Integrated Pilot Training (LEAP)
Oxford, UK
Intensive. Inclusive. Inspired. Prepare for take-off with the fast-track integrated Leading Edge Airline Preparation course; LEAP.
LEAP is a full-time, integrated pilot training programme, designed to deliver the most comprehensive airline pilot career preparation possible. In as little as 18 months, this ab-initio (‘from the beginning’) course will take you from no flying experience to airline-ready in every way.
No previous experience is required, although we will assess your potential for success before you enrol and you will need to meet our criteria of prerequisites.

LEAP in. It’s all included.
Training Components
Theoretical Knowledge Training
Initial Flight Training
Advanced Flight Training Advanced
Upset Prevention Recovery Training
APS MCC (based in the UK)
BSc Degree in Air Transport Management
Course Equipment
Training materials & flight bag
PadPilot ATPL eBooks
Uniform
iPad
Question bank access
Support Services
Graduate employment services
Wellbeing services
Training guarantee
ATPL (A) qualifying exam fees
Flight test fees
Whole Pilot® training framework
Graduation Ceremony
Location and Facilities
Base in Alhama, Spain and Oxford, UK
Accommodation in Alhama and Oxford
Return flight to and from our Fair Weather base

Course Entry Requirements
Requirements to join the course are, as a minimum;
- Aged 18 or over at the start of training (no upper age limit!)
- A current UK issued passport or Settled Status (indefinite right to remain)
- For Dual Licence you will need EASA Class 1 (assigned to Danish governing authority) and UK CAA medical certificate. For single EASA or UK licensing path will only need to obtain the Class 1 medical for your chosen path.
- 5 GCSEs at 4+ or equivalent (e.g., National 5. Level 2 Vocational) including Maths, English and a Science (preferably Physics).
- ICAO 5 or above in spoken English
- Successfully complete our robust Skills Assessment
Course breakdown

Pass a Skills Assessment
1 Day, Oxford Campus
To enrol, you’ll need to pass a Leading Edge Aviation Skills Assessment. This process assesses your potential for success and ensures we select the best pilots for the airlines. If you meet the standard, you’ll be invited to enrol with a Training Guarantee.
The Skills Assessment will include:
- A Computer based assessment
- An Interview
- A Group Exercise
- A Debrief
Ground School Training
Approx. 28 Training weeks, Oxford Campus
LEAP starts with an education in the ATPL(A) theoretical knowledge that will form the academic foundation of your future career.
We are very proud to be leading the way and are delivering the most up to date academic syllabus (e.g. ECQB2020) for the Regulatory Authorities to our students. This academic syllabus prepares students for life in the flight deck, relating the theory to the practical aspects of a career in aviation.
Leading Edge students also study KSA100 (Knowledge, Skills & Attitude) (link through to KSA blog) which helps to develop the softer skills that are a critical part of your future career. This important element of the course will be continuously assessed throughout your training.
Need to know:
- 13 Subjects
- 3 modules
- 750 training hours (minimum)
- 26 progress checks
- 13 (or 26 for dual licence) Qualifying exams
Graduate Employment Services
3-Day Course & Ongoing Support, Oxford Campus
Our LEAP Integrated course includes comprehensive Graduate Employment Services to prepare and support you in landing that all important First Officer role.
The course is taught by a team who have a wealth of experience in pilot recruitment and held at our academy in Oxford. Our instructors will walk you through the assessment process, tailoring the workshop to your experience and ensuring you are ready for your first airline interview.
The 3-day course will cover:
- Airline applications
- Maximising your first impression
- Personal development plans
- CV workshops
- Cover letter creation
- Interview techniques & mock interviews
- Group exercise training
Foundation Flight Training / Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
Approx. 26 Training weeks, Alhama Campus
With ATPL ground school and graduate services complete, you’ll work towards achieving your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). Our foundation flight training is conducted from our Alhama Campus, where highly experienced instructors will take you through the early exercises up to your first solo and then onwards to your Commercial Pilot Licence in a multi-engine aircraft. Our course is a ME CPL (multi-engine Commercial Pilot Licence), so you will initially fly either our modern DA40, Elixir or Piper single-engine aircraft and progress onto state-of-the-art DA42 multi-engine aircraft.
Need to know:
- 130.3 hours training hours
- Commercial Pilot Licence Skills Test
- Aircraft: Elixir, DA40, DA42
- Sim: AL42
Advanced Flight Training
Approx. 13 Training weeks, Oxford Campus
You’ll return to Oxford campus for your advanced flight training where you will experience the more challenging UK flying conditions prior to undertaking your Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR) along with Advanced Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (A-UPRT) which are the final live flying elements of the course before progressing to the next stage.
MEIR
53.5 training hours
Including Instrument Rating Skills Test
Need to know:
- Aircraft time: 27.5 hours
- Sim time: 30.5 hours
- Aircraft: DA42
- Sim: DA42
AUPRT
4 flight training hours in our Slingsby Firefly (+5 training hours ground school)
APS MCC
3 Training weeks, Oxford Campus
The ultimate phase of the course is the Airline Pilot Standards Multi-Crew Cooperation (APS MCC) Course. It’s conducted in our state of the art MPS Airbus A320 FTD-1 Simulator, and will be your first taste of flying as an airline pilot in Commercial Air Transport (CAT) operations. You’ll learn to work as a flight crew, and learn how to fly a modern swept-wing jet airliner using recognised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Need to know:
- 25 hours (minimum) Theoretical Knowledge Instruction, including Airline Oriented Training
- 20 hours of briefing and de-briefing before and after simulator training sessions
- 40 hours of type-specific flight simulator training, with a final assessment
- Online access to all training materials and manuals
- Use of self-study material, including an XR virtual cockpit and immersive 360 degree bite-size training videos
FEES
Single Licence LEAP
Including BSc Degree, accommodation and training guarantee
*£95,880 with SLC tuition fee loan
Deposit
Non-refundable
Initial Payment
30 days before start date
2nd Payment
4 months after start date
3rd Payment
8 months after start date
4th Payment
10 months after start date
5th Payment
12 months after start date
**£11,465 with SLC
Dual Licence LEAP
Including BSc Degree, accommodation and training guarantee
*£102,380 with SLC tuition fee loan
Deposit
non-refundable
Initial Payment
30 days before start date
2nd Payment
4 months after start date
3rd Payment
8 months after start date
4th Payment
10 months after start date
5th Payment
12 months after start date
**£12,765 with SLC


