OUR FIRST EVER DISCOVERY DAY - A DAY TO REMEMBER AT HANGAR 7

On Saturday 14th March, we opened the doors to Hangar 7 for our very first Discovery Day — and what a day it was.

Families, aspiring pilots, and aviation enthusiasts came together at our training centre at London Oxford Airport to get a real taste of what commercial pilot training looks like. For many, it was their first time stepping inside a professional flight training facility, and the reactions didn't disappoint.

A Warm Welcome

The day ran across two sessions - morning and afternoon, each kicking off with a welcome presentation from our Director, Anthony Petteford. It was a chance to introduce Oxford Airline Training (OAT), share our story, and explain what makes Modular ATPL pilot training deserving of parity alongside other routes such as Integrated ATPL and Integrated MPL. The feedback from visitors was overwhelmingly positive, many commented on how passionate and knowledgeable the team were, and how much they appreciated the honest, no-pressure approach to answering their questions.

Inside the Training Centre

For anyone considering a career as a commercial pilot, there's nothing quite like seeing the facilities in person. Visitors explored our purpose-built training centre, from the classrooms and briefing rooms where theoretical knowledge is delivered, through to the heart of the operation, our five-bay simulator hall.

Hangar 7 clearly made an impression. Seeing an ADVANCED pilot training environment up close gave guests and their families a real sense of what the journey looks like, and many told us it made their career ambition feel much more achievable.

Hands on the Controls

Without question, the highlight of the day were the simulator experiences. Visitors had the chance to sit at the controls of our Airbus A320 and Boeing 737NG simulators - the same simulators used by our trainees during their APS MCC training.

Watching someone's face light up as they take the controls of a jet simulator for the first time was highly rewarding. For the aspiring pilots in the room, it was a genuinely memorable moment, and for the parents and sponsors watching on, it was the moment the career path perhaps became a realistic option.

Our Diamond DA42 simulators were also popular, giving visitors a feel for the Advanced MEP that forms a key part of our Modular ATPL course offering.

Aircraft on Display

Outside the simulator hall, visitors got up close with two of our training aircraft. Our Super Decathlon - the EFIS equipped aerobatic aircraft used for Advanced Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (AUPRT) — drew plenty of attention, with visitors fascinated by the idea of training in an aircraft capable of +6G, -5G.

Alongside it was our latest addition to the fleet, a Diamond DA42 TDI - the twin-engine aircraft at the heart of our multi-engine flying training. This particular aircraft will soon be sporting a brand-new livery in our Oxford Airline Training colours, so watch this space. Being able to see inside the cockpits, ask questions, and understand how each aircraft fits into the training programme was a real highlight for many visitors, especially the younger aspiring pilots.

More Than Just a Tour

What made the day special wasn't just the equipment, it was also the conversations. Our team of instructors and staff were on hand throughout, offering impartial advice on the choice of pilot career pathways, answering every question (no matter how big or small), and sharing their own experiences of life in aviation.

Whether someone was just beginning to research a career as a commercial pilot or was already well into their training journey, we wanted everyone to leave feeling informed, inspired, and excited about what comes next.

Why We Believe in Modular Training 

One of the topics that came up again and again during the day was the differences between Modular ATPL, Integrated ATPL and Integrated MPL training to gaining a ‘Frozen' ATPL, and why OAT has chosen to focus strategically upon the exclusive provision of the Advanced Modular ATPL courses.  OAT has adopted a LEVEL UP principle for ADVANCED pilot Training - essentially a Modular ATPL FINISHING school.

For anyone unfamiliar with the distinction, Integrated ATPL/MPL training is a single, full-time programme that takes a trainee from zero experience to a CPL/IR with ATPL TK in one continuous programme. It's intense, it's immersive, but it typically comes with a very large upfront cost. Crucially, it often locks trainees into one ATO training provider for the entire journey.

Modular  ATPL training produces equally qualified pilots that graduate with identical licences and ratings, but with the additional flexibility without some of the financial constraints and possible risks. It's built around the principle that you shouldn't have to compromise on quality just because you want more control over how your training is delivered and how/when it is funded.

That's exactly why we created Level Up Expedite.  It gives you the structure and momentum of a comprehensive programme, covering everything from Advanced MEP training, Advanced UPRT through to APS MCC and airline assessment preparation, but within the Modular ATPL regulatory framework. You get a seamless, professionally managed course without being tied into a potentially inflexible system. It's the best of both worlds.

For many families at the Discovery Day, it was the first time someone had clearly explained that a structured, high-quality Modular  ATPL route to an airline career exists alongside Integrated ATPL and Integrated MPL. Seeing the relief and excitement on their faces when they realised what's also possible was genuinely rewarding.

Introducing Our Training Pathways

The Discovery Day was also the moment we officially announced our two branded training pathways to the public.

LEVEL UP - EXPEDITE is our comprehensive programme designed to take aspiring pilots from PPL level all the way to the door of an airline flying career. It covers everything - Advanced MEP training, Advanced Upset Prevention & Recovery Training, APS MCC on our jet simulators, and Airline Assessment Preparation - all delivered seamlessly from Hangar 7.

LEVEL UP - FLEXIBLE offers individual training modules for pilots who already hold certain qualifications and need additional specific stages of their training. Whether it's Advanced MEP, APS MCC, Advanced UPRT or Airline Assessment Preparation, you can pick up one of the 3 modules that are right for wherever you are in your journey.

The response to the day was fantastic. It was great to see so many people engaging with the detail of how our courses work and starting to map out their own training route.

A Huge Thank You

A massive thank you to everyone who came along to our first Discovery Day. It meant a great deal to us to welcome you into Hangar 7 and share what we've built here at Oxford Airline Training. Thank you also to our incredible team of volunteers and staff who made the whole day run smoothly, we couldn't have done it without you.

This Is Just the Beginning

Our first Discovery Day may be done, but it certainly won't be our last. We're already planning the next one, and we'd love to see even more faces at Hangar 7.

If you missed out this time, keep an eye on our website and social media channels for details of upcoming events. And if you have any questions about our training courses or want to find out more about starting your journey towards a flying career, don't hesitate to get in touch.

We're here, we're ready, and we can't wait to help you carry out your research and to take the next step.

Oxford Airline Training Hangar 7, London Oxford Airport 01865 592111 | info@oxfordairlinetraining.com