Be a pilot is a desire that has come travelling through our veins from birth. Every child has dreamed to be sitting on the left hand seat of an Airbus, Boeing, etc. As you are growing up and becoming mature then you realize of the level of commitment and motivation that you need besides higher workload and responsibility involved for the entire role, however nothing is imposible, if you have good intentions and confidence towards your targets Good news! You will make it!.
However there is one thing that makes the pilot wannabes concerned and that is the amount of money you need to invest for each licenses/ratings/courses and that has represented a significant "turn off" for the future pilots which has led to an increased pilot shortage throughout this years.
But, I have good news for you! From experience I dare to tell you, regardless of how high the fees are, nowadays it is affordable! The aviation industry is aware of the pilot shortage and highly recognized airlines along flying schools have developed essential methods to fund your training efficiently in order to support future pilots to meet their targets and help the aviation industry to grow.
Before deciding which path to follow to achieve a place in an airline you must be aware of the licenses you need to become an airline pilot, the training required and the price. In the table below you will see what licenses do you need, how many flight training hours does each license requires and the order you need to follow:
1. Private Pilot License (PPL) AVG. Price: £8500
If you want to fly for fun, a PPL license is all you need.
You are not allowed to work commercially.
Allows you to fly on VFR conditions (Below the clouds).
Requirements:
Be at least 17 (Aeroplanes, Helicopters)
Be at least 16 (Microlights, Gliders, Balloons)
Be elegible for a Class 2 Medical Certificate
Training:
45 hours prior the skills test in a single piston engine aircraft (Not exceeding 2730kg) which includes:
25 hours dual.
10 hours solo.
5 hours that can be completed on a simulator (depending on flying school).
The training comprises 9 theoretical exam in the following subjects:
Air Law
Operational Procedures
Human Performance and Limitations
Navigation
Aircraft General
Flight Planning and Performance
Principles of Flying
Communications
Meteorology
If you want to upgrade your license and progress towards advanced or professional trainings you need to build up your flying experience after gaining your PPL License. These are the steps you need to follow:
2. Hours Building
After completing your PPL level, if your intention is to work within the aviation industry professionally you are required to build up your flying experience as CAA requires to do it so.
Requirements:
Have a PPL license.
A valid Class 1 Medical Certificate
Hours Building:
Notice that CPL is the next license after PPL. You must log 150-200 hours prior the start of the CPL course where:
100 Hours must be as PIC (Pilot in Command).
20 Hours Cross-Country Flight as PIC (Must include a 540km Qualified Cross-Country).
5 Hours of Night Flight Time.
This can be achieved by hiring an aeroplane (Single Engine not exceeding 2730Kg) from any approved Flight School within the CAA/EASA. There are not fixed prices for hours building as you can pay per total time flown on the entire day.
Flight Schools and Aircraft Rental (Top Recommended):
FlyElstree (Recommended): http://sh.st/UXP7A
Stapleford Flight Centre: http://sh.st/UXApT
CAE Oxford Aviation Academy: http://sh.st/UXAxE
Westair Flying School: http://sh.st/UXACz
Flyers Flying School: http://sh.st/UXA5X
Flight Training London: http://sh.st/UXSyL
2.1 ATPL Theoretical Course. AVG Price: Full time: £4000 / Distance Learning: £2000
In order to access to advanced training (CPL, IR, ME) this is the theoretical knowledge you must have. Notice that the ATPL Theoretical Course can be done along your building hours.
Requirements:
Be at least 18.
Hold a Valid PPL License.
Class 1 Medical Certificate.
Linguistic Competency in English Language.
Knowledge of Maths and Physics.
Ground School:
660 Hours of theoretical course (7 months).
14 Exams.
Subjects to cover:
Human Performance and Limitations
Air Law & ATC Procedures
Operational Procedures
VFR Communications
IFR Communications
Meteorology
Principles of Flying
Performance
Flight Planning
General Navigation
Mass & Balance
Aircraft General Knowledge
Instrumentation
Radio Navigation
Approved ATO's to undertake ATPL course:
CAE Oxford Aviation Academy: Full Time: http://sh.st/UXSjk Distance Learning: http://sh.st/UXSQC
CATS Aviation: http://sh.st/UXSFw
CTC Aviation: http://sh.st/UXDaP
Bristol Ground School: http://sh.st/UXDE0
Stapleford Flight Centre: http://sh.st/UXDGT
3. Commercial Pilot License (CPL) AVG. Price: £6500
This license will allow you to make money for your services. The training is a hardest version of PPL as the level of tolerance is sharp.
