Introduction to Pilot Podcast

➤ Introduction
➤ What is the IRPPC check?
➤ What is the purpose of the IRPPC check?
➤ Type Rating schedule explained
➤ Different types of simulators
➤ Asymmetric Thrust
➤ What is VMC?
➤ Training on Motion Simulator
➤ Airline-specific Type Rating
➤ Cost of Type Rating
➤ How hectic is training during Type Rating?
➤ Studying different manuals during Type Rating
➤ What is the requirement to do Type Rating?
➤ Process for giving Canadian RTR exam
➤ All types of RTR licenses
➤ Vacancy for A320
➤ Conclusion

Key Points

  • IRPPC Purpose

    Annual/6mo sim recurrency combats "startle effect" (emergencies like windshear, depressurization); memory items (Airbus ~9 vs Boeing 18); human errors OK if safe.

  • Type Rating Flow

    3-4wk ground school (systems test) → 9 fixed-base APT sessions (cockpit flows, engine fail) → 9 full-motion Level D sims + 3 checks (48hrs total, 2hr PF/PM swaps).

  • VMC Demo

    Engine #1 fail → asymmetric yaw (left for jets); VMC = min rudder speed to counter (critical climb post-T/O, high rudder demand); identify via EICAS thrust drop.

  • Cost Traps

    ₹10-30L variance (cheaper skips fixed-base = less practice); post-type airline bridge (₹10-15L) for SOPs; non-type CPL hires train direct airline procedures.

  • Prep Grind

    Chair-fly flows/SOPs daily w/ sim partner (collective goal); spread 2mo ideal (2 sim days + review/off); FCOM/FCTM/QRH manuals (1000+pg autoflight).

  • Prereqs/Vacancies

    Indian CPL mandatory (>5700kg MTOW needs FO→PIC endorsement); A320 slots open (widebody shifts/retirements); FAA CPL → Canada RTR/CPL → DGCA conversion flying.

Summary

Capt. Neha fresh from IRPPC (recurrent proficiency check every 6-12mo) demystifies type rating for CPL holders eyeing airlines. IRPPC drills emergencies (windshear, engine fail, depressurization memory items—Airbus 9 vs Boeing 18) to kill real-flight startle, accepting minor human errors if safe. Type rating preps specific aircraft (>5700kg MTOW like A320 needs FO endorsement on Indian CPL; foreign CPLs can't direct-endorsed yet). Flow: 3-4wk ground school (systems knowledge, exam) → Airbus Procedure Trainer (APT, fixed-base: 9x4hr sessions for flows, normal ops, engine fails) → Level D full-motion sim (9x4hr + 3 checks=48hrs; hydraulics mimic 95% cockpit). VMC demo w/ model: Engine #1 fail creates asymmetric yaw (jets numbered outermost=1); VMC=min speed for rudder to counter (highest demand climb post-T/O due pitch/P-factor); scan EICAS thrust drop, pitch down to hold speed. Airline twist: Base type teaches manufacturer SOPs (conservative airline variants need bridge course, ₹10-15L extra). Costs ₹10-30L (cheaper TRTOs skip fixed-base=less reps); non-type CPL airline hires train direct (cheaper long-term). Prep hectic: daily chair-flying (PF/PM SOPs, flows) w/ sim partner (synergistic, no blame); 1.5-2mo ideal (2 sim days + review/off to absorb). Manuals massive: FCOM (procedures/limits/performance), FCTM (techniques), QRH (no-ECAM abnormals)—autoflight alone 1000pgs. Cadets' path: FAA CPL → Canada RTR/Air Law (skip India exam) → DGCA CPL/conversion → type. A320 vacancies mass (widebody moves/retirements); grind now amid recovery.

Conclusion

Type rating bridges CPL to airline revenue ops: non-negotiable for >5700kg jets (A320/B737), but traps abound—cheaper TRTOs (₹10L) mean rushed reps/bridge costs (₹25-30L total); airline-direct non-type hires smarter for SOP alignment. IRPPC underscores lifelong sim grind (emergencies prepped, errors learned), VMC mastery critical (asymmetric yaw kills if mishandled post-T/O). Prep demands discipline: chair-fly SOPs/manuals daily, sim-partner synergy (collective safety), spaced schedule beats compression (info overload). 2026 India aviation booms (₹1.6-1.8T sector, 180-190M domestic pax, 850+ aircraft, 106 deliveries), fueling A320 slots amid widebody shifts/retirements—yet turbulence looms (0-3% FY26 growth stall, ₹17-18k Cr losses, IndiGo disruptions, P&W groundings). FAA/Canada RTR→DGCA path viable for abroad trainees (skip July Chennai exam). Traits win: SOP muscle memory > glamour; airlines prioritize airline-trained (no bridge waste). Current mass vacancies signal peak—prepared CPLs (Indian license, ATPL papers, sim-ready) grab edges; non-type now, type later via employer. Persistence through manuals/sims unlocks widebody progression; aviation's sine wave rewards ready hustlers over speculators.


FAQ

  • What is IRPPC and why every 6-12 months?

    Instrument Rating Proficiency Check: sim recurrency drills emergencies (windshear, engine fail memory items) to eliminate real-flight startle effect; human errors acceptable if safe.

  • Type rating prerequisites for Indians?

    Indian CPL mandatory; >5700kg MTOW aircraft (A320/B737) need FO endorsement (ATPL for direct foreign conversion); no foreign CPL type endorsement yet.

  • Breakdown of type rating training phases?

    3-4wk ground school (systems/exam) → 9 fixed-base APT sessions (flows/engine fail) → 9 full-motion Level D sims + 3 checks (48hrs total, 4hr PF/PM swaps).

  • Why VMC critical in jet engine failure?

    Asymmetric yaw from #1 engine fail; VMC = minimum rudder-effective speed (highest demand in climb post-T/O); scan EICAS thrust drop, pitch down to hold.

  • Type rating costs and pitfalls?

    ₹10-30L (cheaper skips fixed-base=less practice); airline bridge adds ₹10-15L for SOPs; non-type CPL airline training direct/cheaper long-term.

  • How to prep for type rating sims?

    Daily chair-fly flows/SOPs (PF/PM) w/ sim partner; study FCOM/FCTM/QRH; 2mo spaced schedule (2 sim days + review/off) ideal vs 1.5mo compression.