by Deidra Toye -

AeroStar and FTD Announce New Partnership

AeroStar Training Services, headquartered in Orlando, Florida together with Flight Training Devices, LLC are pleased to announce a new partnership in the field of aerial personnel training. This venture is to become a fruitful partnership aiming to offer an advanced flight training flow-through solution to FTD students.

The company was founded with the purpose to provide simulator flight training service from ab initio all the way to jet aircraft. FTD also represents Redbird Flight Simulators a company based in Austin, Texas. The idea is to provide the school’s student pilots, as well as professional pilots the most efficient and convenient pilot training package that will fit each ones requirements and needs.

AeroStar operates simulation training centers and provides aircraft type ratings, namely the Airbus a320 type rating & the Boeing 737 Classic & NG versions. AeroStar also offers jet transition Training & the ATP-CTP. Aerostar recognizes substantial value in multi-crew member flight deck operation training for transitioning pilots from FTD. A Memorandum of Understanding between FTD and AeroStar was signed at the 2016 World Aviation Training Symposium in Orlando, FL. Both companies already have attractive plans and hope to start a successful cooperation project leading to many thoroughly trained airline pilots.

bryan pilcher
AeroStar signs MOU agreement with FTD

 

by Deidra Toye -

The Future of Flying With The High Cost of Training

Pilot shortages are becoming a major issue for regional airlines and will soon include the major US airlines as well. Rule changes that require co-pilots to have more flight experience in the United States have caused major problems for smaller regional carriers. Some have had to ground flights because there aren’t enough qualified people for their cockpits. When Republic Airways declared bankruptcy recently, its CEO blamed the situation, in part, on a nationwide pilot shortage.

Meanwhile in Asia, the huge growth in demand for air travel has also led to a shortage in qualified pilots. For example, airlines in China have actually had to look abroad. Some are even offering outrageous salaries and perks to lure pilots from countries like South Korea & Vietnam.

It seems like becoming a pilot is a good career choice, not just because it is a “dream job” for many, but because it looks like qualified pilots will be in very high demand in the future. They will enjoy job security and command high salaries.

There is one thing standing in the way of would-be pilots: the high cost of education and the even higher cost of fulfilling experience requirements.

Strict experience requirements

It was not always this way. Until a few years ago, novice pilots could learn on the job. They would graduate from flights school and get a job with one of the smaller regional airlines as a co-pilot after having logged as little as 250 hours of flight time.

The pilot shortage is really a shortage of pilots. The low entry requirements changed after a series of incidents involving pilot error on regional airlines. The last straw came in 2009, when a pilot and co-pilot’s mistakes were blamed for a crash in Buffalo, New York. All 49 people on board were killed when a Continental Airlines-affiliated Colgan Air turboprop stalled and crashed near the Buffalo airport.

Soon after this crash, the FAA changed the rules. Co-pilots are now required to have 1,500 hours of flight time before they can fly commercially. Additionally, fliers must log at least 1,000 hours in the co-pilot’s chair before they are eligible to be promoted to pilot.

It’s becoming more and more expensive to learn to fly. With flight time costing more than $150 per hour in a 172, getting the requisite experience is very expensive. Considering that the first jobs that commercial pilots have are usually with regional airlines that pay far less than legacy carriers, it could take years before the cost of getting a commercial pilot’s license is recovered.

The other problem: the military is using fewer pilots as it relies more and more on drones for combat operations. This means that not only is it becoming more expensive for people to pursue a pilot license privately, but the previously-steady stream of military-trained fliers ready to enter the commercial aviation job market is also drying up.

What is the solution?

Regional carriers have asked the FAA to make some sort of allowance that will let them avoid the 1,500 hour threshold for co-pilot experience. The 1,500 rule will be up for renewal this fall, and some airlines are asking for a lower level of experience, saying that the 1,500-hour minimum is too high.

However, because of safety concerns, a return to a 250-hour minimum for co-pilots is unlikely. Airlines could start their own training programs, teaching novice fliers in-house and giving them the requisite experience in exchange for a commitment to work for a certain period of time.

In-house training

Recently, Jet Blue launched a program that has gained a lot of attention in the aviation world. The airline accepted 34 people with zero flying experience and promised to train them and give them positions in JetBlue cockpits once they become qualified. The experimental pilot training program will last for four years. There is one major catch for the future fliers: the cost of this education is $125,000. Yes, they will have a guaranteed job when they graduate, but that is still a steep price to pay.

This kind of in-house training could be a way for novices to learn to fly without having to assume too much financial risk. If their education is successful, they will be able to earn the cost of tuition back while flying for a major airline (instead of having to work their way up through the regional ranks while making $20,000-$30,000 per year).

Also, some regional carriers have started to offer pilots-in-training jobs to help them pay for the cost of their education. The airlines then guarantee a spot in the cockpit when all the flight requirements have been met.

