When Is the Right Time to Start Your A320 Type Rating as a CPL Holder?

For many aspiring commercial pilots in India, earning a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is just the beginning. The real challenge begins when it’s time to prepare for airline entry and simulator training. With aviation training costs already exceeding ₹80–90 lakhs and competition intensifying, the A320 Pre Type Rating Course has become an essential bridge between academic flying and the professional cockpit environment. In 2025, as Indian airlines expand fleets and hire aggressively, the smartest move for CPL holders and cadets is to strengthen their technical and operational readiness with pre type training before starting the A320 type rating.

Why Type Rating Is Crucial in Today’s Aviation Market

India’s aviation industry is growing at an unprecedented pace. Airlines like IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air, and Air India Express are collectively adding hundreds of aircraft — most of them from the Airbus A320 family.However, this growth has also raised hiring standards. Airlines now prefer candidates who are already type-rated and operationally proficient. A CPL alone, while valuable, no longer guarantees job placement.As one senior captain noted during the recent Airship Aviation webinar,“CPL and multi-engine hours aren’t enough anymore. Airlines expect pilots who are ready for the flight deck — that’s where pre type training makes all the difference.”

What Is an A320 Pre Type Rating Course?

A Pre Type Rating Course is a structured preparatory program designed for CPL holders and airline cadets planning to undertake their A320 type rating. It introduces students to the technical and operational concepts of the Airbus cockpit — before they begin the official type rating training. This early exposure ensures pilots are confident and comfortable with aircraft systems, flows, and emergency procedures once simulator sessions begin. At Airship Aviation, the A320 Pre Type Rating Course is led by active airline captains with thousands of hours of flight experience. The training blends live online sessions with recorded content, allowing students to study at their own pace.

Course Curriculum: What You’ll Learn

The course covers everything you need to transition smoothly into your type rating and airline career, including:

• Cockpit Orientation: Familiarization with A320 flight deck layout and controls.
• System Overview: Electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, flight control, and fuel systems.
• SOP Flows: Step-by-step checklists, memory items, and operational procedures.
• MCDU and FMS Training: Hands-on guidance for route planning and flight management.
• Abnormal & Emergency Handling: Situational decision-making and QRH use.
• Crew Resource Management (CRM): Effective communication and teamwork under pressure.
• Mock Simulator Practice: Application of concepts through virtual sim exercises.

Each module ensures that by the time you begin your A320 type rating, you’re already fluent in Airbus logic and airline-level procedures.

Why Pre Type Rating Matters More Than Ever in 2025

The post-pandemic aviation boom has redefined pilot readiness. Airlines are conducting tighter selection assessments and simulator checks. Many pilots fail initial simulator sessions not because of flying skills — but due to lack of system familiarity.

Doing a Pre Type Rating Course ensures:

1. Faster learning curve during actual type rating.
2. Reduced simulator stress and better exam performance.
3. Confidence in emergency and abnormal procedures.
4. Improved chances in airline interviews and simulator checks.
5. Better understanding of real-world A320 operations.

As the instructors at Airship Aviation emphasize: “When you already understand the systems, you can focus on flying – not just surviving the sim.”

Airship Aviation’s A320 Pre Type Rating Course Highlights

Airship Aviation offers one of India’s most comprehensive and flexible A320 Pre Type Rating Courses. Designed for both fresh CPL graduates and cadet pilots, it focuses on practical understanding rather than rote learning.

Key Features:

• Live interactive sessions led by experienced A320 captains.
• Access to recorded classes for flexible learning.
• Digital study materials including SOP charts, system notes, and mock tests.
• 1:1 doubt-clearing sessions with instructors.
• Affordable, accessible, and fully DGCA-aligned course content.
  

Students also gain insight into airline recruitment preparation, cockpit orientation, and performance standards expected in professional training environments.

How the Pre Type Rating Course Boosts Your Career

• In a hiring environment where timing and readiness determine success, pre type training helps you:Stand out during airline assessments.
• Perform confidently in simulator evaluations.
• Save costs by avoiding repeat training modules.
• Strengthen your foundation for a successful A320 type rating and future First Officer roles.

Many Airship Aviation graduates have successfully transitioned into Indian and international airlines, attributing their success to the structured learning and mentorship they received before their official type rating.

When Should You Start the Pre Type Rating Course?

Ideally, pilots should begin the pre type training immediately after CPL completion or before enrolling for the A320 type rating. This allows adequate preparation time for visa processing, documentation, and technical study before simulator sessions begin.

The entire process – from pre type to DGCA endorsement – typically takes 2–3 months, making early planning essential.

Why Choose Airship Aviation

• Expert Instructors: Active A320 captains with extensive airline experience.
• Flexible Learning Model: Online + recorded sessions for maximum accessibility.
• Comprehensive Curriculum: Real-world cockpit procedures, not just theory.
• Proven Results: High student success rates in A320 type rating and airline checks.
• Career Mentorship: Support for interview preparation and assessment readiness.

Airship Aviation’s mission is simple — to prepare future airline pilots for the highest professional standards from day one.

Conclusion

The journey from CPL to cockpit readiness requires more than just licenses – it demands preparation, confidence, and technical mastery. An A320 Pre Type Rating Course is no longer optional; it’s a smart, strategic investment for every aspiring airline pilot in 2025. With Airship Aviation’s structured pre type training, you gain the clarity, skills, and confidence needed to excel in simulator checks and airline assessments.