Requirements:
Be at least 18.
Have completed the ATPL Theoretical Course and all 14 exams passed.
A valid PPL License.
A valid Class 1 Medical Certificate.
Training:
25 Hours minimum of dual instruction before the skills test.
4. Multi-Engine Rating (ME). AVG. Price: £2500
Allows you to operate aeroplanes with two or more engines.
Requirements:
A valid CPL License.
A valid Class 1 Medical.
Have completed at least 30 hours on Single Engine Piston powered aeroplanes of which at least 5 hours shall
be in the 6 months preceding the pre-entry flight test.
Training:
6 Hours minimum in a Multi Engine powered aircraft.
1 Hour minimum for the skills test.
5. Multi-Engine / Instrument Rating (ME/IR) AVG. Price: £12000
Allows you to fly in low visibility conditions or non VFR.
Training:
30 hours minimum of dual instruction.
15 hours minimum of dual instruction.
6. Multi Crew Cockpit Course (MCC) AVG. Price: £2400
The MCC course introduces the student into the two or three crew environment. Previously acquired IR Skills are used and expanded, Use of Standard Operating procedures (SOPs) are developed as well as emergency and problem solving in a multi crew cockpit. Compulsory requirement for those pilots who want to work for an airline.
Training:
8 Days of advanced training in the B737 or A320 Simulator.
7. Jet Orientation Cockpit (JOC) (Can be combined with your MCC Course).
With the complex generic medium jet version of the ALX we have the perfect platform to demonstrate
characteristics of flight at high altitude in a swept wing aircraft. Also considered are operations at extreme
temperatures both high & low. Realistic loft exercises where TCAS, extreme weather including windshear are
encountered.
Training:
2 Days Course.
8. Type Rating Course. AVG Price: £30000 / Funded by the airlines.
The Type Rating Course comprises a highly advanced training an specific turboprop aeroplane. This is the most important requirement when applying for any airline as you must have a knowledge of the aircraft that the airlines posses.
Training (Extracted from CAE Oxford Aviation Academy):
| Technical Ground Course | Aircraft Systems CBT Review Mass & Balance / Performance 8 hours /2 sessions: Flight Training Device Duration: approximately 13-15 days | |
| Simulator Training | 4 hours /1 session: Flight Training Device 36 hours /9 sessions: Full Flight Simulator | License Skills Test Minimum 4 hours per crew |
| Aircraft Base Training | 6 landings required in aircraft. Further information provided by your chosen CAE training centre. | |
| Total Course Duration | Approximately 4-6 weeks at training center | |
| Available Aircraft Platforms | ATR 42/72 A320 A330 B737CL B737NG B757/767 DASH8 Q400 DASH8 Q100/300 BAE146 | SAAB 340 SAAB 2000 CRJ 200, CRJ700/900 EMB 170/190 Dornier 328 Fokker 50 Fokker 70/100 AvroRJ85/100 |
For further details click on this link: http://sh.st/UXPcq
Training Brochure: http://sh.st/UXPXP
To sum up the entire post, these are all the licenses required if you are aspiring for an airline career or any other comercial role such as Flight Instruction, Police Pilot, Medical Pilot, etc (further training needs to be taken), however there are "3 ways" you can choose to become an airline pilot taking in account your financial situation and availability, as well as financial support you can opt (We will talk about this in the next post).
My advice for you is: Go to your nearest flying school (or you can check the links out listed above) or attend to an open day, if available so, you will have a chance to speak with the instructors and actual students. Inform yourself before putting any money in so you will have a clearer idea of what to expect.
If you have any queries you can drop a message on our Facebook Page and we will get to you as soon as possible.
Facebook Page: http://sh.st/UXKl3
Email: thepilotsdiary@gmail.com
