British Airways DEP Selection - THE lowdown Part 1
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Got the invite into hold pool today!!! :-) courses planned from early next year is all I was told when I called..... I'm eligible for both long and short haul A320 rated.......so who knows when or on what!! :-) very happy to say the least! HUGE thank you to all who have taken the time to pass on their experiences....without them it may have been a very different outcome!
Regards the sim,
Very friendly trainer, will put you at ease! Bought us a coffee and told us there are jobs for all!! Teamwork and crm in my opinion are top priority! How you are as a person seems a high priority and not so much your pilot handling skills ( although I would imagine they need to see the 'fundamentals'!)
My top tips would be to practice using TODAR if not already and think about how you will structure your briefs etc etc ( ask open questions, is there anything you partner can see that may trip you up?! etc etc etc)
Another thing that really helped my prep was a flight sim software add-on PMDG (PDMG?!?!?......I forget!) for the 747-400. A quick google search should find it. I think it's around $50 and for me a godsend. Got me into the flightdeck layout and back into raw data flying etc.....can't stress enough how helpful I found it! And it's a damn sight cheaper than sim practice.......which by the way I didn't do! Not for me to say whether sim prep is necessary or not.....If it puts you at ease then it's probs money well spent!!
Sorry about all my ramblings! Trying to update and thank you all from my iPhone before heading to the pub to celebrate! Feel free to PM if you have any questions........
Good luck to everyone
Regards the sim,
Very friendly trainer, will put you at ease! Bought us a coffee and told us there are jobs for all!! Teamwork and crm in my opinion are top priority! How you are as a person seems a high priority and not so much your pilot handling skills ( although I would imagine they need to see the 'fundamentals'!)
My top tips would be to practice using TODAR if not already and think about how you will structure your briefs etc etc ( ask open questions, is there anything you partner can see that may trip you up?! etc etc etc)
Another thing that really helped my prep was a flight sim software add-on PMDG (PDMG?!?!?......I forget!) for the 747-400. A quick google search should find it. I think it's around $50 and for me a godsend. Got me into the flightdeck layout and back into raw data flying etc.....can't stress enough how helpful I found it! And it's a damn sight cheaper than sim practice.......which by the way I didn't do! Not for me to say whether sim prep is necessary or not.....If it puts you at ease then it's probs money well spent!!
Sorry about all my ramblings! Trying to update and thank you all from my iPhone before heading to the pub to celebrate! Feel free to PM if you have any questions........
Good luck to everyone
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Re. YYZ_Instructor...
Seems not mate, at least not on here. I check most days as you probably do. People are getting plucked out gradually I guess, although everyone I know who has got through selection has either been sitting in the pool or flying on the line for months.
When did you get in? I've been swimming since the start of July. Others have had long waits so I'm keeping the faith. Although with the nights getting longer now etc, seems like a long time! I can't wait though, it will be awesome.
Good advice there about the sim there from Mr. Potter... I used the PMDG 747 too on FS2004 with a cheap joystick with throttle for pitch/power practice. I flew real (from plates) raw data SIDs into STARs, and tried to integrate briefs real-time, and it all helped immensely.
Seems not mate, at least not on here. I check most days as you probably do. People are getting plucked out gradually I guess, although everyone I know who has got through selection has either been sitting in the pool or flying on the line for months.
When did you get in? I've been swimming since the start of July. Others have had long waits so I'm keeping the faith. Although with the nights getting longer now etc, seems like a long time! I can't wait though, it will be awesome.
Good advice there about the sim there from Mr. Potter... I used the PMDG 747 too on FS2004 with a cheap joystick with throttle for pitch/power practice. I flew real (from plates) raw data SIDs into STARs, and tried to integrate briefs real-time, and it all helped immensely.
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Hi all,
I also got the good news today so I am once again swimming in the pool.
I would like to second Brian's thanks to all those who have passed on their hints and tips and all those who gave me hope after the hold pool was dispanded last year. This thread, although now rather long, is an invaluable source of information for the BA application process.
