FIA2024: BA's £21M Fund Trains Diverse Pilot Aspirants

DALLAS – British Airways (BA) has launched a £21 million initiative called the Speedbird Pilot Academy, an initiative which aims to fund pilot training for up to 200 aspiring aviators, covering the £100,000 cost typically borne by individuals.

The goal of the pilot training program is to diversify the airline's pilot community and enhance social mobility in the aviation sector.

The Academy, which began last year, selects candidates annually, already training 100 future pilots chosen from over 20,000 applicants. Initially planned for 100 spots in the 2025 program, it has now expanded to 200.

To encourage a wider range of applicants, the British flag carrier collaborates with community groups, targeting those who might have been deterred by the high training costs. The two-year program culminates in qualification as a First Officer with the airline, which currently employs about 4,000 pilots.

This announcement came during BA's presence at the Farnborough International Airshow. There, the airline showcased a new A320neo aircraft featuring updated interiors. Notably, this aircraft flew to the event using over 35% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

The name "Speedbird" originates from a stylized logo designed in 1932 for Imperial Airways, one of BA's predecessor airlines. While BA retired the Speedbird logo in 1984, it still uses "Speedbird" as its ICAO call sign for international flight, and now for this new pilot training initiative.

Comments from Airline, Academy Cadets

Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the Speedbird Pilot Academy and the opportunity it provides to those talented individuals who have held a lifetime ambition of becoming a commercial airline pilot, but have perhaps found it difficult to independently fund their training. The standard of applicants we see for this programme are consistently high so as part of our commitment to attracting the very best candidates from right across society, we’ve increased the 2025 cohort to give as many people as possible the chance of realising their dream.”

Ryan Street, a Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet from Stockport had dreamed of a career in aviation since he was a young boy. He joined the air cadets at the age of 12, where he rose to the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer, before beginning work at Manchester Airport for a ground handling company. He held various roles including a ramp loader, an aircraft dispatcher and a load controller before being selected for the Speedbird Pilot Academy.

Ryan said: “Applying for the Speedbird Pilot Academy and being selected for such a highly-competitive opportunity was a dream come true, knowing that I would finally be able to achieve the career I had always wanted. Without the assistance British Airways provided with this cadetship, I might not have ever been able to afford the current training costs, so I am thankful to them that they are able to provide this wonderful opportunity for those that might never have been able to get this far.”

A Lifelong Dream

Melanie Odden, also a Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet from Hertfordshire, said: “I have been fascinated by aviation since I was young and becoming a pilot has been a lifelong dream of mine, with the aspiration to one day become a training captain.  Unfortunately, there have been barriers preventing me from reaching these goals. I started in a different career path and have a young family, with my little one now being three years old.

“When British Airways announced that they would be providing funded spaces for students on their Speedbird Academy I had to apply. I never thought I would become one of the lucky few. I am now three months into my training and it still doesn’t quite feel real. It is hard work, and trying to juggle family life with study can be difficult, but I know it will be worth it and I am so grateful that British Airways is giving people a chance to realise their dreams without financial barriers.”

FIA2024 LIVE COVERAGE

The 2024 Farnborough Airshow takes place July 22-26, so stay tuned to Airways for our live coverage of FIA2024 from the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre in the UK.

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