Expert: D. Norkus - 12/29/2005

Question
I am interested in getting a B737 and/or A320 type rating.
Could you recommend a few good places (trainingwise and costwise) in the US where I could get this accomplished?

Thanks

Answer
Jascha

I don't know anything about A320 types, but many friends have gone to Higher Power Aviation, http://www.jetcrew.com  and gotten their 737 type rating. They are one of the best places and that is where I will do mine as well when I near Southwest Airlines requirements. Another guy I knew did his with Continental Airlines-
www.continental.com/programs/training/b737.asp

Crew Pilot Training offers the 737 type
http://www.crewpilottraining.com/training.html

...as does Premair-
http://www.premair.com/html/individual_training.shtml

Here is an article you may be interested in reading about Wayne Phillips experience, as a GA pilot with no turbine experience, doing the type (he had a job offer to teach ground school for United, so he was required to have it for employment.)-
www.avweb.com/news/avtraining/182365-1.html

I am curious, why do you want to spend $6,000-$8,000 on a type rating when you do not have the flight time to be competitive for a 737 or A320 job? I remember you were doing your first regional interview only a few months ago with around 1,000 hours. Were you not interested in a RJ type rating as well? Perhaps you are thinking that a type on your resume will help get you a job?

If I have your situation correct, I would advise you not to spend your money or take a loan for a type. While it is a resume filler, it won't do you much good as a low time pilot. The HR people will look at your resume and total flight time and question why you bought a type for an aircraft in which you have no practical experience. At your level, you are not in the same situation as more experienced pilots getting a type required for a SWA interview. Plus if you have no turbine experience, like Wayne Phillips when he did his 737 type, you will need to do the checkride in the actual aircraft not the sim. This means that the type rating will cost about an additional $5,000 or around $10,000-$12,000. Your best route to be would to continue to try to get that regional job and build turbine experience before getting a type, especially if you pay for it yourself.

From your name, I assume you are a female pilot. (Sorry if I am wrong!) As a woman I would suggest joining the Ninety-Nines. www.ninety-nines.org After one year of membership you can apply for an Amelia Earhart grant which covers the cost of an entire rating or license, like the ATP or a type rating of your choice.

Hope this helps,

Dottie