Speedbird Pilot Academy opens (for a limited time only)
Sep 19, 2023, 5:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,203
Speedbird Pilot Academy opens (for a limited time only)
Good afternoon all,
One for the aspiring commercial pilots amongst you and your extended network/families.
Two training providers at present for this scheme and further details can be found here.
https://jobs.ba.com/jobs/vacancy/speedbird-pilot-academy-8305-london/8323/description/
https://careers.ba.com/future-pilots
Good luck to anyone you know who is applying.
One for the aspiring commercial pilots amongst you and your extended network/families.
Two training providers at present for this scheme and further details can be found here.
https://jobs.ba.com/jobs/vacancy/speedbird-pilot-academy-8305-london/8323/description/
https://careers.ba.com/future-pilots
Good luck to anyone you know who is applying.
Sep 19, 2023, 5:27 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,549
My dream job since I was a kid. Unfortunately, my parents didn't bless me with the right DNA in the eye department. No way I'll ever pass the medical 
But hey-ho, sitting slightly further back with a drink and a good view isn't so bad.
But hey-ho, sitting slightly further back with a drink and a good view isn't so bad.
Sep 19, 2023, 5:30 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,203
https://www.caa.co.uk/aeromedical-ex...ds-for-pilots/
These are the standards required for the Class 1 medical as per the UK.
I do agree about the drink and the view when I do get the chance to let others do the driving.
Sep 19, 2023, 6:07 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,112
What a great idea this is! I've already passed it on to a friend of a friend who started flying training with the aim of flying commercially, but had to give up due to lack of funds.
It's also good to see a large company taking on responsibility for producing the skilled workforce it needs, rather than hoping workers will magically arrive ready-trained and whining when they don't (as so many others, in other industries, do). It shows long-term thinking about the company's strategy.
It's also good to see a large company taking on responsibility for producing the skilled workforce it needs, rather than hoping workers will magically arrive ready-trained and whining when they don't (as so many others, in other industries, do). It shows long-term thinking about the company's strategy.
Sep 19, 2023, 7:13 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,549
https://www.caa.co.uk/aeromedical-ex...ds-for-pilots/
These are the standards required for the Class 1 medical as per the UK.
I do agree about the drink and the view when I do get the chance to let others do the driving.
These are the standards required for the Class 1 medical as per the UK.
I do agree about the drink and the view when I do get the chance to let others do the driving.
I'm still tempted to try casual flying, maybe taking some lessons in a small prop. I'm not sure I have the energy that Tom Cruise has, so I will not be going back to flight school now
"Sigwx, you're still dangerous, but you can be my wingman anytime". haha
Sep 19, 2023, 7:25 am
#7
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,991
Things have changed. Eyesight needing correction is not in itself a reason to be refused a class 1. If it is corrected by glasses and an opthalmologist checks that your sight is corrected by glasses, then you can get a class 1. you would need to carry a second spare pare of glasses with you.
i have this, corrected by glasses, and have held a class 1 recently.
myopia of -6.75 (right) and -6.50 (left)
astigmatism cylinder -1.75 (right) and -1.25 (left)
i have this, corrected by glasses, and have held a class 1 recently.
myopia of -6.75 (right) and -6.50 (left)
astigmatism cylinder -1.75 (right) and -1.25 (left)
Sep 19, 2023, 7:29 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,549
Things have changed. Eyesight needing correction is not in itself a reason to be refused a class 1. If it is corrected by glasses and an opthalmologist checks that your sight is corrected by glasses, then you can get a class 1. you would need to carry a second spare pare of glasses with you.
i have this, corrected by glasses, and have held a class 1 recently.
myopia of -6.75 (right) and -6.50 (left)
astigmatism cylinder -1.75 (right) and -1.25 (left)
i have this, corrected by glasses, and have held a class 1 recently.
myopia of -6.75 (right) and -6.50 (left)
astigmatism cylinder -1.75 (right) and -1.25 (left)
Sep 19, 2023, 7:31 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: London
Programs: Sir Ratechaser Seigneur de la Patience d'un Saint (Mucci), BA Silver, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 2,570
I had a good read of this when it popped up on LinkedIn - BA is clearly trying to create workforce diversity here, even funding accommodation and food, so there are no direct costs for applicants to have to pay. They talk about reaching out to local organisations (presumably those that represent more marginalised groups of people), and are very clear that being rich and well educated isn't a prerequisite.
Hopefully there will be an absolute scrum for places here, and they pick some good candidates. It's a £6m investment that I hope pays off in terms of building a long term workforce.
For that matter, I might push this towards one of my younger extended family members that is in need of some career inspiration....
Hopefully there will be an absolute scrum for places here, and they pick some good candidates. It's a £6m investment that I hope pays off in terms of building a long term workforce.
For that matter, I might push this towards one of my younger extended family members that is in need of some career inspiration....
Sep 19, 2023, 7:46 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: NQY
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 500
She's currently thinking about her Y10 work experience placements and would love to do something in Aviation, but with us being down in Cornwall, she's far too far away for the BA and Heathrow programmes.
Sep 19, 2023, 8:03 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,065
The issue I have is correction and tolerance. I have strong glasses to correct severe astigmatism, but without them, I'd not be able to read any instruments. When leaving uni, I was rejected by airlines, ATC, the airforce, and the police force, all because my eyes would never be fit without correction. The depressing part is the cost now. Because the lenses are so thick, getting thin glasses is now becoming rather pricey.
I'm still tempted to try casual flying, maybe taking some lessons in a small prop. I'm not sure I have the energy that Tom Cruise has, so I will not be going back to flight school now
"Sigwx, you're still dangerous, but you can be my wingman anytime". haha
I'm still tempted to try casual flying, maybe taking some lessons in a small prop. I'm not sure I have the energy that Tom Cruise has, so I will not be going back to flight school now
"Sigwx, you're still dangerous, but you can be my wingman anytime". haha
Sep 19, 2023, 9:00 am
#14
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,619
I assume that website is being hammered as it's very slow (and acknowledged on the page).
Or it could just be the usual shoddy BA IT
I could have applied 3 months ago... but no longer
Or it could just be the usual shoddy BA IT
I could have applied 3 months ago... but no longer
Sep 19, 2023, 9:28 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: POZ / LON
Programs: TP *S | FB Silver | LH
Posts: 138
A few months shy of hitting the big 4.0 and the potential pitfalls of midlife crisis, working in a toxic environment following a nasty restructure due to my employer being bought out by a bigger competitor.
Then something like that shows up and brings back all the childhood dreams I had.
Forget the convertible sports car, I want that Speedbird A320!
Then something like that shows up and brings back all the childhood dreams I had.
Forget the convertible sports car, I want that Speedbird A320!