What is PATH?

Professional Aviation Training in The Highlands

The PATH Programme from AST is designed to be a complete Structured Modular Professional Training package for fixed-wing pilots. It is designed to take the Ab-initio Student through the Private Pilots Licence (PPL), ATPL Theory Ground School, Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL), Multi-Engine Rating (ME) and Instrument Rating (IR) for the issue of their frozen Air Transport Pilots Licence (ATPL).

Each of the courses that make up the PATH Programme is approved by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA).

The ATPL is the highest level of commercial pilot licence, and upon successful completion of the PATH Programme, students will hold the qualifications necessary to begin their professional Aviation career.

The PATH programme offered by AST is structured as follows:

Phase 1

The Private Pilot Licence Course (PPL) & Night Rating

The student will receive flight and ground instruction to prepare them for the PPL Theory Ground Exams, the Radio Telephony Practical Exam and the PPL Practical Skills Test. In addition, the student will be introduced to the principles and practices of night flying.

Phase 2

ATPL Ground School, Additional Flying Skills & Structured Hour Building

The ATPL ground school combines Instructor-lead lectures in the dedicated ATPL Classroom together with Computer Based Training and further Instructor-lead reviews. This blended learning approach structures the student’s preparation for the JAA ATPL Theory Examinations.

In parallel with the study for their ATPL ground exams, students will continue to develop their flying skills via what is known as ‘Structured Hour Building’.

Phase 3

The Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).

Migrating to a more complex aircraft, students will build upon the Standard Operating Procedures and theory they have already learned and prepare for the CPL Skills test.

Phase 4

The Multi-Engine Rating (ME) & The Instrument Rating (IR)

Using the Piper Seneca light twin, students will be introduced to the theory and practical aspects of operating an aircraft with more than one engine.

During IR training, the training will bring together all the skills and theory acquired previously. The student will use a Flight Navigation Procedure Trainer (FNPT2) and the Piper Seneca to learn the ability to command an aeroplane in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC)