From a young age I had always aspired to become a pilot. At the age of 15 I completed my first flying lesson and there was no holding back. During secondary school I began investigating and looking into flying schools that offered a Fully Integrated Airline Training Course as I felt this suited me best. I attended a Pilot Careers Live roadshow in Dublin and talked to numerous training organisations including AFTA. I met the ever pleasant, obliging staff and was thoroughly impressed with what they had to offer, their professionalism and reputation and soon after attended an open day. I was overwhelmed with the quality of training facilities, modern fleet of Cessna 172 aircraft and simulators. My mind was made up, especially after contacting current airline pilots who completed their training there.
All of the management, instructors and office staff really do go out of your way to help you in any way possible. Students receive huge ongoing support and mentoring both during and after completing training which is where the school stands out among others. It is the attention to detail, progressive nature of the training and incorporating of commercial CRM and TEM techniques and instruction which in my view is industry leading. Operating in an international airport and flying AFTA’s ever expanding fleet of modern, well-maintained aircraft and flying with different experienced instructors every day really does prepare you for the commercial environment.
It is the attention to detail, progressive nature of the training and incorporating of commercial CRM and TEM techniques and instruction which in my view is industry leading
On completing my MCC/JOC course the school did everything to assist me in obtaining my first airline position. They provided me with excellent airline tailored CV guidance and mock interviews to prepare me. It is this, along with the excellent standard of training that was instrumental in me being offered a First Officer position with Ryanair shortly after completing my training. The standard of training which Ryanair offered during the Type Rating was outstanding and the training I received at AFTA contributed immensely in providing me with a very solid platform in which to start my flying career.
I don’t believe I would be where I am today without AFTA and would definitely recommend any aspiring pilot out there to choose this school in giving them a firm grounding in their commercial aviation career.
Ryan Blake