Pilot Josh Bates always dreamed of becoming a pilot and the British Airways training scheme made that happen
06:30, 23 Apr 2026
Fulfilling his childhood dream, newly qualified pilot Josh Bates still can’t believe his luck taking passengers around the world and said the job “never loses its magic”.
The 26-year-old said some of his earliest memories involve watching aircraft passing over his head and he always knew flying was in his future.
The British Airways pilot caught up with Belfast Live to talk all things aviation as the airline’s fully-funded pilot training scheme, Speedbird, nears its closing date.
For Ballymena man Josh, the Speedbird Pilot Academy changed his life and made his dreams a reality, and he urged anyone else with hopes of becoming a pilot to go for it.
“It might sound cliché, but flying has always been a part of how I’ve imagined my future,” he said. Adding that as he got older, “it turned into a goal that felt not only possible, but deeply meaningful.”
It was all sparked from a young age, with some of his earliest memories watching aircraft passing over his head, and he spoke of how it made him feel, saying, “There was something magical about it. As a child, I felt there could be an inherent freedom in flight, and I wasn’t wrong.
“That sense of wonder never left me. While my understanding of aviation has grown and changed over the years, that original feeling has stayed constant, and it’s something I still carry with me today.”
British Airways fully-funded pilot training scheme has opened for applications for the fourth year running, with an £18m commitment by the airline for up to 160 aspiring pilots.
Tens of thousands of applicants are expected to apply for a place on the highly competitive Speedbird Pilot Academy, which sees BA covering the £100,000 training cost for those who land a spot on the programme.
So far, almost 50 pilots have come through the Speedbird scheme, marking a significant commitment by the airline to ensure talented applicants from all backgrounds are able to follow their dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot.
Josh applied and was successful for the British Airways scheme and touched on the application and training being “challenging in their own ways, but incredibly rewarding”.
He spoke about the standout moments from the training and said, “Your first solo flight is unforgettable – taking full responsibility for the aircraft and taking to the sky on your own for the first time is both humbling and exhilarating.
“Then there’s qualifying as a commercial pilot at the end of flight school. Holding your licence in your hand might seem simple, but what it represents, the effort, commitment, and growth, makes it incredibly meaningful.”
His advice to anyone wanting to become a pilot was “Do it!”
He said: “With programmes like the Speedbird Pilot Academy, the path into aviation is more accessible than ever. There’s no perfect time to start – just make the decision to begin your own journey.”
He closed our chat by saying, “Sitting at the controls and flying the aircraft is something that never loses its magic.”
Adding that “being part of a journey that brings so many different lives together is incredibly rewarding. Every passenger has their own story, their own reason for travel – and for a short time, you’re part of that shared experience. There’s something very humbling about helping make the world feel a little smaller. I feel truly grateful to sit in that right-hand seat.”
The scheme comes as new research reveals significant untapped interest in aviation careers, with almost one in four (24%) UK adults saying they would have considered becoming an airline pilot if training had been fully funded.
Despite this interest, awareness of fully funded pilot training remains low, with 87% of UK adults saying they have never heard of programmes that cover the cost of pilot training, which underlines the importance of initiatives like the Speedbird Pilot Academy.
Applications for the scheme can be made via the British Airways Careers website and will close on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Those interested must be 17-58 years old and 18 years old at the start of training. Applicants also require six GCSEs grade A-C or 4-9, including Maths, English Language and a Science or equivalent qualifications, and hold a valid passport that permits unrestricted worldwide travel.
In previous years, more than 25,000 people have applied for a place on the scheme. Successful applicants will train with one of British Airways’ approved training partners before progressing towards a career on the flight deck.
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