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British Airways

British Airways

Direct Entry Pilot - Senior First Officer - UK CAA licence holder

Hounslow On-site 10+ yrs exp Airlines and Aviation 32,931 employees
Commercial PilotingAircraft OperationFlight SafetyPassenger ServiceType-Rated Aircraft Experience

Requirements

Applicants must hold a UK Part-FCL ATPL(A), or meet the requirements to obtain one, and have a current type rating with at least 3,000 hours on a relevant aircraft type, including recent experience within the past 12 months. Other requirements include a valid UK CAA Class 1 medical, ICAO Level 6 English, the right to work in the UK or eligibility for a sponsored Skilled Worker visa, and the specified physical, height, passport, and water-survival capabilities.

Job Description

As the nation’s flag carrier, we take great pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain.

It’s something we’ve been doing for over 100 years, ever since we launched the world’s first international scheduled air service between London and Paris.

This originality has been in our blood since day one. It’s the spirit we share with the people that fly with us, our partners and our colleagues.

So, whether you are a reassuring voice on the end of a phone, a smile at the door, under a wing keeping the turbines spinning or landing us gently in far-flung places, a job at British Airways is yours to make.

We know great things can happen when you’re inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day, which is why, at British Airways the sky is never the limit.

The role: Direct Entry Pilot – Senior First Officer - UK CAA licence holder

The customer is at the heart of everything that we do. Your goal will be to provide the very best flight experience possible for each passenger. Wherever you are going, your flying will be world class. The life of a commercial pilot is exciting, and you’ll be challenged every day to perform to the highest standards.

As a pilot in British Airways, your career path is never defined. Starting on one of our 4 long-haul fleets you will be able to choose if you want to transfer to another long-haul fleet or our short-haul fleet to become a Captain. Your lifestyle is important to us and with a huge variety of roles outside of flying, from training to recruiting the pilots of the future, there are countless opportunities.

Not only will you have the chance to further your career development within BA, but you’ll also have access to our competitive reward and benefits package.

Work-life balance

We’ve recently introduced significant roster enhancements to give our pilots greater flexibility and balance. Expect more time to rest after blocks of work, reduced monthly flying targets, shorter working blocks, and fewer standby periods. Plus, we’ve increased opportunities for guaranteed days off.

What You’ll Bring To British Airways

Minimum criteria to apply:

  • Current type rating [1] with a minimum of 3000 hours on a relevant aeroplane type [2] and must not include simulator time.
  • Flying experience on a relevant aeroplane type within the past 12 months [3]
  • UK Part-FCL licence (ATPL(A) or meet the hours requirements to obtain an ATPL(A)[4])
  • UK issued CAA Class 1 medical certificate with at least 6 months validity remaining from date of joining
  • Height between 1.57m (5’2”) and 1.91m (6’3”). Qualified pilots taller than 1.91m may submit an application but will be required to undergo a functionality check to confirm their ability to meet requirements of the seating positions in the variety of BA fleets
  • Good level of physical fitness
  • Spoken and written English ICAO level 6
  • Valid passport (minimum 12 months before expiry date)
  • Right to live and work in the UK or the ability to obtain Skilled Worker Visa which British Airways can sponsor for this campaign
  • Able to comply with British Airways' uniform standards - tattoos are permissible as long as they are not on the hands, face or head
  • Ability to swim 50m (55 yards) followed by treading water for 3 minutes and be able to assist people in water
    • Able to tread water whilst fitting a lifejacket and pull your own body weight out of the water and into a life raft using the hand holds on the side of the raft
[1] The current type rating does not need to be on your UK licence. You must however, still be in possession of a UK fATPL(A)/ ATPL(A) i.e. did not surrender your UK licence to gain an EASA/ICAO licence

[2] The Part-FCL definition of a relevant aeroplane type is a multi-pilot turbo-jet aircraft certified to the standards of CS-25 or equivalent airworthiness code, or a multi-pilot turbo-prop aeroplane having a maximum certificated take-off mass of not less than 10 tonnes or a certified passenger seating configuration of more than 19 passengers.

