Airline Schemes

Flybe is the Number 1 Regional Airline in Europe, currently operating over 60 aircraft on a UK domestic and European network. In business for over 25 years, the airline only recently completed the acquisition of BA Connect. It is now undertaking a major expansion plan incorporating an aircraft replacement programme. When complete in mid-2009, Flybe will operate 60 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 and 14 Embraer 195 aircraft.

This fleet will be one of the youngest and most efficient in the world, fully reflecting Flybe’s commitment to taking full account of growing environmental as well as operational considerations. Formed as Jersey European in 1979, the expanding company was renamed British European in the 1990s before eventually adopting the now familiar name of Flybe. It currently employs 700 pilots in 12 bases throughout the United Kingdom, with its Head Office and Engineering Centre in Exeter. The airline operates over 157 different routes and carries 8 million passengers a year to almost 60 destinations throughout the UK and Europe.

Flybe is making a major investment in new, environmentally friendly aircraft. All new First Officers will join the Q400 fleet. This is a modern 30 tonne turboprop aircraft with full EFIS 'glass' cockpit and electronic engine control. Although it shares a common type rating with the Dash 8 100/200/300 series, the Q400 is a completely different aircraft. Its performance is equivalent to a regional jet with similar sector times over most Flybe routes. The Q400 can carry 78 passengers and represents an exciting challenge for all new pilots. Flybe's route network covers a wide variety of operations from major international airports to small regional airfields - certainly sufficient to maintain the variety and interest of the pilots.

The company has a continuing recruitment requirement of up to 10 'ab-initio' First Officers each month for the foreseeable future. The establishment of this new pilot training scheme with OAA is recognition that graduates of the APPFO course meet the demanding requirements of operating a modern turboprop aircraft within the Flybe environment.

Please note that the Flybe Assisted Pilot Training Scheme is currently closed to new applicants. Please keep checking back in future for any announcements.

NetJets Europe is the leading private jet operator in Europe with over 130 aircraft and conducts operations to over 900 airports around the world. NetJets Europe are undergoing a programme of continuous expansion and have identified a requirement to recruit a number of highly motivated, suitably qualified young men and women of European Union or Swiss citizenship* to join them as First Officers.

Those initially selected will enter training at OAA on an integrated APP First Officer (APP FO) ATPL training course specially tailored to fit the needs of NetJets Europe. There will be 6 courses a year with 8 NetJets cadets selected for each course. Prior to commencement of training, students who pass a joint OAA/NetJets selection process will be offered conditional employment by NetJets Europe subject to their achieving and maintaining satisfactory standards as they progress through their OAA training. NetJets Europe selected students will complete the standard APP FIRST OFFICER course but certain key elements will be focused on the airline’s own procedures and techniques. NetJets Europe cadets will attend an additional two week course prior to graduation on aerobatics/unusual attitudes and VFR airfield training.

OAA is one of three Flight Training Organisations selected to participate in the British Airways Self-Sponsored Pilot (SSP) scheme. This scheme is only available to graduates from an Integrated course of training. Under the scheme, all OAA’s APP FIRST OFFICER students are considered for potential employment by BA even before they complete their APP FIRST OFFICER course.

Traditional airline-funded cadet schemes have largely disappeared since September 2001 and most airline pilot training is now self-funded by individual students. Nevertheless, we have continued to work with airlines to develop alternative routes to successful airline pilot employment. These efforts led to the introduction of a new style "sponsorship" scheme which OAA launched successfully in 2005 with Thomas Cook Airlines. This scheme continues and offers the following key benefits: Enhanced security for sponsors and potential students by providing a conditional airline employment offer even before the start of APP FIRST OFFICER training. A major reduction in overall costs by means of a special salary repayment of training expenses (ROTE) scheme, developed by OAA and implemented by these airlines - which enables them to repay the APP FIRST OFFICER training costs during the student’s first few years of airline service.

An enhanced funding solution from BBVA bank that lessens the required outlay of personal funds while simultaneously reducing the time required to repay the loan through the airline's special ROTE scheme. Other examples of this scheme will be adopted by other airlines in the near future. Of course, they will be available only to well selected students. Entry standards are high and competition for places is steep. But, for those who can meet the exacting standards, such schemes represent an important breakthrough in re-establishing airline involvement in ab-initio pilot training.