Contents

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• Mission & Why Now

• Our Four Pillars

• Plans & Next Steps

• Commitment

• FAQs

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Last updated: September 2025

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Mission & Why Now

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Skybound exists to remove the single biggest barrier to becoming a commercial pilot: the £90,000+ cost of training. We believe aviation should be open to talent, not just to those with access to wealth or bank loans.

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The Problem
 

• Training costs in the UK & Ireland exceed £90,000.

• Airline schemes are oversubscribed (1,000+ applicants per spot).

• Bank loans are inaccessible and carry personal risk.

• This leaves many talented candidates unable to progress, while the industry struggles to meet growing pilot demand.

 

Our Solution

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Skybound provides fully funded Zero-to-ATPL training, including accommodation, with no upfront cost. Funding is delivered through a Future Earnings Agreement (FEA) in partnership with StepEx (FCA-regulated).

• Zero upfront fees — all training costs covered.

• Repay 15% of income once employed as a First Officer.

• Cap: £150,000 or 10 years — whichever comes first.

• If you earn under £30,000, you pay nothing.

This is not debt or a loan — repayments scale with your income, protecting you while giving you the freedom to focus on your career.

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Our Four Pillars

Finance — The core pillar: fully funded ATPL training through regulated FEAs, giving access to aviation careers without financial barriers.

Digital Support — Developing next-generation training tools such as the AI ATC Simulator, financial planners, and study assistants integrated into our Prep Hub.

Career Prep — From 2026, we’ll add interview preparation and aptitude training aligned to airline recruitment standards.

Content & Community — Building trust and awareness through YouTube series, podcasts, trial flight campaigns, and a private cadet community.

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Plans & Next Steps

2025

• Phase 1 applications open; closing date: 31 October 2025.

• Launch awareness campaigns via online media and press.

• Develop digital tools including the AI ATC Simulator and AI Study Assistant.

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2026

• First fully funded Zero-to-ATPL intake begins September 2026 (Palma de Mallorca start).

• Secure DTO approval in the UK to deliver ATPL theory directly.

• Expand Prep Hub with progress trackers and training planners.

• Introduce interview prep and aptitude coaching.

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2027

• Expand Skybound Academy into advanced modular training (CPL + MEIR).

• Grow annual intake to 200+ cadets across Europe.

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2028

• Deliver APS MCC and Boeing 737 type rating.

• Scale to 500+ cadets annually.

• Establish Skybound as the UK’s leading fully funded ATPL pathway.

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Commitment

Skybound reinvests every repayment into funding future cadets and building digital training tools. This creates a sustainable cycle that scales access to pilot careers while strengthening the aviation pipeline.

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FAQs
 

Who can apply?
UK and EU passport holders, age 18+, able to obtain a Class 1 medical.
 

When do applications close?
Phase 1 applications close on 31 October 2025.
 

When does training start?
First intake begins September 2026 in Palma de Mallorca.
 

What’s included?
Training fees from Zero-to-ATPL, accommodation at each training base, study materials, and digital platform access.
 

What’s not included?
Meals, personal living expenses, travel to/from training bases, uniforms, headset, and licence issue fees.

When do repayments start?
Only once you are employed as a First Officer earning over £30,000.
 

Is there a maximum I’ll repay?
Yes — repayments are capped at £150,000 or 10 years, whichever comes first.
 

What if I don’t finish training?
You won’t repay anything until you are employed above the income threshold. If setbacks occur, we’ll work with you to get back on track.