You will spend a lot of time and money in simulators between your first MCC course and your eventual type rating. From basic FNPT devices to full-motion Level D boxes, the sim landscape is confusing — different devices serve different purposes, pricing varies wildly between countries, and not every training provider delivers the same quality.
Below is what you need to know about simulator types, type rating requirements, MCC courses, costs, and what to look for when choosing a training provider.
Save on Simulator Training
Eastern European countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania) offer MCC/JOC courses at 30-50% lower prices than Western Europe with the same EASA certification.
Simulator Types Explained
EASA classifies flight simulation training devices (FSTDs) by capability and fidelity. Each level serves specific training purposes with different cost implications for your training budget.
| Device | Motion | Visual | Primary Use | Cost/Hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BITD | None | Basic | PPL procedures | €30-50 |
| FNPT I | None | Generic | Basic instruments | €40-80 |
| FNPT II | None | Enhanced | IR training, MCC | €50-150 |
| FNPT II MCC | None | Type-specific | MCC/JOC courses | €80-180 |
| FTD Level 1-2 | Limited | Type-specific | Procedures training | €150-250 |
| FFS Level D | Full 6-axis | Full visual | Type ratings | €200-400 |
FNPT Training
Flight Navigation Procedures Trainers are fixed-base simulators essential for cost-effective instrument and procedural training. Most EASA flight schools use FNPT II devices for instrument rating, allowing up to 40 hours to count toward your IR.
FNPT II Advantages
- • Cost-effective instrument training
- • Weather-independent scheduling
- • Pause and repeat procedures
- • Safe practice of emergencies
- • Up to 40 hours count for IR
- • Available at most flight schools
FNPT II Limitations
- • No motion feedback
- • Cannot replace all flight hours
- • Generic cockpit layouts
- • Limited for type-specific training
- • Not valid for type ratings
Full Flight Simulator (FFS)
Level D Full Flight Simulators replicate exact aircraft systems with 6-axis motion platforms and 180°+ visual systems. Required for type ratings, recurrent training, and airline selection assessments.
| FFS Level | Motion | Visual | Training Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level A | 3-axis | Day only | Limited procedures |
| Level B | 3-axis | Day/dusk | Most procedures |
| Level C | 6-axis | Day/night | Full type rating |
| Level D | 6-axis enhanced | Full environment | Zero flight time TR |
This article covers a few schools. Don't decide without seeing them all.
Real tuition prices, fleet age, airline placement rates — side-by-side for every EASA school. Updated quarterly.
Compare All Schools — €24.99MCC and JOC Courses
Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) training teaches pilots to operate effectively in a two-pilot crew environment. Jet Orientation Course (JOC) adds jet aircraft handling. Most airlines require MCC before type rating.
| Course | Hours | Simulator | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCC Basic | 20-25 hrs | Generic FNPT II | €4,000-6,000 |
| MCC + JOC | 30-40 hrs | A320/B737 FNPT | €6,000-9,000 |
| MCC + JOC (FFS) | 30-40 hrs | A320/B737 FFS | €8,000-12,000 |
| APS MCC | 40-80 hrs | FFS Level D | €12,000-18,000 |
MCC Validity
MCC certification does not expire, but some airlines prefer recent completion (within 3 years). APS MCC (Airline Pilot Standards) is increasingly preferred by major carriers—verify requirements before choosing course level.
Costs by Region
Simulator costs vary significantly across Europe. Eastern European providers offer substantial savings with identical EASA certification.
| Region | MCC/JOC | A320 TR | FFS/Hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Europe | €8,000-12,000 | €35,000-45,000 | €350-450 |
| Southern Europe | €6,000-9,000 | €28,000-38,000 | €280-380 |
| Eastern Europe | €4,000-7,000 | €14,000-25,000 | €200-300 |
| UK | £7,000-11,000 | £30,000-40,000 | £300-400 |
See What Schools Won't Tell You
Real tuition prices, fleet age, airline placement rates — side-by-side for every EASA school.
Compare Schools — €24.99Choosing a Provider
Select your simulator training provider based on career goals, budget, and quality. Key factors to evaluate:
What to Look For
- • EASA ATO certification
- • Level D FFS qualification
- • Instructors with airline experience
- • Airline partnerships
- • Graduate employment stats
- • Flexible payment options
Red Flags
- • Prices far below market
- • No verifiable certification
- • Cannot provide references
- • Outdated equipment
- • Hidden fees
- • No assessment prep included
The Simulator as Assessment Tool
Beyond training, the simulator is one of the most critical stages in airline pilot selection. Nearly every European and Gulf carrier includes a simulator assessment in their hiring process, and it is the stage where the highest percentage of technically qualified candidates are eliminated — not because they cannot fly, but because they fail to demonstrate the non-technical competencies assessors are scoring.
Airline sim assessments use competency-based evaluation aligned with the NOTECHS framework. Assessors score four domains: cooperation (how you work with the sim partner, handle ATC, and manage cabin crew communication), leadership and management (how you prioritise tasks, delegate actions, and maintain the big picture), situational awareness (how you anticipate threats, recognise errors, and maintain positional awareness), and decision-making (how you use structured frameworks like FORDEC or TDODAR to reach and execute decisions under time pressure).
The technical standard expected varies by airline and position. Cadet and low-hour assessments typically involve raw-data ILS approaches, general handling, and basic instrument flying — testing your ability to fly accurately without automation. Experienced pilot assessments may include LOFT-style scenarios with system failures, weather deterioration, and diversion decisions that test operational judgment alongside handling skills. In both cases, the assessor's primary interest is how you manage workload, communicate with your sim partner, and maintain safe flight while dealing with abnormal situations.
Preparation for a sim assessment is fundamentally different from sim training. In training, you are learning procedures and building skills over multiple sessions. In an assessment, you must demonstrate those skills at a defined standard in a single session — typically 60-90 minutes — while managing the stress of evaluation. The most effective preparation combines recent sim practice (to maintain currency and confidence), thorough briefing preparation (know the aircraft type, procedures, and assessment format), and a clear mental framework for managing the scenarios you will encounter. Candidates who arrive having thought through how they will brief, communicate, and debrief consistently outperform those who rely on flying ability alone.
Related: See our Pilot Interview Preparation Guide for how the simulator assessment fits into the overall airline selection process, and our CRM Scenario Questions Guide for the decision-making frameworks assessors expect you to use.
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