Air Transport Degree from Gateway

Officials at the signing of the agreement in Buckinghamshire, UK.

Gateway Graduate School (GGS) will offer a BA (Hons) in Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training. The agreement was signed in the UK between, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, Professor Derek Godfrey and Deputy Chairman of Gateway, Dr. Harsha Alles. A spokesman for GGS said, "The three-year Degree program will commence in March 2013 and students could obtain a Degree and a Frozen Airline Transport Pilot Licence(ATPL) at a lower cost than that would be incurred in obtaining both qualifications separately."

"With Gateway partnering Skyline Aviation, a flying training academy approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, students will be able to complete the entire course in Sri Lanka", he said.

"The BA (Hons) Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training represents a unique and exciting program of study which allows students to obtain a recognised UK Honours degree and qualify for a "frozen" ATPL - the highest category that there is, in just three years of full-time study," he said.

"The course is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to pursue a career in the airline industry, initially as commercial airline pilots but with the medium-term objective of being eligible for progression into airline management roles," the spokesman said.

"Commercial Piloting is a professional qualification, therefore, the commercial pilots in the past did not require a degree. However, with increasing competition, internationally, there is an emerging trend to recognise commercial pilots who are also graduates. With this in mind, plans have been made to offer a one-year top-up Degree for Commercial Pilots with two or more years of experience. Those who have already received a Private Pilot Licence in the past can obtain credit for it if they join this program and complete their Frozen ATPL and the Degree," he said.

The launch of this program will take place on November 7 at 5.00 pm at Waters Edge, Battaramulla. Deputy Vice Chancellor, BNU, Prof. Derek Godfrey and officials of BNU, Gateway and Skyline will also be present.