Any pilots in the house?
Discussion
22 said:
With many, many thanks to Andrew & Ben for some private exchanges, my lad is through the next round and been invited to an assessment day at Heathrow.
Obviously the dates clash with a school trip to France, but we'll fly him in and out if poss, otherwise the trip gets binned.
Great news. Keep us posted!Obviously the dates clash with a school trip to France, but we'll fly him in and out if poss, otherwise the trip gets binned.
Thankfully common sense has prevailed and the school have allowed my son to go on his French trip (Sunday) and we'll fly him home ahead of his assessment day. Flying home Wednesday evening to give him some prep time (assessment is 8:30 - 4:30 Friday at Heathrow). It's a nice opening line to have for any interview element at least! He's on the Spain/Jerez assessment (rather than Florida) but that is his preference - there are 3 days of assessments for Jerez (he thinks more for USA) - he selected Friday - was given Wednesday but a quick email about school trip and all good.
He's been sent pages of 'what to expect'. Not sure where I got my facts wrong, but training would commence in the spring so he would have to leave his A-levels. He's always been very driven in his studies so is a little conflicted - but let's get as far as that even being a decision he needs to make.
A teacher had me in tears with his "so proud/incredible young man" etc when he called to confirm plans.
He's been sent pages of 'what to expect'. Not sure where I got my facts wrong, but training would commence in the spring so he would have to leave his A-levels. He's always been very driven in his studies so is a little conflicted - but let's get as far as that even being a decision he needs to make.
A teacher had me in tears with his "so proud/incredible young man" etc when he called to confirm plans.
Assessment today at Heathrow. My lad flew back from his school trip in Lyon to Gatwick yesterday (Wednesday to Luton cancelled with the fire). He was out-travelled by someone who had flown from Madrid for the assessment. Some people were there on their second and third attempts.
North of 20,000 applicants for the scheme - still in the high hundreds remaining. 30 places for Jerez and 40 for Florida - London City have asked for 10 apparently so upped from the original 60. Two more rounds of selections to come. My lad said he was the youngest (at just 18) by at least 4 or 5 years and the 'oldest' was ~37 (policeman). Very strict on collecting/removing workings/notes, I suppose to prevent leaking online.
Group test and then 4 paper tests split AM/PM. No interviews. Run by the team from FTEJerez with a BA liaison (all nice people he said).
No real indication given on timescales.
North of 20,000 applicants for the scheme - still in the high hundreds remaining. 30 places for Jerez and 40 for Florida - London City have asked for 10 apparently so upped from the original 60. Two more rounds of selections to come. My lad said he was the youngest (at just 18) by at least 4 or 5 years and the 'oldest' was ~37 (policeman). Very strict on collecting/removing workings/notes, I suppose to prevent leaking online.
Group test and then 4 paper tests split AM/PM. No interviews. Run by the team from FTEJerez with a BA liaison (all nice people he said).
No real indication given on timescales.
djc206 said:
Did he get a feel for how he’d done?
I think he was expecting wall-to-wall tests and activities. With allocated slots for tasks, he spent the first hour and three quarters waiting and chatting to others (in fairness he took some value from that). He seems to think the group task went ok. Given a scenario and then a curve ball thrown in as nearing final decision. We'd spoken about how to conduct himself in a group task but he knows the subject matter better than us.
He said the paper tests were tough, but thinks went ok.
Perhaps a little taken aback by how young he was compared to others.
For people there to be on their second and third applications shows how fine the margins must be to make the final call - must need a spot of good luck in there too.
We're proud he's got this far whatever happens.
ETA: He said ~35 on his day yesterday, expecting more but several no shows (which sounds insane to me!). 3 days of assessments by the FTEJerez people and nine days for Florida.
Edited by 22 on Saturday 14th October 09:39
22 said:
I think he was expecting wall-to-wall tests and activities. With allocated slots for tasks, he spent the first hour and three quarters waiting and chatting to others (in fairness he took some value from that).
He seems to think the group task went ok. Given a scenario and then a curve ball thrown in as nearing final decision. We'd spoken about how to conduct himself in a group task but he knows the subject matter better than us.
He said the paper tests were tough, but thinks went ok.
Perhaps a little taken aback by how young he was compared to others.
For people there to be on their second and third applications shows how fine the margins must be to make the final call - must need a spot of good luck in there too.
We're proud he's got this far whatever happens.
ETA: He said ~35 on his day yesterday, expecting more but several no shows (which sounds insane to me!). 3 days of assessments by the FTEJerez people and nine days for Florida.
Sounds really positive. He seems to think the group task went ok. Given a scenario and then a curve ball thrown in as nearing final decision. We'd spoken about how to conduct himself in a group task but he knows the subject matter better than us.
He said the paper tests were tough, but thinks went ok.
Perhaps a little taken aback by how young he was compared to others.
For people there to be on their second and third applications shows how fine the margins must be to make the final call - must need a spot of good luck in there too.
