This is an enormous amount of money for anyone to spend or their career. As a result the airline industry is at risk of becoming available to those who are able to pay and increasingly unavailable to those with high levels of aptitude. Thats not to say we have a huge skills gap with our current pilots, but many talented individuals are denied their dream career due to a financial wall.
Post 9/11 and the credit crunch meant scholarships have been a thing of the past, however British Airways are bucking that trend. Recognising their need to recruit pilots of a high caliber for their ever expanding airline BA are opening their own sponsored pilot training programme. This is a very encouraging sign for the industry and a not to be missed opportunity for aspiring pilots.
Details of the programme can be found on the BA Future Pilot website here: http://www.bafuturepilot.com/. If you meet the criteria this really is an opportunity not to be missed. Don't underestimate the level of competition, if you go for this you really will have to give it your all. If you do go for it then consider the following advice:
- Don't delay - This won't be open forever so apply early.
- Don't rush it - You need to standout from the 1000s of other people who will apply.
- Do your research - Read everything about the programme, where you can do your training, what the training involves and how the finances work.
- Read about British Airways - You are asking them to invest a lot of time and money into your career, so find out what their business is all about.
- Show yourself off - You are all working towards a BTEC in Aviation Studies, some of you will be doing the CVQO BTEC in Public Services, many of you will have completed / almost completed a level of the DofE scheme.
For those who do take up this opportunity then best of luck in your applications and do let us know how you get on.
R Davis
SGT (ATC)
Adjutant 2393 Squadron
