Description
Fly a Level D Simulator AND learn what it takes to work in the real thing!
The Commercial Pilot A320 Career Intro Course is an introduction into the industry, the Airbus A320 aircraft and the job you want to do by way of a presentation and conversation with your instructor.
Then the practical side puts focus on what your day to day as a commercial pilot would look like.
This product gives 2 hours in the simulator to show real world procedures, a complete A to B flight including start up and shut down. You will also have multiple opportunities to practice take offs, landings and should you have enough time left … emergency situations.
There is also the option to undertake the course with someone else with double the simulator time available. In this situation you would each receive an equal amount of time in the simulator. You will also receive an additional 30 minutes so that there is enough time to answer questions from each of you. We will not add you to a “class” of people. This option to add someone is only if you wish to do it with a friend.
This course takes place at L3Harris who have a minimum age for simulator hire of 16. This is fantastic as we want to help to nurture upcoming pilots and at an age where students will be looking to make their college choices, it seemed a good time to introduce this course.
Anyone over the age of 16 is able to undertake the simulator training and classroom elements.
We have created a blog to give you the basics of how to become a commercial pilot if you would like to have a read.
So, the course … what is involved?
What can I expect from the Commercial Pilot A320 Career Intro Course?
Classroom Session 1 (1 Hour)
- The Commercial Pilot A320 Career Intro Course is split into time in the Level D Full Motion simulator and also in the classroom.
- The below is an example of how the course may run. Due to the times you may be able to book the simulator it may work slightly differently.
- You will be met by your instructor either in reception or the the café depending on when you arrive. We always suggest arriving before your start time to make sure you are settled and ready to go.
- The first 60 minutes will be spent in the classroom. It gives your instructor the chance to find out what most interests you and what you would like to achieve in the simulator. Don't worry if you aren't sure we have a plan for you!
- While in the classroom you will learn more about the aircraft, it's history and the cockpit. You will also plan a route, the route you will be flying later!
- Then it is into the Level D A320 Full Motion Simulator!
Level D Airbus A320 Full Motion Simulator (2 Hours)
- YOU will be sat in the captain's chair with your instructor as co-pilot. He will take you through the cockpit, some of which you will remember from your time in the classroom.
- You will learn how to take the aircraft from "cold and dark", switching on differing systems and getting the plane ready (while your 140+ virtual passengers embark the aircraft!). Real world checks will be completed, we will make it as close as possible to the real world as we can.
- Next you will take instruction from Air Traffic Control (your instructor) as you make your way to the correct runway for take off.
- When checks are completed and you are cleared for take off, it's down to you to get 79 tonne of aircraft off the ground.
- Following your flight plan, you will complete a short A to B flight in full. Likely between two airports in the UK (but not necessarily!)
- During this flight you will follow real world procedures, learn general handling and if you are doing well for time (each person learns at their own pace), emergency situations can be introduced and dealt with.
- When your destination is in sight it will be time to prepare for landing. You guessed it ... real world procedures will be in place for the whole flight, including talking to the passengers and keeping them up to date!
- Landing can be challenging at the best of times, we would have talked to you before about the conditions you would like for your flight so whether it is a bumpy landing or buttery smooth will be down to you!
- After landing your virtual passengers will be wanting to get into the terminal. You will taxi to the gate and allow airport staff to attach the jet bridge so that your passengers can safely depart the aircraft.
- With your flight complete you will learn to shut down the aircraft ready for the next flight. Leave things as you would like to find them.
- If you have completed the full flight with time to spare, it's up to you how to spend the remainder. You can practice more landings, emergency situations or answer questions about the cockpit with it in front of you. Some people want to know what EVERY buttons does, for example.
Classroom Session 2 (1.5 Hours)
- The next part of the Commercial Pilot A320 Career Intro Course takes you back into the classroom.
- Starting with a debrief, we will go through your flight talking about what you acheived and answering any questions you may have.
- With a successful flight behind you we turn our attentions to the role you wish to take on, the pathways available to you and the qualifications required to achieve your goal.
- Your instructor will explain career opportunities, minimum qualifications required, what to expect from flight school, the costs involved in each stage of the process and the level of practical experience that will be required.
- No doubt you will have further questions, fire away! Having been through this process your instructor will have the answers you need.
- Next steps, your instructor will help you build a plan to become a commercial pilot. This may include further time with us to learn more in the simulator or starting a course with one of our partners.
- Throughout the entire experience you are welcome to take notes but rest assured that everything that will have been discussed will be available to you in a digital PDF which will be sent to you after your course.
We are a company that specialises in Full Motion Simulator Experiences and general hire.
Full Flight Simulators at Level D are the closest to the real thing as you can get. The size of a house on hydraulics to recreate any scenario you want. With this in mind, if you want to see what the working life of a commercial pilot is really like … why would you choose to use a fixed base simulator?
We tend to assume anyone who enrols in this course already has experience, either with home simulators, Microsoft simulator or having already hired a fixed base simulator. This isn’t a necessity by any means though.
You are welcome to take notes during the classroom elements of the course. You may find that doing so aids you and fits your learning style. We do however provide a PDF after the course which includes much of the information that will be covered. If you have specific questions during your time with us you may want to note it down.
