Aircraft Engineering

The Aeronautical Engineering department is based at Shoreham Airport.
Northbrook has one flying aircraft - a Piper Commanche - and a fully functioning
(but non-flying) aircraft - a BAe Jetstream. The hangar also houses a Hawker
Hunter, a Cessna 172, a Beech Queen Air and a Jetstream fuselage, as well as a
wide range of jet engines, piston engines and other components for students to
work on.

The department is a Centre of Vocational Excellence, having very close links with
the industry, and has recently received formal approval from the European Union
to train certifying aircraft maintenance personnel. This combination of facilities
and approvals is almost unique amongst colleges.

The courses are either vocational or academic, with clear progression routes
from leaving school right through to employment or university. All the staff are
from the aircraft industry so, in addition to being experts in their fields, they can
also offer relevant and up-to-date careers advice.

Courses:

• BTEC HND Aerospace Engineering
• Certifying Mechanic EASA IR Part 66
• Certifying Technicians EASA IR Part 66
• Aircraft Mechanics SEMTA NVQ 2 training

Northbrook was awarded a Centre of Vocational Excellence status in Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering. Northbrook is the lead College in a consortium with Brooklands and Farnborough Colleges. Aeronautical Engineering students have the advantage of studying at our facility at Shoreham (Brighton City) Airport, an ideal environment.

The training courses fall into EASA Part 66 training, and are Categories A1 for gas-turbine- engined aircraft and A2 for piston-engined aircraft. The qualifications give authority to work on aircraft and sign off the work.

Northbrook College owns one flying aircraft, a Cessna 172, and 3 non flying aircraft, a Jetstream, a Hawker Hunter and a Beech Queen Air.

The Aero Engineering Department is also the lead member of an interim Centre of Vocational Excellence in Aerospace and Aviation. Funding from this has allowed the updating of facilities, including the recent purchase of a working Jetstream aircraft. The facilities at Northbrook are now amongst the best in the country.

As well, there are a number of aircraft engines and components for students to gain experience on. Although the course is mainly theoretical, students always benefit from the practical Aerospace environment.