Will Work Towards Pilot Certificates And College Degrees

The first group of students have started training at Midlands-based Helicentre Aviation Academy to qualify as Professional Helicopter Pilots while simultaneously working towards obtaining a BSc (Hons) Degree in Professional Aviation Pilot Practice.

The jointly validated program in partnership with Middlesex University is a three year work-based learning degree program which has been developed by the partners in conjunction with the Aviation Skills Partnership.

Fourteen student pilots aged between 19 and 46 attended their orientation day on 26th January 2015, and are excited to be among the first student pilots to be given the opportunity to obtain a degree through the commercial pilot training which Helicentre Aviation Academy has delivered for fifteen years. The BSc is the only one of its kind in the helicopter world and it offers students the option to undertake the Flight Instructor Course in the third year, typically leading to a variety of employment opportunities.

Combined with the vast array of scholarships fully funded and awarded by Helicentre Aviation annually, the option for degree students to now gain access to student finance is attracting a lot more would-be helicopter pilots to the industry. Training costs have always been the most prohibitive factor in the decision to embark on a career as a professional pilot, and alleviating some of the financial strain is a huge step for the industry, which is dealing with an increasing shortage of pilots worldwide.

FMI: www.flyheli.co.uk/degree