by Deidra Toye -

Why Every Pilot Needs an A320 Type Rating

A type rating certification is the most important credentials a pilot should acquire if they want a career as an airline pilot. A type rating is necessary certification for flying a commercial jet. Having a type rating provides a pilot the necessary competencies to operate an aircraft and provide the pilot with a comprehensive knowledge of the systems and skills required on a specific kind of jet aircraft.

In the world of commercial aviation, the Airbus A320 (A320) is one of the most frequently used aircraft. Here we discuss why investing in an a320 type rating with AeroStar Training Services proves to be advantageous for current Airline Transport Pilots and future ATP pilots.

Aerostar Training Services in Orlando, Florida operates simulation training centers and provides aircraft type ratings, namely the Airbus A320 & the Boeing 737 Classic & NG versions. AeroStar offers jet transition Training, the ATP-CTP, and Type Ratings. AeroStar Training Services offers training courses that will allow you to navigate an Airbus 320 as well as the A318, A319 & A321 series of aircraft.

The Airbus A320 series ranked as the world’s fastest-selling jet airliner and as the best-selling single-generation aircraft program. 6,157 aircraft are currently in service. Another 5,099 airliners are on firm order.

Since its first flight back in 1988, the Airbus A320 remains to be one of the most ordered and used aircraft amongst airlines across the globe. It is was the first commercial aircraft that was outfitted with the Fly-By-Wire system, catapulting the technology of then analogue pilot controls into digital electronic signals via wire transmissions.

A market-leader in the single-aisle jetliner industry and one of the best-selling aircrafts in the world, the A320 offers flexibility and improved performance. To date, Airbus has already logged over 11,000 booked orders for the A320 family. Its unique construction, consistently strong performance, cost efficiency and its high capacity for both cross-region and cross-continental flights makes the A320 a popular choice in the industry.

AeroStar is the world leader in atp ctp and Type Rating Training and is now offering an A320 Type Rating. a320 type rating Training at AeroStar provides a thorough understanding of the Airbus A318, A319, A320 & A321 series of aircraft.

Part of the process in acquiring a type rating is going through a comprehensive training course. These programs are designed to equip pilots with capabilities in handling complex aircraft systems and instruments. At AeroStar, that training includes ground school, fixed base simulator training and full flight simulator training in an FAA certified Level D Airbus A320 Full Flight Simulator.

One advantage of this particular type of training is that it not only equips pilots with advanced knowledge on flight, it also provides pilots a comprehensive understanding on the demands of the role of an airline pilot.  The AeroStar A320 simulators replicate the cockpit of its namesake and even replicate all weather operations, routes and technical problems, preparing pilots for everything they can expect in their future careers.

An a320 type rating facilitates easier transition to a different type. The various aircrafts in the Airbus family share a number of similarities in terms of cockpit layout, handling characteristics and system operations. For example, a cadet with an a320 type rating would find it easier to cross certify over to the double decker Airbus A380, which is primarily used for long-haul flights.

Airbus has also developed its own Cross-Crew Qualification (CCQ) concept that enables pilots to transition from any Airbus fly-by-wire equipped type to another simply through difference training. With the effective planning and implementation of the CCQ difference training, a transition from an A320 to the A380 would take a mere 13 days. With this, airlines can maximize operations as a result of reduced transition training period and costs.

With the significant increase of airlines ordering Airbus fleets by the bulk, having an a320 type rating is more important than ever. The a320 type rating ensures that pilots remain relevant and have the opportunity to pursue successful careers in the ever-expanding aviation industry.

AeroStar offers the A320 Standard Type Rating which is perfect for the first time jet pilot or those who prefer the benefit of instructor lead classroom training. The course requires approximately three weeks to complete and includes 9 days of ground school/labs with a blend of lecture, virtual flight, and CBT training.

  • 1 level 5 FTD procedures integration session (four hours per crew)
  • 5 level D full flight simulator sessions including LOFT (twenty hours per crew)
  • 1 oral & practical exam in a level D simulator by an in-house evaluator (four hours per crew)

AeroStar offers the A320 Fast Track Type Rating for those pilots who have previous jet experience and or those who need to get their training done with fewer days away from family and work. This course requires approximately 10 days on site to complete and includes:

  • 56 to 72 hours of cloud based aircraft systems instruction via distance learning software
  • 3 days of ground school – includes a blend of lecture and virtual flight
  • 1 level 5 FTD procedures integration session (four hour per crew)
  • 5 level D full flight simulator sessions including LOFT (twenty hours per crew)
  • 1 oral & practical exam in a level D simulator by an in-house evaluator (four hours per crew)

