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Aspire to Airline Pilot Standards
AlphaPilotAPS is a subscription-based training course on our Airbus A320 Flight Simulator with Pilot Core Competencies at the forefront, for those with a PPL, NPPL, ATPL modular pilots, Aviation Degree students and those that wish to pursue a career as an Airline Pilot.
If becoming an Airline Pilot, or if Flying to Airline Pilot Standards is your dream, AlphaPilotAPS is the first step on your journey.
AlphaPilotAPS is much more than just flight simulator time. Not only will you learn how to fly and operate the Airbus A320, you are trained to develop your Pilot Core Competencies from the very beginning in an Airline-alike training environment. You will learn Multicrew Cooperation skills, Crew Resource Management and Operational Techniques for the Airbus A320.
The adoption of Airline Pilot Standards (APS) as the prevailing norm in Professional Pilot Training has extended beyond solely Multicrew Cooperation Course training. It now encompasses much earlier stages of your training progression; starting with AlphaPilotAPS.
There’s no upfront training fees from AlphaTech. As soon as you start your subscription you can commence your training.
£80 per month for 2hrs of flying.
Hours rollover into the next month for 7 months (14hrs flying) so if you miss a month, they rollover into the next.
You have 24/7 access to our Airline-alike Learning & Crew Centre, Training Documents and Crew Room Advisories.
There’s no simming or gaming, what you get is actual flight training with constant development of your core competencies at the forefront.
Our A320 Simulator is built to FNPT II standards and is used daily for A320 Pilot Training. It is as close as you can get to the real thing without the associated costs.
To keep the monthly subscription as low as it is, there is a minimum agreement length.
12 months – £94 per month
24 months – £80 per month
Before your commence your Initial Training you are required to undertake 4-6 weeks of self study using our Knowledge Base and Crew Centre. You will have constant support from AlphaTech crew.
We have pilots visit us from all over Europe. If you’re coming to us via Belfast City Airport, we’ll transfer you to and from our hangar, free of charge. Saving £40+ in taxi fares. There is a surcharge for Belfast International Airport.
Our Airbus A320 Simulator is built to EASA professional pilot training standards and uses EASA approved software. It’s the ultimate in realism that a desktop Flight Simulator quite simply, cannot be compared.
The immersion into the ‘job’ of flying the Airbus A320 Simulator is every bit as real as flying the real thing, even down to the vibrations you’ll feel with our full sim vibration system. The wrap around visual encapsulates you into the scenario. We’re also able to introduce random or timed failures into our simulator forcing you to use your training to deal with the problems. The challenges are endless and rewarding.
We keep things as realistic as possible, the decision making processes behind dispatching and releasing an aircraft for flight is yours and by the end of your basic training you will be comfortable with Operating Flight Plan and Load sheet as you would in the real aircraft.
Importantly, we are quickly closing the gap between amateur and professional flying, much earlier in flying training.
Your AlphaPilotAPS Journey
Complete your AlphaPilotAPS Application and pass our online aviation based entry assessment. You are required to score 75% or greater.
You join AlphaPilotAPS as a cadet and start your subscription.
You begin your self-study. This is mentored by AlphaTech crew and takes approximately 4-6 weeks.
You undertake your Initial Training of 12 hrs
Subject to passing basic training to satisfactory standard you are admitted to AlphaPilotAPS as a First Officer and will continue to fly from the right hand seat and continue working through First Officer training modules.
Completing the First Officers Modules will allow you to operate as a Senior First Officer and work through the associated modules. You will continue to fly with a Line Training Captain.
It take approximately 18 months to become a Captain and all associated modules must have been completed. We treat the training aspect of this in the same manner as the real world, whereby you must pass a Command Course Upgrade.
When completed your Command modules, the Command Course and the Command Final Assessment you will fly from the left hand seat with other AlphaPilotAPS pilots of all stages of development and you are now eligible for our AlphaPilotAPS instructor course.
- Self Study
- Classroom
- A320 Simulator
Initial Training
AlphaPilotAPS Basic Training is around 12 hours in our A320 Flight Simulator. You will learn to fly and operate the aircraft as Pilot Flying and Pilot Monitoring. Both roles are equally important.
Before you attend AlphaTech for the simulator phase you are required to undertake self study using our training material and crew centre. We are always here to help along the way if required.
Every simulator session is supported by a briefing and debriefing and it’s important to remember that it’s very much training and not checking, although naturally, if the pilot puts in the study work before the simulator session he or she will get the very best out of the session.
Most simulator sessions are LOFT (Line orientated flight training), which means a flight from A to B will be completed in both roles as Pilot Flying and Pilot Monitoring.
Initial Training Modules
Don’t just take our word for it
We’re located close to Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
AlphaTech
Carmichael Hangar
Newtownards Airport
28a Comber Road
Newtownards
Northern Ireland
BT23 4QP
Telephone: +44(0)28 95 575 990
Email: hello@flyalphatech.com
Monday to Friday – 0800 to 1900
Saturday & Sunday – 1100 to 1600
Open on demand upon request
Parking available free of charge at hangar
All facilities at ground level
Travel & Accommodation
Airport Transfer are included from Belfast City (BHD / EGAC)
For all our pilots coming to us from mainland UK or Europe, we offer complimentary airport collections from Belfast City Airport. If you’re coming from Aldergrove there is a monthly surcharge of £20.
