WORK EXPERIENCE
Discover Careers in Aviation with our Work Experience Programme
At Leading Edge Aviation, we are passionate about supporting the next generation of pilots, and those passionate about the aviation industry. We are pleased to offer a comprehensive, weeklong, work experience programme, offering a glimpse into life at an Aviation Training Organisation (ATO).
Throughout the week, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in some of the key areas of the business and understand what really goes into running a leading aviation training academy. From Operations to Ground School training, you’ll experience first-hand how each department works together to deliver exceptional pilot training.
What to Expect from your Work Experience Placement
Your work experience placement will be a weeklong and you will spend each day with a different department at our Oxford campus. Here is what your week could look like:
Monday – Customer Experience and Inductions
Explore how the Customer Experience team supports students throughout their onboarding and training journey.
There are plenty of day-to-day tasks that you can support our Customer Experience with such as data entry, laminating labels and managing enquiries.
Tuesday – Operations and Simulator
Support with flight scheduling, ramp duties on the airfield and general Operations tasks. Get up close and personal with some of our aircraft and see if you can successfully land our DA42 and Airbus A320 simulators.
Wednesday – Future Pilot Skills Assessments
Shadow a member of our assessment team and find out what it takes to run a Leading Edge Aviation skills assessment. Liaise with some of our assessors and sit in on a group exercise.
This day will be full on but will give you a great insight into how to succeed when you come to partake in your own skills assessment.
Thursday – Marketing and Events
Get involved in social media campaigns, event planning, photography and much more. Working alongside our Marketing and Events team, you’ll gain hands-on experience bringing ideas to life; from developing campaign concepts to supporting open days and other industry events.
There’s always something exciting happening, giving you real insight into aviation marketing.
Friday – Ground School
Get stuck into ground school and the theory side of pilot training. You will get the chance to sit in on lessons, learning from our experienced team of Theoretical Knowledge Instructors, as well as support with day-to-day admin tasks.
Applying forwith Leading Edge Aviation
We currently offer 10 work experience placements per year for students aged 16 and over. Placements are very competitive, so make sure your application stands out! Our hiring team will be looking for applicants who show a real passion for the Aviation industry, and drive for their future career.
Applications for 2027 placements will open in November 2026. Keep an eye on our social media platforms for the latest updates.
Why choosefor your pilot training?
FAQ’s
Do you provide accommodation, transport and food?
We are unable to offer placements to unaccompanied students and cannot provide accommodation or transport for the placements. Students will need to bring their own lunch with them, however there are some cafe’s within walking distance. We also have simple kitchen facilities on sites, including a microwave oven.
What do I need to bring with me?
You will need to bring a physical form of ID (passport, driving licence or birth certificate) so that you can be escorted airside. Make sure you bring a water bottle, lunch, and any other snacks you might need throughout the day. It may also be useful to bring a notebook and pen, so that you can make some useful notes if needed.
What is the dress code?
Aviation is a well-dressed industry, think about how smart the cabin crew and flight teams are when you travel. Whilst you don’t need to be quite at that level, we have a smart/casual dress code, so jeans, joggers, hoodies and trainers should be avoided.
Do you have a minimum age limit for work experience?
We are unable to offer placements to anybody under the age of 16.
The dates of your work experience placements aren’t suitable for me; do you offer other dates?
Unfortunately, we can only provide availability on set days and cannot accommodate specific requests.
Will I get to fly?
Unfortunately, we cannot permit you to fly due to safety and insurance requirements, however you will get the chance to get up close and personal with some of our aircraft fleet and fly both our Diamond DA42 and Airbus A320 Simulators.
How are placements allocated?
Assuming your application meets the key requirements listed above, applicants who best meet the criteria given on the application form will be awarded a placement.
When will I find out if my application has been successful?
You will hear back from us regarding the outcome of your placement by the end of February.