From the 2nd June 2009, we are able to offer our Multi Crew Co-operation Course on our Bombardier CRJ-200 simulator. The state-of-the-art simulator, normally reserved for use by our NetJets Europe students, will give our MCC customers the chance to gain experience of flying a modern generation jet aircraft.

For further information or to book an MCC course on either our CRJ-200 or B737 simulators, please contact Lorraine Aust on +353 (0)1816 174 or email lorraine.aust@oaa.com

Oxford Aviation Academy is delighted to announce the opening, of our new DUBLIN BASED sales and customer service office at the beginning of May. The new office will be located alongside our sister company Parc Aviation who specialize in airline pilot resourcing worldwide.

Without doubt, one of our key strengths is our strong links with so many major airlines. Famous members of our Alumni include former Aer Lingus CEO Willie Walsh, (now CEO for British Airways), who trained with OAA back in 1979. A strong relationship with the Irish flag carrier continues today evidenced by the decision of Aer Lingus to employ our graduates as First Officers to crew the Airbus fleet at the new London Gatwick base. Since 2005, over 160 of our graduates have gained employment with Irish registered Airlines including: Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Aer Arann and CityJet further underlining the special links we have fostered with Ireland over many years. Add this to our excellent relationships with so many other major global airlines really does endorse our firm belief that “where you train makes a difference to where you’ll go”.

We hold regular open day seminars for both aspiring Integrated, (APP FIRST OFFICER) and Modular (WAYPOINT) students. Only by visiting us will you will fully appreciate the full extent of exciting services and training courses we have on offer. Midweek visits can also be arranged by prior appointment - simply call one of our training advisors on +44 1865 841234 For further information or details on all of our training courses; or if you would like to meet and discuss your training options at our new Dublin office please contact Lorraine Aust on +353 1 816 1747 – or send her an email at lorraine.aust@oaa.com

Oxford Aviation Academy and emeryroberts are pleased to announce a joint venture in aviation English language proficiency assessment. The Aviation English Proficiency Test is in the trialling stages of test development, aiming for a release date of spring 2009.

The test lasts between 30 to 40 minutes and it involves both simulated radiotelephony and face to face communication.

For the latest news and information regarding the new test, as well as other aviation English related courses, please visit http://www.emery-roberts.co.uk/

OAA is pleased to announce that from February 2009 onward all candidates attending the APPFO Skills Assessment will now have the benefit of undertaking their simulator assessment in OAA’s new CRJ-200. The state-of-the-art simulator, with its 180° high-fidelity visual display and glass cockpit, will give candidates the chance to enjoy the experience of flying a modern generation jet aircraft, all as part of the assessment process.

Earlier in 2008, OAA staged what was the largest Open Day with a record number of 400 people attending. Oxford once again opened its doors to the public on the 18th October and had an even more astounding 574 attendees! Everyone had the opportunity to get the latest information on the hot topics of the current climate, from financing a course with Oxford, to the employment opportunities for our graduates. Presentations from guest speakers Captain Richard Parkinson of NetJets Europe and Captain Ian Baston of flybe, gave an even deeper insight for aspiring pilots and their families, before allowing everyone a chance to look around the facilities for themselves.

The evening was once again a time for celebrating the success of our current graduates from courses AP270 - AP276, as well as presenting our Annual Awards at the ceremony. OAA Chairman, Frank Turner, opened the ceremony with a few words of wisdom for the graduates under the new Oxford Aviation Academy banner, before handing over to our Guest of Honour Captain Chris Randle, Director of European Operations for NetJets Europe. After the student graduation and prizegiving ceremony, Captain Randle provided all with a jovial speech on his own experiences of training at Oxford and the future of both the airline and business travel industries. Graduate Jon Whittaker provided the Vote of Thanks on behalf of all the graduates to round off the formalities for the evening.

Oxford has long been raising money for both local and national charities, and on this occasion a charity raffle was held in aid of Leukaemia Care and Lymphoma Association. A FANTASTIC £4,478 was raised on the night with a whole host of prizes ranging from airline flights and simulator sessions, to a pair of racing gloves worn by Formula 1's most experienced driver, Rubens Barrichello!

Oxford would also like to thank the following organisations and airlines for their unsurmountable support in donating prizes for our charity raffle:

Captain Chris Randle, Director of European Operations for NetJets Europe officially unveiled the new CRJ-200 simulator at Oxford on the 18th October 2008. This new addition to the Multi Pilot Training Centre at Oxford further cements the long-term relationship and commitment Oxford has made to the specialised and focussed training of NetJets Europe Cadets.

The Multi Pilot Training Centre is a modern state of the art training centre encompassing 2 737 full motion simulators and the new CRJ fixed base simulator. The facility also houses a lecture theatre which has seating for 48 students featuring a live link to the CRJ flight deck instrumentation which is displayed on 3 screens enabling students to gain an in depth knowledge of systems during their ground school phase of training.

The CRJ simulator will be used for delivering Multi Crew Cooperation Courses and Jet Orientation Courses. The simulator will also be used for a new course aimed at business jet operators training their pilots to specific airfield procedures, Low visibility Operations training, and Command upgrade assessments.

