Type Rating Preparation (A320 / B737)

About the Course

Beginning a type rating introduces a different volume of information — aircraft systems, cockpit displays, limitations and the way procedures fit together. A good foundation helps a pilot make sense of that material from the start.

IFA's Type Rating Preparation course provides ground-study support for pilots planning A320 or B737 training. Lessons develop familiarity with the selected aircraft and a method for studying it, so new information has a clear place in the bigger picture.

What the Course Covers

Preparation is specific to the chosen aircraft and variant. The formal type-rating syllabus belongs to the approved training programme; the areas below describe preparatory ground study.

Aircraft Familiarisation

Cockpit organisation, terminology, major controls and displays, and the purpose of the aircraft's principal systems. Students develop a way to connect a system description with the information available to the crew.

Systems Knowledge

Study of electrical, hydraulic, fuel, pneumatic, air-conditioning and pressurisation systems, alongside engines, flight controls, landing gear and fire protection. The emphasis is on purpose, normal operation, indications and relationships between systems.

Airbus A320 Preparation

A320 study introduces the aircraft's flight-deck and automation philosophy, flight-management and guidance terminology, and the way system information and crew alerts are presented.

Boeing 737 Preparation

B737 study develops familiarity with the selected variant's systems, controls and indications, followed by the relationship between normal and non-normal operation — including separate coverage for 737NG and 737 MAX models.

Limitations, Performance and Reference Use

Preparation develops understanding of operating limitations, performance terminology and the purpose of the relevant aircraft manuals. Students learn to connect information across references and recognise where a statement depends on a particular configuration.

Procedure Awareness and Crew Coordination

Ground discussion introduces checklist discipline, clear briefings and the division of tasks between crew members. Formal procedures and practical training remain tied to the approved course and its aircraft references.

Assessment Format and Pattern

IFA uses chapter tests and mock tests to support preparation. Formal type-rating assessment is arranged by the approved training organisation under the applicable licensing authority — ground knowledge and practical competence are assessed within that programme. There is no single universal question count or pass pattern for an "A320/B737 preparation exam."

What IFA Offers

Students can revisit a system before moving on and use mentoring to work through gaps in their understanding. The aim is a sound foundation for the demands of formal training.

Who Is This Course For?

Pilots preparing to begin an A320 or B737 type rating who want structured ground preparation for their selected aircraft and variant.