Aspiring Airline Pilot

Dreaming of becoming an airline pilot? Combine a bachelor's degree with our preparatory pilot training in Ostend.

Want to earn a bachelor's degree while combining it with theoretical airline pilot training? Thanks to our unique partnership with Ostend Air College, you'll explore the aviation sector in detail and log your first flight hours as an aspiring airline pilot. To prepare for a career as a professional pilot, you'll complete your flight training over 1-2 years at Ostend Air College.

• At the Flemish Aviation Training Centre (VLOC) in Ostend, you’ll master the skills of the aviation trade.
• You’ll gain comprehensive knowledge of aircraft systems and structures. After all, you’ll want to know what you’re flying!
• You’ll take your seat in real aircraft on our campus, work on engines, and learn from experienced aviation specialists.
• You’ll log flight hours with an instructor via Ostend Air College, until you are ready to fly solo.
• Your future as a pilot awaits in the cockpit.

Costs

The standard registration fee for our bachelor’s programme, plus the additional expenses (around 40 000 €) for flight hours and lessons at Ostend Air College during the final year and a half. The preparatory course and subsequent pilot training are charged at the standard commercial rates of Belgian flight schools. These costs are substantial, but they are an investment in a dream job with excellent prospects.

As always at VIVES: small class sizes and personal guidance. Each course also explores the possibilities of AI and emerging technologies in your field of study. This is done in cooperation with The Flax, our own House of AI, ensuring you are 100% prepared for the future.

Airline pilot training follows the latest EASA FCL standards. For the Aspiring Airline Pilot major, the EASA FCL (1) applies as the final standard for Flight Crew Licencing.

• State-of-the-art infrastructure. The Flemish Aviation Training Centre in Ostend is a unique asset. At the VLOC, you’ll find all the technical infrastructure you need to become a professional pilot.
• Unique combination: bachelor's degree + airline pilot. Only at VIVES can you earn a bachelor’s degree in aviation while preparing for your pilot’s licence at Ostend Air College. Complete your pilot training at OAC, and in 4–5 years you’ll have both your degree and a full pilot’s licence. There’s no shortcut to this unique combination in Flanders.
• Experience for life. Every programme at VIVES has its strengths, but a bachelor’s where you quite literally take to the skies? That's an experience you'll carry with you for the rest of your life.

Programme

The Aspiring Airline Pilot programme is a major of the Bachelor’s degree in Aviation at VIVES Oostende VLOC. The standard track takes three years to complete.

After completing the Bachelor of Aviation, you’ll continue at Ostend Air College for another 1–2 years to become a fully qualified pilot. In 4–5 years, you’ll earn not only your bachelor’s degree but also your pilot’s licence.

If you choose the Aviation Technology major at VIVES, a separate pilot training programme will take an additional 2–3 years.