News and Blog  

Browse the latest news and blog posts – from exciting expansion plans and industry updates to pilot careers and essential training information.

Latest News

Fully Funded LEAP & FI Couse launched

Fully Funded LEAP & FI Couse launched

Leading Edge Aviation launches a Fully Funded LEAP and Flight Instructor Training programme with Guaranteed Employment on Completion.   Leading Edge Aviation (LEAL) leads the way in flight training with the launch of its innovative, fully funded Pilot and Instructor...

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Why dual campus flight conditions help create well rounded & experienced pilots

Integrated Or Modular?

Is it your dream to become a pilot? Then you may be thinking about which training option is best suited to you. At Leading Edge Aviation, we have two main training pathways available: Integrated and Modular. Both result in a frozen ATPL, the qualification required to...

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Our Graduates

Our Graduates

At Leading Edge Aviation, we offer two routes to becoming an airline-ready commercial pilot. A full-time integrated route ‘LEAP’ as well as a flexible modular option ‘MAP’. Both provide graduates with a ‘frozen’ Airline Transport Pilot Licence, the professional...

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Graduates achieve dual UK CAA & EASA licences

Graduates achieve dual UK CAA & EASA licences

Leading Edge Aviation Graduates achieve dual UK CAA & EASA licences Leading Edge Aviation (LEAL) are one of the only ATOs (approved training organisations) who are offering students the opportunity to achieve a dual UK CAA & EASA licence. Their first students...

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Graduates airline placements

Graduates airline placements

Leading Edge Aviation graduates secure roles with multiple airlines Leading Edge Aviation (LEAL) are delighted with the recent news that a further selection of their graduates have recently secured roles as commercial pilots with leading airlines. Following on from...

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Blog

Why dual campus flight conditions help create well rounded & experienced pilots

Integrated Or Modular?

Is it your dream to become a pilot? Then you may be thinking about which training option is best suited to you. At Leading Edge Aviation, we have two main training pathways available: Integrated and Modular. Both result in a frozen ATPL, the qualification required to...

read more
Our Graduates

Our Graduates

At Leading Edge Aviation, we offer two routes to becoming an airline-ready commercial pilot. A full-time integrated route ‘LEAP’ as well as a flexible modular option ‘MAP’. Both provide graduates with a ‘frozen’ Airline Transport Pilot Licence, the professional...

read more
The Journey To Achieving a Dual UK CAA & EASA Licence

The Journey To Achieving a Dual UK CAA & EASA Licence

After the UK left the EU at the end of 2020, the only way to gain access to European job opportunities was to hold a secondary licence – that’s where the fact finding begun. Three of us in LEAP003 decided to be the guinea pigs and one of us in particular dedicated...

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Training the whole pilot

Training the whole pilot

What makes a good pilot? Is it solely someone’s ability to manage an aircraft? It is a common misconception that this is the case! The International Civil Aviation Organisation collated data from pilots all over the world on what they believe makes a good pilot, their...

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Wizz Air UK visits Leading Edge Aviation

Wizz Air UK visits Leading Edge Aviation

The ultimate goal of Leading Edge Aviation’s students is to secure role as a First Officer for an airline, and after nearly 2 years’ hard work – securing their first role in the flight deck is the ultimate reward. To help inspire and inform our students, Leading Edge...

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So what’s it like to take your first solo flight?

So what’s it like to take your first solo flight?

  “GOLF GOLF DELTA, cleared for take-off!” There was a time I only ever dreamed of being given that clearance, and indeed only imagined reading it back in sole command of my aircraft for the first time. My first solo, a milestone both coveted and feared in equal...

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Who wants to go for a spin?

Who wants to go for a spin?

You may have seen a photo (or two!) of our students in the T67 Slingsby Firefly recently but do you know what our Advanced Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (AUPRT) entails? One of our students, who recently completed the course, has tried to keep you in the loop...

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Don’t wait for A-Level results!

Don’t wait for A-Level results!

So, you want to be a pilot and start your training with Leading Edge Aviation, but you are waiting until you receive your A-level results, well we are asking why?! Here at Leading Edge Aviation, we are the first to encourage gaining your A-Levels or equivalent...

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Our top tips on getting through ground school

Our top tips on getting through ground school

What happens during ground school? It is all too often that we hear how students are concerned at the thought of ground school and completing the 13 ATPL exams. However, there is no need to be put off, as the course is achievable, you just need to be prepared for 6...

