FWB,
Im going to kingston in a couple of weeks to also do aerospace engineering, which is four years. Are you learning to fly already? Is the scheme that you talk about just for Hertfordshire or is it open for any university student? Surely there must be enough students in the South East that want to fly enough to get together and do something about it!
My course is the same methinks (3yrs+1sandwich). This is what the Herts website says-->
"In your course you will gain practical pilot training and experience in every year of your degree. In year 1 you will undertake pilot ground training as part of your course. You also have the option of making this count towards achieving your Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) by taking the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) examinations. In Year 2, you will be able to gain flying experience with a local flying school and there is the opportunity for further flying experience in your final year, for which students pay a nominal fee. This flying experience can count towards the flying hours required for you to gain your PPL. Further more should you wish to undertake additional flying beyond that which is offered to you as part of your degree, the University has negotiated preferential flying rates for all our students. In offering you this practical flying experience alongside your honours degree studies, the University is enhancing your practical knowledge of flying." Kinston university is annoyingly vague about this stuff.
I am already learning to fly, been doing it since summer 2000 (at a
very slow pace), but I've sped up and need to complete ground exams by December 03. Hopefully, I get to fly cheaper and let most/all of it count before i need to go in for my skills test! I hear Loughborough have made a club but I think that was without the USU, they go to East Midlands.
witchdoctor is right, most USU's won't give over to help. I think Herts is using the East Herts Flying School @ Panshanger aerodrome (I've not confirmed this with anyone yet) with reduced rates etc.... Or a bit closer to you there's Elstree and Denham. If you've got an idea feel free to share
FlyFreeWbe