If you completed your CPL and ATPL theory before 2023, your MCC certificate was probably enough to apply to airlines. That is no longer the case.
Ryanair, Wizz Air, Air France, and SWISS now require APS MCC — an enhanced version with double the simulator hours and a graded final assessment. Standard MCC still exists, but it is rapidly becoming a box-tick that does not get you through airline doors. This guide covers the real differences, what each costs, which airlines require what, and whether upgrading your existing MCC makes financial sense.
APS MCC vs Standard MCC
- Standard MCC (25 hours sim) costs €3,000–€6,000 and meets the EASA minimum. APS MCC (35–40 hours) costs €8,000–€15,000.
- APS MCC includes Jet Orientation Course (JOC) and more advanced CRM scenarios — better preparation for type rating.
- Airlines increasingly prefer or require APS MCC for cadet programmes — check your target airline requirements before choosing.
- Standard MCC is sufficient for direct entry pilots with existing jet experience — the upgrade only benefits ab initio candidates.
- Some schools bundle MCC with type rating at a discount — worth exploring if you already know which aircraft you want.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Standard MCC | APS MCC |
|---|---|---|
| Simulator hours | 20 hours | 40 hours minimum |
| Simulator type | Any approved FSTD | Jet FSTD (A320/B737 class) |
| Final assessment | None (attendance only) | Graded assessment (2 hours) |
| Grading | Pass on completion | 5-grade scale (unsatisfactory → exemplary) |
| Content focus | Basic CRM + task sharing | Airline SOPs, automation, jet handling, abnormals |
| Scenario training | Limited | Advanced (MEL, weather, passengers, emergencies) |
| EASA regulation | FCL.735.A | AMC2 FCL.735.A |
| Cost | €3,500-€4,000 | €5,200-€8,000 |
| Duration | ~2 weeks | ~3-4 weeks |
| Airline acceptance (2026) | Limited — most airlines want more | Industry standard |
The core difference is not just hours. Standard MCC is an attendance course — complete 20 hours and you receive a certificate regardless of performance.
APS MCC includes a graded final assessment where you must demonstrate competence at the "satisfactory" level or higher. If you do not pass the assessment, you receive a standard MCC certificate instead. This distinction matters because airlines know exactly what each certificate represents.
What Changed and Why
APS MCC was introduced by EASA because airlines — Ryanair in particular — found that graduates with only standard MCC were struggling during type rating training. The problem: 20 simulator hours on a basic FSTD gave pilots only about 10 effective hours at the controls (the other 10 spent as Pilot Monitoring). That was not enough to build real comfort with jet handling, automation management, or airline SOPs. About half of recent graduates with standard MCC were reportedly failing their initial airline assessments.
The APS MCC specification addressed this by doubling simulator time to 40 hours, requiring a swept-wing jet simulator (A320 or B737 class), and adding structured airline operations scenario training. The 2-hour final assessment gives airlines an independent verification that the candidate has demonstrated competence — something the attendance-based standard MCC could never provide.
Some ATOs previously offered a Jet Orientation Course (JOC) alongside standard MCC to bridge the gap. JOC was unregulated — quality varied wildly between providers. APS MCC replaced both standard MCC + JOC with a single regulated course.
Which Airlines Require APS MCC
As of 2026, APS MCC is required or strongly preferred by most major European airlines recruiting non-type-rated First Officers:
| Airline | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | Required | Calls APS MCC "gold standard". Mentored programmes use B737 sims with Ryanair SOPs. |
| Wizz Air | Required | Accepts APS MCC or JOC on A320. |
| Air France | Required | For direct-entry non-type-rated FOs. |
| SWISS | Required | For non-EFA candidates. |
| easyJet | Strongly preferred | Low Hour stream accepts modular pilots with APS MCC. |
| Jet2 | Preferred | FlightPath cadets receive APS MCC in training. |
| Eurowings | Preferred | EFA graduates have APS-equivalent training. |
| Norwegian / SAS | Preferred | Increasingly expected for new hires. |
The trend is clear: standard MCC alone is no longer sufficient for most European airline applications. Even airlines that do not explicitly require APS MCC tend to favour candidates who hold it, because it signals better preparation and lower training risk.
