Tuesday 16 October 2012

So how did I get here?

"Toothbrush, iron, smart shoes, highlighter pens, class 1 medical..." begins my list of items a nervous new cadet might need to pack for his first week at flight school. Nearly a year after first applying to the British Airways Future Pilot Programme, I am finally starting my new life as an airline pilot (trainee) this week.

I am excited and a little apprehensive although I think I have done as much preparation as reasonably possible. This will change my life completely. Two years of study, testing and hard work lie ahead. There will be long periods away from my beautiful wife. There will be tough times and failures to be overcome. My life savings — and large loans — ride on the outcome. But beyond that the promise of the dream job and the lifestyle that goes with it.

The story of how I got here and what happens next is one I would like to share. If you too find the world of aviation fascinating and strange, if you have wondered how those smart and well spoken pilots are made, if you have ever wished your office was way up above the clouds then perhaps my simple tale will interest you. Perhaps it will be helpful other hopeful pilots, or even change their minds. In either case, it will be worthwhile.

So again, how did I get here?

BA's new offices at Waterside were especially
designed to impress and intimidate trainee pilots

The airline industry is cut-throat. Margins are small, risks are high. Competition is relentless, and where money does not absolutely need to be spent, it is saved.

Consequently aspirant pilots face a very tough deal. There are virtually no sponsored training schemes around, leaving the trainees to foot bills approaching £100,000 with no guarantee of success or a job at the end. If you do qualify and find work, you may have to shell out up to £30,000 for type training only to be offered a poorly-paid temporary contract that won't cover your loan repayments. If you don't, you have to somehow find the money to keep your licence and ratings current. It's remarkable that anyone would take this gamble, but hundreds do every year and the competition for jobs for newly-qualified pilots is fierce.

So when British Airways launched the Future Pilot Programme in August 2011, it almost seemed to good to be true. Admittedly, cadets are still expected to contribute a large sum towards their training, but this includes the type rating, line training and the all-important light of a secure job at the end of the tunnel. Guaranteed loans were made available and for the first time in years it became possible for someone with little flying experience or money to become an airline pilot for a major player. Someone, in fact, like me.

I admit it; I only found out about the scheme because my Dad saw it in the Sunday paper. Recognising what an great opportunity this was I immediately applied.

The all-conquering A320 will, fingers crossed,
be my new office from sometime deep into 2014...
To my surprise, my online application form was accepted. Ahead lay interviews, computer testing, medicals, references, psychometric tests, more interviews, more medicals, more computer testing — the process was long and daunting. But then something strange started to happen; I kept passing each stage of assessment and it kept getting more real. Finally, in December, the magic letter arrived — still proudly displayed on the fridge — I was in.

It would be wrong to claim any real expertise, but I do have a few theories about what helped me through the application process which I am happy to share; but that's for another day.

Fast forward through ten months of paperwork and planning and I am poised to start. I probably wouldn't be here without the support of my wonderful wife, family and friends and — be warned wife, family and friends — I will probably need a lot more support to get through. A huge thank you to them and thank you too for reading — I hope you will stay along for the ride.

22 comments:

  1. Great first post Jeremy. Can empathise 100% with pretty much all of your post :-) Looking forward to Friday!!

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  2. We're so proud of you! Very excited about this next leg of your lives (Bev included) as its no less crazy and ambitious as anything else that you've done. Fortune favours the brave! Go get 'em.

    Love Eg & Rich xxx

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  3. Well I am pretty nervous but excited too about the next couple of years. I know you are going to make a fab pilot and I am right there behind you all the way.

    All my Love your wife B XXX

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  4. Was there any entry requirements such as Gcse grades? And if so what were they if you can help me out on this will be greatful as i want to do this next year but i really have no clue on how to get started, Thanks.

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    1. Yes there are entry requirements - Oxford Aviation Academy have their own which will be on their website http://www.caeoaa.com/, but if you want to apply via the BAFPP scheme there will be additional requirements - again see the website for details www.bafuturepilot.com . Good luck.

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  5. Hi, I'm considering applying for BA's FPP and have therefore been reading through your blog with great interest! I'm from a family of pilots (and also married to one!) so know all about the lifestyle etc once qualified. What I'm not so sure about is the realities of balancing family life with the training. I'm 35, female, with a 4 year old daughter (who has just started school) and wondering if I'm crazy to even be considering applying while she is still so young. If you don't mind my asking, how feasible was it for you to travel home from Oxford at weekends? And how long are you due to be out in Arizona? (I've discounted CTC as 9 months in New Zealand is just not feasible) and now trying to decide between Jerez and Oxford... Thanks!