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Our first uMAP courses settle in to life in the academy

Our first uMAP courses settle in to life in the academy

September & October were very exciting months at Leading Edge Aviation as we welcomed the first two uMAP courses into the academy! uMAP (University Modular Airline Preparation) is our very own course that integrates with your university degree. The uMAP course...

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Living away from home for the first time.

Living away from home for the first time.

For many going to flight school might be the first time you’re leaving home and this could certainly be an exciting time or a nervous one. It’s a big move that will see you chasing your dream and today we’re going to try to help you in being ready for that first move....

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How to get into flight training

How to get into flight training

What qualifications do I need to be a pilot? Do I need to go to university? Do I have to have perfect vision? Do I need a specific licence? Are there specific schools that just train pilots? How do I become a pilot? Deciding that you want to be a pilot is normally...

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Flight Training Resumes…

Flight Training Resumes…

This week, our CEO, Andy McFarlane, talked to Ian Seager, Flyer magazine & Pilot Career News about our return to flying and how we are safeguarding our staff and students. Over the past few weeks, in support of government guidance, we’ve continued to deliver a...

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Welcome To Leading Edge Aviation

Welcome To Leading Edge Aviation

Whilst we can’t show you around the academy in person right now, we hope you’ll enjoy this snapshot of Leading Edge Aviation and our fabulous staff & students! If you’d like to find out more about our courses, visit here. Alternatively, contact us for more info...

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Virtual Skills Assessment

Virtual Skills Assessment

So, you’re ready to take your first step to becoming an airline pilot? You’ve researched flying academies and have chosen where you would like to train. The next step now is to sit a Skills Assessment, this is where we find out if you have the skills and attributes...

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Ground School Goes Virtual!

Ground School Goes Virtual!

Leading Edge Aviation extend virtual classroom to deliver Ground School training to students during Covid-19 period of isolation This week sees the successful launch of Leading Edge Aviation’s virtual Ground School. Whilst the academy has been using virtual and tech...

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Our 2019 Highlights

Our 2019 Highlights

2019 has been a huge year for Leading Edge Aviation – not only for our academy but for the talented individuals who trusted us with their pilot training. We celebrated our first birthday in October, currently have 60 students training with us, with several graduates...

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Leading Edge Aviation Announce Bose Partnership

Leading Edge Aviation Announce Bose Partnership

We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Bose who will be supplying A20 Aviation Headsets for the Leading Edge aircraft, for use by all student pilots and flight instructors. The Bose A20 Aviation Headset provides acclaimed noise reduction and a comfortable...

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New AL42 Simulator Approved

New AL42 Simulator Approved

The new Leading Edge AL42 simulator is installed, approved and ready to fly. Based at our new facility in Glenmore Business Park, this fixed based simulator will give Leading Edge student pilots the most advanced simulator technology as they train for their future...

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Bursary Programme

Bursary Programme

Get one step closer to achieving your dream with our new bursary programme for aspiring pilots. At Leading Edge Aviation we know that the cost of training can be a barrier to a career as an airline pilot. So we’d like to help. We are offering three bursaries towards...

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Wellbeing Curriculum For Trainee Pilots

Wellbeing Curriculum For Trainee Pilots

At Leading Edge Aviation, we believe that preparation for your future as an airline pilot starts on day one of training. With us, you’ll receive dedicated ground and flight instruction that will see you graduating on time and airline-ready, but you’ll also receive...

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We Need To Talk About Mental Health In Aviation

We Need To Talk About Mental Health In Aviation

By Katie Broadhurst I really admire my children’s school. Recently, my eight-year-old has been coming home and telling us about lessons on coping with stress and adopting a “growth mindset”. You might be tempted to ask, “what stress could an eight-year-old possibly...

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Leading Edge Legends!

Leading Edge Legends!

We’d like to thank Amir and Gus for being our first two students for having the courage to take control of their training and join us. Their dedication and trust have paid off and we are very pleased to announce that they both passed their IRs first time. Their next...

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Pilot Career Live (PCL) News

Pilot Career Live (PCL) News

Leading Edge Aviation enjoyed a productive day at the busy Dublin Pilot Careers Live exhibition on 2 March 2019. Dublin was chosen as the official launch location as an EASA Approved Training Organisation, and we are now fully operational to conduct both integrated...

