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Guide · Start here

How to become a pilot, step by step.

Becoming a pilot starts long before the first lesson. Here is the whole path in six steps, how long the training takes, the minimum ages, and what our partner schools ask for when you apply.

Last checked November 20265 min read

  • 6 steps From zero to a professional license
  • 7 to 24 months Training in our partner programs
  • 18 Minimum age for a commercial license
  • Free Our school advice for students

01 How to become a pilot

The path

  1. Before you pay

    Check your medical and English.

    Both can stop a career before the first lesson, and both are quick to check.

    Read next The pilot medical and English

  2. Compare

    Choose a country and a school.

    Compare total costs, licenses and living costs, not only course fees.

    Read next What pilot training really costsCountry guides

  3. Apply

    Apply.

    Schools ask for documents, an English score and often an aptitude test or an interview.

    Read next Pilot aptitude tests

  4. 7 to 24 months

    Train.

    Theory, flight training and the exams, in an integrated course or step by step.

    Read next Pilot licenses explained

  5. License

    Get your license.

    After the skill test you hold a commercial license, and you can check what it takes to use it at home.

    Read next How to convert your license at home

  6. After

    What comes next.

    Multi-crew course, type rating, building hours.

    Read next After your license

Flying helicopters instead? The path is similar, with its own license. Read the helicopter guide.

02 How to become a pilot

How long it takes

7 to 24 months

Training in our partner programs

Our partner programs take 7 to 24 months from the first lesson to the commercial license. Plan time before that for the medical, the English test, the application and the visa, and keep in mind that weather and exam dates can stretch the training itself.

03 How to become a pilot

Minimum ages

Minimum ages in the four systems.
SystemFirst solo flightPrivate licenseCommercial licenseAirline transport license
EASA (Europe) 16171821
FAA (USA) 16171823, or 21 for a restricted ATP
CASA (Australia) 15171821
CAA NZ (New Zealand) 16171821

Schools can set a higher minimum age than the authority. The table below shows what each of our partner schools asks for.

04 How to become a pilot

What our partner schools ask for

Every school sets its own entry requirements on top of the authority's rules. This table comes straight from our school database, so it always shows what each school asks for today.