[3] To be eligible for Zero Flight Time Training (ZFTT) - you must have relevant aeroplane type experience within 12 months preceding the commencement of a ZFTT Conversion course.

[4] You must meet the ATPL requirements to apply for this campaign, however if you have not yet upgraded your licence this will be completed during your type rating. ATPL requirements are listed below.

https://www.caa.co.uk/commercial-industry/pilot-licences/aeroplanes/airline-transport-pilot-licence-for-aeroplanes/

Opportunities Available

This campaign is for candidates who meet the requirements for Senior First Officer as detailed above. Only apply for this campaign if you meet the required hours. Candidates who do not meet the hours, should apply for an alternative campaign. Candidates will be offered the rank which reflects their current experience at point of job offer, if a candidate accumulates the required experience prior to joining, they may apply for progression to the next rank via the internal process.

Candidates joining as a Senior First Officer, will be required to complete the required British Airways Senior First Officer training packages within 12 months of joining.

Job opportunities are available on all fleets.

The job description aims to provide information essential to understanding the scope of the role, as well as the overall nature and level of work carried out by job holders in this position. However, this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

A candidate’s suitability for long-haul is assessed during the simulator assessment and a short-haul position may be offered based on the final assessment.

What We Offer

We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It’s one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary.

From the day you join us, you’ll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You’ll also receive up to 30 discounted 'Hotline' airfares per year for yourself, friends and family.

At British Airways you’ll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress.

We never stand still, and we don’t expect our people to either.

  • Dynamic Career Path
  • Varied Roster Patterns (night stops, day trips and tours)
  • Company pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution)
  • Eligible for extensive British Airways worldwide staff travel
  • Greater choice of 5 different fleet types (after initial freeze)
  • Life insurance benefits
  • Company funded conversion course/type rating (not bonded)
  • Discounted airfares for your friends and family
  • Discounts at selected car hire, hotels and retail stores
  • A range of voluntary benefits for yourself and family members
  • Private medical cover, Technology scheme, Cycle to Work and Electric/Plug-in Hybrid car scheme

Inclusion & Diversity

We recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity, and identity to work. We encourage people from all backgrounds to be part of our journey to become a Better BA.

Reapplication process

Candidates who were not successful at initial screening, video interview, capacity testing or assessment centre stage can reapply for the pilot recruitment campaign after 6 months from their most recent assessment date. Candidates who were not successful at the SIM stage must wait 12 months before reapplying for the pilot recruitment campaign.

You may only apply to one airline within the British Airways family (British Airways, Euroflyer or Cityflyer) at a time. If you are unsuccessful in one campaign, you will be unable to reapply to any of the three airlines within the British Airways family until the specified re-application period has elapsed.

Long-haul suitability will be assessed during simulator assessment. If you do not meet the long haul requirements you may be offered a role on our short-haul fleet.

Successful candidates will enter a hold pool. Candidates in the hold pool will receive a maximum of 2 job offers. If a candidate turns down their second job offer, they will exit the hold pool and be required to reapply after 12 months and complete the entire selection process again.

Skills

Commercial PilotingAircraft OperationFlight SafetyPassenger ServiceType-Rated Aircraft ExperienceMulti-Pilot Aircraft ExperienceATPL(A) LicensingUK CAA LicensingICAO Level 6 EnglishPhysical FitnessSwimming And Water SurvivalCrew Resource ManagementLong-Haul OperationsShort-Haul Operations

About British Airways

This is the official British Airways LinkedIn account. For your security, please engage with us via this account only. As a global airline and the UK’s flag carrier, British Airways has been flying its customers to where they need to be for more than 100 years. The airline connects Britain with the world and the world with Britain, operating one of the most extensive international scheduled airline route networks together with its joint business, codeshare and franchise partners. Together with its affiliates, British Airways operates to around 200 destinations in over 75 countries throughout Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Australia. In September 2021, British Airways launched its sustainability programme, BA Better World, committing to put sustainability at the heart of everything it does and with a clear roadmap to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Unfortunately, we're unable to answer any specific customer service queries here. If you need to contact someone about our service or need immediate assistance, please DM us directly on Instagram, Facebook or X.