Pilot training in AAA quality: The Aviation Academy Austria

The last few months have brought far-reaching cuts for the aviation industry. Nevertheless, analysts continue to consider the industry to be of great economic importance and expect the market to recover within a few years. Those who start their training as commercial and airline pilots now can profit from this upswing. And live their dream of a job above the clouds.

Since its establishment in 2009, the ATPL facility of the Aviation Academy Austria (AAA in short) has been preparing around 30 graduates a year to take off in the aviation industry. It is one of the most respected flight schools in Europe, which offer a comprehensive training for professional and airline pilots. One of the young high-flyers is Andreas Klikovits. “I completed my training at the AAA and have now been flying the Embraer 195 for almost 4 years as a pilot with Austrian Airlines. After completing my training, I got a job as an airline pilot very quickly and without any problems,” the 30-year-old says enthusiastically. Andreas Klikovits is not alone with his successful career start. Many of his alumni colleagues now fly either with well-known business jet operators such as Vista Jet and Avconjet or with international airlines such as Eurowings, Edelweiss, British Airways, Ryanair – and of course Austrian Airlines.

From the classroom to the sky

The best way to enter the cockpit of a passenger aircraft is to take the “ATPL integrated” (Airline Transport Pilot Licence Integrated) course. The training takes about 18-24 months. Experience has shown that part-time, in-service training extends the duration to 24-30 months. After successful completion of the course participants are officially entitled to fly single- and multi-engined aircraft under visual and instrument flight conditions. Clear structures guide the students at the AAA step by step to the much desired pilot license:

• The ATPL integrated course begins with the PPL (Private Pilot Licence). This allows students the perfect start with full credit towards the training period. In addition, distance learning via Boeing Courseware for the ATPL theory is used. 35 hours of cross-country flying complete the visual flight competence.
• Students then spend 40 hours on the simulator and 60 hours in the aircraft for IFR (Instrument Flight Regulations) training. Good to know: IFR training at the AAA relies on the so-called buddy concept. This means that each participant spends an additional 40 hours at the simulator and 80 hours in the aircraft as an observer of another student pilot. This means a total of over 200 flying hours and many invaluable experiences.
• The last two modules Advanced UPRT (Upset Prevention Recovery Training) and MCC (Multi Crew Coordination) complete the professional training. In addition, the MCC is combined with a Jet Orientation Course and takes place on an FFS Level D simulator of the AAA parent company in Neusiedl am See.

Detailed information on the seven-stage training course «ATPL integrated» can be found on the course website. course website. Recently, the Aviation Academy Austria also started offering courses in the private flight training sector. You can find all information on this at aviationflightcenter.at.

Aviation Academy Austria: More than a flight school

In addition to aviation meteorologists, air traffic controllers and air law experts, the AAA’s training team consists largely of active airline and former military pilots. They all know that flying is not only about a solid craft: “In our training, we also focus on developing a pilot personality in our student pilots. We see ourselves as role models. Our core values include, for example, punctuality, responsibility in practice, profound flight preparation and follow-up, an open error culture and clear communication,” reports Hans-Peter Masloff, Head of Training at the in-house ATPL Academy. He himself has been active as Commander B777F at Aerologic for many years and knows what is important in everyday airline life. This is one of the reasons why the organizational structure of the AAA is largely based on flight operations. From personnel planning to manuals and session plans, everything is based on the standards of major airlines. This is a plus point that makes it easier for flight students to make the transition to working life later on.

State-of-the-art equipment for the way to the top

“Our fleet is a further component of our concept of professional training: We exclusively operate modern aircraft from the manufacturer Diamond Aircraft, whose modern avionics are optimally prepared for the future “cockpit” workplace,” explains Hans-Peter Masloff. The eleven-unit training fleet at Wiener Neustadt Airport ranges from the DA20E (two-seater basic trainer) to the IFR-equipped DA40 and the successful twin-engined DA4 (both four-seater). All aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art avionics technology – including a Garmin-Glass cockpit.

Discover the sky with AAA

If you would like to learn more about pilot training at the Aviation Academy Austria, please visit the AAA website. If you have specific questions, you can reach the AAA experts at any time via the central mail contact loan.office@aviationacademy.at or by calling +43 5 9449 900.

And if you prefer to get a first-hand impression, you are welcome to come to the Info Day on 23 July 2020 in Neusiedl am See or to the Open Day on 19 September 2020. The AAA team is looking forward to welcoming prospective professional pilots!

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