Insights into a A320 Type Rating in Toulouse, France [2024]

A320 Type Rating is one of the major milestones in every (future) A320 pilot’s career. I was blessed to had done it in the cradle of Europe’s Aviation Centers – at Airbus in Toulouse, France. Here are some experiences of this training.

I arrived to Toulouse, France on 29th February. I had rented an Airbnb appartement there, just a couple of miles from the Airport and Airbus Training Center. Since I knew I needed some privacy in order to rest, study and work as well *yes, I had to run my business while doing TR). The next day it all started.

After having some rest we had our first “Introduction” day where we were given premises badges in order to access simulator, briefing rooms etc. After badges being arranged we went into the “Welcome Center” where we (there was 4 of us in this group) were presented some forms to sign, including an agreement we won’t be taking any pictures or videos while in Airbus Training Center. So, no pictures or videos of rooms, cafeteria, simulators etc. allowed. The “welcome” process took roughly an hour and a half and after that we went to the classroom for first lectures.

Initialy we were presented with Airbus Philosophy model of the “logic” of the instruments and thus airplanes, how and why they fly the way they do.

First day quickly ended and since it was Friday, I was looking for a weekend and some sightseing. And my wife, who ecompanied me, so much more. 🙂

My first weekend was very relaxing. My wife and I visited Toulouse downtown which has many coffee shops, restaurants, museums and simply lots of places to visit. The only problem I notices while staying there for 5 weeks was rarely anyone speaks or wants to speak English. 🙁

Anyways, going back to Type Rating subject: on Monday sessions begun. First week was a bit more focused towards theory because at the end of 1st week we had a test. This test was on a computer in a big computer room and it was basically 100 questions and 4 possible anwsers. Pass boundry was 80% so it was quite demanding but everyone in our group passed with a bit of extra studying you can pass as well. The scope of test is a big extended version of CBTs we had in January/February while still at home.

On the same day (Friday) of our theoretical test our group visited a nearby training center for “Door” training where we were presented with how the aircraft door functions, how to arm/disarm them etc.

Before we went into a full motion simulator we went through APT (Airbus Pilot Transition) on FPT (Flat Panel Training). FPT is actually a quite interesting and useful way of learning about the cockpit and train all the flows that pilots perform during the flight. One doesn’t have to waste full motion simulator time and resurces but get familirized really well on FPT first.

First two weeks of a Type Rating training at Airbus Training Center were quite fun and easy. But after that so called Abnormal Procedures training started. This is actually a section that pilots train enormeous amount of time on simply because these procedures are a matter of life and death once an emergency arises in real life.

These abnormal procedures require pilots full attention, knowledge of the aircraft, systems, tasksharing and good CRM so an issue gets resolved as safe as possible. Knowing about ECAM (Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor) and dealing with it is essential. There are procedures trainees have to master in order to restore the airplanes condition and/or safely land on suitable airport.

At this stage there were a lot more full motion simulator sessions which were a 4-hour sessions where the first 2 hours one pilot was pilot monitoring (PM) and the other pilot flying (PF), and then the next 2 hours this role was reversed. in between we usually had a 10-15 minute break just to gether our thoughts and change seats. Ater the session we had a 30-minute de-briefing. Every session begun with a 1-hour briefing time where the instructor would describe the content of a session infront of us and explain the procedures we would later on perform in simulator.

Of course, one thing is listening about it in a classroom and the other doing it in a simulator. I have to admit these sessions were mentally really challaging for me so after my last check I was completely drained and ready to go home.

After 5 weeks of hard work it was time for a final skill test.

In order to get to the skill test candidates would be “pre-examined” by another instructor who would see if they are ready for skill test or not (usually if you get so far, you are ready). This is just another 4-hour session in simulator including all flows and checklists, taxing out to the runway, take off, usually a minor error and one major ECAM to solve.

After being cleared for a final skill test you will have the last simulator session where you will fly with a TRE (Type Rating Examiner) behind you “drilling” you according to his wishes and imagination. I have to say that my session was very demanding but TRE (and my co-pilot) were very helpful and encouraging, knowing the level I am at and even though I had to show some knowledge, they were aware I didn’t have 15,000hrs of total time behind me. What I was facing was an engine failure immediately after V1, followed with engine fire later on. Within my session there was also some TCAS and weather avoidance.

My final skill test was from 22:00 to 1:30 in the morning, so I was extremely happy when I successfuly completed it and was ready to go to the rented apartment, took final stuff to my car and headed for a 16-hour ride home. Type Rating in Toulouse was complete!

The only thing that was left for me to do and be officially recognized as an Airbus A320 Pilot was base training. Well, this will happen two weeks later.