My sim was very close to that described by Von Smallhausen. A SID from a major SE airport into a STAR to another. On the way we had a reroute and a request for a time at an enroute point. The reroute necessitated a different STAR than briefed at the arrival airport. The airport was then closed due to a 'bomb scare' so entered the hold below FL60 so manually flown. We had to make a decision on what to do; speak to speedbird ops for advice, consider fuel, wx at alternates etc. As soon as we had made a decision to divert the bomb threat was cleared so we continued on the proceedure to the ILS to land.
As Brian said, its seems to me that the sim is more like a continuation of the interview, but in a different setting. They are looking to find out more about you, how are you under pressure (CRM), could the instructor see themselves sitting next to you all the way to Los Angeles or doing 4 sectors to Paris and back, are you a soduko guy or a cryptic crossword girl? They are not looking for the next Airbus test pilot but you will need some basic competancy. I made several embarrassing mistakes, some of which I noticed and then corrected. At the end of the sim you have the opportunity to self debrief. Use it as an opportunity to admit your mistakes and to say how you would do it differently next time.
I didn't use any online sim software or other stuff, but if it makes you feel more at ease and therefore confident then it's worth the money for you.
BA will be recruiting again but there seems a bit of a backlog for both day 1 and day 2 placements from the last recruitment period so I doubt they will open it up again until this backlog is cleared. No facts to back that up but it makes sense.
all the best to all. If you fail at the first attempt don't give up. this was my 3rd go in 5 years.
regards
I also got the good news today so I am once again swimming in the pool.
I would like to second Brian's thanks to all those who have passed on their hints and tips and all those who gave me hope after the hold pool was dispanded last year. This thread, although now rather long, is an invaluable source of information for the BA application process.
My sim was very close to that described by Von Smallhausen. A SID from a major SE airport into a STAR to another. On the way we had a reroute and a request for a time at an enroute point. The reroute necessitated a different STAR than briefed at the arrival airport. The airport was then closed due to a 'bomb scare' so entered the hold below FL60 so manually flown. We had to make a decision on what to do; speak to speedbird ops for advice, consider fuel, wx at alternates etc. As soon as we had made a decision to divert the bomb threat was cleared so we continued on the proceedure to the ILS to land.
As Brian said, its seems to me that the sim is more like a continuation of the interview, but in a different setting. They are looking to find out more about you, how are you under pressure (CRM), could the instructor see themselves sitting next to you all the way to Los Angeles or doing 4 sectors to Paris and back, are you a soduko guy or a cryptic crossword girl? They are not looking for the next Airbus test pilot but you will need some basic competancy. I made several embarrassing mistakes, some of which I noticed and then corrected. At the end of the sim you have the opportunity to self debrief. Use it as an opportunity to admit your mistakes and to say how you would do it differently next time.
I didn't use any online sim software or other stuff, but if it makes you feel more at ease and therefore confident then it's worth the money for you.
BA will be recruiting again but there seems a bit of a backlog for both day 1 and day 2 placements from the last recruitment period so I doubt they will open it up again until this backlog is cleared. No facts to back that up but it makes sense.
all the best to all. If you fail at the first attempt don't give up. this was my 3rd go in 5 years.
regards
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PMDG (PDMG?!?!?......I forget!) for the 747-400.
)I did a sim to get into the 2008 hold pool, which was disbanded and another sim earlier this year to get into the RHS of a nice speedbird 767 - and I can't really add anything to that written above about the sim. pretty much 100% matches both my experiences.
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Hi guys.
I was hoping you could lend some honest advice to a student still doing their flight training just on the IR phase at the moment. It has been a passion of mine to want to fly for BA although just to get a job once finishing is probs the priority whoever it may happen to be with. I would believe that the standards BA look for are high and i was curious as to whether the airline would even bother looking at my cv if i was to send it in having only done 220hours. Also how strict are BA when looking at atpl exam results, is it true they only want 1st time passes over 90% ? The reason i ask is that i myself managed 90% however this was with one failure and im worried if i blown my chances of even getting looked at, or is there some flexibility to this ie. excellent flying results and a solid 1st time pass IR. Im also curious to know whether most of you who went for the interview were straight out of flight school or other airlines?
