Introduction to Pilot Podcast

➤ Introduction to Type Rating
➤ Prerequisites for Type Rating
➤ Visa process
➤ First week of Type Rating
➤ Ground School for Type Rating
➤ Airbus Pilot Transition / Airbus Procedure Trainer
➤ Fixed Base Simulator (FBS)
➤ Full Flight Simulator (FFS)
➤ FCOM A320 Manual
➤ Training post Type Rating
➤ Fly / Aviate / Navigate / Communicate
➤ Skill Test Day & Night IR Check
➤ Captain Neha’s Type Rating Experience
➤ Red Eye Flight
➤ Cost of Type Rating
➤ Duration of Type Rating
➤ Validity of Type Rating
➤ Abridged Course
➤ Cadet Pilot Program is Open

Key Points

  • Prerequisites

    Online CNTAA-style lectures/quizzes (A320 systems basics); pay fees early (10-14 day intl transfer + holidays); Thai visa via embassy post-payment.

  • Phase 1 (Days 1-14)

    Ground school (2-3h systems) + APT (4h cockpit flows: 2h→20min startup; PF/PM roles, external power SOPs).

  • Phase 2 Simulators

    FBS (5 no-motion sessions: MCC/takeoffs/approaches/ECAM); FFS (LOFT emergencies: hydraulic fails, engine-out; prep FCOM 1d prior).​

  • Skill Tests:

    Day/night IR checks (4h briefing + 2.5h each pilot: taxi/LOFT/divert decisions); memorize all memory items/callouts.

  • Neha's 2015 Story

    CAE Bangalore wait 2mo for examiner; midnight→6am birthday red-eye check cleared.

  • Costs/Duration

    ₹25-35L (sim sessions vary); 30-45 days; post-TR: 3-6mo airline indoc (fuel calcs/firefighting).

Summary

Winged Engineer details A320 type rating in Bangkok: prereqs→ground/APT→FBS/FFS emergencies→day/night checks (red-eye sims); Neha shares 2015 CAE delays/birthday pass; prep = FCOM mastery, "fly/navigate/communicate".

Conclusion

Type rating = relentless study (7000pg FCOM, SOPs, multi-crew flows) + sim proficiency; CPL→airline bridge demands situational awareness over glamour flying.

FAQ

  • What are type rating prerequisites?

    Online recorded lectures/quizzes on A320 basics; full fees paid upfront for visa (10-14 days intl transfer delays).

  • Day 1 APT like?

    Overhead panel overwhelm; 2h startup→lineup (PF/PM roles strict); external power SOPs (notify ground crew).

  • FBS vs FFS differences?

    FBS: no-motion Level D (5x MCC/takeoffs/ECAM); FFS: full motion hydraulics (LOFT emergencies, prep FCOM day prior).

  • Skill test structure?

    Day/night IR: 1h brief + 2.5h/pilot (taxi/LOFT/emergency/divert); memorize all prior sim procedures/callouts.

  • Captain Neha's check experience?

    2015 CAE Bangalore: 2mo examiner delay; midnight-6am birthday red-eye (5h sim + briefs) cleared.

  • Post-type rating steps?

    3-6mo airline indoc: company SOPs, dispatch/fuel calcs, ditching/firefighting (beyond sim data).