Press Releases Archive

OXFORD AVIATION ACADEMY

Europe's leading Independent training organisation rebrands to offer expanded full service capabilities.

A new force in aviation training has emerged with the establishment of Oxford Aviation Academy (OAA). OAA is composed of GCAT Flight Academy (born in February 2007 when Star Capital Partners purchased a majority stake in GECAT and bought SAS Flight Academy outright) which combined the UK, Far East, Scandinavian and Baltic facilities and operations of GECAT and SAS Flight Academy. Oxford Aviation Training, the largest ab-initio airline pilot training school in Europe, was acquired in June 2007 and BAE Systems training facility at Woodford, Manchester was also acquired later that same year.

Oxford Aviation Academy now has the capability to offer training to the aviation industry over the complete spectrum from Engineers to Pilots and Cabin Crew, and from ab-initio to Type Rating, Base and Line Training. It is now the largest independent aviation training organisation in Europe and ranks among the top providers in the world.

Commenting on the launch of Oxford Aviation Academy as a new brand, Brian Simpson, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are committed to consolidating and expanding our market growth through a 'build and buy' strategy that will deliver extensive and improved outsourced solutions for all aspects of flight training. No other provider can now match our ability to offer a complete in-house pilot training product to the very highest quality and standards from FTO to TRTO. We are actively considering other acquisitions at present. The aim will be to ensure that OAA delivers a service that can match the increasing demands of the commercial aviation industry by delivering the pilots they require from zero experience through to the right hand seat of a modern commercial airliner."

Oxford Aviation Academy’s offer is indeed comprehensive, but Simpson indicated that further acquisitions to extend the reach and service offering of the group were under active consideration. The company operates from 10 locations in Europe, Asia and North America and the courses available meet every requirement that customers demand. OAA can provide ab-initio training for EASA/JAA compliant professional licences from its facilities in Oxford, UK and Phoenix USA. Training is usually concluded with a Jet Operations course to prepare cadets for the transition from light piston-engined aircraft to commercial jet and turbo-prop operations.

When qualified pilots progress to type training, OAA can provide a wide range of type-rating courses covering both rotor and fixed wing, ranging from Bell, Dash-8, Jetstream and Saab 340 through a range of Airbus, Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, Fokker and Embraer types under approvals issued by JAA, Chinese and Hong Kong authorities. OAA is also a manufacturer-approved facility for Airbus, Embraer and BAE Systems.

In addition to type-rating courses OAA can offer 'differences' training and command courses along with specialised courses on a wide range of associated subjects. Cabin crew training is available for most aircraft types and OAA is also fully approved to provide engineer training to operators around the world.

For Further Information contact: Allan Bisset or Anna Bengtssson