Virtual Type Rating - A320
Join the BYP Virtual Type Rating Course and pass a Type Rating Exam with a real Type Rating Examiner in a real Airbus A320 Simulator
What is a Type Rating?
When you first qualify as an airline pilot, you need to do a type rating on the aircraft you will be operating before you start work. This is a formal qualification that gets added to a pilot’s licence.
A real type rating course takes place mostly in the classroom and in a simulator and spans about 100 hours of classroom training alongside time in the simulator.
BYP Virtual Type Rating Course
BYP have devised a virtual type rating course that closely mirrors the TR course real airline pilots go through, our course is taught by real pilots, many of whom have been Captains and Line Trainers on the A320. We created this course is because our students asked us for it and our instructors wanted to teach it.
Just like the real airline course, this is mostly classroom based but you will also do procedures training using a simulated cockpit and desk top SIM’s. Each term you will transition into a real A320 Simulator to solidify that terms learning in the full A320 Sim.
At the end of the course, you will pass a check ride with a real Type Rating Examiner in a real A320 Sim.
Whilst this is not a ‘real’ qualification and not recognised officially, it’s as close as possible to the real thing as we can get.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Existing BYP students with a deep interest in passenger jets and/or want to become an airline pilot. You must be at least 13 and be an existing BYP student. Places are not automatically given, you must apply for this course and have a good reference from your BYP instructor to support your application.
COURSE STRUCTURE
Each term you will:
Attend three full days at a specialist BYP training centre with enhanced equipment and SIM’s set up with Airbus hardware.
Complete 12 hours of training
Complete 1 hour in a professional simulator (shared with another student). Additional SIM time can be arranged at cost.
The full course is 108 hours of ground training plus 9 hours in the professional SIM and is spread over 9 terms/3 years. You only commit to one term at a time.
DO I HAvE TO DO THE WHOLE COURSE?
No. We have broken it down so you get a certificate after each term so even if you don’t complete the full course, you still have something to frame on your wall (or add to your CV).
Cost
£595 per term - this includes your time in a professional simulator. £5,355 over three years. Note your final exam at the end is an additional cost of £300 and includes TRE and SIM use.
Will it help me get a job as an airline pilot?
Not directly, but it will be very useful if you do decide to pursue a career. Firstly, you will breeze through your real type rating when the time comes but also, you are going to really stand out to airlines and employers - showing commitment, interest and real achievment from a young age - we expect a virtual TR to be a big tick in the box. However, if you are doing this purely because you think it will unlock a job offer when you are older, that’s the wrong motivation - you should do this primarily because you think it looks like fun and you want to do it.
Next Steps?
Fill out the application form below and attend our next online briefing session. Note this is not a commitment to attend, just an application to learn more about the course.
Our VTR Course was inspired partly by our success with mini courses taught at 3twenty’s SIM in Hampshire - demonstrated here in this video by Hal and BYP Instructor John.