 Pilots from the world’s leading airlines, including Ryanair, Flybe and British Airways who wish to pursue a future managerial career within the airline industry are now able to obtain a business degree should they choose to give up flying.
The Pilot Training College (PTC), one of Europe’s largest commercial pilot training colleges, based in Waterford, Ireland has collaborated with the Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) to provide an innovative BSc degree in Airline Transport Operations. The two year part-time course has been designed to develop comprehensive business knowledge and skills relevant to the aviation industry. The level 8 degree course, by distance learning, has attracted 14 pilots from around Europe in its first year. The pilots have just spent their first weekend in Ireland as part of the induction programme with The Pilot Training College and WIT team.
Mike Edgeworth, Group Executive Chairman of The Pilot Training College said, “Most commercial pilots want to add longevity to their career in an industry that they love. This course, which is new to Ireland and available across the world, will provide professional airline pilots with an in-depth knowledge of the international air transport industry from a management perspective. It will give the students specialised skills, knowledge and competence to be an effective professional manager in industry, and they could go from getting a BSc to CEO of British Airways like former Aer Lingus pilot, Willie Walsh”.
Speaking at the commencement ceremony, Professor Kieran Byrne, President of WIT said, "This innovative degree provides an excellent opportunity for those in the aviation industry to continue their professional education and eventually progress into the operational and management aspects of their careers. The overall aim of the degree is to satisfy an identified educational need worldwide for airline pilots to continually develop their skills and knowledge. WIT is delighted to collaborate with the Pilot Training College to provide a suitable, blended learning programme that meets this need".
The majority of the course is delivered by distance learning via the W.I.T eLearning Management portal. The eLearning resources consist of online forums, reading lists, and multiple choice exams. Students can also directly communicate with lecturers and enter discussions with other students using the portal. Awards are based on continuous assessment of projects conducted by distance learning, presentations and by exams which students must sit in the Waterford Institute of Technology.
Students are given access to WIT’s online library resources. W.I.T also provides an introduction for students wishing to access reading material at other third level Irish institutions. Outreach courses will be held by lecturers for consolidation purposes both in Waterford and Dublin depending on demand. Students will also have access to the Waterford Institute of Technology.
The distance learning method of delivery has been developed as an alternative method of study, aimed at providing flexibility to fit changing lifestyles and meet the needs of career airline pilots to balance career development objectives with a busy work life.
Alberto Prati, a pilot with Ocean Airlines, an Italian student on the course, said, “The whole effort made by The Pilot Training College and WIT team is beyond expectations as far as the quality of the Professors and their relevance to the final goal”
Candidates who hold a current Joint Aviation Authority (JAA) Airline Transport Pilots Licence (ATPL), frozen or unfrozen, and who have successfully completed a Multi-Crew Cooperation Course (MCC) will receive over 50% credit towards the BSc Degree in Airline Transport Operations.
The next course commencement date is in June 2010 and The Pilot Training College is now recruiting for the next class of students. Finally, there is academic recognition for all high flyers and soon to become future managers of the aviation industry.
For further information please contact Robert Connolly +353 51 876706 or email Robert.connolly@pilottraining.ie
About PTC
The Pilot Training College (PTC) is a Joint Aviation Authority (JAA) and Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) registered and certified Flight Training Organisation (IRL/FTO-005-03) and has been training pilots since the introduction of the Joint Aviation Regulations (JAR) to Europe. The College’s philosophy is that quality training produces quality pilots sought after by the world’s leading airlines. The Pilot Training College aims to provide the highest standards of training for every student i.e. every graduate will carry out their duties in the aviation industry in a professional manner wherever their career may take them. The College has gained international recognition as a highly professional, structured airline orientated organisation that produces over 180 JAA qualified pilots each year.
About Waterford Institute of Technology
WIT is a state-sector university level college funded directly by the Irish government ensuring its facilities and infrastructure is of the highest quality. WIT operates within the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) which means all courses are quality assured and all staff are highly qualified. WIT currently caters for over 10,000 students and there is a growing international community. WIT aspires to excellence in all aspects of its work and aims to develop a culture in which both students and staff can contribute significantly to the advancement of society. WIT is committed to the development of strong links with industry to better understand their requirements in terms of subject expertise and employee fit. The BSc (Hons) Airline Transport Operations has arisen from such an Industry-Institute partnership. |