Open Days and Events
Discover Pilot Training at Leading Edge Aviation
Thinking about becoming a pilot? Curious about what’s involved in flight training? The best way to answer all your questions about a career in aviation is to visit us at an Open Day or speak to us at an aviation exhibition.
Aviation Exhibitions
Attending aviation events and exhibitions such as Pilot Careers Live and World Pilot Expo is a great idea when you’re researching your future options and deciding which flight school is best for you.
These exhibitions bring together leading ATOs (Approved Training Organisations) and airlines to answer your questions about becoming a commercial pilot. You can chat with staff, students and pilots, as well as listen to presentations from airlines and training experts.
Upcoming
We exhibit at aviation exhibitions all over Europe. Find out if there is one coming up near you.
Open Days at Leading Edge Aviation
Our Oxford campus Open Days take place every other month and are the perfect opportunity for you to meet our staff, current students and graduates.
Your visit will include:
- Keynote Presentation from a member of our Senior Leadership Team
- Academy and aircraft tour
- Accommodation tour
- Trial flight in both the DA42 and A320 simulators
- Instructor-led ground school Q&A
- Skills assessment session with top tips
- Graduate speaker presentation
Upcoming
Are you aged 16 or over and looking to start your journey to the flight deck? Register for an Open Day in a few simple steps! Choose a suitable date below.
at Leading Edge Aviation
If you are not yet 16, we occasionally run dedicated Young Persons’ events , where you can take part in many of the same activities, except for those that require you to be 16 or over. You’ll still have the chance to fly our simulators and tour our aircraft during these events. For more information about these events, register your interest via the link below.
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FAQ’s
What will I need to bring to an Open Day?
If you and your guests would like to tour our aircraft, please ensure that each person brings a physical form of identification (passport, driving licence, birth certificate, etc.) This is required so we can issue airside passes in line with airport regulations.
We will be providing tea, coffee, refreshments, and light snacks on the day. However, we cannot supply enough food for a full meal, so we strongly encourage you to bring your own packed lunch.
Other than that, just bring yourselves and plenty of questions!
Will I be able to leave partway through the Open Day?
You are free to leave early if you absolutely need to, but please note that our Open Days run on scheduled group rotations to ensure everyone sees all activities. Due to the high number of attendees, we’re unable to make individual timetable adjustments.
It may also be difficult to bring you back to the Academy partway through the day, as our minibuses will be continuously used for accommodation tours. For the full Leading Edge Open Day experience, we recommend staying for the entire day.
What happens if I turn up late to an Open Day?
Open Day check-in closes at 9:45am and our minibuses will take the final group of guests to our Sim Centre just before 10:00am in time for the keynote presentation. If you arrive later than this, you will need to make your way directly to our Sim Centre. Please note that parking at the Sim Centre is limited, so we cannot guarantee availability.
I am still under 16, am I able to come to an Open Day?
Because our Open Days are mainly tailored for those aged 16 and over, much of the content won’t yet be suitable for you. However, we do occasionally run dedicated Young Persons’ Events where you can take part in many of the same activities, excluding the parts that aren’t yet applicable.
You’ll still have the chance to fly our simulators and tour our aircraft during these events. To register your interest for one of these events, please fill out this form.
Will I be able to get to your Oxford campus via public transport?
Yes! Our closest train station is Oxford Parkway. You can get here directly from major train stations such as London Marylebone, Bristol, Swindon, Bath Spa, and more. It is important to note that some services are seasonal, so be sure to check on the GWR website.
You can get the S7 bus directly to London Oxford Airport from Oxford Parkway. It runs every 30 minutes and takes around 20 – 25 minutes.
Can I book my skills assessment at an event?
Yes. Our Training Advisors will be able to book you onto a skills assessment at any event, including Pilot Careers Live events and Open Days. You can also book onto a skills assessment.
Which accommodation will we be able to tour?
Our closest accommodation block and the one we offer tours of on our Open Days is The Arc, which is situated in the heart of Kidlington and is where you may be living during the advanced flying stage of training.
Which aircraft will we be able to tour?
Depending on aircraft availability, we aim to give you a tour of a Diamond DA40, DA42 and one of our Slingsby Firefly’s.
Will I be able to speak with a training advisor at an event?
Yes. Our Training Advisors come to all aviation exhibitions and Open Days.
During our Open Days you will get the opportunity to speak to one of our Training Advisors one-to-one in our dedicated ‘Ask an Advisor’ rotation. So come prepared with all your questions!
How many guests can I bring to an Open Day?
Due to high demand, each booking may include a maximum of two additional guests. Only one booking per group is permitted. We check all bookings prior to the event, so please note that we might cancel your booking if we suspect that you have made multiple bookings.
If you turn up on the day, with more than two additional guests, you may be turned away at the door. We cannot make an exception for you and not everyone else!
Can I just turn up to an Open Day without booking in advance?
No. Please make sure that you have a valid booking confirmation before attending an Open Day. We need to have an idea of how many people will be attending and we cannot share important information about the event with you beforehand if we do not have your details.
What if I can’t make an Open Day?
If you cannot attend an Open Day, we can arrange a one-to-one tour for you and your family. We will do our best to show you the same things as you will get to see at an Open Day, however we cannot book simulator sessions or aircraft for one-off tours, unless they are already available.
Do you provide free tickets to Pilot Careers Live?
No. All tickets will need to be booked via the Pilot Careers Live website.