Daniele Ungaro
Daniele completed his APS MCC at VA Airline Training in 2018, when it was still a new course, and he was recruited by Ryanair soon after. Since then, Daniele has already progressed to becoming a Type Rating Instructor (TRI) with Ryanair
What inspired you to pursue a career as a commercial pilot?
Since I was a child my dream was to become a pilot. I used to sit down and listen to my Grandad’s stories as an aircraft mechanic during WWII , and I believe those influenced my decision later on in life.
What did you do before starting pilot training?
I studied Latin and Greek in school. Before setting off to pursue the aviation dream, I served in the military in Italy for a year then I worked as lifeguard, swimming instructor, cabin crew and flight dispatcher while saving founds to pay for flight training.
Which training route did you choose to follow, and why?
I decided to pursue the modular route, simply because it was better suited around my work and gave me the flexibility to choose the best training provider for every stage of training.
What challenges did you face before or during training?
It wasn’t a smooth ride as I was expecting, but the passion kept me going and I overcame every obstacle. Funding issues, aircraft becoming unavailable, and organising time off to sit exams are just a few of the hurdles I went through during my adventure.
What were the highlights of your time in training?
I definitely have a clear image of my first solo flight, a very cold day in December 2012 on a very frosty grass runway near London. I also highlight the satisfaction feeling I had after completing the ATPL theory exam, the CPL flight test down in Italy and, more recently, passing the assessment of competence during the Type Rating Instructor (TRI) course which was the hardest training I faced so far in my aviation career.
How did the competencies you developed during your APS MCC help you afterwards?
APS MCC is a must-have training to embrace the first airline interview with the best level of preparation, it gives you the first insight of how to work in a multi crew commercial airline environment and the experience with VA definitely created the right mindset to sit an interview with confidence.
What have been the highlights since you started airline flying?
I remember the emotions flying to my hometown airport Bari in southern Italy in a big jet for the first time; a flashback occurred to when I used to sit on the sidewalk with my Dad and watch planes taking off and landing.
What advice would you give to someone about to start APS MCC training?
Prepare well for every session, have a plan of action, show your passion for the career and don’t get discouraged by the hurdles along the way.