UK’s Flag Carrier, British Airways, Selects Skyborne for its Pilot Training Academy Program

British Airways, the UK’s flag carrier, is announcing Skyborne as the official UK partner for its first Speedbird Pilot Academy.

Applications are now open for the multi-million-pound training initiative which offers a fully funded path to the flight deck with British Airways, offering talented candidates the opportunity to begin a rewarding career with the airline, regardless of their background. Following a joint selection process, students will embark upon Skyborne’s UK CAA Integrated ATPL programme with £99,500 of tuition costs covered in full.

Lee Woodward, CEO, Skyborne, says: “As we cement our relationship with British Airways, Skyborne leads as the most trusted airline academy in the industry.Markingourfirst UK partnership with the UK’s largest international airline is testament tothesolid track record ofour teamand the core values we jointly hold.From the very start, Skyborne has been committed to removing the barriers to entry to pilot training and widening the talent pool. As a graduate of a British Airways sponsored programme, I know first-hand the life-changing impact such initiatives have and I applaud BA for its industry-leading Speedbird Pilot Academy.”

Captain Ian Pringle, Head of Flight Training,British Airways,says:“By removing initial training costs, we’re making a flying career truly accessible so we can recruit the best and the brightest candidates. We trust in Skyborne to offer our trainees world-class facilities, innovative teaching methods and a wealth of airline experience, building a crucial foundation for their future.”

A significant majority of places for the2023SpeedbirdPilotAcademyintakewill be available via Skyborne,with British Airwayscommitted to increasing take-up from under-represented groups in aviation includingpeople from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and women.

Carla Booth, Group Head of Airline Business, Skyborne,adds:“This initiativemarks the first BritishAirwayssponsored programme since the mid-1990s, giving hope todiverse communities that have long found the cost of pilot training prohibitive.Togetherwe hope to playa pivotal role indriving change,securing the pilot pipeline andshowing young peoplefromall walks of lifehowexcitingan airlinecareercan be.”

Applicantsmust be aged between 18-55, withsix GCSEs at gradeA-C or5-9,including Maths, English andone of theSciences. Forfurther detail and afull list of entryrequirementspleasevisit:skyborne.com/uk/british-airways-speedbird/.

The Speedbird Pilot Academy is just one route to a career with British Airways. In July 2023, Skybornewasannouncedas a partner forthe airline’s2023/2024whitetailpilot recruitment drive, giving currenttraineesand graduatesthe opportunity to secure a conditional offeruponfinishing theirflighttraining.

About Skyborne

Skyborne Airline Academy is a modern airline training academy based at Vero Beach, Florida, United States, and Gloucestershire Airport in the United Kingdom. Established by industry experts, Skyborne brings a fresh approach to airline pilot training.

Founders Tom Misner (chairman), Lee Woodward (CEO) and Ian Cooper (COO) have unsurpassed experience in commercial aviation, education and training. It is their vision to create a training environment where the highest standard of teaching, safety and relevant airline-style training is maintained, and interactive learning is encouraged.

Using a combination of tried and tested methods and the latest technology to assess competence, suitability, aptitude and resilience, Skyborne aims to recruit the very best candidates to minimize additional training, reduce failure rates and provide airlines with better pilots and cabin crew.

Skyborne is proud to hold close relationships with the world’s leading airlines, offering opportunities for trainees aspart ofBritish Airways’Speedbird Pilot Academy,theDelta Propel Career Path Program,theIndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme, and the SkyWest Professional Pilot Pathway.

Source: Skyborne Airline AcademyPhoto Credit: British Airways