We're proud he's got this far whatever happens.
ETA: He said ~35 on his day yesterday, expecting more but several no shows (which sounds insane to me!). 3 days of assessments by the FTEJerez people and nine days for Florida.
Edited by 22 on Saturday 14th October 09:39
I went through a similar process in aviation but not flying way back when. I was one of the younger folks then too, we ended up making up the majority of the successful candidates, less pressure on us I guess and less managerial in our approach to group tasks. TRM and all that jazz.
That people have been allowed a second or third crack of the whip has to be a positive thing to take away from the chats with others.
22 said:
I think he was expecting wall-to-wall tests and activities. With allocated slots for tasks, he spent the first hour and three quarters waiting and chatting to others (in fairness he took some value from that).
He seems to think the group task went ok. Given a scenario and then a curve ball thrown in as nearing final decision. We'd spoken about how to conduct himself in a group task but he knows the subject matter better than us.
He said the paper tests were tough, but thinks went ok.
Perhaps a little taken aback by how young he was compared to others.
For people there to be on their second and third applications shows how fine the margins must be to make the final call - must need a spot of good luck in there too.
We're proud he's got this far whatever happens.
ETA: He said ~35 on his day yesterday, expecting more but several no shows (which sounds insane to me!). 3 days of assessments by the FTEJerez people and nine days for Florida.
All great stuff. I’m at an event today and I understand BA have had 40,000 pilot applications this year; 20,000 for the Speedbird Academy, as you say, for just 70 places. He seems to think the group task went ok. Given a scenario and then a curve ball thrown in as nearing final decision. We'd spoken about how to conduct himself in a group task but he knows the subject matter better than us.
He said the paper tests were tough, but thinks went ok.
Perhaps a little taken aback by how young he was compared to others.
For people there to be on their second and third applications shows how fine the margins must be to make the final call - must need a spot of good luck in there too.
We're proud he's got this far whatever happens.
ETA: He said ~35 on his day yesterday, expecting more but several no shows (which sounds insane to me!). 3 days of assessments by the FTEJerez people and nine days for Florida.
Edited by 22 on Saturday 14th October 09:39
They’re down to the last 800 now so he’s done incredibly well - fingers crossed for the rest!
I recall some of the bizarre selection aptitude tests BA used to do.
One involved holding a pencil vertically on a piece of paper with the tip of one finger, and then trying to push it around a circuit drawn on the paper.
Another involved one of these, whilst answering questions.
Presumably to see if we could multi-task (or been drinking
)
One involved holding a pencil vertically on a piece of paper with the tip of one finger, and then trying to push it around a circuit drawn on the paper.
Another involved one of these, whilst answering questions.
Presumably to see if we could multi-task (or been drinking
)And,
https://www.aerosociety.com/events-calendar/career...
Not necessarily flight crew, but a useful insight into the career opportunities the industry can provide.
https://www.aerosociety.com/events-calendar/career...
Not necessarily flight crew, but a useful insight into the career opportunities the industry can provide.
There's some chatter on some of the industry forums about how tough some people found the next round of online assessments for Jerez. As we've not heard anything to even do these, it looks like that might be the end of my lad's first attempt for funded training (he hasn't said anything yet).
He took off for a few days travelling in Sweden, Norway & Denmark in half-term - back Monday. Super proud anyway especially as it appears they were leaning towards a mid-twenties starting age but still wanted to see him (18).
If it is the end of this application, I'm sure there'll be others.
Thanks to everyone who has posted here or exchanged messages (and apologies for the thread hijack
)
He took off for a few days travelling in Sweden, Norway & Denmark in half-term - back Monday. Super proud anyway especially as it appears they were leaning towards a mid-twenties starting age but still wanted to see him (18).
If it is the end of this application, I'm sure there'll be others.
Thanks to everyone who has posted here or exchanged messages (and apologies for the thread hijack
)
Would love to DM anyone who’s recently been through Speedbird. Is it the same as the BA Future Pilots Programme - or do they differ?
My lad is through the 3rd round of online assessments so would be good to get some form of heads up with what to expect. I know it’s a long shot but always worth pursuing as it’s such a passion point for him.
He’s nearly 18, super smart and has always loved aviation. He also adores BA which helps.
He’ll be finishing his physics, maths and economics A levels in May this year.
My lad is through the 3rd round of online assessments so would be good to get some form of heads up with what to expect. I know it’s a long shot but always worth pursuing as it’s such a passion point for him.
He’s nearly 18, super smart and has always loved aviation. He also adores BA
which helps.He’ll be finishing his physics, maths and economics A levels in May this year.
Sim75 said:
Would love to DM anyone who’s recently been through Speedbird. Is it the same as the BA Future Pilots Programme - or do they differ?
My lad is through the 3rd round of online assessments so would be good to get some form of heads up with what to expect. I know it’s a long shot but always worth pursuing as it’s such a passion point for him.