It is clear that something will have to change or there will simply not be enough qualified pilots to go around. At the same time, lowering experience requirements is not a very attractive option either.

Going overseas to build time

I work in a part 142 training center that provides Type Ratings in the A320 & B737 as well as the ATP CTP called AeroStar Training Services. Lately, I’ve noticed a trend of pilots going to foreign airlines in order to build their time. I’ve even seen students come over with less than 300 hours and get a type rating, then go over to Asia and start making $6,000 (tax-free) a month flying in the right seat of an airliner. I’ve even heard of pilots in that situation upgrading within a year or two to the left seat.

A friend of mine who was already in the left seat of a major US Airline was even going over there to fly because the job is so glamorous and the pay is almost double. In countries like Vietnam for example, being an airline pilot is just like the days of the Pan Am era back in the 1960’s and 70’s. If you’re willing to be away from home for a few years the benefits could be lucrative. You could potentially make back all the money spent on initial training within a few years. And afterwards come back to the U.S and land that high paying job with a major airline earning high salaries.

by Bryan Pilcher Pilot & Aviation Sales / Marketing Expert at AeroStar

2016 “Airline Industry Forecast”  Air Transport World Magazine

“Training Tomorrow’s Workforce” Regional Horizons RAA Magazine

“JetBlue Shakes Up Pilot Hiring by Training Them from Scratch” Bloomberg Magazine

 

by Deidra Toye -

AeroStar and ATIS Aviation Academy Announce New Partnership

AeroStar Training Services together with ATIS Aviation Academy are pleased to announce a new partnership in the field of aerial personnel training. This venture will become a fruitful partnership aiming to expand ATIS Aviation Academy’s training portfolio to North America.

A Memorandum of Understanding between ATIS Aviation Academy and AeroStar was signed at the 2016 Chinese Aviation Training and Education Summit in Shangai, China. Both companies  have attractive plans and hope to start a successful cooperation project leading to many thoroughly trained airline pilots.

 

by Deidra Toye -

Helping to Manage Disruptive Behavior In Flight

By one account, incidents of disruptive behavior or unruly passengers are decreasing. But as even one such incident can produce catastrophic onboard consequences, airlines continue to include unruly behavior in their cabin crew training programs. The air carriers are also getting help from training providers to provide this training.

In a busy news cycle, press wire service and other media outlet reports of an unruly or disruptive passenger on a flight gain the attention of a public which increasingly flies and is concurrently attentive to security matters. One such recent incident in the mainstream media occurred this January 7. On that winter date a passenger became disruptive on United Airlines flight 3461 traveling from New York to Chicago causing the aircraft to be diverted to Detroit. The flight, carrying four crew members and 69 passengers, landed safely at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport where the unidentified woman was removed from the plane by police. Aside from the safety of flight issue was the lost revenue of taking this in-flight jet out of service during a one-hour delay while the matter was resolved. Accordingly, airlines continue to tailor their internal training strategies to respond to what the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) terms “unruly passengers” – for yet another good reason. As a US Transportation Security Administration spokesperson, on a condition of background, reminded this author this past December “flight crew training for unruly passengers remains an airline responsibility.”

Scope of the Problem

While attention-getting incidents of passenger bad behavior gain air time or space in the print media, there is a decreasing trend of these episodes. Paul Berry, the spokesman for Spirit Airlines, provided one airline perspective on unruly or disruptive passengers and the imperative of security training in the current operating environment. “When you transport almost 60,000 people a day, odds are you’re going to need to remove disruptive passengers on a daily basis. It is important that disruptive passengers are dealt with on a consistent basis and removed from the aircraft as quickly as possible to prevent further disruptions and delays for the rest of the customers on the aircraft.” The industry media expert further noted, “There are always challenges in the airline industry when it comes to security. No matter when a threat is identified it is the duty of our crew to protect the safety of all of our customers and take appropriate action each time. Even one mistake could be disastrous.” Of interest, a spokesperson at a second North American-based airline told this author, “The percentage of ‘bad behaviors’ is so small, even discussing them exaggerates the magnitude of the issue.” After that pronouncement, the veteran spokesperson did note his airline cabin crews receive disruptive passenger-related instruction in their initial and recurrent training. Indeed, data gleaned this January 13 from the FAA website www.faa.gov/ data_research/passengers_cargo/unruly_ passengers/ pointed to an unmistakable, recent downward trend during the last four calendar years in instances of unruly passengers: 2012 – 183; 2013 – 150; 2014 – 145; and 2015 – 82 (as of January 7, 2016).

Of additional significance, the FAA’s tally of these incidents has an important caveat – the administration’s database contains only those incidents reported to FAA. Reporting is at the discretion of the crew member. The downward trend aside, with a continued, persistent threat of an unruly or disruptive passenger emerging on a flight throughout most of the community’s networks, air carriers continue to mandate training for their cabin crews as well as pilots on the topic, which in some instances is furnished by simulation and training industry companies.

