Hi everyone,
I (30m, from the Netherlands) recently finished my CPL/ME/IR (still waiting on the license issue by the Greek CAA) and currently looking into the APS-MCC and looking for some genuine advice.
I have contacted several APS-MCC providers and listed some pro/cons of each.
I currently have a fulltime job at which I can easily get 4 weeks of paid leave, so most of the APS-MCC courses could be done during this time (I do however have a 3 month notice period).
EPST
I have done my CPl/ME/IR at a partner school of EPST (global aviation) so it might make sense to complete the APS-MCC with them as well. The biggest con with them however is the timeframe. The first selection day for EPST will be in March 2026, and then probably another 3 month wait to commence the APS-MCC. The program takes 10-12 weeks and after that I’ll still need to be invited for assessments at their partner airlines, all in all this would take more than a year. It does seem that they have quite a high ‘placement ratio’ and most Dutch airlines value them, but they do not offer a job or assessment guarantee.
(Next to that there is also the opportunity of not passing the selection assessment which means I waited for nothing, although I think with the proper preparation any assessment should be doable).
2. AFA – Gateway 2 Ryanair
I contacted AFA and they have 2 monthly intakes. The program takes about 3-4 weeks after which you can expect to continue onto an assessment with Ryanair. The biggest con here is obviously the self sponsoring of the TR. I can probably find financing for the 30K but I am no sure about the timeframe and my willingness to take out a loan for this. Is there anyone with recent experience or knowledge, how long did it take after finishing the APS-MCC until the assessment at Ryanair, and how long did it take to the start of the TR after this? When does Ryanair start paying salary, at the commencement of the TR? or only at line training?
3. Non-affiliated fligh schools – I.e. Simnest, Sky4U, Oslo Flight Academy, EAA (rome), [insert any other suggestions here]
The main pro for non-affiliated flight schools is the time frame, starting the programme can usually be done within 1-2 months and the program typically takes 2-3 weeks. next to that they tend to be a bit cheaper. Job applications might be harder going this route though.
4. Orbit Groundschool
I have done my ATPL theory with them through a distance learning course which was fine, They recently started an APS-MCC course and have a special offer for former students of them. Does anyone have any experience with their APS-MCC and subsequent job opportunities?
I guess in general my question come to this: What is the best way to go about the APS-MCC? Does it really matter where you did the APS-MCC?
Good connections with airlines are obviously beneficial but, with regards to my age, I don’t want to waste too much time waiting and not flying (except some SEP hours with family and friends). It might be quicker finishing the APS-MCC at a non-affiliated flight school, but getting into an assessment and job interview might take longer as compared to the affiliated ones.
Any Info and personal opinions or experiences will be greatly appreciated.
Note: I do not care where I’ll be flying, it doesn’t need to be in NL. Also the price for the APS-MCC doesn’t matter that much as they’re all in the same ballpark, maybe +/- €2000 but on the whole investment of my flight training I am not going to let that influence my decision.
Cheers, Ruben
Not an expert but from what I’m hearing it’s a hiring phase now, at least for some airlines. Recently I met a young lady pilot finishing her FI course while securing a job with SAS/Scandinavian having surprisingly low flight hours.
I’d do the MCC and whatever else is required ASAP anywhere and start applying. Also, I don’t really buy the “we are the gateway to XYZ airline” marketing.
I have been to Berlin at SKY4U in 2020 to do my required MCC with JOC, it was very good, and actually it could have met a lot of sense if I had chosen to go with Ryanair, because they proposed a screening training + test, which was a “corridor” to go at the irish low cost, as my teammate and me were at the standard at the end (fluent enough with the B737, time accurate and passed all the sims).
The ryanair screening capability must be checked again, as things are always moving in aviation low costs…
They are base in Luftansa training center, it’s a big place with a lot of full motion sim, and they are all impressive.
The MCC was on a 2D B737-800 sim, instructors were really knowledgeable, a good experience. There’s accomodation, airport nearby, and the pleasure to go out in Berlin during your short free time.
Destinatus wrote:
d do the MCC and whatever else is required ASAP anywhere and start applying. Also, I don’t really buy the “we are the gateway to XYZ airline” marketing.
Unfortunately sometimes it can be true as some training center are delegated the task to screen pilots. But the standard are quite higher than usual and instructors become more pushy. Not sure it’s still the case.
greg_mp wrote:
sometimes it can be true as some training center are delegated the task to screen pilots
Quite a few centres are linked to certain airlines, to the point that the MCC SOPs are thinly disguised SOPs of the relevant airline, with the relevant airline crew as MCCIs. OTOH not sure they actually carry out the jet assessments, if that is the selection process for the airline (some airlines don’t carry out jet assessments as part of the interview/selection process), these are carried out by the airline itself.
It would be interesting to get reports on jet assessments these days. In the old semi clock work days, a leading airline had a penchant for the raw NDB C-T-L at Knock, which am guessing, with an affectionate tipping of the hat to the Culchies, of separating the goats from the sheep :)
I believe these approaches only exist in sims now. Even the beloved corskcrew approach (NDB cross 3 times and finish in back course) in LFMU has been discarded… replaced by RNPs.
Recently I met a young lady pilot finishing her FI course while securing a job with SAS/Scandinavian having surprisingly low flight hours.
Yes; this is common because of the recruitment quotas 
Destinatus wrote:
Recently I met a young lady pilot finishing her FI course while securing a job with SAS/Scandinavian having surprisingly low flight hours.
The first time I felt I had some experience in flying was when I met a new airline FO with fewer hours than I had. (200 vs. 400 IIRC.)
