First-class aviation graduate Daniel is flying high

Daniel, 22, achieved the highest overall result among sport, leisure and travel students at the University, the first in the country to offer the course , and says that becoming a fully-qualified pilot has fulfilled ‘a life-long dream’.

The graduate, of North Crawley, near Milton Keynes, graduated on Tuesday 7 September and was supported by parents Ralph and Claire, their respective partners and his grandmother Shirley-Anne.

The ex-pupil of Ousedale School, in The Grove, Newport Pagnell, studied at the European Pilot Training Academy in Bournemouth and undertook flight training in Orlando, Florida, during his three-year degree.

He said: “Since I was very young I had always wanted to become a pilot so taking a degree in the subject and gaining my pilot licenses has been a dream come true.

“My parents used to take me to watch planes take off and land at East Midlands airport and my grandfather, formerly in the RAF, used to encourage me to pursue a career as a pilot.

"So, the course at Bucks was perfect because it offered an honours degree in Air Transport Management and offered the necessary flight training so that you can gain your frozen Air Transport Pilots License (fATPL), which I have now achieved.”

Buckinghamshire New University has a partnership with Cabair Group Ltd, Europe's largest independent group of flying schools and aviation services, based in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.
Thanks to this, Cabair arranged for Daniel to build up his flying hours and gain further expert tuition, with six weeks in Orlando, Florida, during his second year.
Daniel said he clocked up 130 hours of flying time while in the United States.
He added: "Highlights included the unforgettable privilege of flying down America's east coast at night at 8,000 feet and witnessing the lights of all the cities down the coast of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
"Other memorable experiences included flying into Miami International Airport and being cleared by air traffic control to down Miami's South Beach at 200ft, en route to a weekend in Key West.
"In all, I flew to more than 80 different airports and airfields across Flordia and neighbouring states during the six weeks."
Daniel is going on to study at Cranfield University, in Buckinghamshire, starting in October 2010 and hopes to become a First Officer flying commercial flights.
He added: "Bucks has really benefited me in so many ways. A degree with pilot training was a relatively new concept and the lecturers were very knowledgeable and had relvevant experience of the industry.
"I had great relationships with my lecturers and they were always there to assist me in my studies, and I always valued their continued support throughout my three years. It has really helped me bring my dreams a step closer to reality.
"My family have also been fantastically supportive."
Daniel received his degree certificate in the presence of family and friends alongside 1,500 Buckinghamshire New University students and honorary graduates at Bucks New University's graduation ceremonies held at the Wycombe Swan theatre from 6-10 September 2010.