The integrated airline transport pilot programme at Pilot Flight Academy takes just two years to complete and as a newly-qualified pilot, you will have all the certificates and ratings you need to start a career with an airline. The programme requires motivation and dedication, and you are challenged on both your efforts and attitudes from the first day of school to prepare you for a future career as a pilot.
On the very first day of the education programme, you will receive a uniform and an iPad which contains the complete syllabus. The programme starts off with approximately eight months of theoretical training. Thereafter, you will have about 230 flight and simulator hours before you must pass a skill test conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Once passed, you will receive the following European pilot certifications: EASA frozen ATPL(A) with CPL(A), IR/ME, MEP, APS MCC, LPA, PBN and Advanced UPRT. You are then able to operate as a co-pilot on multi-pilot, multi-engine aeroplanes in commercial air transport and ready to start your career as a professional pilot!
Theory
Our pilot training programme consists of many hours of high-quality classroom instruction for the ATPL(A), the highest certification for commercial pilots. All theoretical knowledge subjects are equally important.
During the theoretical training, you will receive instruction in 13 subjects and sit through 13 exams. The subjects are delivered in three blocks and following each theory block, you will sit for the official CAA exams in the subjects delivered. The first theory block will cover four subjects, the second block will cover five subjects, and the third block will cover four subjects.
The theoretical training consists of 764 hours in total, of which the majority of hours will be conducted in a classroom, however, students will also have the opportunity to experience simulator demonstrations and visits to the hangar and ATC tower.
All instruction is conducted in English by our multinational Theoretical Knowledge Instructors.
Air Law
Duration: 54 hours This subject provides a comprehensive understanding of the legal framework governing aviation, including the responsibilities of pilots, operators, and air traffic controllers, as well as the rules and regulations governing air traffic management. As an aspiring pilot or aviation professional, it is crucial to have a strong foundation in air law to ensure compliance with legal requirements, uphold high standards of safety and security, and effectively navigate the complexities of aviation operations. Throughout this course, you will gain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to effectively apply air law concepts to real-world situations, enabling you to make informed decisions in compliance.
Aircraft General Knowledge
Duration: 113 hours This subject is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the aircraft’s airframe, systems, and powerplant. By the end of the course, you will have a thorough understanding of various aspects of the aircraft, including its construction, materials, aerodynamics, propulsion, fuel systems, electrical systems, hydraulic systems, and more. This knowledge will be essential for your future career as a professional pilot, as it will enable you to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions in a wide range of situations. Throughout the subject, you will gain practical skills and knowledge that will prepare you for the challenges of the aviation industry, and you will develop a strong foundation for your future studies and career development.
Aircraft General Knowledge – Instrumentation
Duration: 57 hours This subject is designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of the principles of operation of different aircraft instruments and avionics systems, as well as their applications in various flight scenarios. Aspiring pilots will learn about the different types of instruments used in aircraft, their functions, and how to interpret the data they provide. Additionally, you will gain an understanding of avionics systems, including communication, navigation, and surveillance systems, and their importance in modern aviation. With this knowledge, you will be well-equipped to use these systems effectively to ensure safe and successful flight operations.
Mass and Balance
Duration: 24 hours This subject introduces the fundamental principles of mass and balance, including weight, center of gravity, and moment calculations. Students will learn about the effects of fuel consumption, cargo loading, and passenger distribution on the aircraft’s center of gravity, as well as regulations and guidelines governing aircraft loading and weight distribution. The subject covers the calculation of take-off and landing performance data based on the aircraft’s mass and balance and the familiarization with computerized mass and balance programs. Practical applications of mass and balance calculations, such as load planning and distribution, will also be covered.
Performance
Duration: 42 hours This subject covers the fundamental principles of aircraft performance, including the factors affecting take-off and landing, climb and descent performance, cruise performance, and range and endurance. Students will learn about the effects of weight, altitude, temperature, and wind on aircraft performance and the techniques used to calculate and optimize aircraft performance.
Flight Planning and Monitoring
Duration: 54 hours This subject covers the fundamental principles of flight planning and monitoring for commercial air transport operations. Students will learn about the regulations and guidelines governing flight planning and monitoring, as well as the practical applications of flight planning, including route selection, fuel calculations, weather considerations, and contingency planning.
Human Performance and Limitations
Duration: 50 hours Human Performance subject provides an in-depth study of human factors that affect aviation safety, including physiological, psychological, and social factors. It covers topics such as stress and fatigue management, decision making, communication, situational awareness, crew resource management, and safety culture. The subject is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to manage human factors effectively in a commercial aviation environment.
Meteorology
Duration: 90 hours This subject covers the principles of meteorology that are essential for pilots to understand to operate safely in a variety of weather conditions. The subject will cover the composition and structure of the atmosphere, atmospheric circulation, air masses and fronts, thunderstorms and icing conditions, fog and visibility, and meteorological reports and forecasts. Through this subject, students will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to predict weather patterns, make informed decisions about flight operations, and handle unexpected weather-related situations.
