Written evidence submitted by Flying Time
Aviation (SV15)
1. SUMMARY
1.1 The proposed restrictions on Tier 4 migration
will impact unfairly on small, specialised training schools such
as those for student pilot training.
1.2 Pilot training courses should be exempt from
the restriction of Tier 4 to degree-level courses and the requirement
of providers of below degree level courses to be Highly Trusted
Sponsors.
1.3 Any cuts in the number of student pilots
being able to enter the UK will have a huge impact on the viability
of individual flight schools and ultimately the economy of the
UK.
1.4 If the UK is to retain its place in world
pilot training then any new restrictions or procedures for Tier
4 must not result in making it more difficult for student pilots
to train in the UK.
2. INTRODUCTION
2.1 Flying Time Aviation is a small company established
in 2006 for the purpose of pilot training. Starting from a club-like
business mainly involved in private pilot licence training and
self-fly hire, the owners have invested heavily and expanded to
offer the full range of courses (Private Pilot Licence, Night
Qualification, Hour Building, Airline Transport Pilot Licence,
Commercial Pilot Licence, Instrument Rating and Multi-Crew Co-operation)
leading to the industry standard Frozen ATPL (fATPL) qualification.
The fATPL is necessary for anyone hoping to fly as a career and
is the entry point qualification for all commercial airlines.
2.2 As Flying Time Aviation expanded and our
reputation spread we started receiving enquiries from international
students who wished to train in the UK. Without a licence from
UKBA we could not take any non-EU students. Therefore, in 2009,
Flying Time Aviation started the long and costly licensing process
by firstly gaining accreditation from the BAC (British Accreditation
Council) before obtaining the licence from UKBA in June 2010.
Since then we have substantially increased our enquiries from
international students and currently have two visa
students on our courses with another due to join us in the next
couple of weeks. We are also in the process of securing a contract
to train at least 10 Chinese student pilots and this contract,
together with our other visa student income, will be worth nearly
a million pounds in revenue to us this year. In 2011 we expect
around half of our revenue to come from non-EU students. In addition,
we expect to employ up to eight more flying instructors during
the year.
3. INFORMATION
3.1 The UK is chosen by many student pilots for
their training for a number of reasons. English is the international
aviation language so by training in the UK students will be trained
and become proficient in their professional language. The UK has
challenging weather conditions and also complex and congested
airspace which ensures a more thorough training in all conditions.
The UK has a reputation for the high standards required by the
examining body (the Civil Aviation Authority) along with one of
the best aviation safety records in the world. Thus a student
trained in the UK will have undergone one of the most comprehensive
training programmes in the world.
3.2 The comments below relate to the main points
of the enquiry which are of direct relevance to student pilot
training.
Whether cuts should be limited to certain types
of courses (eg pre-degree level)
3.3 Our courses are classed as NQF level 4, which
is below that of degree level (NQF level 6). The proposal to restrict
Tier 4 to degree level courses with only Highly Trusted Sponsors
being permitted to offer courses below degree level, would, therefore,
affect us greatly. We would be unable to accept any non-EU students
unless we obtained Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) status. Although
we should be able to obtain HTS status, this cannot be applied
for until at least one year after obtaining a licence (so precludes
any new flight schools being able to take visa students) and there
is no guarantee that UKBA will award the HTS status. If we should
be unable to obtain HTS status then we would lose around half
of our yearly revenue and be forced to reduce the number of staff
employed. The student visitor visa route is no use to us as the
full course of training for a fATPL takes between 18 and 24 months.
The impact different levels of cuts might have
on the various sectors
3.4 Whilst the number of student pilots may be
small compared to the overall number of students coming to the
UK, any cuts in the number of student pilots being able to enter
the UK will have a huge impact on the viability of individual
flight schools and ultimately the economy of the UK.
If flying schools lose the ability to train visa
students then arguably many could have to close with a resulting
loss of jobs and businesses in the private sector. Ultimately
facilities for UK students could be reduced with those considering
a commercial flying career having to train abroad.
The impact, if any, that reductions in student
visas might have on the UK's standing in the world
3.5 The UK currently enjoys a worldwide reputation
for excellent pilot training and is one of a few countries which
an international student would consider for their training. A
licence gained in the UK is valued as being accepted by commercial
airlines worldwide. If student pilots can no longer obtain visas
for the UK then they will most likely train in the USA, the Philippines,
Australia or Spain and the UK will lose its reputation as one
of the leading countries in the aviation world.
4. RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1 Pilot training courses should be exempt from
the restriction of Tier 4 to degree-level courses and the requirement
of providers to be Highly Trusted Sponsors.
4.2 If the UK is to retain its place in world
pilot training then any new restrictions or procedures for Tier
4 must not result in making it more difficult for student pilots
to train in the UK. Professional pilot training should be considered
as a special student category and not subject to the same rules
as pre-degree, degree and post-graduate degree level students
and English language students.
January 2011
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