Program Insights

Spirit’s Berry noted that due to security limitations he could only discuss generalities and not specifics on any aspect of his airline’s security training. He nonetheless offered that a mix of learning methodologies – live classroom scenarios, distance learning and others – enable cabin crew training. He continued, “All pilots and flight attendants are trained in how to deal with disruptive passengers. The focus on the training is the safety of all people on the plane, the other passengers and members of the flight crew.” Airlines often look to the simulation & training (S&T) industry to deliver high fidelity training to its flight attendants and other training audiences. One S&T community “snapshot” of its offerings was provided by CAE,ö which provides unruly or disruptive passenger training as part of its broader cabin crew training programs. CAE’s cabin security training is delivered in both a classroom and cabin mock-up environment.

Key training topics include problem solving and communication skills which are typically delivered in a classroom and complemented by training to restrain passengers, learned as a means of last resort, which is mostly delivered in a “smaller” cabin mockup environment. Initial security training is half a day and recurrent training is typically provided every one or two years (3-4 hours session). The company furnishes aviation training to cabin crew in Asia through AACE (Asian Aviation Centre of Excellence) a joint venture operation with Air Asia of Malaysia, Asia’s largest, and a well-known, low cost carrier. Based in Kuala Lumpur, AACE holds regulatory approvals from various national aviation authorities including the Department of Civil Aviation of Malaysia as well as aviation authorities from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, India, Japan and many more. Frederic Morais, the marketing leader in the Civil Aviation Group at CAE, pointed out that in Asia, “Unruly Passenger Training” training content is folded in a course known as HATDP (Handling Act of Terrorism and Disruptive Passengers). “This course is delivered today to Air Asia Group airlines cabin crew members operating from Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Philippines and Thailand,” Morais explained. Two classes are currently delivered per month in Malaysia and India, training over 30 cabin crew members per month. CAE also supplies training to cabin crew in Europe to a wide range of airlines under the approval of the Danish Civil Aviation Authorities covering all CAE training locations within Europe.

CAE main cabin crew training centers in Europe are located in Copenhagen, Madrid, Stockholm, Amsterdam and Oslo and include up to 15 airline cabin mock-ups. In Europe the program is provided both as a standalone program and as an integral part of initial and annual recurrent training. Morais further noted CAE’s training program for unruly passengers translates the theoretical knowledge and requirements into practical, workable and effective tools that work in reality. “This is especially important for airlines since security is an important and present topic today and will continue to be in the future. The training is a combination of classroom theory and practical cases in cabin training simulators with figurants to ensure maximum realism,” he added. CAE’s security training is furnished to some of Europe’s large airlines, including SAS, Vueling, Volotea, Iberia Express and Air Europa. On average more than 1,000 cabin members per month are trained in CAE’s European training centers.

A second S&T company provider of cabin crew training is AeroStar Training Services. The firm’s overarching flight attendant training program has been designed and is instructed by industry professionals with many years of flight attendant and airline training experience. “The content of our program and the training we provide exceeds the minimum standards set forth by the FAA. Our training program will provide you with the knowledge necessary to perfect your skills and abilities as a flight attendant with complete confidence and the highest level of safety,” Bryan Pilcher, the company’s Marketing Director told CAT. The program is a 3-day, 24-hour hands-on course taught at AeroStar’s Training Center in Kissimmee, Florida.

Two of the many topics taught in the 3-day program include security and personal defense training. AeroStar’s syllabus for passenger misconduct policy is straight forward, addressing misconduct through its different phases. At the lowest level of bad behavior, the aspiring flight attendant is taught to: listen to individual; provide information as necessary; and attempt to solve the problem if possible. Bryan Pilcher noted the fact that a passenger becoming upset or irate is not reason enough to deny transportation; however there may be situations when a passenger’s behavior indicates the safety of the flight may be at risk. He emphasized, “AeroStar’s ultimate concern is to ensure the safety of passengers and crew at all times and operates a policy of zero tolerance to those who may endanger the safety of passengers or crew.“ Training strategies evolve as the passenger exhibits disruptive behavior during flight. In those instances the student is taught: a flight attendant immediately notifies the captain; the captain advises the flight attendants on determining the best way to handle the situation; and if disruptive behavior escalates and becomes threatening, threat level procedures are followed. The industry spokesperson concluded, “Threat level definitions, conflict management techniques, and procedures for handling the varying threat levels that affect the security and safety of flight are found in our flight attendant manual (FAM). If it is necessary to use restraint kit, procedures for use are found in the FAM as well.” While CAE and AeroStar were the only two companies agreeing to speak with the author on this topic, other S&T businesses are entering this market space.

