Sixteen airline pilots, 15 with easyJet and one with Virgin Atlantic, graduated this week with BSc (Hons) Professional Aviation Pilot Practice degrees, thanks to a partnership between the airlines, L3 Commercial Training Solutions (L3), and Middlesex University London.
The easyJet graduates are:
- Regan Hawthorn
- Luke Elsworth
- Tom Slingsby
- Tom Walker
- Sam Jarman
- Oliver Walton
- Isabel Thompson
- Dan Delaney
- Alistair Hatcher
- Sam Williams
- Adam Hanley
- Dilpeche Ramgi
- Ryan Clyde
- Jamie Smart
- Joe Millard
They represent the second group of easyJet pilots in the UK to graduate with this unique degree and are the first students on the MPL (Multi Pilot Licence) route to achieve their licence alongside the degree.
The day culminated with the graduation of Kieran Grimes, a cadet with Virgin Atlantic, L3 and the University. Kieran represents the first Virgin Atlantic cadet to graduate on this course, and fittingly he passed his BSc (Hons) Professional Aviation Pilot Practice with First Class honours.
Robin Glover-Faure, President, L3 Commercial Training Solutions said, “We’re very proud today to congratulate the graduates who are among the second group of pilots to graduate with this degree.
“This is a hugely exciting opportunity for aspiring pilots as it combines the high-quality practical training from L3, academic expertise from Middlesex University, and significant career development opportunities from easyJet.”
Follow the dream
EasyJet graduate, Isabel Thompson, 22, from Bermuda said, “I wanted to do a degree and I wanted to learn to fly. My peers on the course decided on flying much earlier than me, from childhood. But for me I was around 15/16 taking a flight and the captain was female. I was invited to the cockpit and she really encouraged me to follow my dream and that’s what I’ve done.”
Virgin Atlantic cadet Kieran Grimes, 23, from Sandhurst, Berks, said, “It’s not an easy road to gain a place with a training school or airline, but it is at the same time an exciting one. It’s a lot of hard work, but trust me when I say that it’s all worth it for that telephone call to say that you have been offered a position, and then to graduate with this degree… there quite literally is no feeling like it!”
Middlesex University London is now looking forward to the new academic year where it will continue its programmes with EasyJet, Virgin Atlantic, L3 and will continue to build similar agreements with L3 and other aviation industry leaders.
BSc (Hons) degree
The BSc (Hons) degree in Professional Aviation Pilot Practice is awarded by Middlesex University and is the only provider in the world to offer this degree. It has also been specially adapted for helicopter pilots and delivered in partnership with airlines EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic, along with respective training providers L3 Commercial Training Solutions and Helicentre Aviation.
The practice-based course does not require pilots to attend a campus and enables them to gain professional qualifications (CPCH, ATPL or MP Licence respectively), and a degree within three years.
