Formed by a group of college aeronautical engineering lecturers in 1992 to provide distance learning courses, initially, for the UK CAA Licence Without Type Rating (LWTR*) examinations.
* Changed to JAR66 and now called EASA Part 66 – in the EU anyway.
Our aim: To provide a distance learning programme based on the UK Open University system that is competitive in terms of price and quality.
Formed in 1992 ...
by 2008 we had
passed our 4000th
student
Our target group would be an individual with possibly a mortgage and a young family to support so price was important. With strict budgetary control, prices where able to be fixed at a rate well below other providers in the field. Within the price structure we were able to provide a greater range of services than was formally available to include tutorial back-up and an assessment programme.
In August 2009 we underwent a major review of our pricing structure in order to help in the light of the present economic climate. This has meant that we have managed to slash our prices considerably and still maintain the service we are famed for. (See the Prices and Ordering pages.)
All of the tutors for the aircraft subjects have a practical aeronautical engineering background and some are also graduates of the Open University (requiring part time study for up to 6 years), so are well placed to understand the problems that our students might have associated with home study.
The tutors are either licensed, aeronautical engineering lecturers and/or degree qualified in their respective specialities.
Our initial goals, in terms of student enrolments, were modest, but demand meant that by September 1998 we had passed our 1000th student and by August 2008 we had passed our 4000th student with some of the worlds major airlines using our services. The first person in the UK to obtain a JAR66 licence (effectively now the EASA Part 66 licence) was ‘one of ours’ – Jon Harris in 1999, licence number 100001. Jon did all his studies with us and was presented with his licence at a special ceremony at the CAA headquarters at Gatwick.
We now have a
student population
covering the globe
We now have a student population covering the globe, from Iceland to Japan, Brazil, The Americas, the Caribbean, The Middle East, Europe, Africa, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, former Eastern Block countries and even the Antarctic (one lad over-wintered there – on a survey – and took our study programmes with him).
Airlines/operators that have used/are using our services include Air Malta, Avionicare, Avtech, Bristow Helicopters, British Midland, Cathay Pacific, Channel Express, FRA, Gill Aviation, Hawker Beechcraft, Hunting Aviation, IDS, Jet Support, KLM, Liat Antigua, Maya Airways Belize, Metro Business Aviation, Raytheon, Sabah Air Malaysia, Serco, St Vincent Grenadines Air and VT Aerospace.
We had a substantial input into the writing of JAR66 (effectively re-titled to EASA Part 66) and in-fact we were the biggest single contributor in Europe to its latest amendment. The initial syllabus was far too academic and our main aim was to see it changed to be more realistic for the aircraft engineer.
We have grown to be an altruistic student centred organisation with the requirements of our customers (present and future) always in mind. We are centred on you the engineer and are happy to give advice on any subject relating to careers in civil aircraft maintenance engineering.
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| Anne |
We have an all electronic office with Tony the course director, and Anne the accounts controller at the hub of operations. Tutors work from home as does the contract typist Audrey.
All operations are controlled from ‘the office’ including mailings, timetabling, typing, logistics etc. All mailings are sent to students from the office and all assessments are returned to the tutors for marking.
Our tutors are all specialists in their particular subject areas and include licensed engineers in the industry and lecturers in aeronautical engineering. Many, including the Course Director, have had contact with the CAA (on a formal and informal basis) for over 20 years. The current tutors are:
 Brian  Tony  Alan |
Brian | - | lecturer, avionics course director and instrument and electrics specialist. |  |
 Phil  Bob  Robert |
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| John | - | lecturer and autopilot specialist. | ||||
| Phil | - | licensed quality control engineer and tutor for basic engineering, rotorcraft and aerodynamics. | ||||
| Bob | - | teaches mathematics and physics. Is the tutor for maths and physics. | ||||
| Tony | - | lecturer, LBP course director, mechanical course director, specialises in airframes, mathematics, physics, human factors and air law. | ||||
| Robert | - | Engineer and pilot. Specialist in light aircraft maintenance. Tutor for Piston Engines and Propellers. | ||||
| Alan | - | Lecturer. Specialist in human factors and jet engines. |
We have an on-going requirement to expand our tutor base and if you feel you have the necessary background – to include aircraft maintenance engineering and possibly lecturing, and feel you might make a good tutor then do give us call/email.
LBP has regular contact with the CAA, which ensures a two-way flow of information on an informal basis, to the advantage of both parties.