Oxford Aviation Academy is celebrating the commencement of integrated ATPL training for the first intake of cadets on the British Airways Future Pilot Programme (FPP).
There was overwhelming interest in FPP when British Airways first launched it in August 2011. Only the top three per cent of applicants qualified for the programme, with the successful 95 future pilots fighting off stiff competition from more than 3,500 hopefuls.
During the 16-month programme, OAA's FPP cadets will complete their ground theory training at Oxford followed by their flight training, Instrument rating and multi pilot training phases at both the Oxford and Phoenix Training Centres.
Upon completion of their training with OAA the newly qualified pilots will undertake aircraft type rating training with British Airways at Cranebank before proceeding to commence their flying careers with the leading airline.
British Airways' Director of Flight Operations, Captain Stephen Riley, said: "It's great to see our Future Pilot Programme come to life."
"With this first group of new pilots entering the airline in 2013 and the second recruitment phase starting later this year, the high levels of skill and service that our customers rightly expect from British Airways' pilots are assured for years to come".
"We look forward to welcoming them into our fleet of 3,500 pilots."