There are various hotel and B&B accommodation all located within 15 minutes of our facility. If you need help securing accommodation, please just let us know. We have discounts available with many budget and premium hotels.
Train Station Transfers
If you are coming from Dublin via train, we recommend making plans to arrive to Bangor Central Train Station. We will collect you from here, free of charge.
Belfast is a connecting hub with London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol and Frankfurt.
Belfast City Airport – 40 Mins
Aer Lingus, British Airways, Loganair, Lufthansa, KLM
Belfast International Airport – 40 Mins
easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2
Dublin Airport – 90 Mins
Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Lauda, KLM, SAS, Turkish, Air France, Croatia, Aegean, Air Baltic
British Airways, Eurowings, Lufthansa, Swiss
Londonderry Airport – 90 Mins
Ryanair
Donegal Airport – 120 Mins
Aer Lingus
Qualification
We are delighted to be working with leading Accreditation and Education authorities to delivery the AlphaPilotAPS training as a recognised Level 5 Educational Qualification. We anticipate that the qualification will be Foundation Degree standard and a ‘Learners Fee’ will be the only extra investment required from participants.
All current and new joining pilots to AlphaPilotAPS will be able to undertake the qualification.
Frequently asked Questions
How does the subscription work?
It’s simple. You are billed on the 4th of every month the £80 subscription, in line with our Standard Subscription Terms.
Is AlphaPilot Formal Training?
No. AlphaPilot is supplementary training to kickstart you career, support you and give you development of pilot core competencies well before you ever hear about them during your formal training. We have more than 20 pilots now flying for European Airlines that started with AlphaPilot in the past.
Are there upfront costs?
No. The only cost you pay is £80 per month for your agreement length. If you fly extra hours per month, those extra hours are billed at £40 per hour.
What happens if I can't use my 2hrs during the calendar month?
If you don’t use your 2 subscription hours during the month, don’t worry, they’re rolled over into the next month for up to a maximum of 7 months. We recommend that you attend every month or every other month.
I am from Mainland UK or Europe, could AlphaPilot work for me?
We have many pilots come to us from Mainland UK and Europe. You don’t need to visit us every single month, as your hours will rollover. You could plan to visit us 2-3 times a year to use up your hours.
Flights from UK and Europe arrives daily and both Belfast Airports. Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt are main connecting hubs to us and we’ll always collect you from the airport free of charge.
Accommodation close to us is affordable. Please ask us if you need help getting accommodation.
Do I have to have any actual flight experience?
No, We teach you from scratch. However, the less you know the more difficult and prolonged your training may be. You will be expected to learn from home before attending your course and there is a minimum standard to be attained at all times.
AlphaPilotAPS is for those on an Airline Pilot paths, but not exclusively so. We have numerous pilots that are not on Airline Pilot paths and are simply enthusiasts that wish to fly to Airline Pilot Standards.
Is the simulator easy to fly?
The simulator is a complex training device modelled exactly as the real aircraft. There are no shortcuts and therefore an extensive knowledge of the systems and procedures is required in order to fly the simulator.
Can I try stunts or dangerous maneouvers in the sim?
No. This is explicitly forbidden. The simulator is treated as a real aircraft and training device therefore we do not allow negative training. We will teach you upset recovery techniques.
Can I fly other aircraft in the sim?
No, The SimPilot simulator is an Airbus A320, No other aircraft can be simulated.
I already have a pilots license, can I still join?
AlphaPilotAPS is suitable for for all pilots up to fATPL. If you have a fATPL you can avail of our other scheme. More information available at www.flyalphatech.com/apscpd
Can I bring friends along to fly?
You must fly with another AlphaPilot or an AlphaTech Instructor, however friends may be permitted to watch from the jump seat once you have completed your basic training as long as they do not interfere.
Do I need any qualifications to join?
No. You don’t require any formal qualifications to be part of AlphaPilotAPS. Training is pitched around GCSE level and a reasonable grasp of mathematics is desirable.
Does the simulator move?
No. The simulator is fixed base but there is a full vibration system installed. You will get the sensation of movement.
Can I fly the simulator on my own?
No, The Airbus A320 is a multi-crew aircraft and requires 2 pilots to fly.
I have a flight simulator on my computer at home, do I still need to complete basic training?
Yes, Most people find that flying a real training simulator in the correct manner is a lot different that flying at home on your home simulator. Everyone must complete basic training regardless of your experience
Is there a lot to learn in AlphaPilotAPS?
Yes, The initial Basic Training is condensed with a lot of information! We try to get you to a basic standard as soon as possible but the real learning begins after training. A good pilot is always learning.
Does the training in AlphaPilotAPS count towards a real pilot license?
In short, no. However, we recommend everyone keeps a logbook of their hours anyway. These hours are extremely valuable to you should you ever go on to become an airline pilot.