(A320 Fast Track Type Rating students must meet eligibility requirements)

AeroStar offers the A320 Upgrade or Foreign License Conversion for pilots with three hundred hours or more recent experience in type or those who possess a foreign PIC type rating. This course can be accomplished in approximately 9 days and includes:

  • 5 days of ground school – includes a blend of lecture, virtual flight, and CBT
  • 1 level 5 FTD procedures integration session (four hours per crew)
  • 3 level D full flight sim sessions including a LOFT (twelve hours per crew)
  • 1 oral & practical exam in a level D simulator by an in-house evaluator (four hours per crew)

AeroStar offers the A320 PIC / SIC Recurrent Proficiency Check for pilots who require an annual proficiency check or just want to refresh their skills. This course can be accomplished within 2 to 3 days and includes:

  • 1 day of ground school – includes a blend of lecture, virtual flight, and CBT
  • 4 hours level D full flight sim sessions (includes proficiency training and check)

Tailored recurrent programs are available upon request ranging from two to five days.

AeroStar offers the A320 ATP – CTP for pilots looking to complete their ATP written exam. This course can be accomplished in approximately 7-9 days and includes:

  • 4 days of ground school – includes a blend of lecture, virtual flight, and CBT
  • 4 hours of level 5 FTD per crew in the A320
  • 6 hours of level D full flight simulator per crew in the A320

Note – The Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program is an FAA mandated prerequisite prior to accomplishing the ATP written Exam

Pilots with an a320 type rating will usually end up being hired almost immediately with an airline or possibly the A318 business jet version. A320 pilots are very passionate about their profession and love flying airplanes.  Of everyone I know in all kinds of different professions, no one enjoys their job as much as I do.  And likely, if you do meet your career aspirations of becoming an airline pilot, you will realize the same thing.  There are few things better in life than going to work and actually enjoying what you do.  The job is always different, it’s stimulating, interesting, and can be extremely rewarding.  Frankly, it’s probably one of the coolest jobs anyone could ever have short of being a brain surgeon or an astronaut 🙂

The schedule flexibility, especially the flexibility afforded to senior A320 pilots, can be extremely beneficial. Airline pilots don’t work the typical 9 to 5 schedule that many other professionals work.  Very often, pilots have groups of days where they are “ON” and have groups of days off where they are “OFF.”  The quantity and the quality of these ON/OFF days are usually determined by one thing- seniority.  A moderately senior pilot can have sometimes 18 days off, with these days off grouped together in a manner that would allow weekends and holidays off, or perhaps long stretches of time off by grouping “OFF” days together.   There are very few jobs that offer that type of flexibility.  Of course, you have to be senior enough to take advantage of these scheduling abilities.

For lower time ATP or Airline Transport Pilots pay is very low, especially during the early several years of one’s career with a regional airline. However, for Airbus A320 pilots, the career can be very lucrative.  It is possible, after many years of service, to earn high salaries sometimes well north of $100,000 per year.  Some airlines still have pensions, now becoming extinct in other industries, so becoming employed by one of these carriers could be financially beneficial to your retirement.

If you love to travel, then flying the A320 is the job for you.  Not only will you have the opportunity to “see the world” on your company’s dime as you “work for the man” as an Airbus A320 pilot, but you also will enjoy travel benefits, like inexpensive space available seating to wherever your airline flies, or discounted airline tickets for you, your family, and your parents.   Now I’ll be the first to tell you that the travel benefits aren’t as good as they used to be just 10 years ago, but for the most part they are usable if you travel smart.  And if you’re traveling alone as a pilot, you’ll have access to the jump seat(s) in the cockpit of both your airline and other airlines, usually for free.  With this benefit, you can travel virtually anywhere in the world on your own.

Just as pilots usually love their jobs, you’ll find that the other professionals you work with enjoy theirs, too.  You’ll meet many different people, cultures, and their associated ideas.  There are few things more enjoyable than flying with a group of people who love their jobs and the airline biz.

Since pilots can fly very inexpensively on their own airline, or use the pilot-exclusive cockpit jump seats on their own carrier or just about any other carrier for free, many pilots choose to live outside of the city they are based in with their airline.  For example, a Chicago based pilot could live in Florida if he or she desires.  As long as the pilot allows enough time to fly from their home to their airline’s domicile to begin their trips, it’s perfectly acceptable to commute and live wherever you choose.  Some pilots, however, would find such a commute stressful and undesirable so therefore chose to live in their assigned domicile.  Regardless, the pilot can choose to live “in base” or anywhere else, as desired.  Few jobs offer that type of flexibility.

