The British Airways Future Pilot Programme 2015 – MORE OPPORTUNITIES THAN EVER

SOUTHAMPTON, U.K. - Feb. 17, 2015 - PRLog -- British Airways has announced that the application window for the highly anticipated British Airways Future Pilot Programme (FPP) 2015 will open for a limited time from 23^rd February until 8^th March. Once again, pilot training and resourcing company CTC Aviation (through Airline Placement Limited a wholly owned subsidiary of CTC Aviation) will be managing the entire programme on behalf of British Airways and will also act as a training provider for aspiring pilots who are selected to join the programme.

Lindsay Craig – Manager Pilot Recruitment for British Airways anticipates that this year’s programme will be more popular than ever – “We are incredibly proud of this successful programme and delighted with the quality of new recruits joining our pilot community. This year we will be looking for 100 new pilots to join us – the most we have ever sought through the Future Pilot Programme. Our customers will continue to benefit from having the most highly trained pilots to help ensure they have an enjoyable and safe flight every time they travel.”

Significantly, British Airways will, where required, provide the necessary guarantee to enable successful candidates to secure a bank loan for the funding required; enabling anyone with the necessary skills and motivation to enter a career as an airline pilot.  Successful applicants will be made a conditional offer of employment with British Airways prior to commencement of training.

Martin Hunt – Chief Operating Officer, Ab initio Training (Europe) for CTC Aviation highlighted British Airways’ commitment to assisting new pilots to get airborne - “We have always striven to create opportunities for individuals of the right calibre, regardless of their background, to achieve their career goal of becoming an airline pilot.  We worked very closely with British Airways to develop the Future Pilot Programme and their commitment to helping successful candidates raise the necessary funds is second-to-none.”

“We are very proud indeed of the strength of our relationship with British Airways and to be playing such a significant role in this industry-leading programme.”

This year, CTC Aviation is offering BAFPP applicants the opportunity to express a preference as to whether they complete their flight training at the company’s next generation Crew Training Centre in New Zealand or at CTC Aviation’s newest Crew Training Centre – Phoenix in the United States.  Martin Hunt added; “Each of our training centres offers the added bonus of being able to fly in some of the world’s most stunning locations and have the experience of a lifetime; alongside preparing for one of the most exciting careers around with one of the world’s leading airlines.”

CTC Aviation’s training facilities in the United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand are equipped with next generation training equipment and staffed by some of the most experienced training and selection teams in the world, including over 30 past and current British Airways Training Captains, First Officers and Pilot Assessors.

Emily Lester, who chose CTC Aviation for her British Airways Future Pilot Programme training, is now a First Officer for British Airways flying the Airbus A320 on short-haul routes. Emily recently featured in a British Airways campaign alongside television presenter and budding pilot Carol Vorderman to encourage more women into the profession.  Emily is delighted that her career has now taken off –

“The British Airways Future Pilot Programme has allowed me to realise my dream of becoming an airline pilot. After an intensive training programme I am now flying to destinations throughout Europe and would encourage anyone thinking of a career as a pilot to apply.  It’s an ideal route into an incredibly rewarding career for both men and women.  I love my job!”

This year’s application window opens at 0001 hours on Monday 23^rd February 2015.  It is due to close at 2359 hours on Monday 8^th March 2015.  However, applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to avoid disappointment; should the applicant numbers be higher than expected, the window may be closed earlier than scheduled.

The first group of successful applicants will commence training during Autumn 2015.

British Airways and CTC Aviation have collaborated in delivering new entrant pilot training since 1996 and today hundreds of CTC Aviation graduate pilots are now flying with British Airways and working in the Flight Operations management teams.

Since the FPP was launched in 2011, CTC Aviation has managed the intake of all 217 new entrant pilots through the programme and into employment with British Airways.  In addition to having been selected as one of the preferred training providers for the basic and intermediate elements of the FPP, CTC Aviation exclusively delivers the advanced, aircraft specific A320 initial type rating training for all FPP graduates ahead of their move into airline operations.

The FPP is not however, the only opportunity for aspiring pilots to start their career with British Airways. Graduates of CTC Aviation’s flagship airline pilot career programme ‘CTC WINGS’ would also be eligible for consideration to join British Airways should the airline have a further newly qualified pilot requirement over and above the number selected for training through the Future Pilot Programme.

CTC Aviation BAFPP Roadshow

CTC Aviation Pilot Careers Advisers and British Airways Graduate Pilots will be going out on the road to bring their expertise to aspiring pilots on the opportunities that exist, what is involved in the training and how to become a commercial pilot with the British Airways Future Pilot Programme.

They will be visiting Exeter, Birmingham and Edinburgh during the application window and aspiring pilots and their families are invited to come along to this free event, discover more and find out how to apply. .

Details of the free roadshow events can be found at www.ctcaviation.com/wings

CTC Aviation Careers Event with British Airways

CTC Aviation’s February Careers Event at the company’s Crew Training Centre and Group Headquarters in Southampton (UK) will focus on the British Airways Future Pilot Programme.  The special guest speaker will be First Officer Katie Laidler – a past CTC WINGS graduate who is now Airbus Fleet Manager for British Airways.  She will be accompanied by a number of British Airways pilots on the day.  There is no charge to attend, but visitors are required to pre-register through www.ctcaviation.com/wings

For more information on the British Airways Future Pilot Programme and to apply, visit ctcaviation.com/britishairways

ENDS

Media Contact:

Karen Bath – Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing Services, CTC Aviation

t: +44 (0) 7977 271 338

e: karen.bath@ctcaviation.com

British Airways Press Office 020 8738 5100