Your pilot training at RWL
There are many ways into the cockpit of an aircraft. RWL offers you the most important training opportunities.
The RWL German Flight Academy has more than 45 years of experience in pilot training. Our range of training is very extensive, starting with private pilot training (PPL) up to complete commercial pilot training in theory and practice (ATPL integrated). If you want to become a pilot, you can get a lot of information about training here.
We would be happy to hold an individual consultation with you. Alternatively, you can take part in one of our regular information days. On request, we will be happy to explain what the pilot training will cost.
For an individual consultation, please contact our sales team via phone or email.
The Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)
Airline Transport Pilot's Licence: Qualify as a pilot in 20 to 22 months
The wide world of aviation is open to students of the RWL German Flight Academy. The profession of pilot is respected and coveted. And with a training duration of 20 to 22 months for the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), you can qualify as a pilot in a relatively short time. If you want to become a pilot, you will have many questions at the beginning. What skills do I need to have? How much will it cost? And what funding options are there? We will be happy to answer these and any other questions in detail in advance in a non-binding, individual consultation at the flight school and in an online presentation.
These skills are required for pilot training
Skills and commitment are key factors in this career choice. We establish in advance whether a candidate would be a suitable pilot of a commercial aircraft. As part of a performance review, we require above all a knowledge of mathematics, physics and English. Up to 120 student pilots pass the test each year and start training at the RWL flying school. The test results achieved by the Mönchengladbach student pilots with the supervisory authority are above average.
What training as a pilot is like
Here at our modern training building at MGL airport, we impart theoretical knowledge to our students. Plus there is the practical pilot training in the air. There are 20 single- and twin-engine aircraft at Mönchengladbach. Students are taught to fly a large commercial aircraft in the simulator. RWL operates a Boeing 737 and an Airbus A320 full-flight simulator and two smaller fixed-base simulators at Mönchengladbach. You will find detailed information on the subject of ATPL ab initio here.
ATPL integrated
Do you dream of piloting a commercial aircraft? Do you have little or no flying experience but would still like to acquire a commercial pilot’s licence? Then the continuous ATPL training at RWL is just right for you. Our ATPL ab initio (= from the beginning) training course is ideal for applicants who have never sat in an aircraft cockpit before.
The ATPL ab initio training is geared from the first hour of training to the future professional goal of commercial pilot, and is the only training to be supported by the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAFöG) provided that a candidate meets the personal requirements for state support.
It takes about 20-22 months to train as a commercial pilot.
Theory phase I
After an in-depth class briefing with plenty of information on the further course of the training, your training starts with your first theory lesson. In this first part you will be taught the basics for the upcoming visual flight training. You will also be instructed in operating the radio so that you can communicate with the controller later on in your flight training. At the end of this part of the course we will determine your level of knowledge in a Progress Check. Progress Checks will be carried out throughout the remainder of your training after each step. If you pass the Progress Check, you will continue with the practical training.
- 100 hours classroom teaching
- Radiotelephony
- Progress test
- Class briefing
- Duration approx. 5 weeks
Practical phase I
You have passed the theory stage, and can now look forward to the first stage of your practical flying training. Before we start, there will be instruction in all the necessary procedures, and then you will be assigned to a flying instructor for the practical part of the course. In the first stage, after about 10 hours of flying training, you will reach an important milestone: your first solo flight. In the second and third stages, you will deepen what you have learnt and complete a night flight. Another Progress Check awaits you at the end of this practical part of the training. If you have not yet been able to complete all the flying hours, you will do so after the next stage of theory.
- approx. 46 hours of flight training under VFR conditions
- Progress check
- Duration approx. 14 weeks
Theory phase 2+3
After completion of the first flying stage, you will commence the approximately 36 weeks of theory training, which is divided into two parts. You will start with 14 weeks of face-to-face learning in Theory stage II, and during this time will complete a Progress Test. This is followed by an examination stage, during which you will prepare for the first flight at the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (the German FAA) with another Progress Test. The aim of this exam is to successfully pass the first seven of 14 different subjects.
When you have completed the second of the three theory stages, you will embark on the final theory stage. The 14 weeks of face-to-face learning are repeated with a four-week examination stage. You can now have a second attempt at any exams that you were unable to take, or complete successfully, in the first attempt at the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt. Again, we prepare you for this with two Progress Tests so you receive a pass. Successfully completing the final Progress Test is a prerequisite for starting further flying training.
- 2 x 14 weeks of classroom teaching
- Progress tests
- 2 x 6 weeks of exam preparation and examination
- Duration approx. 18 weeks
Practical phase II
Practical training stage 3 continues. You will fly the remaining hours under visual flight conditions until you are able to start stage 4. In stage 4, your training continues with 40 hours in what are called FNPT II (Flight and Navigation Procedure Trainer Type II) simulators. You will also fly on single- and twin engine aircraft to instrument flying rules. On completion of this stage, you will have accrued 180 flying hours during your pilot training. Which means you are ready for the next stage.
- 134 hours practical training on aircraft and simulator under instrument rules
- Progress checks
- Examination flight
- Duration approx. 30 weeks
Advanced UPRT
Stage 5 is dedicated to advanced UPRT (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training). This training is used to prevent and terminate undesirable flight conditions in the aircraft. The training is given on designated aircraft with appropriately trained flying instructors. It is certain that you will remember this part of the training for ever.
