In January, the Estonian Aviation Academy will open admission to the commercial air transport pilot curriculum, which is taught in English and will give the graduate a bachelor of science degree in engineering. The curriculum can be completed in two different ways – in one or three years.
The curriculum is unique in Europe for its two entirely different target groups. One target group is pilots who work or have worked in the aviation sector but do not have the higher education they need for their next career move. They can take the one-year curriculum, which focuses on the business side of aviation. “Graduating in one year is a big leap that will allow the pilot to move forward in aviation and improve their competence,” said Meelis Koovit, the head of the curriculum and a senior pilot. He added that the nominal volume of the curriculum, 180 academic credits, can be indeed completed in just one year. A professional pilot’s license (CPL/ATPL) and previous work experience count towards the volume as these are converted into academic credits. The bonus is the opportunity to study after work, as learning is online and attendance is only required to pass the final exam.
The second target group consists of those who want to obtain both a pilot’s license and higher education. This will take three years of classroom training at the Aviation Academy. While professional pilots have previously completed their pilot’s training, it is still ahead for those starting from scratch.
The commercial air transport pilot curriculum has a significant part in common with another English-language curriculum – commercial aviation management. The two curricula share the International Air Transport Association (IATA) courses, which the Academy has offered as an IATA-authorised training organisation since spring 2021.
“The new English-language curricula of the Aviation Academy will benefit both Estonian aviation and the country as a whole because the export of high-quality education services will improve our international reputation and recognition in every sense,” commented Kristo Reinsalu, the head of the Estonian Aviation Cluster. According to Reinsalu, the more experienced and educated aviation experts we have, the more vigorously the sector develops.
Admission to the English-language curricula begins on 3 January 2022. The application requirements are different and can be viewed on the website of the Estonian Aviation Academy at lennuakadeemia.ee/en.