This is more for career changers, but unlike other professions where once you hit a “certain age” it becomes more and more difficult to find employment, in the airline business the airlines don’t really seem to care how old one is.  In particular, during the short periods of time of airline economic growth where regional airlines get desperate for anyone to take their low paying, low quality, entry-level jobs, they’ll hire just about anyone who meets minimum qualifications.  You could be 60 years old for all they care.  If you meet their minimum requirements and can withstand the financially difficult regional airline first officer lifestyle, the job will likely be yours!

Many professionals, even when at home, are still chained to their company.  Even on days off, they still may be required to answer e-mails, texts, or phone calls. Typically when you set the parking brake on the last leg of your last day, that’s it.  You don’t take your job home with you.  There may be some times where you might have to do a little “homework” for the job (like preparing for your check rides or upgrades) but again, for the most part, unless you’re on call you are not required to answer your phone or be “available” to the company.

Simply put, getting an a320 type rating from AeroStar Training Services in Orlando, Florida will enrich your life and open the door to a rewarding career flying all over the world in one of the greatest aircraft ever designed. For more information about getting a type rating or pilot career advice please email [email protected] or call us at (407)888-9011 to speak to one of our specialist. Please visit our website for more info & download our free course catalog www.AeroStarTypeRatings.com 

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by Deidra Toye -

Aerostar Training Services Selects Avsoft for eLearning

Avsoft International has signed a service agreement with Aerostar Training Services LLC, a major provider of type rating services, to provide eLearning systems courses for the Airbus A320, B737 Classic, and B737 NG.  The solution is being implemented through Avsoft’s Software as a Service (SaaS).

Avsoft
Aerostar 737 Interactive Schematics

AvSoft designs Computer Based Training Courses or (CBT) designed to help pilots and dispatchers prepare for upcoming initial or recurrent aircraft type rating training.

AvSoft’s courses explore all the major aircraft systems of the A320 and B737, including all the components, operations, controls, and indications involved with each system. Normal and abnormal conditions are discussed, and each module concludes with a test. Embedded actions and features add to both the interactivity and the educational value of the aircraft systems course. The course provides far more visual representation of the system than a typical aircraft manual. The course is designed to provide approximately 33 hours of comprehensive aircraft system training and questions are included at the end of each module (lesson).

AvSoft’s courses are customizable, including conversions into variant aircraft. They are approved for use with the FAA, ICAO, EASA and Transport Canada. The courses are available on multiple platforms including a PC, MAC, Android Tablets and the IPAD.

by Deidra Toye -

AeroStar Adopts New FMS Trainers for A320 & B737 Type Ratings from ECA Group

AeroStar Training Services headquartered in Kissimmee, Florida together with ECA Group are pleased to announce a new partnership in the field of aerial personnel training.

Aerostar Training Services operates simulation training centers and provides aircraft type ratings, namely the Airbus A320 & the Boeing 737 Classic & NG versions. AeroStar offers Jet Transition Training, the ATP CTP, and Type Ratings. AeroStar recognizes substantial value in multi-crew member flight deck operation training utilizing ECA Groups newest version of FMS Training software for the A320 & B737 type rating programs.

Flight Management System Trainers (FMS) are ECA Group solutions to training centers’ need for FMS familiarization tools. They offer a free play and accurate simulation for a cost effective pricing, bringing a great added value before entering into simulators expensive sessions. Pilots’ transition to complex aircraft flight management system is smoothly performed thanks to an easy-to-use interface and a complete set of available functions.

 

by Deidra Toye -

AeroStar Partners with Czech Aviation Training Center

AeroStar Training Services, headquartered in Kissimmee, Florida, together with Czech Aviation Training Centre (CATC), are pleased to announce a new partnership in the field of aerial personnel training. This venture is to become a fruitful partnership aiming to expand CATC’s training portfolio to North America.

AeroStar Training Services operates simulation training centers and provides aircraft type ratings, namely the Airbus A320 type rating & the Boeing 737 Classic & NG versions. Aerostar offers Jet Transition Training, ATP CTP, and Type Ratings. AeroStar recognizes substantial value in multi-crew member flight deck operation training for transitioning pilots from CATC.

CATC with its headquarters at Vaclav Havel International Airport in Prague, Czech Republic has a long-standing tradition in aviation training in Central Europe. Their teams of experienced and highly qualified instructors are ready to pass on the knowledge and experience to AeroStar Training Services colleagues in terms of European aviation law.