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    1. Hi there! To answer your questions; it is no problem to go home at weekends during the UK based training sections. The Phoenix flight training is supposed to take 20-22 weeks, though for us it is more like 30-32 though that is another story. It's fine to have your family visit you in Phoenix though you will have to work around your training schedule it's still possible to have a decent holiday with them. Longer term is going to be more difficult, once employed you will both have irregular and unpredictable schedules and child care is going to be tricky but I'm sure it's not impossible. Why not apply when the scheme reopens (I heard rumours of BAFPP round three opening November 2013) and take it from there?

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  6. Thanks for the quick response! So the scheduled time in Arizona is less than the time CTC cadets spend in NZ, which I read is 9 months? That's encouraging!
    In many ways, I think family life would actually be easier if I were to embark on a flying career. At present, I work fixed (and very long) hours in London, so never see my daughter during the week. Weekends I am off, but OH is nearly always flying, which means the actual time we spend together as a family is minimal. Still not sure how workable 6 months overseas actually is though. Lots to think about! Thanks again!

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  7. Hi, I am going to apply to the BAFPP in a few days and was just wondering what the online application is like and the type of things I need to look up and research before hand so that I can quickly send in my application when it opens, as I know that they will close the window early if they have enough applications.
    Thanks!

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  8. Now you're asking! To be honest I don't really recall. I think there were a few very short essay type boxes inviting you to write about yourself and why you were suitable for the job, that kind of thing. But don't worry you will have a fair amount of time to complete it, you don't have to do it all in one go.

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  9. Hi I have an interview and COMPASS test at OAA in a few days, any ideas on what to expect? I've done a lot of research and revising but I am mostly worried about the technical test

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    1. Hi there, I can't say any more than I have about the content of the assessment days, and anyway they may well have changed in the last 18 months, but you can find a lot of information on OAA's own forum here: http://ask.oxfordaviation.net/

      If you are referring to what technical questions you are likely to be asked, then I would say make sure you can explain how a wing generates lift, and how a piston and jet engine work (in simple terms). They are the most likely subjects.

      If you are on an airline scheme like the BA one, make sure you learn the basics about the company such as the fleet, staff numbers, turnover, who is in charge and so on.

      Good luck!

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  10. Hey, congratulations on being a cadet on the Ba Fpp and for having a very informative blog which I have enjoyed. Do u mind giving us an insight on your background and past experience before joining OAA?

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  11. One of the great things about the scheme is that it is open to all keen and able applicants, regardless of background or financial position. My previous training and work had nothing at all to do with flying, and no one in my family is connected to the industry. It was only starting to flying gliders for a few years that put me into contact with pilots first made me consider a career in aviation.

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  12. Congratulations Jeremy!!! I'm 44 years old and looking for a career change. Always wanted to be a pilot but something always came in the way, do you think it's too late? Also will BA be running the FPP in 2014?

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  13. I think it is likely there will be at least one more round of recruitment for FPP, keep a close eye on their website. As for age I don't know if that is a problem but you can always try.

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  14. Hi there I am a non UK citizen can I apply for it . Thanks

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    1. I don't make the rules, I suggest you refer to the FPP website. You will of course need to be able to live and work in the UK.

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  15. Congratulations,

    Hi, I am 14 years old. I have wanted to become a pilot since I was about 5. Have you got any tips for me on how to improve my chance on becoming a pilot when I leave school. I would love to work for British Airways and I'm thinking of beginning PPL training, but is it worth it?
    Good luck in your training!

    Thanks

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    1. Hi, I suggest getting involved in some flying as soon as you can. Gliding is a great way to do this, either through ATC (free!) or contact your local gliding club and see if they have a cadet scheme. Once you have got the hang of that you could look at PPL training but it is not cheap. One option to get your commercial licence is the modular route, and getting a PPL is part of this. It is also a cheaper way than an integrated course but you do need to be very determined to make it work. I would also say don't fixate on BA or even passenger jets, you need to be flexible and take what you can. The good news is there are likely to be a lot more jobs going in five years than there are now. good luck!

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    2. Thanks for a quick response, i will take it all on board.
      Good luck in your training!

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