Thinking of Becoming an Airline Pilot? Part One: The Overview

Introduction

Welcome to the Flightpath Training Blog page. This first post will be a brief overview of what the process is to become a commercial pilot, from beginning at nothing, to sitting in the right-hand seat of an airline jet.

Future blogs will cover each step in more detail, but for now this post will help you decide if this is the right path for you.

Please note, the information in this blog is directed for European EASA and UK CAA licences. The process for FAA and other licences around the world are different.

What You Will Need

To be able to be hired as a commercial pilot at an airline, you will need a "frozen" Airline Transport Pilot Licence and Class One medical certificate. The (f)ATPL is really a combination of a commercial pilot licence and 14 ATPL theory exams. As well as that, you will need an Instrument Rating which is added to your CPL. There are other licences and ratings that are required in order for the above that will be covered later.

On top of the (f)ATPL, airlines have further requirements. You will need to complete courses for Multi Crew Cooperation (MCC), Jet Orientation (JOC) and a more recent addition to the requirements is the Advanced Upset Recovery Training (UPRT).

One of the requirement for airlines is being able to communicate in the English language to a certain standard. This is referred to as English Language Proficiency (ELP). A native speaker or someone who can speak English perfectly can get level 6 which is the highest. However, most airlines ask for Level 4 or 5 which means being able to use standard aviation language to the required standard.

Finally, once you are ready to apply for an airline job, you will need a Type Rating (TR). This is specific training for the plane you are going to be flying, for example an Airbus A320. This training can be very expensive (in the region of £30k) but this cost has been covered by airlines in the past though in today's airline market, most airlines require the pilot to pay for this in return for the job.

How Long It Takes

There is no fixed time on how long it takes from start to finish. The requirements for licences are usually based on flight hours, so how long it takes is dependent on how often you fly. As well as the flight hours you need to pass the 14 ATPL theory exams. The time this takes is again not fixed. Various training schools will have their own timeline. Some have a fixed schedule for study and exams and others allow you to do them at your own pace.

Let's go into a little detail about the different routes you can take. The two umbrella terms are Modular and Integrated.

Modular -

This is the most flexible route where you will do each part at your own pace and where you choose. For example, you might go to on school to do your Private Pilot Licence(PPL) and then another to do your Night Rating.

Overall, the time this route takes is really dependent on you and the schools you choose. As a guideline, if you work continuously but not full time, the training can take around two to three years. Again this is based on the individual, it is possible to do it faster or slower.

Integrated -

This route is a more intensive training programme. In most cases you will stay with the same school until finishing your CPL training and follow their set programme and targets.

Because the schedule is set by the school the training is usually completed quicker than modular, usually less than 2 years.

How Much It Costs

The cost is a concerning factor for most people, and there is no glossing over it. It will be expensive no matter which route you take. But again this can be more or less depending on what route you choose. Neither of these routes inherently provide a better training experience or quality.

Modular-

Because with modular you are not fixed to a single school, you can shop around and find some schools cheaper than others. As well as that, you can break down your training and pay over time for each section when you are ready. The cost of modular training is in the range of £40k - £60K. But again this can be higher or lower depending on where you go and your own personal ability.

Integrated-

Integrated training is in most cases much more expensive because you are buying into an established school, often with their own tutors, classrooms, training material and usually more modern planes. These payments are often in larger sums but can usually be made in some instalments. The cost of integrated training is in the region of £80k.

Other Costs-

In addition to what route you choose, you will need to pay for other significant costs. The medical exam, equipment, maps, software, are all things that should be considered.

And as was mentioned earlier, even after your modular or integrated training, you will need a type rating to fly a commercial jet. This can cost around £30K if fully self funded. Some airlines offer reduced costs or even cover the whole cost of this in return for a bonded contract where you are bound to the airline for a period of time.

Conclusion

This post was just a quick overview for someone considering becoming an airline pilot. There is a lot of information that will be covered in future posts concerning each step of the process.

If you found this post helpful and would like further information on becoming an airline pilot, follow Flightpath Training on our social media or sign up to our newsletter to be notified when a new post comes out.

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About The Author

Humzah Sharif - "I am a qualified commercial pilot that finished my training just as the Covid-19 Pandemic hit Europe. I started my training at 18 alongside my university studies and have done my training around Europe, mostly in the UK and Poland, while navigating the issue of Brexit. Since then I have been working on maintaining my ratings and skills while I try to find an opportunity to achieve my goal of finding employment as a pilot.

Currently I am working at Flightpath Training as a Marketing and Communications Assistant, which has given me a chance to stay connected to the industry while it recovers."