Professional Lifelong Learning in the Aviation Sector

Professional lifelong learning in the aviation sector

Outline

Pilot training is very expensive, requiring the use of sophisticated flight simulators and aircraft. It can cost up toc£100k to gain an Airline Transport Pilot Licence(ATPL) and gain employment as a commercial airline pilot. This is a highly risky investmentas progression to employment as a commercial airline pilot is extremely competitive. Securing employment is key to encouraging a wider range of people to access this profession. Loganair, Tayside Aviation and Middlesex University have teamed up, to develop a degree programme that is specifically designed not only to provide lifelong learning opportunities for a wider range of people but also to actually secure employment as commercial airline pilots during the programme and enhance their continuing professional development opportunities within the aviation industry.

Innovation and creativity

The programme is highly innovative in fully integrating Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) professional pilot training into the modules of the BSc (Hons) Professional Aviation Pilot Practice degree. Previously no university qualification fully integrated this training resulting in many aspiring pilots taking a separate degree to achieve graduate status. Successful completion of the first two stages of the degree leads directly to the issue of an ATPL. The final stage is work-based and integrates further required professional learning during the first year of employment as a commercial pilot either with Loganair or another commercial airline as a First Officer or with Tayside Aviation as a flight instructor.

Sustainability

Middlesex University’s expertise in building sustainable partnerships with industry and business has resulted in a unique collaboration with Tayside Aviation and Loganair."Loganair are committed to employing high quality airline pilots and the innovative partnership with Tayside Aviation and Middlesex University, supported by the Aviation Skills Partnership, will provide opportunities for a wider range of talented people to embark on an aviation career. Loganair see thispartnership as an important way to open up the industry to people that may nothave otherwise been able or eligible to join the profession.”Andy Thornton, Director of Flight Operations,Loganair

Impact

Other pilot training routes are highly risky in terms securing employment within a commercial airline. As a result many talented pilots feel unable to fulfill their ambitions. The development of this unique degree has delivered transformational change in providing lifelong learning opportunities for aspiring professional airline pilots to gain a degree on the job.

Transferability

The model of comprehensively integrating professional learning and work-based practice into higher education programmes is highly transferable. For example, there is scope to apply this model to air traffic control in the aviation sector but also to any sector where there is an established license to practice and a need for higher education qualification.

DarryllBravenboer and Mick Betts

Institute for Work Based Learning

Middlesex University