This has been outlined in depth on the product pages. Please choose the product below and read the “What can I expect” section.
* Commercial Pilot B737 Career Intro Course
* Commercial Pilot A320 Career Intro Course
* Complete Commercial Pilot Career Intro Course
This has been outlined in depth on the product pages. Please choose the product below and read the “What can I expect” section.
* Commercial Pilot B737 Career Intro Course
* Commercial Pilot A320 Career Intro Course
* Complete Commercial Pilot Career Intro Course
For any simulator booking with Quadrant Systems or L3Harris the golden rule to get the day(s)/time(s) that work for you are to book as far in advance as possible.
The simulators are primarily for use by aviation professionals and are often booked out, in bulk, by airlines. We are privileged to be able to get access to these £15 million training machines and as such arranging time in them may mean that we need to consider their availability before yours.
It is not unrealistic to assume that if you want to complete the course in the next two or three calendar months that you will struggle to find a time that would be considered a preference. At weekends or between 9am-6pm for example. This is not to say it definitely isn’t possible, odd shifts do become available, relying on this may bring disappointment though.
You may need to be flexible and accept earlier or later slots to complete the simulator sessions.
The whole point of this course is to show you what it is like to be a commercial pilot. These simulators are open 24 hours a day, flights can leave at any time of day … it is most definitely a good idea to get used to the fact you may be working at unsociable times.
As mentioned above, booking simulator time is best done in advance by a matter of months.
For example, If you received this course as a Christmas gift, it would be best to look at dates in March / April / May.
When you know what month you wish to complete your course, email or call us with your voucher number. We will then request new updated schedules from the training compound. This could take up to 48 hours. With this information we then check our instructors availability and come back to you with available dates to choose from.
When you have dates from us, do not take too long to choose which you would like. The schedules fill up FAST.
In theory, if only one person … yes it is possible. With enough advance notice we may be able to book an early slot at one location and a late shift at the next.
Keep in mind, each simulator is in a different location 20-25 minutes apart.
With two people, this is not possible. The amount of time you will have in the simulator will make our instructors working day far too long.
We do however suggest that you separate the two simulator sessions over two days. Depending on availability this may be able to be completed in successive days. It may be more spaced out. You may prefer this as after your first session you will be buzzing and will likely want to do your own research before jumping into the next one. Performing one and then the next may be too swift for you to take in the information and general experience.
Most definitely. We would suggest this is the way that the course runs.
The reason being that after your first classroom sessions and simulator experience you will want to spend some time taking in what you have learned and potentially completing your own research.
The simulators are also in different locations 20-25 minutes apart. It may feel too rushed to complete in a single day.
You may choose to have the course over two weeks … or two months! … if the simulator and instructor is available on the desired dates … we would be happy to separate the course out.
Keep in mind, each simulator is in a different location 20-25 minutes apart.
With two people, this is not possible. The amount of time you will have in the simulator will make our instructors working day far too long.
We do however suggest that you separate the two simulator sessions over two days. Depending on availability this may be able to be completed in successive days. It may be more spaced out. You may prefer this as after your first session you will be buzzing and will likely want to do your own research before jumping into the next one. Performing one and then the next may be too swift for you to take in the information and general experience.
You may have noticed that with an additional person there is additional time devoted to the classroom and the simulator. Our thinking for doing this is as such:
* An additional 30 minutes to the course is ample time to cover the questions of an additional person and their debrief.
* Simulator time is doubled. This allows for each person to get equal time in the simulator. Both people can attend for both sessions in the simulator should they want to. Alternatively, you may want to use the time to get some food, have a break etc.
If you decide to share simulator time, once the A to B flight is completed (including start up, checks, taxi, shut down) if there is time left it can be spent as you wish. If you would like to try several landings to see if you or your friend completes them better, for example … that is up to you.
In general, unless they have paid to be on the course the answer is no. You are not able to bring someone with you into the classroom or simulator sessions.
For people 16-18 years of age, you must be accompanied by an adult. They are required to sit in with the course and in the simulator BUT are not considered part of the course.
* An additional 30 minutes to the course is ample time to cover the questions of an additional person and their debrief.
* Simulator time is doubled. This allows for each person to get equal time in the simulator. Both people can attend for both sessions in the simulator should they want to. Alternatively, you may want to use the time to get some food, have a break etc.
If you decide to share simulator time, once the A to B flight is completed (including start up, checks, taxi, shut down) if there is time left it can be spent as you wish. If you would like to try several landings to see if you or your friend completes them better, for example … that is up to you.
We do not have any ties with local businesses. As such we can not help you with suggestions in this case.
We are happy to signpost you to the relevant places in order to continue your journey into the world of aviation.
You may choose to learn more from our instructors, the simulator can be hired by the hour (B737) or 2+ hours (A320).
Ready to book? Need to know more?
If you have more questions, please follow the link to the FAQs below. You may find that they hold the answer you need. It may be quicker than asking us too!
By all means though, please do contact should you want to know anything in particular about the Commercial Pilot A320 Career Intro Course. We would be happy to help and hope to see you at the simulator soon!