
For many commercial pilots, earning a CPL or ATPL is only the first step. The real challenge begins when it’s time to transition into an airline cockpit. With training costs already high and competition fierce, pilots need an edge to stand out during simulator assessments and airline selection.
The A320 Pre Type Rating Course is designed to provide that edge. It bridges the gap between basic flying skills and airline readiness, preparing pilots for real-world cockpit operations and helping them succeed in type rating and recruitment assessments.
The Importance of Type Rating in a Competitive Aviation Market
While a CPL demonstrates basic flying ability, airlines now prioritize pilots who are operationally proficient and simulator-ready. With fleets expanding across India, airlines like IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air, and Air India Express are seeking pilots who can adapt quickly to modern airline operations. As one senior captain explained in a recent webinar:
“CPL and multi-engine hours alone are no longer enough. Airlines want pilots who understand systems, SOPs, and can perform under pressure. Pre type training is the key to achieving this readiness.”
What Is an A320 Pre Type Rating Course?
An A320 Pre Type Rating Course is a preparatory program for CPL holders and cadets planning to undertake their A320 type rating.
The course provides early exposure to:
- Aircraft systems
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Emergency and abnormal handling
- Flight deck operatios
By the time you begin the official type rating, you’re already familiar with Airbus logic, cockpit flows, and operational decision-making.
At Airship Aviation, the course is conducted by active airline captains through a combination of live interactive sessions and recorded lessons, offering both flexibility and practical knowledge.
What You Will Learn
The Pre Type Rating Course prepares pilots for simulator and airline success through modules such as:
- Cockpit Orientation: Learn every control, panel, and switch on the A320 flight deck.
- Systems Overview: Electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel, and flight control systems explained in detail.
- SOP Flows & Memory Items: Step-by-step checklists and operational procedures for normal and abnormal situations.
- MCDU & FMS Training: Flight planning, navigation, and performance calculations.
- Abnormal & Emergency Handling: Simulated scenarios to develop quick decision-making skills.
- Crew Resource Management (CRM): Effective communication, teamwork, and situational awareness.
- Mock Simulator Practice: Virtual exercises that replicate real-world airline operations.
Why Pre Type Rating Is a Smart Investment
Many pilots struggle in initial simulator sessions not because of flying skills but due to lack of system familiarity. Pre type training helps overcome this by:
- Reducing simulator stress and improving exam performance
- Providing confidence in emergency and abnormal situations
- Strengthening your foundation for airline interviews and type rating success
- Ensuring a faster learning curve during official type rating sessions
As Airship Aviation instructors often highlight:
“When you already understand the systems, you can focus on flying rather than just surviving the simulator.”
How the Course Enhances Your Career
Completing a Pre Type Rating Course offers tangible career benefits:
- Stand Out in Airline Assessments: Airlines prefer candidates who are prepared and system-savvy.
- Save Time and Costs: Avoid repeat training sessions by starting simulator training fully prepared.
- Build Confidence: Handle abnormal and emergency procedures with ease.
- Prepare for First Officer Roles: Lay a strong foundation for long-term career growth.
Many Airship Aviation graduates have successfully transitioned into airlines, attributing their success to structured pre type training.
When to Start
The ideal time to start the course is after completing your CPL or before enrolling in the A320 type rating. Early preparation allows pilots to:
- Study technical concepts thoroughly
- Complete documentation and endorsements
- Enter simulator training with confidence
The preparation period typically spans 2–3 months, giving enough time for study and skill refinement before type rating.
Why Choose Airship Aviation
- Expert Instructors: Airline captains with thousands of flight hours
- Flexible Learning: Live interactive sessions plus recorded access
- Practical Curriculum: Real-world cockpit procedures, not just theory
- Proven Results: High success rates in type ratings and airline assessments
- Career Mentorship: Guidance for interviews, assessments, and simulator prep
Airship Aviation’s mission is to ensure pilots enter the cockpit fully prepared, confident, and technically proficient.
Conclusion
The journey from CPL to a commercial airline cockpit requires more than licenses — it demands technical knowledge, operational readiness, and confidence.
An A320 Pre Type Rating Course is a strategic step for every aspiring airline pilot, preparing you to excel in simulator sessions, airline interviews, and operational procedures.






