5 years of APS MCC

AirlineReady® APS MCC

UK CAA, EASA or DUAL Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 Courses start weekly

Group of pilots on the APS MCC course at VA Airline Training

Your airline career starts here.

Each week, a new group of recently-qualified commercial pilots arrive from all across Europe, ready to begin the transition into competent airline pilots.

VA’s AirlineReady® APS MCC was the first APS course to be awarded regulatory approval, and since then we have trained over 500 pilots to EASA’s new Airline Pilot Standards - more than any other ATO in Europe.

This is an intensive and challenging course which requires a high level of commitment and dedication. It’s suitable for pilots who have a strong desire to develop their skills to the maximum, along with the motivation and self-discipline to put in the necessary work to achieve that.

 LOCATION →
Cambridge Airport, UK

AIRCRAFT TYPES →
Airbus A320 or Boeing 737

DURATION →
3 weeks, including rest days

START DATES →
Courses start each week

  • A proven track record of graduate success

    The APS MCC was designed to train new pilots to a much higher standard - to ‘Airline Pilot Standards’ - resulting in them being better prepared to succeed at airline assessment and type rating training.

    VA’s APS MCC graduates are achieving an impressive pass rate of over 85% at their first airline assessment, which compares favourably with the industry average pass rate of 45-50% for pilots who have completed an MCC/JOC course.

    VA graduates have been recruited by many different airlines, including: British Airways, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Jet2, easyJet, TUI, Iberia, Loganair, DHL, Air Baltic, Aer Lingus and Air Tanker.

  • The highest standards of instruction

    Our training management and team of more than thirty MCC instructors are dedicated to helping trainees like you to successfully achieve the challenging transition into being competent airline pilots.

    Many of our instructors are qualified to TRI/TRE level, and most of our instructor team are still in active airline flying roles, with airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, easyJet and Ryanair.

  • The right environment to maximise your performance

    We want you to get the most out of your training with us. Throughout your course, you’ll have access to all of the study facilities and equipment we have for trainees at our Cambridge Airport Training Centre, including FMC trainers and full-size flight deck mock-ups.

    You will have private space to study with your fellow trainees, along with refreshments and super-fast WiFi.

Train on the Airbus A320 or the Boeing 737. It’s your choice.

VA is the only ATO in Europe offering a choice of aircraft types for APS MCC, and we have invested in new, latest-generation flight simulators to deliver the most immersive training experience possible. When booking your course, you can choose to train on the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737.

FAQs

  • APS MCC is a specialised course designed to equip aspiring airline pilots with the necessary skills and competencies to operate effectively in a multi-crew cockpit environment. It focuses on enhancing communication, teamwork, and decision-making abilities, which are essential for safe and efficient airline operations.

    View and download APS MCC Pilot Competencies >

  • Yes. APS MCC training must meet regulatory standards set by aviation authorities such as the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

    VA Airline Training is unusual in holding dual UK CAA and EASA approvals. For pilots with a DUAL licence, this means that an APS MCC qualification from VA can apply to both licences.

  • To start an APS MCC course, you must have completed a Multi Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR). It’s not necessary for the MEIR to be on your licence, as the skills test report form will be sufficient.

    You don’t need to have a Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL) before starting the APS MCC. Some trainees choose to compete the CPL after the APS MCC.

    The UPRT can also be completed before or after the APS MCC, depending on your preference.

  • Yes. To avoid a potentially lengthy gap between finishing flight training and starting APS MCC, most trainees plan ahead and book an APS MCC course before completing their MEIR. 2-3 months is the average advance booking time.

    If you book before completing your MEIR, we recommend choosing an APS MCC course date that is at least one month after you expect to complete your flight training (allowing extra time for delays). This is to ensure that you have enough time for the APS MCC pre-course study.

    View available course dates >

  • 3 weeks.

    Courses start each week throughout the year, normally starting on a Monday and finishing on the Saturday of the third week.

