Become an airline pilot

What training to follow to become an Airline Pilot?

The instruction is highlighted with issuance of following EASA aeronautical titles:

• Airline Pilot theory certificate (14 certificates altogether)
• CPL[A] Commercial Pilot Licence
• IRME[A] and MEP(t) ratings for instrument flight on multi-engine aircraft
• MCC multi-pilot certificate
• Aeronautical English Certificate (FCL 055)

School starts in January, May or September each year.  The annual promotion includes near 50 Student Pilots for high quality teaching. Candidates are admitted on the basis of a dossier and then on selection tests. It is also open to PPL pilots who benefit from a reduction of course and thus of budget.

Upset Prevention and Recovery Training

Part of the Cannes Aviation integrated ATP training since 2014, this UPRT training, which takes place on a single-engine Extra 200 aerobatic aircraft configured in 2 tandem seats, is mandatory according to the European AirCrew regulation in order to master the following situations:

• “flight at critically low air speeds, recognition of recovery from incipient and full stalls, spin avoidance”
• “unusual attitudes and simulated engine failure”

This allows you to learn to master unusual situations such as spin recoveries, steep turns or dynamic stalls.

Airline Pilot Standard Multi Crew Cooperation (APS MCC) course

APS MCC training has recently been developed by the airline industry to meet the requirement for airline experience prior to undertaking a type rating with a commercial operator.

The Cannes Aviation Academy's APS MCC course was created using the System Design Methodology (ISD) in partnership with Aviation Partners and Specialists (APS). It is specifically designed for the flight model used in our A320-based simulator.

Open to student pilots who have already obtained their CPL and IRME (end of integrated ATP or end of CPL-MEP-IRME modular training), the APS MCC course presents a complete training on airline practices to facilitate the transition to flight operations. Advanced exercises such as upset prevention and recovery, as well as in-flight training, will provide the confidence and team skills needed to operate a modern, complex, multi-crew aircraft.

The Cannes Aviation Academy's APS MCC includes:

• Documentation and Computer Based Training
• Ground course : 35 hours
• 40 hours of MCC FNPT II Entrol A32 simulator, a true replica of an Airbus A320 cockpit
• Competencies are assessed at the end of the course in order to obtain the APS MCC certificate

The APS MMC is the course of the future to enter the most demanding airlines.

1) Preparation for the CPL / Maturation:

This preparatory training is for certified private pilots holding a PPL-SEP (or MEP) who want to enrol for a CPL-IRME course but who must first increase their flight hours and/or improve their skills (maturing phase).

Based on acquiring blocks of hours (20 to 50 hrs. or more, with a minimum of 20), this training involves a tailor-made, one-to-one solo flight instruction programme with a few flights on dual flight time.

At the same time, the Student Pilot can improve on the theory by benefiting from ground courses.

Prerequisite: see brochure CPL-MEP-IRME 

2) ATPL theory course:

School starts in September, January or May.

To obtain the 14 theoretical airline pilot certificates in 10 to 12 months. On-site English language training by instructors, professional pilots.

Theoretical ATPL is required before entering the CPL-MEP-IRME training course. To enter theoretical ATPL training, you must have a PPL license and pass our selection tests.

3) CPL-MEP-IRME training:

This module takes you through the most important step toward obtaining your twin-engine IFR rating tagged on to your commercial pilot licence.
The instruction leads to obtaining the following EASA titles:

 - Commercial Pilot Licence CPL[A]
 - IRME[A] and MEP(t) ratings for instrument flight on multi-engine aircraft

Prerequisite: see brochure CPL-MEP-IRME  

4) APS MCC course:

Open to Student Pilots who have already obtained their CPL and IRME the APS MCC course provides comprehensive training on airline practices to ease the transition to flight operations. This training is included in the integrated ATP training. See details above .

Alternatively, the Student Pilot may choose a simple MCC training which is cheaper, faster and accepted in most airlines, especially business aviation.