Pilot training

Training during your career


Finnair Flight Academy offers training solutions that span the entire life cycle of a professional pilot. We offer a full coverage of flight crew training through competency-driven courses appropriate for pilots at varying stages of their careers.

These include:

  • Entry-level training (ELT): Airbus familiarization and jet-handling course for pilots without previous experience in jet-aircraft
  • Type rating courses: competency-based full type rating courses for A320, A330, A350, E170/190 and ATR72
  • Cross-Crew-Qualification (CCQ) courses: shortened courses between Airbus types for pilots with recent Airbus experience
  • Type refresher training: compact training packages for revalidation or renewal of your type rating
  • Command courses: an interactive course focusing on non-technical skills such as management and decision-making, comprising of classroom and simulator training
  • Second-in-command courses: interactive course including classroom and simulator training to develop the necessary competencies for relief captain duties
  • Instructor courses: comprehensive courses for TRI and SFI qualifications or extension of instructor privileged to another aircraft type

Airbus Entry-Level Training

Finnair Flight Academy provides Airbus entry-level training for all pilots seeking for Airbus type rating training. Airbus entry-level training consists of 3–5 simulator sessions depending on the trainee’s background.

The objective of the ELT course is to provide sufficient knowledge and practical experience in jet handling and Airbus cockpit philosophy before proceeding to the next level, which is a type rating course for one of the Airbus types.

Entry-level training is designed to ensure your success on a full type rating course. It is recommenced for all pilots without previous experience in jet-aircraft. 



Type Rating Courses

Finnair Flight Academy provides competence-based type rating courses for A320, A330, A350, E170/190 and ATR72. The course design has proven to build highly competent professionals for top-class airlines. All instructors on type rating courses are experienced line pilots using a practical and operationally integrated learning approach. Training is carried out using computer-based training tools, flight training devices and level C and D full-flight simulators.

Training is carried out using computer-based training tools including distance learning option to allow reduction in accommodation expenses. Trainees have also access to comprehensive Training Library and study guides to facilitate progress during training. PBN and UPRT requirements are fully integrated into the training programs. At the end of the course, depending on the trainee's background, there are options to complete Zero Flight Time Training (ZFTT) or Base Training.

Prerequisites for a type rating certificate are:

  • At least 70 hours of flight experience as Pilot in Command (PIC)
  • A valid Multi-engine and Instrument Rating IR(A)
  • ATPL theoretical certificate
  • A course completion certificate for an MCC course in airplanes (except when the type rating course is combined with an MCC course)
  • Valid medical class 1 certificate
  • ICAO English level 4

Cross-Crew Qualification Courses

Cross-crew qualification courses are shortened type rating courses taking credit from previous Airbus experience to reduce the training duration. Finnair Flight Academy provides CCQ or Common Type Rating Course (CTR) training between the following Airbus types:

  • A320 and A330 (CCQ)
  • A320 and A350 (CCQ)
  • A340 and A330/A350 (CCQ)
  • A330 and A350 (CTR)

Before entering a shortened course, the trainee must have recent flight experience on the previous Airbus type (base aircraft). The minimum requirement is 150 hours experience on the base aircraft.

The duration of the CCQ courses varies from one to two weeks including a skill test and  ZFTT before starting line flying under supervision. CTR course does not require a skill test at the end of training, as the trainee already has A330/350 type rating in the license.


Type Refresher Training

After being absent from flying duties or after the expiry of type rating, appropriate refresher training is required for the renewal of an expired type rating. To pass a proficiency check and to safely operate the relevant type again, knowledge and skills need to be refreshed.

Finnair Flight Academy provides compact training packages that comply with Part FCL for revalidation or renewal of type ratings. The exact training program depends on the length of absence from flying duties. Training in the full-flight simulator includes an individual training program that is based on the initial training for the issue of the rating and focuses on the applicant’s needs.

Commander Training

The commander course is designed to prepare pilots for upgrading to captain. This course is designed for pilots who already have an ATPL license or have completed more than 1,500 hours in Multi-Pilot Airplanes and are moving on to upgrade to commanders.

The commander course consists of interactive ground-school modules and a series of simulator exercises, which promote the practical application of skills learned in classroom. Covering leadership and communication to managing the complexities and essential aspects of aviation law, the commander course will ensure that you will be well prepared for the additional responsibilities that come with the move to the left-hand seat.


Second-In-Command Training

Second-in-command training is designed for pilots who have completed more than 1,500 hours in Multi-Pilot Airplanes and wish to remove the co-pilot restriction for the specific aircraft type rating in order to be able to relief captain during flight in long-haul operations. The training comprises of interactive classroom and simulator training. Topics covered on the course include command skills, managing people, communication, leadership, analysis and decision-making, crew resource management and aviation law.

Second-in-command training may be completed in A330 or A350 depending on the actual qualifications of the trainee.


Instructor Training

Our instructor training courses are designed to provide the participants with the adequate theoretical foundation and practical training to apply effective methods of instruction and train others according to the regulatory authority requirements in the respective area of training. Instructor training is available for the following instructor certificates:

  • Type Rating Instructor (TRI)
  • Synthetic Flight Instructor (SFI)
  • Line Training Captain (LTC)

Instructor course for TRI privileges includes additional training for Line Flying Under Supervision enabling TRI to conduct the first sectors of LIFUS after Zero Flight Time Training. For the already qualified instructors we can provide suitable training for extension of instructor privileges to another aircraft type including shortened Cross-Instructor-Qualification (CIQ) courses between Airbus types.

Special courses are also available for Line Training Captains to qualify them to conduct line flying under supervision training after type rating and conversion courses.

Before TRI or SFI training, the trainees must meet with the prerequisites defined in the Part FCL requirements.