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Gateway To The Airlines

Gateway To The Airlines

Leading Edge Aviation are delighted to announce their alliance with VA Airline Training of Cambridge. VA will deliver the Airline Pilot Standards Multi-Crew Cooperation course to Leading Edge Trainees after the completion of their Instrument Rating. Starting in Oxford...

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Press Releases

Leading Edge Aviation Celebrates Graduation of Class of 2023

Leading Edge Aviation Celebrates Graduation of Class of 2023

OXFORD, UK — 17 May 2023 — Leading Edge Aviation hosted its 2023 graduation ceremony on 12 May beneath the wings of the iconic Concorde at Aerospace Bristol. The event was a celebration of the hard-earned achievements of our 68 graduates, attended by over 250 family...

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Fully Funded LEAP & FI Couse launched

Fully Funded LEAP & FI Couse launched

Leading Edge Aviation launches a Fully Funded LEAP and Flight Instructor Training programme with Guaranteed Employment on Completion.   Leading Edge Aviation (LEAL) leads the way in flight training with the launch of its innovative, fully funded Pilot and Instructor...

read more
Graduates achieve dual UK CAA & EASA licences

Graduates achieve dual UK CAA & EASA licences

Leading Edge Aviation Graduates achieve dual UK CAA & EASA licences Leading Edge Aviation (LEAL) are one of the only ATOs (approved training organisations) who are offering students the opportunity to achieve a dual UK CAA & EASA licence. Their first students...

read more
Graduates airline placements

Graduates airline placements

Leading Edge Aviation graduates secure roles with multiple airlines Leading Edge Aviation (LEAL) are delighted with the recent news that a further selection of their graduates have recently secured roles as commercial pilots with leading airlines. Following on from...

read more
Leading Edge Aviation wins Polys award for XR virtual cockpit

Leading Edge Aviation wins Polys award for XR virtual cockpit

Leading Edge Aviation wins Polys award for XR virtual cockpit Leading Edge Aviation (LEAL), in collaboration with Playko Software have won the Augmented Reality Experience of the Year for their A320 cockpit simulator at the 2021 WebXR Awards, The Polys. The two...

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Leading Edge Aviation turns three years old

Leading Edge Aviation turns three years old

Leading Edge Aviation turns three years old and celebrates its expanding fleet & milestone student population. This month, Leading Edge Aviation turns three years old and what better way to celebrate than with a ‘class of 2021’ photo. In addition to their...

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The Journey To Achieving a Dual UK CAA & EASA Licence

Dual licensing goes live at Leading Edge Aviation

Leading Edge Aviation announce the introduction of dual licensing options for their suite of ATPL professional pilot training courses. As the industry continues to show ‘green shoots’ with airlines announcing recruitment drives, the Oxford based ATO who offer both UK...

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Leading Edge Aviation continue to invest in their fleet

Leading Edge Aviation continue to invest in their fleet

Leading Edge Aviation announce further investments in their fleet with the addition of another DA42 Simulator. The sim has been manufactured and installed by Diamond and compliments their growing fleet of Diamond Aircraft and existing DA42 and A320 simulators. The...

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Announcing our new, bespoke APS MCC course

Announcing our new, bespoke APS MCC course

Cleared for take-off – Leading Edge Aviation receive approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority on their Airbus A320 FTD-1 Simulator & announce the launch of their new APS MCC course. Leading Edge are delighted to announce that after a busy 2020, they have...

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Announcing our new, bespoke APS MCC course

Airbus A320 Simulator Announcement

Leading Edge Aviation achieve another significant phase of growth and announce the purchase of a brand new MPS A320 FTD-1 Simulator. Following the news in July, where they announced the expansion at Airspeed House, Leading Edge Aviation continues to thrive and expand....

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A course of firsts!

A course of firsts!

A course of firsts, Leading Edge Aviation celebrate several exciting new milestones! Leading Edge are delighted to welcome their newest Integrated LEAP course of students, LEAP- 007 who have started their training this week. Every new course is celebrated in the...

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Airspeed House Announcement

Airspeed House Announcement

There’s no stopping them! Leading Edge Aviation announce their next phase of expansion. Leading Edge are delighted to welcome staff, students & visitors to their newly expanded home at Airspeed house. After an incredibly successful year and strong growth, they are...

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Laser Strike

Laser Strike

On Tuesday 4th February, a Leading Edge Aviation aircraft was the subject of a laser attack whilst flying over the area of Charlbury & Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire. The aircraft was carrying out a training flight and had taken off from London Oxford airport. The...

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