College aviation course to train pilots of future
BBCA college course will try to make aviation more inclusive and tackle the shortage of pilots, instructors have said.
Stockton Sixth Form College is offering a new programme, designed with large airlines such as Boeing and British Airways, on Teesside from September.
Students can learn skills in an inhouse cockpit, the interior of a Boeing 737 cabin, and a flight simulator.
Dr Noel Dennis, director of business development at the Atomix Eductional Trust which oversees the college, said students would be trained to go and "shine in an interview" with major airlines.
"Our students here at Stockton Sixth Form College in these wonderful facilities will be taught by a new teacher who has 17 years as an airline pilot," he said.
"They will learn all aspects of aviation operations and there will be lots of field trips.
"Our unique offer here is that we have a Piper Warrior simulator an actual 50-year-old aeroplane cockpit."
Pupils from Errington Primary School in Marske recently visited the college and said they were amazed by the simulation cockpit.
A couple were even "definitely" keen on working with planes when they got older.
Dr Nichole Munro, chief executive officer at Atomix Educational Trust, said the course demonstrated a commitment to "bring world-class opportunities to the Tees Valley".
The International Air Transport Association forecasts global passenger numbers will exceed pre-pandemic levels by 2025, which they believe will fuel a surge of demand for skilled aviation professionals.
The course is a partnership between Aviation Generation, a not for profit organisation which aims to get skilled workers in the industry, and Stockton Sixth Form college.