A Memorandum of Understanding between Czech Aviation Training Centre and AeroStar Training Services will be signed shortly. Both companies already have attractive plans and hope to start a successful cooperation project leading to many thoroughly trained airline pilots.

 

 

by Deidra Toye -

Aerostar Partners with Spartan College of Aeronautics

AeroStar Training Services is excited to announce a recent Partnership Agreement signed with Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. Spartan is an aviation institute located in Tulsa, Oklahoma that offers training in aviation, aviation electronics, flight, nondestructive testing, quality control and aircraft maintenance. Spartan is widely recognized as a world leader in aviation training. Spartan was founded in 1928 and has trained over 90,000 aircraft technicians and pilots. The main campus is adjacent to Tulsa International Airport, with another campus primarily used for flight training at Richard Lloyd Jones Jr. Airport. In May, 2014 Spartan acquired Northrop University in Inglewood, California. On March 31, 2015, the Northrop Campus took on the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology’s name.

AeroStar Training Services operates simulation training centers and provides aircraft type ratings, namely the Airbus a320 type rating & the Boeing 737 Classic & NG versions. AeroStar offers Jet Transition Training, the ATP CTP, and Type Ratings. AeroStar recognizes substantial value in multi-crew member flight deck operation training for transitioning pilots from Spartan College of Aeronautics flight to career placement with specified airlines and aviation organizations for career purposes.

AeroStar will provide as part of this agreement approved 142 courses /programs in accordance with its CFR 14 part 142 approvals and authorized training specifications. AeroStar has also recently signed similar agreements with Sunstate Aviation and Florida Aviation Academy.

 

by Deidra Toye -

U.S Airways Flies into the History Books

 

US Airways traces its roots back to 1939 when it was known as All American Aviation, an Air Mail Carrier founded by the DuPont family. The airline was headquartered in Pittsburgh & mostly served areas in the Ohio River Valley. As it made the transition to passenger service in the early 1950’s, the airline was officially renamed Allegheny Air in 1953. The original fleet of DC-3’s was modernized in 1966 with the upgrade to the DC-9 Jet Aircraft. Allegheny changed its name to USAir in 1979 following the passage of the Airline Deregulation Act the previous year, which enabled the airline to expand its route network into the southeastern United States. Finally, in 1997, the airline changed its name to US Airways and introduced a new corporate identity. A stylized version of the Flag of the United States was adopted as a new logo.

US Airways was one of the major airlines in the United States owned by the US Airways Group and headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. It flew to 198 domestic and international destinations throughout the Middle East, Europe, South America, and North America. The company maintained a predominantly Airbus fleet, with some Boeing jets and small fleet of Embraer jets. The post-merger continues to operate the largest fleet of Airbus aircraft in the world.

In February 2013, American Airlines and US Airways announced plans to merge, creating the largest airline in the world. The holding companies of American and US Airways merged effective December 9, 2013. The combined airline will carry the American Airlines name and branding and will maintain the existing US Airways hubs in Charlotte, Philadelphia and Phoenix for a period of at least five years. The company’s management team runs the combined airline from the American headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. On April 8, 2015, the FAA officially granted a single operating certificate for both carriers, marking the end of US Airways as an independent carrier. The brand would continue to exist until October 2015.

On July 13, 2015, American announced that it planned to discontinue the US Airways brand name on October 17, 2015. On that date, the company made their final flight from San Francisco to Philadelphia with stops at Phoenix and Charlotte, operating as Flight 1939. However, repainting of planes into the American Airlines scheme is expected to take until “late 2016,” and new flight attendant uniforms should be introduced next year, at which point the brand will no longer be displayed on any of its former planes, employees or assets.

*Statistical data courtesy of Reuters & Air Transport World

 

by Deidra Toye -

Sunny Skies Forecasted for B737 & A320 Family of Aircraft

Boeing launched its 737 family of jets in 1964, and since then the company has snagged over 13,000 firm orders for the plane. Airbus launched its competitor single-aisle, narrow-body family, the A320, in March 1984 and claims over 12,000 orders since the A320’s launch. The huge success and high demand for these two aircraft is only increasing.

Narrow-bodies dominate, and continue to be the fastest growing and largest segment of new aircraft orders. The fight is between the B737 family and the A320 will require 26,730 aircraft over the next 20 years. About 35 % of the single-aisle planes are expected to be acquired by Low Cost Carriers.

Airbus 320 and Boeing 737 families are and will remain the most popular aircraft types in the world in the foreseeable future, followed by Boeing 777 and Airbus 330. However, the regional jet market is likely to face a 20% decline by 2020, maintaining the trend at least till 2030, according to Boeing.