What our partner schools ask for, program by program, from our school database.
School Country Program Duration Minimum age Medical English Also asked
Australian National Airline College (ANAC) Australia Private Pilot License (PPL) 24 weeks 17 Class 2 IELTS 6 or TOEFL 71 or PTE 50
  • Interview, Aviation Medical Examination, Aptitude Test on request
BASAIR Aviation College Australia Diploma of Aviation CPL 10 months 18 Class 1 IELTS 6.5 or PTE 59
  • Highschool Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
  • Interview, ADAPT Test
Airways Aviation Australia Australia Diploma of Aviation CPL (150hrs) and MEIR 18 to 24 months 18 Class 1 IELTS 6
  • Highschool Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
  • Internal Adapt Test
Airways Aviation Australia Australia Diploma of Aviation CPL (200hrs) and MEIR 18 to 24 months 18 Class 1 IELTS 6
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
  • Internal Adapt Test
Australian National Airline College (ANAC) Australia Diploma of Aviation CPL and MEIR 93 weeks 18 Class 1 IELTS 6 or TOEFL 71 or PTE 50
  • Highschool Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
  • Interview, Aviation Medical Examination, Aptitude Test on request
BASAIR Aviation College Australia Diploma of Aviation CPL and MEIR 14 months 18 Class 1 IELTS 6.5 or PTE 59
  • Highschool Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
  • Interview, ADAPT Test
Sydney Flight College (SFC) Australia International Pilot Package 21 months 18 Class 1 IELTS 6.5
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or international equivalent
  • Adapt Test, School Interview
Airways Aviation Australia Australia Diploma of Aviation FIR (45hrs) 14 weeks 18 Class 1 IELTS 6
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
  • CASA Commercial Pilot Licence or the AVI50222 diploma
Austrian Aviation Training Austria EASA Zero to ATPL Program 18 to 24 months 17 Class 1 Ask us
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl Equivalent
  • ADAPT Test, CV
Austrian Aviation Training Austria EASA Zero to ATPL & FI Program 24 to 27 months 17 Class 1 Ask us
  • EASA Zero to ATPL
Perkasa Flight School Indonesia CPL MEIR 14 to 16 months 17 Class 1 Ask us
  • Highschool (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
  • Mandatory Registration Fee USD 905; (Medical Check Up, TOEIC, Psychological Test, Aptitude Simulator Test, Written Test, Interview, 4D/3N Accommodation in Jakarta & Airport Pick up Service)
Perkasa Flight School Indonesia Flight Instructor Certificate (FIC) 3 months At least 18 years old Adequate medical certificate TOEFL 80 (20L, 20W, 20S, 20R) for internet-based test or PTE N/A
  • CPL with instrument rating (CPL-IR)
  • Able to read, speak and understand English
  • A course runs only with at least three students Recommended
  • DGCA CPL; 200+ hours; English ICAO Level 4.
Ardmore Flying School New Zealand Diploma in Aviation L5 (International Flight Training & DGCA) 15 months 18 Class 1 IELTS 6 or TOEFL 46 or PTE 42
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
  • ADAPT Test via NZ Skill Connect Interview Statement of Purpose & CV
Ardmore Flying School New Zealand NZ Diploma In Aviation (Airline Prep) Level 6 24 months 18 Class 1 IELTS 6 or TOEFL 46 or PTE 42
  • Completed, or currently completing, the NZ Diploma in Aviation (General Aviation) Level 5, an 82 week programme
  • ADAPT Test via NZ Skill Connect Interview Statement of Purpose & CV
Ardmore Flying School New Zealand NZ Diploma In Aviation (General Aviation) Level 5 19 months 18 Class 1 IELTS 6 or TOEFL 46 or PTE 42
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
  • ADAPT Test via NZ Skill Connect Interview Statement of Purpose & CV
Auckland International Pilot Academy (AIPA) New Zealand NZ Diploma in Aviation Level 5 (General Aviation) 18 months 18 Class 1 IELTS 5.5
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
  • ADAPT Trainee Pilot Pre-screening Test; interview with the Chief Flying Instructor; ASPEQ English Language Proficiency Test
International Aviation Academy of New Zealand (IAANZ) New Zealand NZ Diploma in Aviation (General Aviation) Level 5 18 to 24 months 18 Class 1 Ask us
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
  • ADAPT Test, CV
New Zealand Airline Academy Limited (NZAAL) New Zealand Commercial Pilot Licence Training 12 months 18 Class 1 IELTS 5.5
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
  • Adapt Test
Regional Air School (RAS Tuzla) Romania EASA Zero to ATPL 18 months 17 Class 1 Ask us
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
Regional Air School (RAS Tuzla) Romania EASA Zero to ATPL & FI 24 months 17 Class 1 Ask us
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
Aviation Career Center (ACC) Slovenia EASA 0-ATPL Programme 18 to 24 months 18 Class 1 Ask us
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
Slovenian Aeronautical Academy (SAA) Slovenia Integrated ATPL 18 months 18 Class 1 Ask us
  • English at ICAO Level 4 or higher
  • Clean criminal record
  • Eligible for an EU/Schengen visa (non-EU students need a Type D visa)
  • Pass a personal interview
Slovenian Aeronautical Academy (SAA) Slovenia EASA Flight Instructor Rating (FI-A) 2 to 3 months 18 Class 1 Ask us
  • EASA CPL(A); 200+ hours; FI pre-entry assessment.
FlyBy Aviation Academy Spain EASA Integrated ATPL Program 14 months 17 Class 1 Ask us
  • Completed secondary or high school education, with foundation knowledge in mathematics, physics and English
  • Flyby Admissions Package: EUR 1000.00; includes full ADAPT Test Suite and Offer Letter. Fully deductible from training tuition fees. FlyBy accepts applications from 17. Students from outside the EU need to be 18 for the Spanish student visa for training (Royal Decree 1155/2024, article 35).
FlyBy Aviation Academy Spain FlyBy Cadet Program 29 months 17 Class 1 Ask us
  • Completed secondary or high school education, with foundation knowledge in mathematics, physics and English
  • Flyby Admissions Package: EUR 1000.00; includes full ADAPT Test Suite and Offer Letter. Fully deductible from training tuition fees. FlyBy accepts applications from 17. Students from outside the EU need to be 18 for the Spanish student visa for training (Royal Decree 1155/2024, article 35).
EPIC Flight Academy United States Airline Pilot Program for International Students (Zero Experience to Airline Pilot) 7 to 12 months 17 Class 2 Ask us Ask us
EPIC Flight Academy United States CPL MEIR ex Instrument Course 10 months 17 Class 2 Ask us
  • Hold at least a current private pilot certificate
  • High school diploma or equivalency
Phoenix East Aviation (PEA) United States CPL MEIR 10 to 12 months 18 Class 1 TOEFL 75
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
Phoenix East Aviation (PEA) United States CPL MEIR, CFI, CFII 16 to 18 months 18 Class 1 TOEFL 75
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology United States Aviation Flight (Associate of Applied Science) 17 months 18 Ask us TOEFL 61
  • High School (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
  • Proof of liquid assets to cover your costs for 12 months;
Wayman College of Aeronautics United States Aviation Flight (Associate of Applied Science) 18 to 20 months 17 Class 1 IELTS 5.5
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
Hillsboro Aero Academy United States Professional Program (Standard Pacing) 18 months 18 Class 2 IELTS 6.5
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent
Hillsboro Heli Academy United States Helicopter Professional Pilot Program Helicopter Under 15 months 18 Class 2 IELTS 6.5
  • High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent

