Pilot’s Journey: A Guide to Becoming a Pilot
Can you remember the animated movie “Crow: The Legend” where singer John Legend sang the song “When You Can Fly”, the lyrics are given here below:
Frog gona leap,,, Gators gona bite,,,
A gray wolf pak is going to rule the night,,
A mountain lion never been afraid of heights
But it’s better when you can fly…
The view from the blue sky,
It looks so good when you’re up high,,,
In this song, the main character “The Crow” is expressing his joy of flying in the sky. The lyrics describe a vivid picture of nature’s beautiful rhythms. For Crow, the sky is not just a place, it’s a symbol of freedom, perspective and escape. As he rises above the clouds, he finds not just beauty, but a deeper sense of purpose and joy. The Crow in this story also represents a pilot who uses the sky as an escape to explore self discovery and the joy of flying.
If your dream is to direct commercial airlines across the globe, guide cargo through inclement or harsh weather, fly private jets for world famous business clients or provide help or assistance in the air, our guide is designed to assist you with every important step along the way. From the nurturing passion or spark for flight to your career growth and professional development, we will provide you with the knowledge, handouts, materials, guidelines and the vision you need to thrivingly navigate your way to your goal.
If the blue sky and white clouds call to you, if you want to be a pilot, you have to stick to the following steps:
Step 1: Start Your Journey– Your Entry Requirements
If you really want to start your career of flight as a pilot, you’ll need to meet crucial requirements:
- Age: You have to be at least 18 years old to start professional training to start your career.
- Medical Fitness: You also have to pass a stringent Class 1 Aviation Medical Examination to make sure you meet the high physical and mental health standards required for flying an aircraft.
- Educational Qualification: You also have to make sure you are holding a good diploma (or at least finishing 12th grade) to have a strong knowledge about flight and the things that you need to build up your career.. Strong backgrounds in physics and mathematics are mostly beneficial.
Step 2: Choosing The Right Flight Training Path For You
Once qualified, try to select the training method that best suits you:
- Integrated ATPL Programs: An Integrated ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License) Program is a thorough year strict, full-time pilot training course created to take students with little or no flying experience to the level of a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with Frozen ATPL in roughly 18 to 24 months. Unlike modular training (where students complete licenses step-by-step at their own speed and comfort), an integrated program follows a well organized, aviation focused curriculum under EASA (Europe), FAA (USA), or other aviation authority directive. These overarching, full-time courses can take you from little to no experience to directly to a “frozen ATPL,” often with aviation-based training along with it.
An Integrated ATPL program is not that compulsory for a CPL, but it provides the fastest and most organized path to a successful aviation career. However, Modular Training is also a good alternative for those who prefer flexibility, comfort and saving money. For a fresh 12th-grade graduate with no proper flying experience, starting with an Integrated ATPL program is normally the proper and more efficient choice, but it mostly depends on your career goals, budget, comfort and flexibility.
- Modular Training: Modular Training is a more adaptive learning where the training mostly focuses on individualized instructions and self learning at your own pace. In Modular Training, you earn each license (PPL, IR, CPL) individually, allowing you to train part-time based on your comfort, learning pace and flexibility. Modular Pilot Training offers a great path to a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), allowing students to complete each certification (PPL, IR, CPL) by themselves. Unlike the thorough Integrated ATPL program, modular training lets pilots pay as they learn, train part-time, allowing them to focus on other various topics, and choose different flight schools for each key phase. Main advantages include lower learning costs (€50,000 to €80,000), the capability to balance both work and studies, and the freedom to progress at their own learning pace. However, it takes longer (2 to 4 years) and requires additional steps like MCC/JOC for airline readiness. This training suits budget-conscious students, working professionals, or those who prefer gradual training rather than the strict, full time training ATPL Programs. For a faster entry to the aviation career, Integrated ATPL remains the most preferable, but modular training provides a practical alternative for disciplined, self-motivated aviators based on the budget, flexibility, comfort and learning pace.
Step 3: Receiving Your Licenses & Ratings
This part of the guide is the most exciting phase where you earn your wings to the sky, one by one at a time! Each and every license and rating that you receive, takes you closer to your dream of flying professionally. Here’s a simple analysis of what you’ll achieve at each stage of this phase:
- Private Pilot License (PPL): The Private Pilot License (PPL) is most probably your very first pilot’s license, allowing you to fly small aircraft for your personal use, though it is not for pay. In training, you’ll learn the most essential and important skills such as basic flight controls (like takeoff, landing, and navigation) , emergency handling, and the rules
To fly in the sky, including airline regulations. To earn your PPL, you willl typically need to complete 40 to 60 flight hours depending on your country’s requirements, pass a written exam, and lastly successfully demonstrate your abilities in a flight test with an experienced examiner. This license is a major turning point in your life, as it’s where you truly fall in love with flying and build the fundamental skills every beginner pilot needs.
