Educational requirements for BA pilots
#31
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Regarded as total and utter snob amongst the BAEC community.
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An alternative way into commercial aviation is to perhaps consider going via the Royal Air Force (RAF). BA have been known and keen to employ former and current serving pilots and provided them with necessary transition training. The link below outlines fully their requirements.
https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/h...iABEgKaI_D_BwE
Willie Walsh Story of his Cadet pilot interview
https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/h...iABEgKaI_D_BwE
Willie Walsh Story of his Cadet pilot interview
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
My elder brother left school with 4 O'Levels and joined the Merchant Navy as an officer cadet. After many years of on the job training/experience as well as attending the Glasgow nautical college gaining stripes along the way he ended up being master on supertankers. Similar thing I suppose.
#34
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Plymouth, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,159
I applied to the RAF when I was 18 for pilot training. They turned me down because they felt that I needed to have a better understanding of world affairs. They recommended I regularly read some quality newspapers and reapply in 18 months. I was impatient and got on with my pilot training myself and missed the chance.
In hindsight it would have been a good way in and given me the chance to fly some exciting kit.
If life in the forces is something that appeals then either RAF or navy are great choices IMO especially if you are looking to get into helicopters.
In hindsight it would have been a good way in and given me the chance to fly some exciting kit.
If life in the forces is something that appeals then either RAF or navy are great choices IMO especially if you are looking to get into helicopters.
#35
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,549
If you meet the standard to pass the exam, that is what matters. Degrees don't teach softskills. Even some major players in certain industries, EY comes to mind, have scrapped the requirement for degrees now as they want a more diverse workforce with different skills. Most universities are like conveyer belts, they churn out the same stuff repeatedly. It's great that people with less education have a shot at becoming a pilot. I personally was turned down due to appalling eyesight. I understood why, though it was still a shame. However, had I been turned down because I didn't have a degree or something, I'd be perplexed. Now I have a Master's and am half way through my doctorate, but I doubt that would make me a great pilot.
#36
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,190
rb211.
#37
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,144
Joining requirements to go direct officer are a-level equivalent, a degree is not necessarily required and can actually be a disadvantage if you want to get to the top, although this is being addressed. many fine officers that have come from the ranks just have GCSEs. We also have aircrew that aren’t officers too and they do a fantastic job.
It really is a modern world where individuals should be competency assessed not based on academia.
It really is a modern world where individuals should be competency assessed not based on academia.
#40
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#41
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
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Posts: 4,160
- Your height must be between 1.57m (5'2") and 1.90m (6'3"). Height is accurately determined during the assessment process. Candidates who are taller than 1.90m may submit an application but may be required to undergo a functionality check.
#42
Join Date: Mar 2016
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#45
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