Student Finance
As our Integrated course in Oxford is an accredited degree course, you may be eligible to apply for student finance from the SLC (Student Loan Company).
If this is your first degree, you could be eligible for tuition fee loans of £19,070 (2 years at £9,535 per year). These are credited directly to your course fees, helping to reduce the cost of commercial pilot training.
Dependent on your circumstances, you may also be eligible for maintenance fee loans of up to £19,514 (£9,757 per year for 25/26). These loans are means-tested and further information, including a student finance calculator, is available at the SLC. If eligible, they are paid to you.
The SLC site also contains information on when & how your loans will need to be paid back and how to apply.
Why choosefor your pilot training?
FAQ’s
What is the Skills Assessment process?
Our Skills Assessment is a day-long assessment that takes place online. It involves a few different theoretical and practical exercises, designed to test your aptitude and suitability for the course.
Taking the Skills Assessment
You’ll conduct a number of exercises, including a formal interview, a group exercise, and aptitude tests, which would include maths. Experts in each of these fields will score you against set criteria, then at the end of the day, you’ll be given feedback on how you’ve done.
What happens next?
If you’re successful you’ll be offered a place on the course. We’re so confident in our Skills Assessment that we also offer a Training Guarantee. So if you fail to pass the course for reasons of aptitude rather than attitude, we promise to cover your additional training fees.
If I don’t pass, can I reapply?
Not everyone is successful. This might be down to a number of different reasons—not least, a touch of the jitters. As part of our feedback, we’ll highlight the areas that need your extra attention and give you a time frame for trying again. We can also point you towards the right help and support. There’s no limit to the number of times you can retake a Skills Assessment but if it takes you more than a couple of tries, our assessor will give you some honest feedback about your reasonable prospects.
Can I book now?
Yes! Click here to book your place on the next scheduled skills assessment day.
Can I come and view the Alhama campus before I attend a Skills Assessment?
We will soon be able to offer Open Days and Private Tours of our Alhama campus so you can explore the classrooms and meet the instructors. If you are interested in attending an Open Day or booking a Private Tour, please register your interest above.
How long do I have to start training after completion of a successful Skills Assessment?
What Qualifications do I need?
5 x GCSEs (including English, Maths & Science, preferably Physics!) level 4/C and above.
Do I need to be fit and healthy to be a pilot?
I wear glasses – is this a problem?
You do not need to have perfect vision; however, the UK CAA require you to have a certain standard of vision, you should contact a UK CAA Authorised Medical Examiner (AME) to find out more.
I have a medical condition/ allergy – will this stop me being a pilot?
Not necessarily. Unfortunately, we are unable to comment on anything relating to medical conditions and restrictions. You will be required to obtain a Class 1 medical to commence training at Leading Edge Aviation.
Please contact the issuing authority for further information regarding medicals, in the case of the UK the CAA should be able to assist.
If you are the holder of an EU Passport you can train with Leading Edge Aviation – Currently we are unable to offer Tier 4 sponsorship but watch this space!