- Instrument Rating (IR): This is often called “flying blind (but safely!)”. This is an advanced certification that allows pilots to fly in poor and harsh weather conditions, such as clouds, fogs, and sometimes storms, relying solely on cockpit instruments. During this training, you’ll learn how to navigate an aircraft without using visual references to the ground and master advanced aircraft-flying techniques. To qualify, you must already have a Private Pilot License (PPL) and complete additional flight and simulator training. This rating is crucial because airlines and professional pilots require it. Real-world flying requires the ability to operate the aircraft safely in all types of weather conditions, making the IR an essential step in an aviator’s professional career.
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL): The Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is your gateway to getting paid to fly! This advanced certification allows you to earn money as a pilot—whether through charter flights, flight instructing, or other commercial operations. During training, you’ll master precision flying, including advanced maneuvers, and learn how to operate more complex aircraft. To qualify, you’ll need between 150 and 250 flight hours (depending on aviation regulations) and must pass more rigorous written and flight tests. The CPL is a major career milestone—it’s your official ticket to the professional aviation world, finally allowing you to turn your passion for flying into a paycheck.
- Multi-Engine Rating (ME): The Multi-Engine Rating (ME) is an important certification that enlarges your flying capabilities by allowing you to operate aircraft with two or more engines, the standard for most commercial planes nowadays. This supplement to your Commercial Pilot License (CPL) teaches you specialized yet important skills, most importantly how to safely handle engine failures during the middle of a flight. You’ll acquire key differences between single and multi-engine aircrafts, including performance characteristics, systems management, and emergency procedures unique to different types of operations. The training focuses heavily on maintaining control during difficult situations, such as losing an engine during takeoff, landing or during the middle of the flight in some cases. Since most airline and corporate aircraft are multi-engine, this rating is essential for professional pilots and notably boosts your career’s potential in commercial aviation. The course typically involves both ground school covering systems knowledge and flight training to develop proficiency in different types of multi-engine operations.
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Theory: The Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Theory represents the final test of aviation knowledge, a crucial step toward becoming an airline captain. The ATP program covers advanced subjects, including aerodynamics, airline operations, navigation systems, etc. While most pilots typically undertake this training after earning their Commercial Pilot License (CPL), completing it before reaching the required 1,500 flight hours for the full ATPL demonstrates a strong commitment and significantly boosts employability. The infamously challenging written exams separate serious candidates and future pilots from the rest, making ATP Theory not just a regulatory problem but a career-defining achievement that opens doors of opportunities to major airlines. Passing early shows airlines you’re ready for the fast track to the cockpit’s seat..
What’s Next After These Licenses?
Once you have your Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPL) + Multi Engine Rating (ME) + Instrument Rating (IR), you’ll need to:
✔ Build flight hours by working as a flight instructor, cargo pilot, or charter pilot.
✔ Complete Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) training and learn to fly with co-pilots, like in airlines
✔ Apply for airline jobs or corporate/business aviation roles
Which Path Should You Take?
- Want to go fast? → Integrated ATPL (all-in-one program).
- Need flexibility? → Modular training (earn licenses one by one).
✈️ No matter which path you choose, each license brings you closer to the cockpit!
Ready to start? Begin with your PPL and take it step by step. The sky’s the limit! 🚀
Step 4: Building Experience & Specializing
After your main licenses, you’ll focus on accumulating hours and specialized skills:
- Flight Hour Accumulation: Flight Hour Accumulation is when you build the significant flight hours ( for example 1500 hours for ATP) through different types of methods, often by becoming a Flight Instructor (CFI).
- Type Ratings: Once you are employed by an airline, you will receive special training and certification (Any Type Rating) to fly a particular aircraft model (for example Boeing 737, Airbus A320).
- Advanced Training: Advanced Training is when the training includes Crew Resource Management (CRM) for teamwork and communication skills and Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) for handling unusual flight situations.
Step 5: Recruitment by Airlines
- Application: Submit your strong applications, highlighting your licenses, hours, and any specializations to have a higher chance of recruitment in the aviation industry.
- Assessments: You also have to be prepared for any multi-stage interviews, which mostly includes:
- Technical Knowledge Tests: Technical Knowledge Tests helps to evaluate a pilot’s understanding of different aspects of aviation, helps to understand the regulations, and to know more about aircraft systems and flight operations. These tests are used in various stages of pilot training, licensing, and airline recruitment processes.
- HR/Behavioral Interviews: HR (Human Resources) and behavioral interviews are the interviews that help to assess a pilot’s personality, decision-making, teamwork, communication and other situational judgment. These main qualities are very important for aviation safety and crew coordination and management. Many airlines use these interviews to ensure candidates for different positions align with company culture, policies and regulations and can handle challenges during difficult times..
- Simulator Assessments: Simulator assessments are an important part of pilot selection and training, assessing and checking a candidate’s flying skills, decision-making, and ability to handle different types of emergencies or problems by using a controlled, high-fidelity flight simulator. Airlines, flight schools, and licensing authorities use these tests to assess the candidate’s capabilities before letting them flying
Your Professional Pilot Career Awaits!
From your first solo flight to commanding an airliner, the journey is challenging but incredibly rewarding. Aviation Study Centre is here to support you at every step, providing the resources and guidance you need to achieve your dream.
✈️ Fly High, Aim Higher! ✈️
For more details, visit www.aviationstudycentre.com under Learn & Train → Pilot’s Journey.