Aeronautical Engineering students have an opportunity to achieve a range of academic and vocational qualifications recognized locally and internationally within both the commercial and military aviation environments. Students commence training, focusing primarily on Training Needs Analysis (TNA) as defined in the MOD competencies. The MOD competencies are highly valued by The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) and are the framework to continue developing skills and knowledge to an acceptable standard as RAFO Technicians.
As training continues, the student will be expected to study and pass both Advanced Diploma (University of Portsmouth) and European Aviation Safety Agency subjects, leading to a decision on pathways to either mechanical or avionic specialties.
Acceptance into the Bachelor of Engineering Degree (BEng) to be accredited by the UK Engineering Council, is a possibility for those students identified as having met the high academic standards expected by their sponsors.
The programme is aimed at developing two pathways with four different types of specializations to handle aeronautical equipment and their design concepts. Therefore, the programme splits into two Aeronautical pathways namely Mechanical based corresponding to EASA B1 license programme and the other avionics corresponding to EASA B2 license programme, the latter being further divided into three sub-pathways (Avionics, Defence, Life Support) to cover specialization modules at FHEQ Level 5. Both pathways undertake common modules at level 3 and level 4 before focusing on either mechanical or avionic systems subjects at level 5. The programmes contain a significant proportion of practical labs or workshops (approximately 40%) to reinforce the theory delivered in each module. Additionally, there are complimentary non-university elements that are designed to specifically address competency development.
The program pathways:
Programmes offered in Mechanical Engineering are
a.Avionics Engineering Specialization
b.Defence Systems Engineering Specialization
c.Life Support Engineering Specialization
Programmes offered in Avionics Engineering are
The EASA Part 66 (Licensing of Aircraft Engineers) standard is an international standard and in order to achieve recognition, all students must meet certain standards in Assessment, Competence and Attendance. The EASA and CAA programmes are fully integrated into the University of Portsmouth’s programme. Module content taught at Aeronautical Engineering Department fullfil the requirements of UoP as well as EASA. The only difference is that assessment and practical tasks are conducted differently to assess different depths of knowledge. Students are fully briefed on each module’s assessment requirements at the beginning of each module.
Students who meet all the required standards can be awarded a ‘Full Training Certificate’. Students who do not meet all the criteria will only receive a certificate recognising their assessment successes. The CAA requires the same standards to be met.
Aero programmes (DipHE and BEng) are accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMech) and the Institute of Engineers (IET). In addition, Aeronautical Engineering Department is working as an approved part 147 organization under the approval of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Civil Aviation Authority in Oman (CAA).
The aim of Department Specific Activities (DSA), is the development of skills and consolidation of knowledge in the workplace. DSA allows students to understand the value of knowledge gained within MTC and how knowledge can be applied within their own chosen pathway.
The first contact with the military aeronautical engineering sector, in a real workplace, gives the students an idea of their own potential and capabilities, motivating them to make maximum use of what they learnt in their studies and also, gain a deeper understanding of why they have been taken through the subjects to strict European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards.
More than an internship, the aim of this training is to give the students On-the-Job-Training (OJT) in the real environment, and Practical-Workshop Experience (PWE) , which is as close as possible to the pathway they will encounter in their future professional life.
During a DSA period, the students are divided into smaller groups and allocated different aircraft types and if possible, different maintenance squadrons.
All the groups include Avionics and Mechanical pathways.