He’s nearly 18, super smart and has always loved aviation. He also adores BA which helps.
He’ll be finishing his physics, maths and economics A levels in May this year.
Have you looked on PPRUNE lots of information on interviews and assessments on there.My lad is through the 3rd round of online assessments so would be good to get some form of heads up with what to expect. I know it’s a long shot but always worth pursuing as it’s such a passion point for him.
He’s nearly 18, super smart and has always loved aviation. He also adores BA
which helps.He’ll be finishing his physics, maths and economics A levels in May this year.
Big Bad Ben said:
All great stuff. I’m at an event today and I understand BA have had 40,000 pilot applications this year; 20,000 for the Speedbird Academy, as you say, for just 70 places.
They’re down to the last 800 now so he’s done incredibly well - fingers crossed for the rest!
Almost identical odds to when I joined in 1832. 84 places back then with 40000 initial applications for the cadet scheme. Further places opened up later on and some of those who were unsuccessful the first time round joined on later intakes.They’re down to the last 800 now so he’s done incredibly well - fingers crossed for the rest!
Direct entry was handled separately.
Edited by JW911 on Saturday 27th April 10:39
JuniorD said:
Thank goodness the internet wasn't really a big thing when I went through this. You could keep your own counsel and not be distracted with the outside chatter. When you hear of the numbers applying nowadays, success seems an incredibly remote possibility.
Swings and roundabouts I think. To open up aviation to more people the airline sponsorship schemes and mpl schemes have much lower barriers to entry. So all kinds of people apply that wouldn’t have thought about becoming pilots before.
As they’re not as emotionally invested as people who grew up wanting to be pilots many actually vanish from the later stages. Not get chopped but simply don’t turn up.
The flip side is that if you’re a white bloke from a semi wealthy family (like many pilots were traditionally) , then you’ve likely got a bit less chance now when the airlines are keen to be more diverse. This is because you’re simply not in a group that represents diversity.
This is causing some airlines issues now, like it has in many business or universities etc seeking to advance certain groups of people based on diversity or being from less privileged backgrounds etc simply because many cadets etc don’t really know how to behave or struggle more with the exams and training etc.
It’s not the new cadet or employee or students ‘fault’ though. It’s the companies ‘fault’ if they’re having these issues as they’re either recruiting the wrong people (in cases) or have in adequate training and support or education to back up the recruitment policies they’re trying to bring in.
Edited by u-boat on Saturday 27th April 15:49
u-boat said:
Swings and roundabouts I think.
To open up aviation to more people the airline sponsorship schemes and mpl schemes have much lower barriers to entry. So all kinds of people apply that wouldn’t have thought about becoming pilots before.
As they’re not as emotionally invested as people who grew up wanting to be pilots many actually vanish from the later stages. Not get chopped but simply don’t turn up.
The flip side is that if you’re a white bloke from a semi wealthy family (like many pilots were traditionally) , then you’ve likely got a bit less chance now when the airlines are keen to be more diverse. This is because you’re simply not in a group that represents diversity.
This is causing some airlines issues now, like it has in many business or universities etc seeking to advance certain groups of people based on diversity or being from less privileged backgrounds etc simply because many cadets etc don’t really know how to behave or struggle more with the exams and training etc.
It’s not the new cadet or employee or students ‘fault’ though. It’s the companies ‘fault’ if they’re having these issues as they’re either recruiting the wrong people (in cases) or have in adequate training and support or education to back up the recruitment policies they’re trying to bring in.
Diversity aside, on the basis of intelligence alone, I doubt many people that weren’t that schooled would make it through the automated tests tbh. Whoever makes it through those tests - included the PA - have every right to have a crack of the whip.To open up aviation to more people the airline sponsorship schemes and mpl schemes have much lower barriers to entry. So all kinds of people apply that wouldn’t have thought about becoming pilots before.
As they’re not as emotionally invested as people who grew up wanting to be pilots many actually vanish from the later stages. Not get chopped but simply don’t turn up.
The flip side is that if you’re a white bloke from a semi wealthy family (like many pilots were traditionally) , then you’ve likely got a bit less chance now when the airlines are keen to be more diverse. This is because you’re simply not in a group that represents diversity.
This is causing some airlines issues now, like it has in many business or universities etc seeking to advance certain groups of people based on diversity or being from less privileged backgrounds etc simply because many cadets etc don’t really know how to behave or struggle more with the exams and training etc.
It’s not the new cadet or employee or students ‘fault’ though. It’s the companies ‘fault’ if they’re having these issues as they’re either recruiting the wrong people (in cases) or have in adequate training and support or education to back up the recruitment policies they’re trying to bring in.
Edited by u-boat on Saturday 27th April 15:49
On a lighthearted note
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgnsa1hR3qA
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgnsa1hR3qA
Edited by Geneve on Saturday 27th April 23:13
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