    The 20 days total duration includes 15 days training (5 days classroom, 10 days simulator training) as well as 5 rest/study days which are spaced evenly throughout to avoid fatigue.

  • £5,750 plus VAT (£6,900 including VAT).

    You only need to pay a deposit of £1,500 including VAT when you book online. This will secure your place on a course and give you instant online access to the extensive library of pre-course study materials.

    The remaining payment of £5,400 including VAT is not due until 14 days before your course starts, and can be paid by bank transfer or debit/credit card.

  • Yes.

    Rescheduling to a later course:
    Up to 30 days before your course starts, you have complete flexibility to reschedule to a later course date.

    Rescheduling to an earlier course:
    You have complete flexibility to reschedule to an earlier course date. If the earlier date you want is already fully booked, you can join a waitlist as spaces on fully booked courses can become available when other trainees reschedule.

Course fees and information

for UK CAA or EASA licence holders

AirlineReady® APS MCC

Courses start each week, lasting for 3 weeks

Airbus A320 or Boeing 737

Course fee for UK CAA or EASA
£5,750 plus VAT = £6,900

for DUAL licence holders

AirlineReady® APS MCC

Courses start each week, lasting for 3 weeks

Airbus A320 or Boeing 737

Course fee for DUAL
£6,250 plus VAT = £7,500

DUAL qualification is a £600 inc. VAT add-on, enabling DUAL licence holders to gain UK CAA and EASA qualifications from a single course

BOOK WITH A £1,500 DEPOSIT
Book online and secure your place with a just a £1,500 deposit. The remainder will be due 14 days before your course start date.

PRE-COURSE DISTANCE LEARNING
When you book online, you will get instant online access to our learning management system, with an extensive library of pre-course study material.

DATE CHANGES
If you need to change to a later course, you can do that without charge, right up to 30 days before your original start date. You can also change to an earlier course at any time.

ACCOMMODATION
Learn more about the accommodation options available for VA trainees.

ADVANCED UPRT
Learn more about Advanced UPRT with British Aerobatic Academy at Fowlmere Airfield, near Cambridge.

What’s included

  • 30 hours (5 days) of Theoretical Knowledge Instruction, including Airline Oriented Training

  • 20 hours of briefing and de-briefing before and after simulator training sessions

  • 40 hours (10 days) of type-specific flight simulator training, with pass/fail Final Assessment

  • Online access to all training materials and manuals, including digital flight deck posters

  • Use of self-study facilities, including FMC trainers and full-size flight deck mock-ups

  • SOPs handbook for you to keep

  • Competency Assurance

  • 20% discount on Simulator Assessment Preparation for graduates

Enjoy your stay in the historic City of Cambridge

Courses take place at our Cambridge Airport Training Centre which is close to London Stansted. Cambridge Airport is just 10 minutes from the City Centre and railway station, with shuttle buses running every 10 minutes.

Getting to Cambridge

  • Cambridge is easily accessible from all five London airports.

  • Trains run non-stop from London Kings Cross (journey time 45 minutes) every thirty minutes and from London Stansted Airport on a frequent basis.

Training backed by VA’s unique Competency Assurance™

Competency Assurance™ has been designed to give you peace of mind and provide support during your training.

Competency Assurance™ commitment: if additional training is needed (as determined by VA’s Head of Training) to achieve the required competencies, additional training will be provided by VA at no additional cost. This enables you to focus completely on your training and not worry about finding additional funds to achieve competence.

VA programmes are fully aligned to ICAO Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) standards. Our APS MCC courses also conclude with a Skills Test to enable you to demonstrate that you have achieved the required competencies to a standard that airline employers will immediately recognise.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the AirlineReady® APS MCC, we will be happy to help.

Please call us or send a message.

Prospective customers (pre-booking enquiries)
07563 243727 - Call, Text or WhatsApp
from outside UK dial +44 7563 243727

Existing customers (after-booking enquiries)
01223 979737
from outside UK dial +44 1223 979737

Send a message