General Navigation
Duration: 75 hours This subject covers the principles and practices of navigation, including the use of maps, charts, and instruments to determine position and flight path. The subject has been designed to provide aspiring pilots with a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and techniques of general navigation, including the Earth’s coordinate system, navigation charts and publications, time standardization, navigation systems and principles, flight planning and monitoring, and the effects of wind and temperature on navigation. By studying this manual, students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate accurately and confidently during your flight operations.
Radio Navigation
Duration: 75 hours This subject covers the principles and techniques of radio navigation that are essential for pilots to operate safely and efficiently in a variety of airspace environments. The topics covered throughout the subject are radio waves and propagation, radio navigation aids, radio communication procedures, and the use of electronic navigation equipment. By the end of this course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of radio navigation and the ability to ensure safe and accurate flight operations.
Operational Procedures
Duration: 30 hours This subject covers the principles and techniques of operational procedures that are essential for pilots to operate safely and efficiently in various operating conditions and environments. The topics will cover general requirements for operational procedures, special operational procedures and hazards, and specialized operations. By the end of this course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of operational procedures and be able to apply this knowledge to ensure safe and efficient flight operations.
Principles of Flight
Duration: 70 hours This subject covers the fundamental principles of flight and their application to the operation of fixed-wing aircraft. The course will cover subsonic and high-speed aerodynamics, stall and spin recovery, stability and control, limitations, propellers, and flight mechanics.
Communications
Duration: 30 hours This subject covers the principles and techniques of communication in aviation, with an emphasis on radio communication. Students will learn about the associated terms, general operating procedures, relevant weather information, voice communication failure, distress and urgency procedures, VHF propagation and allocation of frequencies, and other types of communication.
Area 100 Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA)
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) integrated ATPL(A) training requires a comprehensive understanding of aviation theory, practices, and regulations. One of the key areas in this programme is the 100 Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA) which covers a wide range of topics related to air operations, aerodynamics, meteorology, navigation, and communication. The aim of this subject is to prepare pilot trainees with the necessary knowledge and skills to operate an aircraft safely and efficiently, while developing attitudes that promote professionalism, ethical behaviour, and a commitment to lifelong learning. The 100 KSA subject is essential for any commercial pilot seeking an ATPL(A) license, and its mastery is vital for a successful career in aviation.
The area includes a variety of assessments, including summative assessments at the end of each theory block, as well as formative assessments throughout theoretical subjects. These assessments are designed to provide students with feedback on their progress and help them identify areas where they may need additional support. In addition, students are required to take a Mental Maths test in the final block of the theoretical training, which helps to ensure that they can perform essential calculations quickly and accurately while in flight.
Flight
USA
Pilot Flight Academy has partnered with a well-established flight academy in Denton, Texas, USA, called US Aviation Academy to provide the first phases of the flight programme. The big advantage of training in the USA is capacity and weather, allowing regular and continuous flight training which is important in the basic phase of flight training. The operation in the USA will be under Pilot Flight Academy’s Approved Training Organisation (ATO), Standard Operating Procedures, and training and safety standards. Curious to know more about your training in the USA? Check out our blog post here!
Norway
Upon return to Norway, you will advance to a multi-engine Diamond DA 42 NG simulator and DA 42 NG aircraft for the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) phase of flight training. Advanced UPRT (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training) has been included as a mandatory part of the pilot training since 2020. In the final phase of training, you will learn how to operate bigger aircraft as part of a crew in the APS MCC course (35 hours) in Pilot Flight Academy’s advanced Boeing 737 simulator.
Flight Training
The flight training is a structured process that consists of six phases, each designed to progressively build a pilot’s skills and knowledge. Here is an elaboration on each phase and where they are conducted.
Phase 1: VFR Single-Engine Basic Maneuvering
Duration: 10 hours of instruction
This phase focuses on teaching basic maneuvering skills in Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions. Students learn essential flight maneuvers and handling of a single-engine aircraft. Normally conducted at USAA Denton
Phase 2: VFR Single-Engine Takeoffs, Landings, and Emergency Training
Duration: 12 hours of instruction and 30 minutes solo flight time
In this phase, students continue to refine their skills with an emphasis on takeoffs, landings, and handling emergency situations in single-engine aircraft. Normally conducted at USAA Denton
Phase 3: VFR Single-Engine Cross-Country Navigation and VFR Night
Duration: 16 hours and 15 minutes of instruction, with 49 hours and 30 minutes of solo flight time
This phase introduces students to cross-country navigation and night flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Normally conducted at USAA Denton
Phase 4: IFR Single-Engine and Multi-Engine Instrument Training
In phase 4 of flight training, students delve into instrument flight training (IFR) and multi-engine aircraft operations. It includes basic instrument training, procedural instrument training, and cross-country navigation – both single and multi-engine.
