Flight Training

The Concept
The DCA Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) course is a full-time programme conducted from Asia Pacific Flight Training's (APFT) premises at Sultan Ismail Petra Airport Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu Kelantan and at locations chosen to maximise flying opportunities within Malaysia.

On completion of the minimum of 60 weeks syllabus, the graduate will hold a DCA Commercial Pilot’s Licence with Instrument Rating (CPL/IR). All students study theoretical knowledge up to Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL) standard, allowing the straightforward issue of this qualification as soon as the mandatory minimum flying experience has been achieved. This is 1,500 hours of total time, which must include 500 hours of multicrew flying. Between graduation from the training course and accumulating 1,500 hours, the pilot acts as a First Officer, exercising the privileges of the CPL/IR, which during this time is referred to as a Frozen ATPL.


In General
Students will either be funding their own training, usually having secured bank or parental support, or, will have been selected by an airline for full or part sponsorship.

As of June 10, 2005, Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributors may now use their savings in their EPF Account II to fund and finance their own or their children's pursuit of the Commercial Pilot Licence with Instrument Rating (CPL/IR) Course. Please refer to the EPF website (http://www.kwsp.gov.my).

Integrated course class size is restricted to 20 students.

Applicants for the Integrated course do not require previous flying experience. Those already holding a PPL, or a Non-DCA Commercial Licence may apply to APFT for an abridgement to the full course of training. This will allow a small reduction in the single engine flying hours, so reducing the cost and in some cases the duration.

Experience clearly shows that those completing the Integrated course have the best chance of securing a First Officer position quickly. The standardised, structured and professional nature of all aspects of this training is regularly asked for by airlines world-wide.


The Course
A minimum of 60 weeks Integrated course consists of Theoretical Knowledge in the classroom and Flight Training.


Theoretical Knowledge Training
The Ground School consists of well equipped and air conditioned lecture rooms, each capable of accommodating classes of 16 to 20 students.

APFT Instructors have a vast experience gained from a wide variety of aeronautical backgrounds, both civil and military, and are experts in their own particular fields.

An example of the Integrated course Theory syllabus is as follows:

The following subjects will be introduced in the first four weeks in the classroom:

• Airframes
• Systems
• Powerplants

Each student will be booked to sit the examinations after this course.

The following subjects will be introduced in the following eight weeks in the classroom:

• Meteorology
• Instruments/Electronics
• General Navigation
• Operational Procedures

Each student will be booked to sit the examination after this course.

The following subjects will be introduced in the following eight weeks in the classroom:

• Air Law
• Principles of Flight
• Flight Planning
• Mass and Balance
• Radio Navigation
• VFR/IFR Communications

Each student will be booked to sit the examination after this course.

The following subjects will be introduced in the final four weeks in the classroom:

• Human Performance and Limitations
• Performance

Each student will be booked to sit these two final examinations after this course.


Flight Training
APFT is located next to the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport Terminal. It has a fully equipped Operations centre with briefing and planning facilities sufficient to cater for about 120 Integrated course students a day.

The Flight Instructors are well experienced in teaching the Integrated course. Most, including the Principal, have held high positions in the aviation industry and this wealth of knowledge is invaluable to the trainee pilot.


Fleet
APFT has a fleet of Piper Warriors and will also be using multi-engine aircraft. The Piper Warriors will be used for the entire single-engine programme. This comprises basic handling and navigation training followed by night and instrument training. The twin-engine will be used for the final flight training which includes conversion to multi-engine and instrument route flying.