Many thanks
I was hoping you could lend some honest advice to a student still doing their flight training just on the IR phase at the moment. It has been a passion of mine to want to fly for BA although just to get a job once finishing is probs the priority whoever it may happen to be with. I would believe that the standards BA look for are high and i was curious as to whether the airline would even bother looking at my cv if i was to send it in having only done 220hours. Also how strict are BA when looking at atpl exam results, is it true they only want 1st time passes over 90% ? The reason i ask is that i myself managed 90% however this was with one failure and im worried if i blown my chances of even getting looked at, or is there some flexibility to this ie. excellent flying results and a solid 1st time pass IR. Im also curious to know whether most of you who went for the interview were straight out of flight school or other airlines?
Many thanks
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Hi
Dav66id77 - There is no technical interview - thank god.
Speedbird100 - Recent recruitment to BA has been in 3 Categories;
i) military guys via a special managed path scheme;
ii) a new cadet scheme for anyone with any level of flying experience less than a CPL.
iii) and direct entry pilot (DEP), the requirements for this has changed over the last year or so but during the last period in July the requirment was:
BA do not look at CV's, they only accept applications online when the application process is open. As far as I am aware they are not interested in ATPL exam results, they have never asked for mine, so I wouldn't worry on that score.
Regards
Dav66id77 - There is no technical interview - thank god.
Speedbird100 - Recent recruitment to BA has been in 3 Categories;
i) military guys via a special managed path scheme;
ii) a new cadet scheme for anyone with any level of flying experience less than a CPL.
iii) and direct entry pilot (DEP), the requirements for this has changed over the last year or so but during the last period in July the requirment was:
- For shorthaul vacancies you will have a current type rating, and a minimum of 100 sectors or 500 hrs experience, on a multi pilot aircraft with MTOW more than 10 tonnes or more than 19 approved passengers. You will also hold a UK issued JAA/CAA ATPL(A) (Full or 'Frozen').
- For longhaul vacancies you will have a minimum total of 2000 hrs flying experience, and will hold a full UK issued JAA/CAA ATPL(A). Your total hours will include a minimum of 1000 hrs on jet transport category aircraft with a MTOW of greater than 25 tonnes, or multi-crew turboprop transport aircraft - or military equivalent - with a MTOW of greater than 50 tonnes.
- In all cases your relevant experience will be current, or recent enough, so that you can conduct a Zero Flight Time (ZFT) conversion course at British Airways (for this requirement you will need to have operated the qualifying type within the 12 months preceding the start date of your ZFT course with us).
Regards
Join Date: Mar 2001
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I'm interested to know how MOA's post:
(Mil heavy pilot but out of the cockpit for 2 years....)
is compatible with the bullet point 3 re currency?
(Mil heavy pilot but out of the cockpit for 2 years....)
is compatible with the bullet point 3 re currency?
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The playing field is level.
There was nothing stopping you joining the services an defending your country for 16yrs to get the easy route into BA.
I'm surprised you didn't think of it yourself?
There was nothing stopping you joining the services an defending your country for 16yrs to get the easy route into BA.
I'm surprised you didn't think of it yourself?
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Thanks for the reply binsleepen that gives me much relief to know that they dont ask. I guess it only really matters when trying to get that 1st job after that i guess its how many hours you have got which is the important thing. Out of interest what airline were you with before you joined BA and now that you have joined how do you find it working for them.
Regards
Regards
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Bowly you are wrong, there is an easy route to join BA, you just have to choose the outfit which is the biggest pain in the backside to BA or has something BA wants such as slots, Remember Cambrian. Bcal, Danair. Northeast (or was it west) or others I have forgotten. Perhaps BM will be the next or might it be without pilots. And then of course there is Virgin!
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For all those moaning about the 'miltary managed path' it gets you through the initial requirement to have an ATPL/CPL and enter the number at the BA login screen, no more.
The selection process and interview process are identical.
Level playing field? Yep, I think so.
The selection process and interview process are identical.
Level playing field? Yep, I think so.