Award

The Provision of Multi-Engine Pilot Training

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

Award

08 May 2026 at 13:30

Award

10 Apr 2026 at 11:26

Tender

24 Jan 2026 at 15:45

Planning

24 Sep 2025 at 10:27

Planning

18 Aug 2025 at 12:01

Planning

18 Aug 2025 at 11:11

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for "The Provision of Multi-Engine Pilot Training" was initiated by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in the United Kingdom. The training is set to take place at RAF High Wycombe, with up to 22 fixed-wing pilots receiving training between April 2026 and March 2028. The procurement process, which falls under the "services" category and uses an open procedure, has progressed through multiple stages including planning, tender, and award. The current stage is the contract award, concluded May 2026, with the contract active from June 2026 to May 2028, and potentially extendable until May 2030. The opportunity was targeted towards Civilian Aviation Authority (CAA) Approved Training Organisations to manage significant pilot training programmes, involving multi-engine crossover and ab-initio syllabi, without requiring CAA approved certifications upon completion.

This contract presents fertile ground for growth for businesses specialising in aviation training, particularly those that have capabilities that align with the Ministry's standards for multi-engine and specialised training. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) such as Leading Edge Aviation Ltd, already awarded this contract, highlighted successful engagement capabilities by fulfilling the Ministry’s skill set requirements, which included not requiring CAA certification for completion. Companies aiming to enter the defence training sector or expand their training services can leverage similar opportunities by showcasing their technical expertise and experience in handling complex training requirements with adaptability in joining the MOD's high-standard projects.

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Notice Title

The Provision of Multi-Engine Pilot Training

Notice Description

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) requires a Civilian Aviation Authority (CAA) Approved Training Organisation (ATO) to train up to 22 fixed-wing pilots from April 2026 to March 2028. This training will use two syllabi due to differing input standards and onward training routes: - Multi-Engine Crossovers (MEXO). The first, up to 10 trainees, will see training using elements of the modular Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) / Instrument Rating (IR) courses and the Airline Pilot Standard (APS) Multi Crew Cooperation (MCC) Course to achieve the training standard set by the MOD. The MOD is not looking for the award of a Commercial Pilot Licence / Instrument Rating at the end of this training as trainees will not have completed any CAA pre-requisite training courses so will not have met the minimum CAA entry requirements for starting CPL/IR training; this training therefore does not need CAA approval. However, the MOD is looking to achieve a near equivalent CPL/IR skills test standard along with MCC training and some additional training elements not required by the CPL/IR. Trainees will have completed the following military training courses, as a minimum, before arrival with the Contractor: Elementary Flying Training, Fast-Jet Lead-In, and Basic Fast-Jet Training with associated Groundschools. Alternatively, these trainees may be previously qualified military Fast-Jet or Rotary Wing pilots who have been awarded RAF Wings and completed at least one front-line tour with approximately 1000+ total flying hours. - Ab-initios. The second, up to 12 trainees, will see training on Single-Engine (SE) aircraft and Multi-Engine (ME) aircraft prior to them undertaking additional training with the military. The SE element should broadly mirror the Private Pilot Licence syllabus which will allow them to gain Pilot in Command experience and focus on Instrument Flying skillsets. This will be followed by a ME syllabus which should build on Instrument Flying techniques as well as teach asymmetric flying skills. In addition, these trainees should also complete the APS MCC Course. The MOD is not looking for the award of any licence upon completion of this course. Trainees will have completed Elementary Flying Training and associated Groundschool.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Additional optional +1+1 years added to the initial 2 year period at the Authorities discretion.

Planning Information

Further instructions are included in the uploaded document - 20250813_715601455 MEPT_PREM For information purposes a draft Statement of Requirement (SOR) - 20250701_715601455_Statement_of_Requirement_MEPT-Expansion_Draft has also been uploaded. The closing date and time for resposne to the RFI is 12 September 2025 at 17:30hrs.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0589a6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042569-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80510000 - Specialist training services

80521000 - Training programme services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,600,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£3,600,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£1,826,481 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,826,481 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 May 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
27 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
24 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
9 Apr 20261 months ago
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 31 May 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NAPHILL
Postcode
HP14 4UE
Post Town
Hemel Hempstead
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ13 Buckinghamshire
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Buckinghamshire
Electoral Ward
Ridgeway West
Westminster Constituency
Mid Buckinghamshire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

LEADING EDGE AVIATION

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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