I traveled down to visit AFTA once I decided to pursue my goal of becoming a commercial pilot, and found their professionalism and the quality of their facilities, including aircraft, to be above and beyond other schools I’d considered as well as any expectations that I’d had.
Once I started on their integrated course the instruction received, both in the classroom and during lessons in the aircraft, really made you feel confident in your abilities as a pilot. The instructors had very high standards, but really helped you reach them and I felt confident going into exams like the CPL or MEIR skills tests as the instructors were always on hand to give advice or go over procedures until you felt flying the aircraft became second nature.
Operating in the same airspace as other commercial traffic at Cork airport was an added challenge but really gave me the experience that I wouldn’t have been able to get anywhere else, taking off and landing beside 737’s and A320’s. It forced you to improve your airmanship, situational awareness and your radio calls. What’s more, the weather that Cork receives allowed me to challenge myself even further, actually experiencing IFR conditions rather than fair-weather flying is an incredible thing that pilots on the line see every day but most students don’t experience until they’re already in a job. It really puts you in the mindset of a Captain having to think about alternate airports, traffic and weather conditions each time you go flying.
Operating in the same airspace as other commercial traffic at Cork airport was an added challenge but really gave me the experience that I wouldn’t have been able to get anywhere else
I’m about to start a career with one of Europe’s largest airlines and truly believe I wouldn’t be here without the help and training I received from the team at AFTA.
Jordan Dooney