Membership
There has never been a better time to join BALPA
Over 75% of Britain's pilots, winchmen and flight engineers belong to BALPA. Our membership is currently more than 10,000 and growing each month.
To qualify for Full Membership you must hold a current professional pilots licence or flight engineers licence issued by the UK or any of the JAA countries, be engaged in British commercial flying and be based in the UK or employed by a UK Company abroad. Alternatively you may be a ground instructor or helicopter winchman employed in British commercial flying.
If you meet the above criteria but are not engaged in British commercial flying you can join us as an Associate Member or Associate Trainee (for those actively training to obtain a commercial Pilot Licence).
You can apply online by clicking the 'Join BALPA' link on the left. Alternatively you can contact Reps' & Members' Services on 020 8476 4000. We will then process your application and advise you of the category of Membership appropriate to you. We will also provide you with a Direct Debit form to enable collection of your subscriptions from a UK bank account or advise on any alternative payment methods available to those applicants not having a UK bank account.
The Real Cost Of Membership
“ NEWSFLASH”
The cost of membership is not what you think. All Members are entitled to tax relief on two thirds of their BALPA subscription. This means that if you pay an annual subscription of £500, you will be entitled to tax relief on £334, saving £73.50 p.a. for a basic rate tax payer (22%), and £133.60 p.a. for a higher rate (40%) taxpayer.
FULL REPRESENTED MEMBER (Your Company has BALPA Recognition)
Meaning of category: You will need to hold a current commercial pilots’ licence or flight engineer’s licence and be engaged in British commercial flying. Alternatively you may be a ground instructor or helicopter winchman.
Benefits: BALPA will negotiate salaries, working agreements, accommodation and allowances, scheduling and rostering, leave, sickness benefits, postings and promotions, relocation packages and pension benefits. You will be entitled to top legal advice and representation covering specialist protection at work, accident/incident support and compensation awards. You will have individual representation against bonding disputes and issues, disciplinary cases and individual grievances. You also have access to Balpa’s 24 / 7 emergency hotline where you can call in case of an incident or an accident. You will also have access to the BALPA website and members’ forums, receive our bi-monthly Log magazine which will keep you in touch with the aviation industry and have access to BALPA Financial Solutions, our independent financial services group who offers comprehensive, top-of-the-range member benefits from Loss of License to pensions to even specialist help with mortgage, savings or even personal finance advice. Additionally, you will be entitled to free initial legal advice over the telephone for any non employment related issues.
Costs:
Pilots & Flight Engineers - Subscriptions are based on your annual pensionable pay on the date of joining and are revised annually to reflect your salary on 1st January each year. There is a 2 year reduced subscription rate, which means you pay:
- 0.5% in Year 1
- 0.75% in Year 2
- 1% in Year 3 and thereafterr
Ground instructors & winchmen - Subscriptions are based on 0.5% of pensionable pay for the duration of membership.
FULL NON REPRESENTED MEMBER (Your Company does not have BALPA Recognition)
Meaning of category: You will need to hold a current commercial pilots licence or flight engineer licence and be engaged in British commercial flying. Alternatively you may be a ground instructor or helicopter winchman.
Benefits: As a ‘Full Non Represented’ member you will be entitled to top legal help and representation covering specialist protection at work, accident/incident support and compensation awards. You will have individual representation against bonding disputes and issues, disciplinary cases and individual grievances.
You will also have access to the BALPA website and members’ forums, receive our bi-monthly Log magazine which will keep you in touch with the aviation industry and have access to BALPA Financial Solutions, our independent financial services group who offers comprehensive, top-of-the-range member benefits from Loss of License to pensions to even specialist help with mortgage, savings or even personal finance advice. Additionally, you will be entitled to free initial legal advice over the telephone for any issues non employment related.
Costs:
Pilots & Flight Engineers -
Subscriptions are based on your annual pensionable pay on the date of joining and are revised annually to reflect your salary on 1st January each year. There is a 2 year reduced subscription rate, which means you pay:
- 0.5% in Year 1
- 0.75% in Year 2
- 1% in Year 3 and thereafter
Ground instructors and winchmen - Subscriptions are based on 0.5% of pensionable pay for the duration of membership.
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Meaning of Category:
The following are eligible for associate membership:
- Unemployed/Retired ~ British-qualified flight crew currently unemployed or retired
- Overseas ~ JAA licence holders working for non-UK companies abroad
- Trainee ~ Actively training to obtain Commerical Pilots Licences
Benefits: You will have access to the BALPA website and general members' forums, receive our bi-monthly Log magazine which will keep you in touch with the aviation industry and have access to BALPA Financial Solutions (BFS), our independent financial services group who offers comprehensive, top-of-the-range member benefits from Loss of License to pensions to even specialist help with mortgage, savings or personal financial advice. Additionally, you will be entitled to free initial legal advice over the telephone for any non employment related issues.
Costs: Subscription is £24 per annum. Trainee subscription is free.