Integration of academic and European Union aviation safety agency professional requirements

Abstract

Over the next twenty years, the demand for qualified aviation personnel will need to be aligned with aircraft delivery plans. However, there is a growing tendency for students to prefer higher education over professional training, as an academic degree is often perceived as necessary for career advancement; yet professional training remains essential for becoming certified aviation personnel, such as licensed mechanics or avionics specialists. In this article, the authors propose a combined aviation training approach that enables trainees to obtain both a bachelor’s degree accredited by the national Ministry of Higher Education and the professional qualifications required by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The analysis of academic and professional programs presented by the authors can be used by the National Aviation Authority (NAA) to award examination credits, in accordance with EASA regulations, to graduates of higher education institutions.