The airlines will be naturally forced to expand their cooperation with training organizations like AeroStar Training Services in Kissimmee, Florida who have special type rating programs for the Boeing 737 & Airbus A320 family of aircraft.

*statistical data courtesy of Halldale Media

by David Santo -

Do you have WIA or VA benefits?

VA Benefits, WIA Benefits

 

Did You Know?

AeroStar Training Service is approved for WIA and VA benefits and programs in Kentucky and Central Florida!

Contact us to find out how you could apply those benefits to acquire a type rating, a ATP-CTP certificate, or other advanced training!

by David Santo -

RAA Convention Update – Future Pilot Career Outlook

We recently returned from the RAA convention and are very encouraged about the prospects for pilots starting airline careers.

The Regional Airlines (members of the RAA) are an important career step for many of AeroStar’s former students as they graduate to legacy carriers and wide-body pilot positions. Advancing through the ranks at a regional airline can set you apart from other candidates applying for Captain or First Officer positions at larger, more prestigious carriers.

Many regional airlines have realized that they need to provide additional incentives to attract quality candidates. Those incentives may come in the form of sign-on bonuses, training opportunities, and other incentives that make these positions more attractive than they may have been in the past.

 

by David Santo -

Airline Pilot Career Workshop – Career Difficulties

Paula Williams –

Great, excellent Yassine from Tunisia is looks like he’s having a career difficulties, and again I apologize if I’m pronouncing names incorrectly but apparently put a lot of money into an aviation education and is not having much luck. But I know we, we’ve talked about this a little bit before, but if you have any thoughts from Tunisia or that area?

 

Captain David Santo –

So I don’t know specifically about Tunisia. I will say that there are certain areas of the world, that there is not a huge amount of growth going on, in the airline industry. So you have to be willing to go where the demand is. And right now, there is a demand in Asia. There is a demand in central and south America. There’s some demand in Europe, of course. There’s demand in the United States but it requires. So don’t get discouraged. You didn’t make a bad decision. You’ve made a decision, and now, if you wanna pursue this. You need to look at where in the world best fits your experience and go there and apply.

One of things that I find, I get, you know, some blogs and some feedback from people that talk about how negative it is. I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. There wasn’t a lot of jobs in Phoenix, Arizona. I love being in Phoenix, my home is in Phoenix, my mom and dad live in Phoenix.

I left and went to Michigan because that’s where the flying jobs were. And it snows in Michigan and it’s a lot colder than my home in the desert in Arizona, but I did what it took to pursue the job.

Paula Williams –

Right.

Captain David Santo –

So my question back to Yassine is, are you willing to do what it takes? And if you do, then turn the glass upside down you’ve gotten a lot of experience already. Let’s look at how you’re gonna make that next step.

Paula Williams –

Right. So it’s only a bad decision if you give up and turn a different direction and then you come all this way for no reason.

Captain David Santo –

That’s correct, you can’t get discouraged. So many of my friends and colleagues from Flight School, they did get discouraged. And what set them apart from, from me? I don’t have any skills that they didn’t have. What I did have was perseverance and I wasn’t taking no for an answer.

Paula Williams –

Here’s a, another similar one, looking for a first job. Has a type rating in a b737 NG. And in the, Ismail in the Maldives. So that’s what I understand a beautiful part of the world but there may not be a lot of demand there and you may need to move somewhere else.

Captain David Santo –

So that’s right. So again, same answer as before. I would look at where the biggest demand is and I would go after it. With a 737 type rating, that doesn’t mean just like any, just like getting your commercial, your multi-engine, your ATP. That doesn’t mean the jobs are going to come and look for you.

It just means you’re giving yourself a tool to advance your career by looking better in front of the, the pilot hiring committee or the pilot recruiter. You need to go out there and bang on doors. And I’m, I’m saying that fictitiously now because now it’s bang on email addresses I guess.

You need to be out here trying to get the job.

Paula Williams –

Right.

Captain David Santo –

You need to be out there showcasing yourself as a 737 NG type-rated pilot. And talk to them about how you’ve learned crew resource management, multi crew experience, jet time. What are we doing? And I would invite Ismail to, to contact me directly. He should have my contact information.

Let’s look at what you’re doing, I’m still here to help you. Just because you graduated and you’re gone, we still want to help you pursue your career dreams. So utilize the resources of AeroStar, call us up, let us know what you’re doing and we’ll do our best to assist you to take that next step.