<p>The last time I shared an update on my Integrated ATPL training was back in May, and since then a lot has changed due to Covid-19. In this final post, I’ll be sharing the journey of the final months of my pilot training with Skyborne Airline Academy.</p>
<p><img alt="Matt Langridge" src="/getasset/b629efe8-5a70-4ad1-b0ff-2b803257cf8f/" /></p>
<p>I am proud to say I have now successfully completed the following courses: Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR), Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT) and Airline Pilot Standards Multi-Crew Cooperation (APS MCC). To say I’ve been quite busy these past few months is an understatement!</p>
<p>During the first UK lockdown, Skyborne ensured that ground school students could continue their ATPL ground school virtually, which was great because it allowed me to sit in on the lessons and refresh my knowledge. Following government guidelines, we were allowed to return to Skyborne in the summer for in-person training and I went straight into preparing for my CPL exam. This part of the course tests your ability to fly visually, as you are required to remain out of cloud cover at all times. You are taught to be able to navigate and maintain separation from terrain and other aircraft, based on what you can see from the aircraft windows.</p>
<p>After completing my core flight training, it was important for me to learn the differences in the UK landscape, radios and airspace. Although, this was initially quite challenging for me, with the help of my instructors and some extra time invested on the ground I was able to complete the exam without any problems.</p>
<p>Once my CPL was complete, it was straight into the Instrument Rating (IR) phase. Instrument flying focuses more on procedural than Visual Flight Rules (VFR), which was not that different from the IR flying I had already done in my core flight training. I mentioned in my last blog post how much I enjoyed the extra complexity that comes with IR flying, and this was also the first time I was able to fly in Skyborne’s new DA42 simulator. Although it was a huge relief to complete my IR as it signified the end of my formal flight testing phase, it was also bittersweet as I realised it was potentially the last time I would be flying in the DA42.</p>
<p>The week after I passed my MEIR exam, I was back in a single-engine aircraft for my UPRT course. This part of the training teaches you the techniques to recover your aircraft if you were to find yourself in an unusual attitude. More importantly, it teaches you to spot the warning signs to avoid an ‘upset’ happening in the first place. Skyborne’s UPRT course includes one day of ground school and then three flights in the Slingsby T67 Firefly, an aerobatics aircraft. This was the first time I had ever done aerobatics, making me a little apprehensive of what was to come. However, it was great fun. The only downside was that I wanted to do more!</p>
<p>The final part of my training was completed in Skyborne’s Boeing 737 MAX simulator for my APS MCC. Up until this point, all of my flyings had been done as a single pilot, but this course is designed to help you prepare for life with an airline by introducing you to working in a multi-crew environment, operating a large jet and looking at flight plans and weather over a much longer distance than in your earlier phases of training.</p>
<p>My APS course took three weeks to finish, with the first week being back in the classroom where you learn how the B737 MAX operates and the differences when working with a co-pilot. The final two weeks are then conducted in the B737 MAX simulator, splitting my time between acting as the pilot monitoring, and the pilot flying. Having been part of a team for so long when I was an Olympic rower, I appreciate the importance of effective teamwork and really enjoyed this part of course. It was nice to see how the dynamic between my co-pilot and I developed throughout the two weeks. I also relished the challenge of learning to fly the B737 MAX and the complexities of piloting a large jet.</p>
<p>I think it’s a great option that Skyborne offers APS MCC. You receive an extra 20 hours of simulator time when compared to the traditional MCC course. These additional hours were hugely beneficial and allowed me to come to terms with the differences between flying a small plane and a large jet. By the end of the training, I felt the course has prepared me well for future type rating flying.</p>
<p><img alt="Matt Langridge" src="/getasset/62294688-b3c2-49f4-8bb5-e771461eb453/" /></p>
<p>I’m sure there are many trainee pilots preparing for final exams at the moment. The best bit of advice I can give you is to trust in your ability as your ATO will not enter you for your exams if you’re not ready. You just need to continue to replicate the performance you have already been demonstrating in the final stages.</p>
<p>I can’t quite believe I have completed my Integrated ATPL, it’s a real mix of emotions. I was pleased to say I had finished and to class myself as a qualified pilot, but I was also sad, as I knew it could be some time until I’m back in the sky flying again. For now, I’m currently job hunting and hope that I’ll be doing what I love again soon.</p>
<p><strong>Did you miss out on the previous blogs from Matt Langridge? Please see below.</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/matt-langridge-mbe-4-core-training-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/">Matt Langridge MBE - #4 Core training during the coronavirus pandemic</a></p>
