Prospective pilots can apply from Tuesday (September 19) for a place on British Airways’ new scheme that will see the £100,000 cost of their training covered entirely by the airline.
The airline’s Speedbird Pilot Academy programme will lift the cost barrier of training to become an airline pilot for up to 60 successful candidates a year.
The airline hopes that removing the high costs associated with pilot training from the applicant will encourage people from across all communities to apply.
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Successful recruits will also have accommodation and food costs covered during their 16-month training period, making it the only airline scheme that removes all associated costs from the individual.
Sean Doyle, BA chief executive, said: “The Speedbird Pilot Academy will make the ambition of becoming a British Airways pilot a reality for people who’d previously written the option off because of the cost barrier.
“Our aim is to attract the very best talent out there for our future generation of pilots.
“Whether someone is just leaving school or embarking on a second career they never thought possible, we’re levelling the playing field by removing the initial training cost barrier to make a flying career more accessible to a wider range of people and giving everyone an equal chance.
“This first-in-a-generation initiative will allow anyone to make it a reality.”
Applications for the scheme can be submitted via the airline’s careers website, and, due to the expected unprecedented demand, it will close within seven days.
Training will begin early next year and recruits will land a full-time, salaried pilot position with the airline upon completion of the course.
BA is working closely with Fantasy Wings, an organisation working towards diversity in aviation and a member of the BA Better World Community Fund, to promote the scheme to young people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, other communities around the country and young women.
BA senior first officer and former cadet, Hannah Vaughan, 32, described the scheme as ‘groundbreaking’, adding: “This programme is a real leveller and opens a pilot career to everyone, not just those who can afford the initial training costs.
“I’m really proud to be flying for an airline offering this opportunity and would urge anyone who is interested in a highly rewarding career flying to destinations around the world to apply.
“I know there will be a lot of people who have never thought of being a pilot as a realistic option for them, but this cadet scheme changes that – and might just change your life.”
She said applicants do not need a degree or A levels, just six GCSEs including Maths, English and a Science or equivalent qualifications.
Cadets don’t need perfect eyesight as pilots can fly for commercial airlines with glasses or contact lenses.
Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 55 when they start their training and no flying experience or private pilot licence is required.