Pilot, engineer, technician… What careers are students in the aeronautical sector in Morlaix heading towards?

Friday 17th January 2025 03:48 PM

After the opening of Parcoursup on January 15, 2025, thousands of final year students are considering their post-baccalaureate orientation. An exercise which was undertaken, before them, by the 60 students* of the aeronautics BTS from the Tristan-Corbère high school, in Morlaix. If there is no longer any question of them expressing wishes on the platform, the time remains for professional screening. What careers do they aspire to? What additional training could they choose?

A thoughtful future

Among the ten students interviewed, this Friday morning, January 17, several paths are emerging after the BTS: continuing your studies by integrating a preparatory class for higher technician adaptation (ATS) or the professional aero license from the IUT Brest-Morlaix, head towards the army or enter directly into active life. At Ploujean airport, in the high school workshops, the second year BTS class practices mechanics on the aircraft made available to them.

After the BTS, I want to follow the pro aero license at the IUT on a work-study basis in a Breton naval aeronautics base. Before leaving for two years in the United States to perfect my English.

For Brenda Be-Goka, originally from Lorient, the future has already been carefully considered. She wants to become a pilot in the French Navy. “After the BTS, I want to follow the pro aero license at the IUT on a work-study basis in a Breton naval aeronautics base,” explains the 19-year-old student. Before leaving for two years in the United States to perfect my English. Then, I will apply for the Eopan competition [Élève officier pilote de l’aéronautique navale] which is being prepared over several years. »

Egan Long, Brenda Be-Goka and Laouen Pendu already have clear ideas about their professional future. These second year BTS aeronautics students, in Morlaix, are all heading towards additional training starting next September. (Le Télégramme/Raphaël Ruffle-Marjot)

Sitting in the cockpit alongside him, Laouen Pendu would rather become a technician. “This BTS was my first wish on Parcoursup. I am passionate about aeronautics but I learned everything here, the young man said. I would like to join the professional license to do a work-study program at Airbus in Toulouse, where I already did an internship. The ideal would be to integrate their flight test service [installation d’essais en vol]. »

An Alouette III, formerly used by the French Navy, was on the menu for the mechanical training of these students in their second year of BTS aeronautics. (Le Télégramme/Raphaël Ruffle-Marjot)

At Ploujean airport, in the high school workshops, the 60 BTS students practice mechanics on the aircraft made available to them. (Le Télégramme / Raphaël Ruffle-Marjot)

“Electricity is the future of aviation”

For his part, Egan Long’s mission is to supervise his comrades’ repairs on a former French Navy helicopter. The apprentice in the orange cap plans to join an engineering school following ATS preparation. “Later, I would like to work in Toulouse,” he slips. Beyond Airbus, there are several start-ups working in aeronautics. Some are even specialized in electricity and that interests me a lot because it is the future of aviation. »

Nora Astulfoni, Jean Guittot (both on the left) and Alexandre Guyomard are studying in the first year of BTS aeronautics at the Tristan-Corbière high school in Morlaix. In September 2026, once they graduate, the three students will perhaps take different directions in the aviation field. (Le Télégramme/Raphaël Ruffle-Marjot)

Jules Hellio, 18 years old, is the only work-study student in his first year class. After the aeronautical BTS, he would like to become a maintenance technician, in an air base or on airliners. (Le Télégramme/Raphaël Ruffle-Marjot)

A little further on, the first year class is working on a “damage report” course. Behind their screens, like a technician, the 30 students determine the material damage and their location on the plane before proposing possible repair options. In a little less than two years, it will be their turn to move on to other horizons. Unlike his colleague Jean Guittot, simply looking for “good results to have the prep close to home [lui] », Nora Astulfoni, 20 years old, “questions herself every day” about her future. Did her desire to “join the army to be a technician” last until graduation? Answer in 2026.

*Out of around 500 applications via Parcoursup, 30 students join the aeronautics BTS at the Tristan-Corbière high school each year.

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