Scotland's Tayside Aviation celebrates 50th anniversary

On 22 February 2018, Dundee, Scotland-based Tayside Aviation marked its 50th anniversary by conducting 50 training flights in just one hour.

Since its launch in 1968, the company has flown 33 million miles – the equivalent of 70 trips to the moon and back! These flights led to the training of over 5,000 commercial airline pilots and 6,000 RAF cadets, 1,500 of which were on flying scholarships (with 300 from as far away as Hong Kong).

Today, Tayside Aviation employs 35 staff and estimates it injects around £1.5 million into the local economy each year, with trainee pilots from over 12 countries coming to Dundee and to Fife Airport. The company maintains a particularly strong relationship with Flybe and Loganair.

Launched in 2015, Tayside Aviation offers a BSc (Hons) Professional Aviation Pilot Practice degree in conjunction with Middlesex University and Aviation Skills Partnership, the first of its kind available in Scotland. The degree aims to enhance students’ career progression and attract more females into the industry.

Earlier this year, Tayside Aviation also launched an Initial Flight Training (IFT) course which fast-tracks students onto the Honours pilot degree.

Jim Watt, Tayside Aviation’s Managing Director, stated, “Last year, we were awarded the RAF Central Flying School Trophy for delivering excellence in flight training which was a fantastic endorsement also recognising 30 years of serving the RAF. We are also excited about the year ahead, with plans to create a pilot training academy.”