Seán Stanley
When choosing a flight school for my pilot training, I spent some time researching and comparing different options. After careful consideration, I decided to go with AFTA because of its impressive track record and reputation with various airlines. I often saw Ryanair pilots wearing AFTA/Ryanair lanyards at Dublin Airport, which spoke of AFTA’s success and further cemented my decision to enrol in AFTA for my pilot training and to join the Ryanair Mentored Program.
Upon arriving at AFTA in October 2022, I knew I had made the right choice. The staff and instructors have been nothing short of exceptional and always available to provide support, whether it be for a difficult subject, honing my flying skills, or just someone to talk to. The course structure is well-designed and provides the platform to ensure success from the get-go. The progression from Single-Engine, Multi-Engine, Instrument Rating, to APS MCC was seamless, with each stage building on the skills learned in the previous one.
Thanks to AFTA, and with my PPL already obtained prior, I was able to complete my training and apply for my Commercial license in just 13 months. This would not have been possible without their state-of-the-art fleet, as well as their own ramp and facilities in Cork and Waterford. Despite the occasional delays due to weather and commercial traffic at Cork Airport (which also enhanced exposure to real-life operations), the Operations team and instructors always managed to get me back on track.
AFTA’s Graduate Development Programme was instrumental in my success at the interview with Ryanair. This, coupled with the comprehensive and effective training I received from day 1 at the school, prepared me well for this all-important interview. I believe this is a testament to the effectiveness of the training provided by AFTA and will inspire others to pursue similar opportunities.
I wholeheartedly recommend AFTA to anyone considering a career in aviation.
Seán