Which Pilot Training Course is the Right Fit for You?

One of the things that makes a pilot’s life so challenging is that a pilot trainee needs to go through several stages of training and accreditation before they can finally fly. If it’s in your plans to enter the aviation industry, you’ll need to prepare for different types of training according to the career path you’ve chosen. Some training programs, like those that are ab-initio, will take you through the basics that every pilot needs. Others, like type rating courses, will help you build expertise in flying a particular kind of aircraft. During the training course you will learn absolutely everything, from the basics of how the ground crew control the fleet on the ground, to how you will communicate whilst you are airborne. In order to communicate efficiently, you will obviously use a bespoke pilot headset and radio. Sourcing one of these, like a david clark headset before you start your training will stand you in a very good position. If you carry on reading we have some key advice on what to expect, and the different types of training available to you.

So if your dream has always been to fly the Fastest Plane in the World, you need to do know what pilot training courses are available to you in the Philippines, and what considerations should you make before you enroll in one? To answer those two questions, here’s a briefer on four types of training courses you’ll encounter in Philippine aviation schools and what they’ll all entail. 

4 Different Pilot Training Courses That Are Available in the Philippines

Ab-Initio

The ab-initio course derives its name from a Latin term meaning “from the beginning.” This course is a full and comprehensive cadetship program that’s meant to train someone from the ground up, and it will provide them with all the requisite skills and qualifications they need in order to fly a commercial aircraft. 

Ab-initio programs typically involve about 18 months of intensive training, and some are sponsored in part by air carriers themselves. The right choice of program will give a promising candidate a gateway into a successful career with the sponsoring airline company. 

Enrollees to ab-initio training courses must possess a bachelor’s degree in any discipline and must be at least 18 years old. They may also need to pass the ADAPT test, a special computer-based assessment that helps aviation institutions select pilot candidates with great potential. Before you register for an ab-initio program, make sure that you have all the credentials required of you by your school. 

Type Rating

Pilot training will equip a fledgling pilot with the basic skills to fly any kind of aircraft. But they’ll still need to acquire type ratings for specific aircrafts so that they can be eligible to serve on the same aircrafts as First Officers. 

Type ratings are comparable to specific driver’s licenses for light vehicles and for heavy vehicles. But instead of cars or trucks, pilots train to be more knowledgeable in flying aircrafts of different makes. 

One example of an available type rating course in the Philippines is the type rating for the Airbus A320, a 123-foot long narrow-body jet that seats between 150 and 186 passengers. The type rating course will equip the trainee with the requisite skills for flying an Airbus A320 and securing a seat on its flight deck.  

To finish a type rating course for an Airbus A320, you’ll need your pilot and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) licenses and at least 200 hours of actual flight time. Once you finish this credential, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a First Officer for a top fleet. 

ATPL Theory Course

An ATPL theory course will help a pilot trainee gain sufficient theoretical knowledge to qualify for an Airline Transport Pilot License, which is the highest professional certification that a pilot can attain. Its theory-dependent nature means that it’s possible for a trainee to complete the course on their own, outside of the flight school facility. 

This type of training course is a good option for students who’ve attained all the necessary licenses that precede the ATPL and who need a convenient but thorough way to prepare for their ATPL accreditation. You can take advantage of the remote setup of this course and complete your theoretical studies for the ATPL from the comfort of your home. 

SFI Course

Have you ever aspired to become both a pilot and a teacher? If you want to level up your flight skills and be able to share them to the next generation of pilot trainees, you can study to become a flight simulation instructor. You’ll be able to achieve this through a Synthetic Flight Instructor or SFI course. Like a type rating course, an SFI training course will increase your proficiency in flying a specific aircraft like the Airbus A320. 

To become a flight simulation instructor, you need to be an experienced pilot with an ATPL, type ratings for the aircraft you’ll serve as a flight simulation instructor for, an NTC license, and at least 1,000 hours in your pilot logbook for the aircraft involved. If you can complete all of these requirements, you’ll earn for yourself a lucrative and fulfilling job that’s a fitting pinnacle for your piloting career. 

Some Last Factors to Consider Before Enrolling in Flight School

• What Are Your Ultimate Goals for Your Piloting Career? 

Before you enroll in any of the training courses listed above, make sure that they’re aligned with what you want for yourself. Train according to the kind of pilot you want to be and the kind of aircraft you dream of flying. 

• How Much Time and Money Have You Set Aside for Your Training? 

It’s no secret that aviation school requires an upfront investment of both time and money to complete some of these courses. Only sign up for flight school when you know exactly how much you’re willing to commit to your training. 

• Which Aviation School is the Best One for Your Pilot Training? 

Your choice of school also matters when it comes to your pilot training. An excellent school will be able to provide you with valuable networking and job application opportunities on top of all-inclusive training. Look up the best aviation schools in the Philippines and see which one offers the kind of training you need. 

Pilot training may be difficult, but you’ll be able to access some of the most competitive and rewarding opportunities once you earn your wings. Here’s to finishing your training, acquiring all the necessary credentials, and leading the life you dream of as a pilot.