Boeing 737 Type Rating
The Boeing 737 is the most widely operated narrowbody airliner in history. Earn your B737 NG type rating at AeroStar in as little as 10 days with multiple program options to match your experience level and career goals.
What is a Boeing 737 Type Rating
A type rating is a specific authorization added to your pilot certificate that qualifies you to operate a particular aircraft type. The FAA requires a type rating for any aircraft exceeding 12,500 pounds or any turbojet powered airplane. The Boeing 737 falls into both categories.
Earning your B737 type rating means completing an intensive training program that covers the aircraft’s complex systems, normal and abnormal procedures, performance planning, and crew coordination, followed by an oral exam and practical checkride in a Level D full motion simulator.
Unlike your earlier certificates, the first time most pilots fly the actual Boeing 737 is with passengers on board. All type rating training and the checkride are conducted entirely in the simulator, which is FAA approved to replicate every system, switch, and flight characteristic of the real aircraft.
Boeing 737 NG Training Programs
AeroStar offers multiple B737 NG programs to match your experience level, timeline, and career goals.
Premium Type Rating
3 to 3.5 weeks on-site • Kissimmee, FL
$12,900.00
- CPAT distance learning (completed before arrival)
- 4 days of ground school (40 hours)
- 6 Level D full flight simulator sessions including LOFT (24 hours per crew)
- Oral and practical exam in Level D sim with FAA approved in-house evaluator (4 hours per crew)
- iPad based training materials
Classes start: 3rd Friday of every month
Fast Track Type Rating
12 to 14 days on-site • Kissimmee, FL
$9,900.00
- CPAT distance learning (completed before arrival)
- 6 Level D full flight simulator sessions including LOFT (24 hours per crew)
- Oral and practical exam in Level D sim with FAA approved in-house evaluator (4 hours per crew)
- iPad based training materials
- Must meet eligibility requirements
Classes start: 4th Friday of every month
Upgrade / Foreign License Conversion
3 to 4 days on-site • Kissimmee, FL
$6,900.00
- CPAT home study (completed before arrival)
- 4 hours Level D full flight sim including LOFT (8 hours as crew)
- Oral and practical exam in Level D sim with FAA approved in-house evaluator (4 hours per crew)
- iPad based training materials
Dates: Every Tuesday and Saturday
Recurrent Proficiency Check
1 to 2 days • Kissimmee, FL
$4,200.00
- CPAT distance learning
- 4 hours Level D full flight sim (proficiency training and check)
- iPad based training materials
Contact us for availability. 407-888-9011
*All training is iPad based. iPad required for training material software and simulator events. All prices are per pilot unless noted. CPAT provides distance learning courseware. International DGCA programs also available, contact us for details.
Prerequisites
Commercial License
Must hold at least an FAA Commercial Pilot License with an instrument rating. An ATP certificate is not required to begin type rating training.
Multi-Engine Rating
Must hold a multi-engine class rating since the B737 is a multi-engine aircraft.
FAA Medical
Must hold a current and valid FAA medical certificate. 1st Class medical required to exercise airline privileges.
English Proficiency
Must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English per FAA requirements.
What You Will Learn
- B737 NG aircraft systems: hydraulics, electrics, fuel, pneumatics, pressurization, and environmental control
- Flight Management Computer (FMC) programming and autoflight operations
- Engine start procedures, limitations, and performance calculations
- Normal procedures including flows, callouts, and standard operating procedures
- Abnormal and emergency procedures: engine failures, fires, rapid decompression, hydraulic failures
- Crew resource management, workload distribution, and cockpit communication
- Instrument approaches, departures, and arrivals in a jet environment
- Windshear recognition and escape maneuvers
- Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT) simulating a complete flight from gate to gate
- Checkride preparation: oral exam topics and practical test maneuvers
How Training Works
The B737 type rating follows a structured four phase process.
- 1Distance Learning
Complete CPAT computer based training at home covering B737 NG systems, procedures, and limitations before arriving at AeroStar.