 

by Deidra Toye -

AeroStar Saving Lives One Upset Recovery Training at a Time

Aircraft upset is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition in aircraft operations. It’s a situation in which the flight attitude or airspeed of an aircraft is outside the normal flight parameters for which it is designed. This may result in loss of control (LOC) of the aircraft and sometimes the total loss of the aircraft itself. Loss of control may be due to turbulent weather, pilot disorientation, or a system failure.

The FAA defines upset prevention and upset recovery training as:”To prevent loss-of-control accidents due to aircraft upset after inadvertently entering an extreme or abnormal flight attitude.” An NTSB data compiled list determined that 3,051 lives were lost in 32 accidents in the years 1998–2015 due to LOC accidents.

Some recent crashes involving upset or loss of control include the infamous Colgan Air Flight 3407 which stalled and crashed killing all on board and Air France Flight 447 which entered a high altitude stall and crashed in the ocean.

Most recently, there was an Air Asia A320 crash that would have been totally preventable had the flight crew received upset recovery training. The pilots received an alert indicating a mechanical problem in the tail section that had been worked on recently. In an attempt to cancel the alert the Captain began to shut down computers and systems on the aircraft. This caused the autopilot to remain engaged without the proper working data it would normally have access to. Soon the aircraft started to climb out of control. The panicked flight crew immediately disengaged the autopilot in an unusually nose high attitude with the pilot in the right seat pushing forward on the control column and the pilot in the left seat pulling back on the side stick.

Neither pilot had any indication what the other was doing. This caused the aircraft to remain in the attitude it was in before the flight crew attempted to override the autopilot. The aircraft eventually stalled and spiraled out of control, crashing into the sea and killing everyone on board. Again, this accident was totally preventable if the A320 crew had been trained in upset recovery.

A friend of mine who has been flying the A320 since 1999 told me that Airbus had actually published a memo in 2000 to all Airbus operators on the subject of training for unusual attitude or upset recovery in the simulator.

The memo basically said that unusual attitude training should not be taught in A320 simulators since, they claimed, that a theoretical knowledge of Jet Upset recovery techniques is all that is needed. That was rather like saying to a child, “I won’t teach you how to swim but I will train you not to go near the water!”

The rationale for the memo appears to be that because aerodynamic forces associated with Jet Upset cannot be reproduced with proper fidelity in a simulator, it is therefore considered negative training. Alternatively, the aircraft’s sophisticated computers & fly-by wire technology would never let that situation occur to begin with.

We now know this to be entirely false. In the Air Asia accident the pilots caused a chain reaction by shutting off systems. By doing so, they inadvertently caused the aircraft to continue flying on the autopilot without proper data input. This confused the aircraft’s auto pilot and caused it to pitch nose up and climb out of control. The rest is history.

In addition, G forces cannot be reproduced in an airliner simulator. But the flight instrument indications of a Jet Upset are easily demonstrated. An inverted nose low attitude will reproduce quite normally on the ADI; the airspeed and altimeter readings would also work as expected. I have observed this many times in another type aircraft simulator.

In 2004, the NTSB issued a formal Safety Recommendation which requested the FAA to require all airlines to provide simulator training for flight crews that would enable them to recognize and recover from “unusual attitudes and upset maneuvers.

This would include upsets that occur while the aircraft is being controlled by automatic flight control systems, as well as unusual attitudes that result from flight control malfunctions and uncommanded flight control surface movements.

The new FAA rules were finalized in 2010, requiring specific training for pilots to recover from aircraft upset incidents. New training programs are now known under the term “advanced maneuver – upset recovery training.”

Since 2008, AeroStar Training Services in Florida has recognized the critical value of Upset Recovery Training. AeroStar is a FAA Part 142 training center that provides Type Rating Training in the Boeing 737 classic, the B737 NG, the A320 series & the atp ctp. AeroStar was founded for Airline pilots by Airline Captains who want to provide Higher Quality, Affordable Type Rating and atp ctp Training.

Each program includes ground and full flight level D simulator training in airplane upset recovery techniques. This includes stalls, nose-high, wings-level recovery techniques as well as nose-low, wings-level recovery techniques.

Additional training consists of the use of nose down elevator, use of bank angle, thrust reduction, nose low recovery, accelerated stall demonstrations, high bank and inverted flight. AeroStar trains for upset recovery techniques and many other upset situations that most programs do not include.

This higher level of training ensures that AeroStar’s pilot training graduates are among the safest in the skies, ready to face and overcome any cockpit situation that may arise, thus ensuring the safety of the passengers and crew.

*U.S DOT, FAA Advisory Circular 11/24/15 Subject: Stall Prevention and Recovery Training
* This article incorporates public domain material from the Federal Aviation Administration document “http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/training/media/AP_UpsetRecovery_Book.pdf”.

 

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.