At only 19 years old, London Metropolitan University graduate Ed Gardner may have been deemed too young to drive a bus by British law, but unusually he was cleared to take control of a Boeing 737 passenger jet.

Ed completed the Joint Aviation Regulation (JAR) Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence course at London Met’s Centre for Civil Aviation, graduating with flying colours in April 2007. He went on to Stapleford Flight Centre in Essex for further training.

He was offered a job with Titan Airways just a day after receiving his licence on 5 October 2007, making him Britain’s youngest commercial pilot. Soon after graduating he was paired with his father, Bob, 55, a captain himself, and flew as first officer to Exeter in Devon. Gardner turned 20 in December and has now been flying passengers with the carrier for over three months

Speaking of his appointment by Titan Airways, Ed said: ‘I was really excited! As first officer you do pretty much the same as the captain except you can't taxi on the runway. Of course the captain is in charge overall but if they fly to Malaga, for example, you get to fly the plane back.’

‘I flew solo at 16 and got my private pilot's licence on my 17th birthday,' he continued. 'My dad never pushed me to become a pilot but as soon as I said I wanted to do it, he was pleased. He put up the money and now I’m paying him back!’

Peter Knapp, Academic Leader and Head of Training for Civil Aviation said, ‘Ed was a great student and he deserves to do well! Throughout his time at London Met he showed great abilities and an aptitude for flying, so we are pleased that he has proven his abilities by getting his licence.’

Ed now flies to Europe and Africa on a regular basis. Fleet Manager Rob Giles said: ‘Ed is a very competent pilot and ticked all the boxes.'

The Centre for Civil Aviation, based at London Metropolitan Business School (LMBS),has over 35 years experience of successful theoretical training for professional and private pilots. To date it has trained upwards of 3000 pilots in both theoretical and synthetic flight training. The Centre offers both BSc and Foundation Degrees in Aviation as well as several Joint Aviation Authority (JAA) approved courses.

17 January 2008