<p><a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/matt-langridge-mbe-my-big-career-change-3-my-first-solo-flight/">Matt Langridge MBE "my big career change" #3 - my first solo flight</a></p>
<p><img alt="Matt Langridge" src="/getasset/b629efe8-5a70-4ad1-b0ff-2b803257cf8f/" /></p>
<p>I am proud to say I have now successfully completed the following courses: Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR), Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT) and Airline Pilot Standards Multi-Crew Cooperation (APS MCC). To say I’ve been quite busy these past few months is an understatement!</p>
<p>During the first UK lockdown, Skyborne ensured that ground school students could continue their ATPL ground school virtually, which was great because it allowed me to sit in on the lessons and refresh my knowledge. Following government guidelines, we were allowed to return to Skyborne in the summer for in-person training and I went straight into preparing for my CPL exam. This part of the course tests your ability to fly visually, as you are required to remain out of cloud cover at all times. You are taught to be able to navigate and maintain separation from terrain and other aircraft, based on what you can see from the aircraft windows.</p>
<p>After completing my core flight training, it was important for me to learn the differences in the UK landscape, radios and airspace. Although, this was initially quite challenging for me, with the help of my instructors and some extra time invested on the ground I was able to complete the exam without any problems.</p>
<p>Once my CPL was complete, it was straight into the Instrument Rating (IR) phase. Instrument flying focuses more on procedural than Visual Flight Rules (VFR), which was not that different from the IR flying I had already done in my core flight training. I mentioned in my last blog post how much I enjoyed the extra complexity that comes with IR flying, and this was also the first time I was able to fly in Skyborne’s new DA42 simulator. Although it was a huge relief to complete my IR as it signified the end of my formal flight testing phase, it was also bittersweet as I realised it was potentially the last time I would be flying in the DA42.</p>
<p>The week after I passed my MEIR exam, I was back in a single-engine aircraft for my UPRT course. This part of the training teaches you the techniques to recover your aircraft if you were to find yourself in an unusual attitude. More importantly, it teaches you to spot the warning signs to avoid an ‘upset’ happening in the first place. Skyborne’s UPRT course includes one day of ground school and then three flights in the Slingsby T67 Firefly, an aerobatics aircraft. This was the first time I had ever done aerobatics, making me a little apprehensive of what was to come. However, it was great fun. The only downside was that I wanted to do more!</p>
<p>The final part of my training was completed in Skyborne’s Boeing 737 MAX simulator for my APS MCC. Up until this point, all of my flyings had been done as a single pilot, but this course is designed to help you prepare for life with an airline by introducing you to working in a multi-crew environment, operating a large jet and looking at flight plans and weather over a much longer distance than in your earlier phases of training.</p>
<p>My APS course took three weeks to finish, with the first week being back in the classroom where you learn how the B737 MAX operates and the differences when working with a co-pilot. The final two weeks are then conducted in the B737 MAX simulator, splitting my time between acting as the pilot monitoring, and the pilot flying. Having been part of a team for so long when I was an Olympic rower, I appreciate the importance of effective teamwork and really enjoyed this part of course. It was nice to see how the dynamic between my co-pilot and I developed throughout the two weeks. I also relished the challenge of learning to fly the B737 MAX and the complexities of piloting a large jet.</p>
<p>I think it’s a great option that Skyborne offers APS MCC. You receive an extra 20 hours of simulator time when compared to the traditional MCC course. These additional hours were hugely beneficial and allowed me to come to terms with the differences between flying a small plane and a large jet. By the end of the training, I felt the course has prepared me well for future type rating flying.</p>
<p><img alt="Matt Langridge" src="/getasset/62294688-b3c2-49f4-8bb5-e771461eb453/" /></p>
<p>I’m sure there are many trainee pilots preparing for final exams at the moment. The best bit of advice I can give you is to trust in your ability as your ATO will not enter you for your exams if you’re not ready. You just need to continue to replicate the performance you have already been demonstrating in the final stages.</p>
<p>I can’t quite believe I have completed my Integrated ATPL, it’s a real mix of emotions. I was pleased to say I had finished and to class myself as a qualified pilot, but I was also sad, as I knew it could be some time until I’m back in the sky flying again. For now, I’m currently job hunting and hope that I’ll be doing what I love again soon.</p>
<p><strong>Did you miss out on the previous blogs from Matt Langridge? Please see below.</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/matt-langridge-mbe-4-core-training-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/">Matt Langridge MBE - #4 Core training during the coronavirus pandemic</a></p>
<p><a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/matt-langridge-mbe-my-big-career-change-3-my-first-solo-flight/">Matt Langridge MBE "my big career change" #3 - my first solo flight</a></p>