Aviation

British Airways Opens Doors for Newly Qualified Pilots: Apply Now!

British Airways has unveiled its eagerly anticipated Newly Qualified Pilot Pathway (NQPP) programme, offering a gateway for recently qualified commercial pilots to embark on a career with the prestigious flag carrier.

The initiative seeks individuals who meet the airline’s stringent entry criteria, reflecting its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of aviation excellence. Prospective candidates for the NQPP programme must have completed comprehensive flying training and either possess a UK Part-FCL Licence or have initiated the licence application process with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

In case the licence conversion is not started before December 31, 2022, the applicants who possess an EASA licence must complete it through the UK CAA. Likewise, after obtaining a UK Part-FCL licence, those holding an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) licence become eligible.

Emphasizing the importance of meeting minimum criteria, British Airways underscores that applicants failing to do so will not be considered and will face a six-month application embargo. Additionally, candidates are restricted to applying to only one airline within the british airways group bookings (comprising British Airways, Euroflyer, or Cityflyer) at any given time. Unsuccessful applicants must wait for the specified reapplication period before reapplying to any of the three airlines.

To qualify for the NQPP, candidates must meet rigorous standards, including an 85% ground school average with a maximum of three resits, successful completion of the first-series CPL & IR (Series 1, Attempt 1 or Series 1, Attempt 2), and completion of the Airline Pilot Standards Multi-Crew Cooperation (APS MCC) course.

Moreover, applicants must have engaged with no more than three training providers for ground school, CPL/IR, and APS MCC phases, and possess a UK CAA Class 1 medical certificate meeting British Airways’ medical criteria. Proficiency in English Language Proficiency (ELP) at ICAO Level 6 and a valid passport with at least 12 months before expiry, enabling unrestricted worldwide travel, are also prerequisites.

To apply for the position and to see a comprehensive list of each requirement, go to Careers at British Airways.

Aviation

Lost Tool Found in Qantas A380 After 34 Flights

An Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation recently revealed that a Qantas A380 operated 34 flights with a 1.25-meter nylon tool lodged in one of its engines.

This turning tool, used during borescope inspections to rotate the intermediate-pressure compressor, was left behind during scheduled maintenance at Los Angeles on December 6, 2023. It remained inside the engine until it was discovered by maintenance staff during a subsequent check at Los Angeles on January 1, 2024.

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The ATSB report highlights two critical lapses. First, maintenance engineers failed to notice the tool during final checks for foreign objects after the borescope inspection. Second, the lost tool procedure was not activated when the tool was identified as missing.

The certifying engineer ultimately cleared the aircraft for service without accounting for the misplaced tool. During the time qantas films the tool was inside, the A380 completed 34 flight cycles, accumulating nearly 294 hours without any noticeable effect on engine performance.

Although the tool was deformed by high-energy airflow within the engine, there was no reported damage to the engine itself. ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell commented.

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“This incident underscores the importance of following established maintenance protocols. Engineers missed the tool during foreign object checks, and the required lost tool procedure wasn’t started after realizing the tool was missing.”

Following the investigation, the airline issued a safety directive, urging all engineering and tool storage teams to adhere strictly to these protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

A qantas spokesperson stated, “While the tool didn’t impact engine performance, we take this incident very seriously. It is critical to follow the correct lost tool procedures.”