If you are modular-trained and targeting Ryanair, confirm your MCC provider offers the APS standard (AMC2 FCL.735.A) before booking. Standard MCC alone will not qualify you for Ryanair applications.
Cost Comparison
The headline price difference between standard MCC and APS MCC is €1,500-€4,000. But the real cost calculation is more nuanced.
Standard MCC alone (€3,500-€4,000): You save money upfront but cannot apply to Ryanair, Wizz Air, or most other European LCCs. You will likely need to add a JOC (€1,500-€3,000) or upgrade to APS MCC later — making the total cost equal or higher than doing APS MCC from the start. JOC is unregulated, so the quality varies and may not satisfy airline requirements.
APS MCC (€5,200-€8,000): Higher upfront cost but accepted everywhere. No need for supplementary JOC. More simulator time gives you genuine jet handling experience, which can reduce type rating time and improve assessment performance. Some providers offer courses at the lower end (€5,200) with FTD Level 2 simulators, while premium providers using Level D Full Flight Simulators charge €7,000-€8,000.
The hidden cost of standard MCC: A failed airline assessment due to insufficient preparation costs far more than the €2,000 difference. Reassessment typically requires a 6-12 month wait, additional training costs, and lost earning potential. One data point from Ryanair: candidates with mentored APS MCC on B737 have pass rates above 90% at final assessment, while standard MCC candidates have significantly lower success rates.
When comparing APS MCC prices, calculate the cost per training hour. A €5,200 course with 40 sim hours = €130/hr. A €6,400 course with 125 total hours (including ground school) = €51/hr. The headline price does not tell the full story.
Upgrading From Standard MCC
If you already hold a standard MCC certificate, you do not need to start from scratch. EASA allows bridge courses that add the supplementary training — typically 20 additional simulator hours comprising advanced swept-wing jet training (12 hours), advanced airline operations scenarios (6 hours), and the final assessment (2 hours). The EASA published syllabus for APS MCC consists of the standard 20 hours plus these additional 20 hours.
Bridge courses typically cost €2,500-€4,000 and take 1-2 weeks. Several providers now offer this, including Quality Fly (Madrid), BAA Training (Vilnius), and others. On completion, you receive a full APS MCC certificate equivalent to having done the complete 40-hour course from scratch.
When to upgrade vs. redo: If your standard MCC was completed within the last 12 months, a bridge course is efficient and cost-effective. If your MCC is older than 18-24 months, consider doing a full APS MCC instead — the recency of training matters to airlines, and a fresh APS MCC certificate is more attractive than a 2-year-old MCC plus a bridge upgrade.
How to Choose a Provider
Not all APS MCC courses are equal. The EASA regulation sets a minimum standard, but provider quality varies significantly. Here is what to evaluate:
Simulator type: Level D Full Flight Simulators (with full motion) provide a more realistic experience than FTD Level 2 (fixed-base) devices. If your target airline's assessment uses a Level D FFS, training on one beforehand is an advantage. However, FTD Level 2 courses at €5,200-€5,500 offer excellent value if budget is a constraint.
Instructor quality: Active airline TRIs (Type Rating Instructors) who fly the line know current SOPs and recruiter expectations. Instructors who have been retired for years may teach outdated procedures. Ask the ATO about their instructor profiles before booking.
Airline partnerships: Ryanair's mentored APS MCC (offered through partner ATOs like AFA Dublin, AFTA Cork, and Aviomar) uses Ryanair-specific SOPs and includes mentorship from current Ryanair pilots. Graduates get a streamlined assessment process. If Ryanair is your target, the mentored programme is the strongest option despite higher cost.
Training recency: Airlines check when you completed your APS MCC. Training completed within the last 6 months is ideal. Training from 2+ years ago raises questions about skill currency. Plan your APS MCC timing to coincide with your active application window.