Starting in September, a new option on Brighton University’s Aeronautical Engineering degrees will provide students the opportunity to obtain a private pilot’s license.

The university has teamed up with FTA Global Flight School at Brighton City (Shoreham) Airport to offer the Private Pilot Studies option on its BEng (Hons) and MEng Aeronautical Engineering degrees.

Students who complete the new flight training option module will graduate with degrees including “with Private Pilot Studies” in the title. The module can be taken at any time during the degree and will include a 10% discount from FTA Global, resulting in a cost of £11,000 for full training leading to a pilot’s license.

Practical flight training, along with access to simulators, flying mentors and flight-related technology at the University will allow students to complete the legally required 45 hours of flying and qualify for their pilot’s license as quickly as possible.

Dr Anastasios Georgoulas, Principal Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering, and Course Leader of Aeronautical Engineering, said: “This is an incredible opportunity to merge the flying and engineering world together at University of Brighton. Being a pilot makes you a better engineer, and being an engineer makes you a better pilot. Being able to fly is a wonderful line on a CV too, as well as a wonderful passion in itself.”

To celebrate the launch of the partnership, FTA Global hosted 40 current Aeronautical Engineering students at its flight school in Shoreham, allowing future aircraft designers to sit in the training craft, see FTA’s onsite maintenance facility, and do a few virtual circuits around Heathrow Airport in one of FTA's two ALSIM-42 aircraft simulators.

Sean Jacob, Managing Director of FTA Global, said: “Students will have access to fantastic facilities at University of Brighton such as their Wind Tunnel and Jet Engine, which will bring theoretical concepts taught in the classroom to life. It’s only the start of the benefits this offering will bring as we work together to maximise our combined wealth of educational, industry and practical knowledge.”