Part 1: IFR Single-Engine Basic Instrument
Duration: 16 hours of instruction
Normally conducted at USAA Denton
Part 2: IFR Single-Engine Procedural Instrument and Cross-Country Navigation
Duration: 16 hours of instruction, with 20 hours of student pilot in command time
Normally conducted at USAA Denton
Part 3: IFR Multi-Engine Procedural Instrument
Duration: 24 hours of instruction
Conducted in Norway
Part 4: VFR Multi-Engine Basic Maneuvering, Takeoffs, Landings and Emergency Training
Duration: 7 hours of instruction
Conducted in Norway
Part 5: IFR Single/Multi-Engine Procedural Instrument Cross-Country Navigation
Duration: 23 hours of instruction
Conducted in Norway
Phase 5: Advanced UPRT (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training)
Duration: 5 hours of instruction
This phase focuses on teaching students how to prevent and recover from aircraft upsets, enhancing their safety skills. Conducted in Norway
Phase 6: APS MCC (Airline Pilot Standards Multi-Crew Cooperation)
Duration: 35 hours of instruction
This final phase prepares students for the responsibilities of airline pilots by emphasizing multi-crew cooperation and airline standards. Conducted in Norway
Overall, these phases provide a comprehensive and progressive training programme to equip aspiring pilots with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful aviation career. The locations of the training phases are strategically chosen to provide diverse flying experiences and conditions.
General Learning Objectives
Excerpt from chapter 4, sub-chapter 4.1.1 – 4.1.3 in the Curriculum for the ATP(A) Integrated commercial pilot training.
General Learning Objectives (Overordnet læringsutbytte)
Knowledge Following course completion, the student: – has knowledge of mathematics, physics, navigation, human performance & limitations, aerodynamics, and systems required as a commercial pilot. – can assess precautions and regulations regarding the operation of aircraft during winter conditions and in mountainous areas required as a commercial pilot. – has industry knowledge and recognition of national- and international aviation rules and regulations required as a commercial pilot. – can update their knowledge and stay abreast of evolving practices and regulations relevant to the aviation industry. – knows importance of risk assessment and exhibit proficiency in the handling of risk required as a commercial pilot. – has insight into the term “just culture” and recognize that aviation safety is based on a good and functioning aviation safety culture.
Skills Following course completion, the student: – can explain and apply national and international rules and regulations related to multi-engine piston aircraft operations. – can reflect Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) on their own professional practice during both day and night operations in Visual and Instrument Meteorological Conditions (VMC and IMC). – can assess necessary precautions when operating in winter conditions and mountainous areas. – can find and refer to the technical and human abilities required to serve as the Pilot in Command (PiC) within a multi-crew environment. – can assess the Threat and Error Management concept when evaluating conditions, risks, and compliance with rules and regulations in their operations.
General Competencies Following course completion, the student: – can plan and carry out safe airmanship practices and effectively carry out responsibilities as a valuable colleague in an airline as a commercial pilot. – can carry out commercial pilot duties with proficiency. – can exchange views within the aviation community, discuss aviation matters, and contribute expertise. – actively seeks new knowledge and skills by participating in discussions, seminars, and on other platforms to develop further.
Airline Cadet Training
In addition to delivering commercial pilot training to individual students through our Integrated ATPL programme, Pilot Flight Academy has delivered training to a number of sponsored airline cadets over the recent years.
Pilot Flight Academy is highly recognised by Civil Aviation Authorities and airlines for its high-quality training, modern facilities and equipment. Pilot Flight Academy has been trusted in delivering cadet pilot programmes for Air France, British Airways and easyJet on behalf of L3Harris. In addition, Pilot Flight Academy is proud to have been selected by All Nippon Airways Group to deliver sponsored cadet programmes for ANA and Peach Aviation.
“First of all, we would like to send a BIG appreciation to all the PFA staff and instructors who helped us come through the last two years of training!! There is no doubt to say that everything we experienced in Norway has made this two years of journey to be one of the greatest accomplishments of our lives, and the biggest satisfaction was to be able to complete the entire training program with all six of us in a group. Although there were situations where things got a little difficult, the beautiful view of Gaustatoppen and the fjords made us forget the difficulties, and those views will definitely be something that we will never forget for the rest of our lives. We also feel lucky that we studied with our classmates from 20T9; to be immersed in a classroom where everything was conducted in English (or sometimes in Norwegian) is something we can never experience in Japan, and interacting with our classmates made the theory classes rich in context. (Hope we had more time to spend in the classroom together if it wasn’t for COVID-19…). Out of school, we were invited to the constitution day party and new years party, which we really enjoyed, and sometimes we played football together. It is a good memory that we shared some enjoyable times! In the future, what we learned in PFA will in no doubt be a big help for our pilot career, and we all feel proud that we received the basis of our aviation career in PFA. We all look forward to flying the Norwegian sky again someday in the future✈️. TUSEN TAKK!!“
Widerøe, a Norwegian airline, invested in Pilot Flight Academy as it valued the high quality and standard of the training delivered, recognising the opportunity for a potential quality commercial pilot supply.
In an audit by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the inspectors quoted that they “considered Pilot Flight Academy as the best ATO in Europe they had inspected.”
Pilot Flight Academy is unique when it comes to student financing that is offered through the Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Finnish governments. Up to 90% of the total (Integrated ATPL) programme costs can be financed. Additionally, funding for accommodation and other living costs can be granted. Airlines seeking cadets from Scandinavian countries are entitled to receive government funding for Scandinavian cadets in their cadet programmes.
