• Study mode: Full Time
  • Location: High Wycombe
  • Duration: Three Years
  • Start Date: September 2019

Course Overview

If you want to become a commercial helicopter pilot, this course will prepare you for a successful career in the air transport industry. This programme gives you the opportunity to obtain a university degree and a frozen ATPL (H) in just three years of full-time study - and at a lower cost than doing them separately.

Our practical training partner Heli Air Ltd offers modular training, including the ATPL (H)/IR ground school, turbine ratings, twin turbine ratings and the flight instructor rating. Courses can be completed in as little as 14 months, giving you the CPL(H) qualification. These additional fees are paid by module.

What will this course cover?

You will obtain a recognised UK Honours degree and qualify for a ‘frozen’ Airline Transport Pilot Licence. This is the highest commercial pilot category there is. Once you have accumulated the required professional experiences, the frozen prefix will be dropped.

During this course you’ll study key modules in instruments, radio navigation, meteorology and operational procedures. You’ll also cover broader areas of air transportation such as aviation finance and economics, airport operations and airline management. When you finish this course you’ll have a deep knowledge of the various areas of this dynamic industry and be qualified for a range of airline positions.

You’ll develop skills in leadership, adaptability and self-reliance. You’ll have studied operational and sustainable management, strategic concepts and theories. The course is designed to give you a thorough understanding of this complex profession.

More placements, more choices

Bucks is a Placements Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.

We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special skills for work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.

Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student. To increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.

Course Details

UCAS CODE: N850

This programme gives you the opportunity to obtain a university degree and a frozen ATPL (H) in just three years of full-time study - and at a lower cost than doing them separately.

Heli Air Ltd.

Our practical training partner Heli Air Ltd offer modular training including the ATPL (H)/IR ground school, turbine ratings, twin turbine ratings and the flight instructor rating. Courses are modular and can be completed in as little as 14 months, giving you the CPL(H) qualification. These additional fees are paid by module.

Heli Air Ltd operates one of the most modern and reliable fleets of training aircraft in the world. The fleet includes the world's first Glass Cockpit Robinson R22, which features some systems similar to those found in modern large commercial helicopter flight decks, including EPIS, AHRS and GNSS instruments.

People 1st Gold Award in aviation

We were the only Higher Education institution to have been awarded the People 1st Gold accreditation for our aviation degrees (2015 - 2017). Being in close proximity to Heathrow, the course benefits from a variety of guest lecturers and our links with the airport provide great opportunity for seasonal employment and work placements.

Course flexibility

If you are unable to complete any of the commercial pilot training modules, you’ll have the opportunity to transfer onto either the Air Transport with Pilot Training or Airline and Airport Management degrees.

What are the course entry requirements?

For this course, you'll need at least two A-levels and a GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4. Our offers usually require a minimum of 96 UCAS points.

Mature students with non-standard qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.

All students will require at a minimum a Class II Medical in order to undertake their PPL solo, those students wishing to undertake Commercial training will need to gain a Class I Medical prior to enrolling with their selected ATO.  Further information on the requirements of Class I and II Medicals, including approved AME's, can be found on the CAA website.

For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.

Course Modules

Module Map

This module map provides a list of the modules that make up your course.

Each module is worth a specified number of credits (typically either 15 or 30 credits for undergraduate courses). Compulsory (or ‘core’) modules cover key subject knowledge, while ‘option’ modules enable you to develop your own interests. For a full-time course you must take modules worth a total of 120 credits at each level of the course. The number of option modules you can take depends on the number of compulsory modules at each level. You can find more information about how your course is structured via the Academic Advice pages.

Our teaching is informed by research and employer requirements, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the subject area. In addition, where we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an option module, this may not be offered. If an option module does not run, we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

The modules available on this course are as follows:

Year 1 Modules

  • Developments of the Air Transport Sector
  • Air Transport - Security and Safety
  • Airline Management
  • Airport Operations
  • Management, Leadership and Change
  • Private Pilot Licence (PPL) Practical Training (H)
  • Private Pilot Licence (PPLH) Theory
  • Structure of the Air Transport Industry
  • Airline Crisis and Continuity Management

Year 2 Modules

  • Air Law
  • Aircraft General Knowledge
  • Aircraft Performance and Planning
  • Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) (optional)
  • Communications
  • General Navigation
  • Human Performance and Limitations
  • Instruments
  • Meteorology
  • Operational Procedures
  • Principles of Flight: Aeroplanes
  • Radio Navigation

Year 3 Modules

  • Aviation Finance and Economics
  • Aviation in the Global Context
  • Business and Enterprise (optional)
  • Human Factors as a Fundamental Concept in Aviation Safety
  • Research Project (optional)
  • Strategic Management
  • Sustainability Management

Fees

How much does it cost

Full Time Home and EU, September 2019: £9,250 per year

Full Time International, September 2019: £12,000 per year

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.

You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

Questions about fees?

Contact our Enquiries Team:
0330 123 2023
advice@bucks.ac.uk

How do I apply?

For application details please visit bucks.ac.uk/applying-to-bucks

Teaching team

Employability

What are my career prospects

Having finished this programme of study and all the associated air-training modules, you’ll be the proud owner of a Commercial Helicopter Pilot Licence and a frozen ATPL(H). You’ll be fully qualified to find employment as a helicopter pilot and once you meet the relevant professional experience criteria, the ‘frozen’ prefix will be dropped.

You’ll also have developed a wider understanding of the airline business and be able to pursue a variety of different careers within the aviation industry.

How will you help me prepare for my future?

Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. Our modules and teaching expertise will help you become more independent as a learner and more certain of your discipline expertise.

We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employment pages to find out more.

The Big Deal

At Bucks, we believe in putting our students first. That’s why our Students’ Union have developed our exclusive ‘Big Deal’ package. We’re the only university in the UK to offer free access to such a diverse and exciting range of activities – all to enrich the university experience.

We offer FREE events and entertainment, additional skills workshops, sports, recreational activities, societies and paid student rep schemes. All at one of the top 10 Students’ Unions in the UK.  It’s a big deal!

Want to find out more? Visit our Students’ Union page or watch our video.

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