels but have also got a degree. I haven't got any helo qualifications though. 12 hrs in Sea Kings and have loads of other exp in fixed wing (including a flight in an F3) and a PPL on gliders.

L A

Likewise...

I have the bare minimum academic qualifications and hopefully by the end of this week I might have a PPL(h) with about 60 hours on helicopters.

Fingers crossed!!!:eek:

PR

as at July 07, one of the N sea operators paying basic;

FO < 500 hrs; £35928

FO 500: £37568

FO 1000; £39208


Captain yr 1 £68879

Just to clarify:

Would those salaries be for let's say FOs with 1000 TT or 1000 in that company's left seat ?