- 2Ground School
Attend instructor led ground school at the Kissimmee campus. Deepen your systems knowledge and learn the flows, callouts, and SOPs you will use in the simulator.
- 3Simulator Training
Train in AeroStar's B737 NG Level D full motion simulator. Practice normal operations, emergency procedures, and complete a Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT) session.
- 4Checkride
Pass your oral exam and practical test in the Level D simulator with an FAA approved in-house evaluator. Walk away with a B737 NG type rating on your certificate.
Why Earn Your Boeing 737 Rating at AeroStar
One facility, every program, from ATP CTP through your type rating checkride.
Level D Full Motion Simulator
Train and complete your checkride on AeroStar's B737 NG Level D full flight simulator. The highest fidelity simulator certified by the FAA, replicating every system and flight characteristic of the actual aircraft.
In-House FAA Evaluators
AeroStar has FAA approved in-house evaluators, so your checkride happens at the same facility where you trained. No scheduling an outside examiner or traveling to a separate location.
ATP CTP & Type Rating at One Location
AeroStar has FAA approved in-house evaluators, so your checkride happens at the same facility where you trained. No scheduling an outside examiner or traveling to a separate location.
Multiple Program Options
Premium, Fast Track, Upgrade, and Recurrent programs to match your experience level and timeline. Crew discounts available on every program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an ATP certificate before starting a type rating?
No. The minimum requirement is a Commercial Pilot License with instrument and multi-engine ratings. Many pilots complete their type rating with a commercial certificate and earn the ATP during or after the type rating process. If you need the ATP CTP course, AeroStar offers it at the same facility.
What is the difference between Premium and Fast Track?
The Premium program includes 4 days of on-site ground school in addition to the CPAT distance learning and 6 simulator sessions. It runs 3 to 3.5 weeks and is the most comprehensive option. The Fast Track program skips the on-site ground school (relying on the CPAT distance learning) and goes directly into the 6 simulator sessions, completing in 12 to 14 days. Fast Track requires meeting eligibility requirements, typically prior jet or type rating experience.
What simulator does AeroStar use?
AeroStar operates a Boeing 737 NG Level D full flight simulator at the Kissimmee campus. Level D is the highest fidelity simulator certified by the FAA. It features a full motion platform with six degrees of freedom, a high resolution visual system, and a cockpit that replicates every switch, gauge, and system of the actual aircraft.
What does the checkride involve?
The checkride consists of an oral exam and a practical flight test, both conducted by an FAA approved in-house evaluator at AeroStar. The oral covers B737 systems, limitations, procedures, and performance. The practical test takes place in the Level D simulator and evaluates normal operations, instrument approaches, engine failures, system malfunctions, and emergency procedures.
What is LOFT?
LOFT stands for Line Oriented Flight Training. It is a full scenario simulator session that replicates a complete flight from gate to gate, including weather, ATC communications, normal procedures, and non-normal events. LOFT is designed to develop crew coordination, decision making, and workload management in a realistic airline environment.
Do I need prior jet experience?
Prior jet experience is not required for the Premium program. The Fast Track program has eligibility requirements that may include prior jet or type rating experience. Contact AeroStar’s admissions team to determine which program is right for your background.
Does the type rating expire?
No. The type rating itself does not expire once it is added to your certificate. However, there are currency requirements to exercise the privileges of the rating. If operating under Part 121 or 135, your employer will require recurrent training and proficiency checks, typically every 6 to 12 months. AeroStar offers a B737 NG Recurrent Proficiency Check program for this purpose.
Does AeroStar offer DGCA programs for international pilots?
Yes. AeroStar offers a B737 NG program for pilots seeking DGCA (India) license endorsement. Upon completion, all required documentation is sent directly to the Directorate of Training and Licensing DGCA by AeroStar. Contact admissions at 689-285-5418 or via WhatsApp 407-888-9011 or our Contacts Us page for pricing and eligibility details.