Choosing to become a pilot is a life-changing decision as well as a huge financial commitment. Here at British Airways we believe in investing in the future, and that is why we have developed a unique programme to offer anyone with the right skills, passion and potential the chance to realise their dream of becoming an airline pilot.
We’re proud to announce the launch of the Future Pilot Programme – our flagship sponsored pilot training scheme that is designed to select and train aspiring pilots, who currently have little or no flying experience.
We’re seeking only the most able candidates with the determination to rise to the challenges of our comprehensive programme. Once you have successfully completed your training, you can look forward to continuing your journey with one of the world’s leading airlines and taking to the skies as a first officer on one of our London-based short haul fleets.
If you can see yourself expertly navigating one of our aircraft across the globe, delivering world-leading levels of safety, security, and customer service, then the Future Pilot Programme may be for you. Please explore the website for further information about the programme and we very much look forward to receiving an application from you.
Program / Course Details
We’ve approved three world-class Flight Training Organisations (FTOs) to provide training for the Future Pilot Programme so that your career can have the best possible start. When you apply for the programme you’ll have to state your preferred choice; it’s very important that you take the time now to familiarise yourself with each FTO and select the one you would wish to train at.
The programme then involves British Airways and the approved FTOs working together to find and select the most able aspiring pilots who will, if successful, be offered not only a sponsored place on an approved ab-initio training programme, but also a conditional offer of a contract of employment as a British Airways first officer. What will follow will be a challenging course of British Airways-mentored training that will take you from little or no experience, to the first officer’s seat in one of our short haul aircraft like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737.
Whichever FTO you choose, you can be sure that there’s a long journey ahead. Training on this programme will involve many hundreds of hours of ground school study, flying training, jet orientation on a modern flight simulator and finally a type rating at the British Airways Flight Training centre.
While all the courses are equally intense, there are some important differences. To find out more about each FTO please visit the dedicated pages on their websites:
CTC Aviation Training – Southampton/Bournemouth (with some training in New Zealand).
Flight Training Europe – Jerez, Southern Spain.
Oxford Aviation Academy – Oxford (with some training in Arizona, USA).
The Application Process
Once you’ve completed your online application it will be sent to the FTO that you have selected. Your application will then be reviewed and those who pass the initial screening process will be asked to attend a selection centre.
The Selection Centre
Your FTO will send you details of the time and date of the selection centre. Here you will undergo a series of tests to assess your ability to complete the arduous training course ahead. Ultimately we are looking for the future captains of our airline and high standards will be paramount.
British Airways Recruitment Centre
If you are successful at the FTO selection centre then you will be invited to a final one-day selection centre at the British Airways Recruitment Centre, ‘The Rivers’, near London Heathrow Airport. Here you’ll have a chance to meet and be interviewed by British Airways pilots involved in pilot recruitment, and be assessed for your suitability to join the programme.
Acceptance
After all the events and selection processes are complete, British Airways will contact everyone who attended the final selection centre, and let them know the outcome. Successful candidates will be given a huge “Congratulations!” and a conditional offer of a contract of employment as a first officer with British Airways. These candidates will then start the process of getting ready to begin flight training.
Requirement
As one of our pilots you’ll see the world, and this means that wherever you go you’ll be an ambassador for British Airways. While we wear our uniforms with pride, it’s how we act that really sets us apart. Talk to any of our pilots and their enthusiasm is evident – we’re looking for people who share this passion.
You’ll not only need to be talented but also incredibly motivated and committed to excel during this demanding training programme. You must be able to keep a cool head under pressure and solve complex problems using verbal and mathematical reasoning. Some flying or gliding experience would of course be beneficial, but is not essential. Excellent communication skills are a must so that you can deliver our first class customer service.
This unique programme is open to any aspiring pilots who will be between the ages of 18 – 55 on 1st February 2012. Aspiring pilots from school leavers to those changing career are all very welcome to apply. You’ll need seven GCSEs at grade C or above (with Bs in English, Maths and a Science subject) plus three A-Levels, at grade BBC or above (General Studies excluded). If you don’t have the GCSE/A-Levels (or equivalents) that we’re looking for, but hold an Honours degree at 2:1 or above, we would be very happy to use that as evidence of your academic achievement. If you do meet the minimum GCSE/A-Level requirements, and you are a university graduate, there is no minimum degree class required. If you’ve got equivalent qualifications then you will be asked to provide a Letter of Comparability from UK NARIC before attending your first selection day.
You must hold a valid passport, have the ability to travel globally without restriction, and also have the right to live and work in the UK.
Whilst you will be excited by the prospect of frequent travel, you will also be recognisant of the fact that we operate flights globally, day and night, every day of the year
Rewards
Every one of our pilots is provided with a comprehensive and competitive reward package, and graduates from our Future Pilot Programme will be no exception.
If you successfully complete all of the training on the programme and start work as a first officer for us, you will enjoy a range of benefits that only one of the world’s leading premium airlines can offer. These benefits include a permanent contract of employment, our competitive pension scheme, flying allowances, private medical insurance and fantastic bonus potential.
As a first officer, in addition to your basic pay and allowances you will receive a repayment of £12,000 of your security bond each year for the first seven years of employment. Incremental pay rises will also occur annually in the month of the anniversary of your year of joining. On top of all this, you’ll have the world’s best view from your office window.
Finance
Training to become a pilot is hard work; it requires intensive training and ongoing commitment. However, initially financing flying training can often seem like the greatest challenge – and we firmly believe this shouldn’t be the case.
Therefore we have joined forces with Airline Placement Limited (APL), a subsidiary of CTC Aviation, and together we’ve designed a unique sponsorship scheme that will make flying feasible for all.
This is where the Future Pilot Programme really comes into its own. We have structured the programme so that APL will sponsor your flight training, jet orientation course and type rating. Obviously this represents a significant investment by APL and you will therefore be required to deposit a security bond of £84,000 with them. Because this is a sponsored scheme, this entire £84,000 security bond will be repaid to you, tax-free, if you successfully complete all training, and join British Airways as a first officer. The security bond is repaid in equal monthly instalments over your first seven years of employment, all in addition to your remuneration pa.
To Apply, click here
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