Vayumaan Aviation Blog
A320 vs B737 Type Rating After CPL (2026): Eligibility, Training Structure & How to Choose
You’ve cleared your CPL. Now comes the decision that shapes your first cockpit: which aircraft do you get rated on?
✈️ Updated 2026📍 New Delhi, India⏱️ 7 min read
Quick Answer
A Type Rating is the mandatory certification that qualifies a CPL holder to fly a specific complex aircraft — most commonly the Airbus A320 or Boeing B737 in India. At Vayumaan Aviation, the DGCA-approved Type Rating course includes 7 days of Computer-Based Training, 14 days of theoretical training, 10 Full Flight Simulator sessions (40 hours), and a final skill test. Eligibility requires a minimum age of 18, a valid CPL (with Multi-Engine IR for A320), a Class-I Medical Certificate, ICAO Level-4 English, and at least 100 hours of PIC time.
What This Guide Covers
- What Is a Type Rating, and Why Do You Need One?
- Type Rating Eligibility Criteria
- The Type Rating Training Structure
- A320 vs. B737: How to Choose
- Side-by-Side Comparison
- From Type Rating to Airline Cockpit
- Why Train With Vayumaan Aviation
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Type Rating, and Why Do You Need One?
Clearing your Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is the first major milestone — but it doesn’t, by itself, qualify you to fly the aircraft airlines actually operate. Large, complex jets like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 require an additional DGCA-approved certification called a Type Rating, which is added as an endorsement to your license once completed. Without it, you cannot serve as First Officer on that aircraft type, no matter how many CPL flying hours you’ve logged.
This is the step that turns a “qualified but unhireable” fresh CPL holder into a candidate airlines can actually place in a cockpit — which is why it’s one of the most searched topics among Indian CPL graduates heading into 2026.
Type Rating Eligibility Criteria
Before enrolling in the Type Rating course at Vayumaan Aviation, candidates need to meet the following DGCA-aligned requirements:
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- License: A valid Commercial Pilot License (CPL); for the A320 rating, a Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (IR) is also required
- Medical: A valid Class-I Medical Certificate
- English Proficiency: ICAO Level-4 or higher
- Flying Experience: A minimum of 100 hours of Pilot-in-Command (PIC) time
The Type Rating Training Structure
The DGCA-approved Type Rating course at Vayumaan Aviation follows a structured, four-stage format designed to build both systems knowledge and hands-on simulator competence:
- Computer-Based Training (CBT) — 7 days covering aircraft systems and procedures at your own pace before classroom instruction begins.
- Theoretical Training — 14 days of classroom instruction on aircraft systems, limitations, and standard operating procedures.
- Full Flight Simulator (FFS) Sessions — 10 sessions totaling 40 hours, giving hands-on exposure to normal and non-normal procedures on a Level D-equivalent simulator.
- Final Skill Test — conducted on the Full Flight Simulator to certify readiness for the specific aircraft type.
A320 vs. B737: How to Choose
Both aircraft are proven, widely operated narrow-bodies — but they differ in flight-deck philosophy, fleet distribution, and which airlines are actively hiring for them.