Requirements can change. Your advisor confirms them with the school before you apply.

05 How to become a pilot

How to apply with us

  1. Talk to an advisor Ask what this school means for your plans, your budget and your start date.
  2. Start your application In your free account: your profile, your passport and school transcript, then the form and your signature.
  3. Your advisor reviews it Your advisor goes through it with you and sends it to the school. The school decides on your place.
Book your free call Start your application

Our school advisory is free for students. The training itself you pay to the school, at its own fees.

Ready to compare schools? Smart Match ranks partner schools for your goals.

06 7 questions

Questions about becoming a pilot

How long does it take to become a pilot?

Our partner programs take 7 to 24 months from the first lesson to the commercial license. Before that come the medical, the English test, the application and the visa.

Copy link Still unsure? Talk to an advisor

How old do you have to be to become a pilot?

For a commercial license, 18 in all four systems. You can start earlier: the first solo flight is possible at 16 (15 in Australia) and the private license at 17. The airline transport license needs 21, or 23 under the FAA (21 for a restricted ATP).

Copy link Still unsure? Talk to an advisor

Do I need a degree to become a pilot?

Not for the license. Our partner schools ask for a school-leaving certificate or an equivalent; the table shows what each school asks for.

Copy link Still unsure? Talk to an advisor

Do I need to be good at math and physics?

You need solid basics. Aptitude tests often include mental arithmetic and physics questions, and you can practice both with our free trainers.

Copy link Still unsure? Talk to an advisor

What level of English do I need to become a pilot?

ICAO Level 4 for the license, and a separate test score for the school and the visa. Our guide to the medical and English explains both.

Copy link Still unsure? Talk to an advisor

Can I apply to a school directly?

Yes. If you apply through us, your advisor goes through your application with you before it goes to the school. The advice is free for students, and the school decides on your place.

Copy link Still unsure? Talk to an advisor

What if I am not sure I pass the medical?

Ask an aviation medical examiner before you pay a school. Our guide to the medical and English explains where to find one.

Copy link Still unsure? Talk to an advisor

Related guides

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