Introduction to Pilot Podcast

➤ Type Rating Experience
➤ Command Training and Airline Training
➤ Should an aspiring pilot use a Flight Simulator?
➤ Airbus A320
➤ A320 vs B737 Type Rating
➤ Validity of Type Rating
➤ Aircraft orders
➤ Prerequisite for Type Rating
➤ Type Rating Summary
➤ Soft landing
➤ Rudder DA42 vs A320
➤ Aerobatic flight
➤ When passengers meet pilots
➤ Mumbai weather during monsoon
➤ Conclusion

Key Points

  • Training Intensity

    40-45 days squeezed (vs 2 months); 1hr brief + 4hr sim + 1hr debrief daily; overwhelming speed shift from Cessna.

  • Cockpit Mastery

    Hundreds of buttons logical (hydraulics/electrical grouped); ECAM guides faults; cockpit fam in 1-2 days post-systems study.

  • Prep Strategy

    Study systems/SOPs/memory items/approaches pre-course; flight sim for layout (no procedures); chair fly flows with partner.

  • Documents Hierarchy

    AFM > FCOM (procedures) > FCTM (techniques); verify YouTube vs Airbus docs; flows into muscle memory.

  • Post-CPL Choice

    Airbus A320 dominates India vacancies (IndiGo/Air India orders); type-rated jobs > non-rated; 7yr validity (extra recency if delayed).

  • Career Path

    Type rating = Airbus "birth"; airline adds fuel/weight/NOTAMs; command training = left-seat decisions/CRM/emergencies.

Summary

Cadets complete intense A320 type rating (sim-only, SOP-focused); prep via FCOM/FCTM systems beats overwhelm; Airbus logical design shines in faults; 7yr validity favors early rating amid India fleet growth.

Conclusion

Master flows/pre-visualize for type rating success; Airbus cockpit ergonomics + knowledge handles any emergency; prioritize A320 for Indian jobs—study to fly, not just pass.

FAQ

  • How long is A320 type rating?

    40-45 intensive days (6hr sim sessions); ground/sim SOPs/emergencies.

  • Prep before type rating?

    Systems, SOPs, memory items, flows; flight sim cockpit fam (no procedures);

  • A320 vs Boeing choice post-CPL?

    A320 dominates India (more aircraft/orders); type-rated vacancies majority.

  • Type rating validity?

    7 years (was 3); recency training if delayed 5-7yrs.​

  • Key docs for Airbus?

    AFM (legal precedence), FCOM (procedures), FCTM (techniques).

  • Simulator challenges?

    Fast pace, no breather, ahead-of-aircraft; dreams of cockpits/flares.