PRESS RELEASE

Date: 22 July 2008

For immediate release

 

A Vocation for Take Off.

A past student of The College Ystrad Mynach is flying high after gaining his wings at the tender age of 20.

Ryan Jones from Aberdare studied the BTEC National Diploma in Aerospace at The College in 2006. After finishing the course, Ryan went to Flight Training Europe at Jerez de la Frontera, Southern Spain to undertake his airline pilot training.

Aerospace Tutor Alun Hopkins said of Ryan ‘Once Ryan had decided he wanted to become a pilot he gave full commitment to his studies.  A smart learner with a free spirit, to become a First Officer at 20 is an amazing achievement.’

‘Before studying the course my interest and passion for flying was minimal, however as my knowledge of aircraft grew, so did my interest.’ Said Ryan.  ‘This is thanks to the level of instruction at the College, and the experience of the lecturers, within their fields.  The College’s facilities were excellent, with no shortage of equipment allowing all aspects of the course to be covered without hassle.’

When Ryan first approached The College he was looking to study A Levels.  After learning more about the BTEC National Diploma he enrolled on the BTEC National Diploma in Aerospace ‘I discovered that the BTEC was the equivalent of A-Levels and allowed a more specific education in a given field. This in turn helped to guide me down a more defined career path’.

After graduating from Flight Training Europe, Ryan took a further course in Exeter, allowing him to instruct on light aircraft, and is currently working as a flying instructor at Cardiff Airport, training people to fly up to achieving their Private Pilots License (PPL). 

Ryan has already had interviews with British Airways and Flybe and is continuing to apply to airlines to become a First Officer for a commercial airline.  Once within an airline he can gain the experience and flying hours which will then allow him to move to captaincy.

The National Diploma in Aerospace is equivalent to three A Levels and successful completion enables students to enter University or the world of work.  Aerospace alumni at The College have progressed onto promising careers that include aerospace engineers in Switzerland and apprentice engineers with Nordam and GEAES.  In addition, a large number of students have gone onto University to study Degree programmes in Aerospace.

 

END

 

Picture Ref: Ryan Jones at Cardiff Airport

 

 

Catherine Phillips

Marketing Officer / Swyddog Marchnata

The College Ystrad Mynach / Y Coleg Ystrad Mynach