- 5 hours classroom teaching
- 3 hours flight training
- Duration approx. 1 week
MCC
MCC (Multi-Crew Cooperation) is the final stage in ATPL training. This part of the training is used to train the cockpit crew, and focuses on communication, cooperation, decision-making etc. Commercial aircraft are always flown by at least two pilots. Smooth cooperation is essential. At RWL, the training for this stage is given on our own full-flight simulator for the Boeing B737 NG.
- 4 days theoretical knowledge
- 20 hours Simulator training B737 (PF/PM)
- Duration approx. 10 days
Jet Orientation Course
Our JOC offers you the opportunity to acquire practical knowledge on a B737NG aircraft. While the MCC focuses on teamwork in the cockpit, the JOC is all about how to manually control a B737NG. Our JOC was developed in compliance with the Airline Pilot Standard (APS) and includes special B737 UPRT training. In addition, the training also prepares participants for screening and their first type rating on multi-pilot aircraft.
- 6 hours theoretical knowledge
- 12 hours practical training B737 (PF/PM)
- Duration approx. 1 week
- Stage 1
-
Theory phase I
After an in-depth class briefing with plenty of information on the further course of the training, your training starts with your first theory lesson. In this first part you will be taught the basics for the upcoming visual flight training. You will also be instructed in operating the radio so that you can communicate with the controller later on in your flight training. At the end of this part of the course we will determine your level of knowledge in a Progress Check. Progress Checks will be carried out throughout the remainder of your training after each step. If you pass the Progress Check, you will continue with the practical training.
- 100 hours classroom teaching
- Radiotelephony
- Progress test
- Class briefing
- Duration approx. 5 weeks
- Stage 2
-
Practical phase I
You have passed the theory stage, and can now look forward to the first stage of your practical flying training. Before we start, there will be instruction in all the necessary procedures, and then you will be assigned to a flying instructor for the practical part of the course. In the first stage, after about 10 hours of flying training, you will reach an important milestone: your first solo flight. In the second and third stages, you will deepen what you have learnt and complete a night flight. Another Progress Check awaits you at the end of this practical part of the training. If you have not yet been able to complete all the flying hours, you will do so after the next stage of theory.
- approx. 46 hours of flight training under VFR conditions
- Progress check
- Duration approx. 14 weeks
- Stage 3
-
Theory phase 2+3
After completion of the first flying stage, you will commence the approximately 36 weeks of theory training, which is divided into two parts. You will start with 14 weeks of face-to-face learning in Theory stage II, and during this time will complete a Progress Test. This is followed by an examination stage, during which you will prepare for the first flight at the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (the German FAA) with another Progress Test. The aim of this exam is to successfully pass the first seven of 14 different subjects.
When you have completed the second of the three theory stages, you will embark on the final theory stage. The 14 weeks of face-to-face learning are repeated with a four-week examination stage. You can now have a second attempt at any exams that you were unable to take, or complete successfully, in the first attempt at the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt. Again, we prepare you for this with two Progress Tests so you receive a pass. Successfully completing the final Progress Test is a prerequisite for starting further flying training.
- 2 x 14 weeks of classroom teaching
- Progress tests
- 2 x 6 weeks of exam preparation and examination
- Duration approx. 18 weeks
- Stage 4
-
Practical phase II
Practical training stage 3 continues. You will fly the remaining hours under visual flight conditions until you are able to start stage 4. In stage 4, your training continues with 40 hours in what are called FNPT II (Flight and Navigation Procedure Trainer Type II) simulators. You will also fly on single- and twin engine aircraft to instrument flying rules. On completion of this stage, you will have accrued 180 flying hours during your pilot training. Which means you are ready for the next stage.
- 134 hours practical training on aircraft and simulator under instrument rules
- Progress checks
- Examination flight
- Duration approx. 30 weeks
- Stage 5
-
Advanced UPRT
Stage 5 is dedicated to advanced UPRT (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training). This training is used to prevent and terminate undesirable flight conditions in the aircraft. The training is given on designated aircraft with appropriately trained flying instructors. It is certain that you will remember this part of the training for ever.
- 5 hours classroom teaching
- 3 hours flight training
- Duration approx. 1 week
- Stage 6
-
MCC
MCC (Multi-Crew Cooperation) is the final stage in ATPL training. This part of the training is used to train the cockpit crew, and focuses on communication, cooperation, decision-making etc. Commercial aircraft are always flown by at least two pilots. Smooth cooperation is essential. At RWL, the training for this stage is given on our own full-flight simulator for the Boeing B737 NG.
- 4 days theoretical knowledge
- 20 hours Simulator training B737 (PF/PM)
- Duration approx. 10 days
- Stage 7 Opt.
-
Jet Orientation Course
Our JOC offers you the opportunity to acquire practical knowledge on a B737NG aircraft. While the MCC focuses on teamwork in the cockpit, the JOC is all about how to manually control a B737NG. Our JOC was developed in compliance with the Airline Pilot Standard (APS) and includes special B737 UPRT training. In addition, the training also prepares participants for screening and their first type rating on multi-pilot aircraft.
- 6 hours theoretical knowledge
- 12 hours practical training B737 (PF/PM)
- Duration approx. 1 week