Morning,
Yes, VA Airline Training has become Ryanair's official training partner.
Thank you

Which NAA approves VA? Is there an 'officially' approved APS course available yet?

No exclusivity anymore for a certain school
 

The first approved APS MCC partner must have done a terrible job.
Congrats on losing your exclusivity, S... u
What about Simtech? Do they also jump on the train?
Still don't get it with APS. Only advantage I see is on operator's side to reduce TR or line training
​​​​​

Well I believe the advantage is getting a guaranteed call from Ryanair for the final assessment plus learning a lot that will be useful later on if getting a job at Ryanair or at least at some other airline with 737-800 NG if not successful at the final Ryanair assessment. Plus at other airlines where there is a wide choice of aircraft that can be offered as for example at LOT Polish Airlines from the airline point of view it could be probably more useful to send the cadet on 737 TR than for example on Dash TR since the cadet is already prepared for 737. If someone does not aim at Ryanair they can still do the casual APS MCC at VA. I am very happy that I can now choose official Ryanair assessment not only at Sky4u and AFTA (no info about the course there).

What I wonder about is if its VA or Ryanair who decided/designed the extra assessment before APS MCC. Since there is no info about it on VA website. So I wonder if its something simple like the Ryanair online pre assessment or if its something extra that only candidates applying for VA APS MCC have to pass. Because it would not be fun if it was something like the German DLR where you have to use a lot of time to prepare things not relevant to flying (according to the thread describing the DLR).

KT1988 "it could be probably more useful to send the cadet on 737 TR than for example on Dash TR since the cadet is already prepared for 737."

It does not work like that. I did my MCC on a 737 ages ago, and have since never done anything in a 737. Before RYR used to charge 300 Euros for an assessment, now they probably take a much larger cut if they have agreed some deal with an APC MCC FTO.
Another sucker is born every minute, who is willing to spend silly money to try to secure themselves an interview.

They still charge you for the screening. I think it's higher now like 400 euros or so.
And by the way I completed my MCC and I got an immediate call from Ryanair and Easyjet. Too funny. I'll decide for Easyjet of course. Ryanair is unreliable. First they partner with a dubious flight school and then they start cooperation with 2 other flight schools. Strange. If they change their mind so fast with their crews too it's not my company.
Good luck to you all
​​​​​

I would say you have gone with the better of the 2 choices. So I assume you did not spend money on APS, but still got an assessment?

I have never heard of anyone not getting an assessment with Ryanair when they have applied, sure they might need to wait 2 - 3 months or maybe more, but paying an additional 5000 - 6000 Euros, to maybe guarantee you an interview, shows that something is wrong in the industry.
There was many years ago a course CTC used to run, if you passed the assessment you would do something similar an advanced MCC/JOC course, and you would be put in the hold pool for an airline. Basically it was a waiting list to start with the company, but of course nothing was guaranteed. But at least you had passed the primary selection when you commenced this course, not just waiting for an interview.

Normally 70 - 90% of the people who are interviewed don't even get to the Sim session, so by doing this APS, your focus is on the second part of the assessment, which you might not even reach if you can't perform during the interview and group work if they have this.

Easyjet never hire people with just an MCC, they make you do their AQC (Airline Qualification Course) or whatever it is called which is the equivalent of an APS MCC, Easyjet has various partner flight schools (CAE,L3, FTE) so I don't understand what the problem is with Ryanair having different partner flight schools. Your argument doesn't make much sense

I agree regarding the airline Prep courses, they are useful, specially if they have updated information on procedures with airlines of interest.

It's better prepare specific for the airline in question when you have the assessment. Instead of dreaming of the 148.000 Euro a year Ryanair contract.

The Ryanair APS MCC with RYR partner schools or RYR mentored training schemes (AFTA) are so much more expensive than standard training without that they seem to provide an actual "direct" route into Ryanair. Is this simply extra profit generated for the flightschool, or does somehow RYR also benefit from this? What kind of percentages would a flightschool pay to RYR to use their name?

There is a pre-selection process to get into the Ryanair program as well

I had the opportunity to read the comments on EASA decision for APS MCC recently. There were many comments and recommendations given by Ryanair Training, so I guess it is like many said before: the APS was especially pushed by one major airline, Ryanair, to let the students pay for an additional part of their training. Simtech boss already gave a comment on this. Mainly low cost airlines try to use this sort of self sponsored extra but unnecessary training. And low cost flight schools more than willing to collect the breadcrumbs that Ryanair and easy throw in their front.
​​​

That's my point right from the start of the APS. Fresh graduates should be aware of the fact that professional agencies get paid by some flight schools for advertising on social media like pprune etc. Recommendation schemes at FB are easy to manipulate. Just a matter of price.

I wouldn't do it again. And I did it because I thought I have no other options in getting a job. But you always have. Just choose wisely and according your real budget.

​​​​​

@BoeingLudo
 

You're not welcome in this thread.
Back in May you tried to silence me and to stop writing about SKY4u. I am pretty sure you remember.
Now disappear.

​​​​​​