🅰️ Airbus A320
- Fly-by-wire, side-stick, highly automated cockpit
- Dominant fleet at India’s largest domestic carriers, including IndiGo and Air India
- Largest hiring volume in the Indian market currently
- Widely used across low-cost carriers in Asia
🅱️ Boeing 737
- Traditional yoke, more hands-on manual flying philosophy
- Operated in India by carriers such as Air India Express and Akasa Air
- Strong global demand, including cargo operations and Middle East carriers
- NG-rated pilots can add MAX qualification via shorter differences training
Trending in 2026: With Indian carriers continuing large-scale fleet expansion and a widely reported global pilot shortfall, “A320 vs B737 type rating” has become one of the most-searched questions among fresh CPL holders. The consistent advice across the industry: match your type rating to the fleet of the airline you’re realistically targeting, rather than choosing based on aircraft preference alone.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Airbus A320 | Boeing 737 |
|---|---|---|
| Control System | Fly-by-wire, side-stick | Traditional yoke, direct control feedback |
| Major Indian Operators | IndiGo, Air India | Air India Express, Akasa Air |
| Domestic Hiring Volume | Highest in India currently | Smaller but focused, cyclical with fleet growth |
| Global Relevance | Dominant across Asian low-cost carriers | Strong in cargo, Middle East & global operators |
| Variant Flexibility | CEO/NEO family | NG → MAX via differences training |
From Type Rating to Airline Cockpit
Once a Type Rating is complete and endorsed on your CPL, you become eligible to apply for First Officer positions at airlines operating that aircraft type. Most airlines follow this up with their own interviews, simulator evaluations, and aptitude tests before final selection — so a Type Rating significantly improves your candidacy, though it’s one part of a broader hiring process rather than a guarantee of a specific job offer.
Pilots aiming for the widest range of opportunities often research their target airline’s current fleet composition and expansion plans before committing to a specific type rating, since domestic hiring volumes and international demand can shift as airlines induct new aircraft.
Why Train With Vayumaan Aviation
Vayumaan Aviation structures its DGCA-approved Type Rating course as a continuation of the same all-inclusive philosophy used across its CPL programs — combining CBT, theoretical training, and Full Flight Simulator sessions under one roof, guided by experienced faculty including former Indian Air Force and Indian Airlines instructors. Key features include:
- DGCA-approved Type Rating courses on the A320 and B737
- Structured 4-stage format: CBT → Theory → FFS → Final Skill Test
- Experienced instructors, including former Indian Air Force and Indian Airlines pilots
- Assistance with educational loans and flexible fee payment options
- Optional internship/job placement support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Type Rating and why do I need one after CPL?
A Type Rating is an additional DGCA-approved certification that qualifies a pilot to fly a specific complex aircraft type, such as the A320 or B737. A CPL alone doesn’t authorize flying these aircraft — airlines require a valid type rating before hiring for narrow-body fleets. What is the eligibility criteria for the Type Rating course at Vayumaan Aviation?
Minimum age 18, a valid CPL (with Multi-Engine IR for A320), a Class-I Medical Certificate, ICAO Level-4 English proficiency, and at least 100 hours of PIC time. How is the Type Rating course structured?
Computer-Based Training (7 days), theoretical training (14 days), Full Flight Simulator sessions (10 sessions / 40 hours), and a final skill test on the FFS. Should I choose an A320 or B737 Type Rating?
It depends on your target airline. The A320 family is flown by IndiGo and Air India, giving it the largest domestic hiring volume, while the B737 is operated by carriers like Air India Express and Akasa Air with strong international demand. Research your target airline’s fleet before committing. Does a Type Rating expire?
No, a Type Rating itself doesn’t expire, but pilots must maintain currency through regular flying and recurrent training to exercise its privileges. Can I switch from B737 NG to B737 MAX later?
Yes. Pilots with a B737 NG type rating can typically add the MAX qualification through a shorter differences training course rather than a full type rating.
Ready to Get Type-Rated?
DGCA-approved A320 and B737 Type Rating courses, structured CBT-to-simulator training, and guidance from experienced instructors — with Vayumaan Aviation.Enquire Now
📞 +91 9717489237 / +91 9910612817 | 🇺🇸 +1 (940) 623-1004 | ✉️ info@vayumaanaviation.com
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Type Rating eligibility, training structure, and program details referenced in this article are sourced directly from Vayumaan Aviation’s official CPL in India page. General industry context on airline fleet distribution and hiring trends reflects publicly available aviation-sector information as of 2026 and is provided for background only — please confirm current course details, fees, and availability via the enquiry form.© Vayumaan Aviation · New Delhi, India | USA | Greece