The centre is designed with the Airline operation in mind and aims to prepare the students for the environment in which they will soon be operating.

Oxford Aviation Academy ("OAA") has acquired General Flying Services ("GFS"), the leading ab initio airline pilot training organisation in Australia. The acquisition, backed by STAR Capital Partners, is a key strategic addition to the Group’s "Aviation Training - ab initio" division which also comprises the former Oxford Aviation Training, one of the worlds’ largest and most respected airline pilot training schools.

Operating from two airports in Melbourne, GFS is the largest supplier of quality airline pilots in Australia. The school trained approximately 330 cadets in its last financial year and plans to grow these numbers to over 500 pilot graduates over the next few years as part of the OAA Group. It is well known for its long established relationships with flag carrier Qantas, as well as offering pilot training educational courses in partnership with two major local universities in Melbourne. Not only does GFS serve the domestic Australian market, the school also conducts training for a significant number of airline cadets from South East Asia, China and the Middle East.

To read more, please read the full downloadable press release

The sun was most certainly shining for the latest Airline Pilot Training Open Day at Oxford Airport on Saturday 14th June, and what a day was had by all! OAA experienced one of its highest turn-outs yet from aspiring pilots and their families. Once again, the popular format of the Open Days was well received by those attending, with an informative presentation given by OAA management as well as NetJets Europe Cadet Programme Manager, Captain Richard Parkinson.

There is no doubt the day was a huge success and the fly-in of a NetJets Europe Hawker 800, proved to be a highlight of the day for all those wannabe pilots who wished to get some more information on the exclusive cadet programme. Captain Richard Parkinson further highlighted the ongoing requirement for pilots through their cadet programme due to their ever increasing European fleet size and the benefits of working for NetJets Europe.

In the afternoon, a traditional barbeque below the control tower provided refreshments for our customers while the Zlin 242L took to the skies in the capable hands of Mike Stokes, an OAA instructor and resident aerobatics guru, to put on a show for the attendees.

Further Airline Pilot Training Open Days have been planned for later in 2008. Keep watching the website for further details of the next event and until then, we hope to see some of the aspiring pilots returning to commence training with OAA in the near future!

A few images of the Open Day are placed below. Please click on them to view the full-size versions.

On Saturday 23rd February 2008, the latest graduation ceremony for courses AP258 - 262 took place at Oxford Airport. The Guest of Honour for the event was Captain John Monks, Flight Manager Pilot Recruitment, British Airways. Held in the same Hangar as the Open Day presentations, it was all hands on deck to turn what is usually a home for our aircraft, into a magnificent venue for the graduation ceremony - and the end result certainly didn't disappoint!

Graduates and their families gathered to celebrate their success and achievements during their time at OAA and Captain John Monks gave a short and encouraging address to our graduates. Alex Lewton gave a Vote of Thanks on behalf of all those present, as well as those who couldn't attend the event due to their new job commitments as airline pilots!

After the formalities, staff, students, graduates and their families enjoyed a celebratory meal, before the evening disco and dancing commenced, lasting till the early hours of Sunday morning.

A few images of the evening are placed below. Please click on them to view the full-size versions.

Europe's leading Independent training organisation rebrands to offer expanded, global, full service capabilities.

A new force in aviation training - Oxford Aviation Academy - has been created today. The new group combines the UK, Far East, Scandinavian and Baltic TRTO facilities previously operated by GCAT Flight Academy with Oxford Aviation Academy and BAE Systems Training.

Oxford Aviation Academy now has the capability to offer training to the aviation industry over the complete spectrum from Engineers to Pilots and Cabin Crew, and from ab-initio to Type Rating, Base and Line Training. It is now the largest independent aviation training organisation in Europe and ranks among the top providers in the world.

To read the full press release, please click the image to the left or click here.

A new foundation degree in Air Transport Management with Airline Pilot Training was launched on the 21st July. The partnership between Oxford Aviation Academy (OAA) and Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College (BCUC) provides a unique course in the industry.

The course will be delivered over 67 weeks and is considerably shorter than the two years normally taken for a work-based foundation degree. Moreover, the regular monthly intake makes this course unique within the aviation training industry. It is designed to provide students undertaking OAA’s prestigious Airline Preparation Programme (APPFO) Integrated Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL) course with both an academic accreditation and an enhanced understanding of the airline business.

The scheme, introduced with full airline support and endorsement, means that students will, in future, graduate with a Foundation Degree in Air Transport Management with Airline Pilot Training - to complement their frozen ATPL.

To read the full press release, as well as more detail on the structure of the degree itself, please click the images below

GCAT Flight Academy today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Oxford Aviation Training (OAT) from parent company BBA Aviation plc for a total consideration of $63 million (£32 million). The deal is backed by GCAT Flight Academy's majority shareholder, STAR Capital Partners.

Specialist European investment fund Star Capital Partners have over £1 billion of equity under management and made their first investment in the flight training industry in February 2007 through the acquisition of a majority stake in General Electric Commercial Aviation Training (GECAT) and the entire share capital of SAS Flight Academy from SAS AB. The new group was named GCAT Flight Academy and overnight became the largest flight training organisation in Europe and the third largest in the world.

To read the full press release, please click the image to the left or click here.