Path to Becoming an Airline Pilot: Cost and Training Options
Do you dream of becoming an airline pilot?
People say it's the best job in the world. Becoming a professional pilot requires hard work, dedication, and a significant financial investment. The cost of getting an Airline Transport Pilot Licence varies, and the main reason for this price difference is a choice you have to make between integrated and modular training.
Integrated Training:
The all-in-one process is about between 100,000$ and £125,000$. This is full-time training at one organization and takes 18-24 months. It has more simulator hours, with a structured syllabus starting from the classroom-based ATPL theory. Some providers have airline ties that could help you start your career.
Modular Training:
It costs between 75,000$ and 90,000$. This step-by-step method allows you to pay as you go, thus diluting the costs. It can be combined with other commitments like work or family. In case of lack of motivation, training without breaks is possible if your finances allow that.
Choosing the Right Path:
Integrated and modular routes have the exact medical requirements, and either one gets you from little or no flying experience to a pre-type rating airline pilot. Your best option depends on your circumstances and preferences. Integrated training would then be best for those who can commit full-time or pay fully in advance, while modular training is a ideal for those looking to train part-time with spread-out costs. Consider your situation, financial ability, and time you can spend training. After all, both paths will get you into an airline cockpit.
What's the requirement to get an ATPL?
To become an airline pilot and get the ATPL license, several steps must be taken. Most of them are to be done in a particular order. If you want to revise for ATPL, check out our book.
Medical
First, get a Class 1 Medical Certificate; this ranges from up to 750$ for the first issue and cost about 200$ annually to renew.
Private Pilot License, PPL
First of all, begin with a PPL. The cost comes down to $10,000 if most of the students complete it in 55-60 hours.
ATPL Theory
There are 13 subjects for ATPL theory and a minimum of 650 hours of study. These can be distance courses—providing the same quality as any other course but done outside of class, generally costing between $2,000 -$3,000—or classroom courses costing $4,000-$6,000. Examinations in these must be passed with a minimum of 75% marks.
You can use something like an aviation exam for your ATPL.
Subjects include:
- Air Law
- Communications (VFR and IFR)
- Principles of Flight
- Aircraft General Knowledge
- Instrumentation
- Meteorology
- General Navigation
- Human Performance and Limitations
- Operational Procedures
- Mass and Balance
- Performance
- Radio Navigation
- Flight Planning and Monitoring
Hour Building
Afterward, you'll have to gain some flying hours before embarking on the Commercial Pilots License. You need a minimum of 150 hours of flight time.
Hour Building cost:
It costs somewhere between 100$ and 200$ per hour depending on the aircraft and where one conducts hour building. Different schools offer more economical packages compared to hourly payments. During this time, it is also possible to get a Night Rating entailing a minimum of five hours.
Commercial Pilot License, CPL.
As such, the CPL training is 25 hours long and opens one up to transporting passengers. Pricing can range from $5,000 to $15,000 for your rating, based on the type of aircraft used and whether you already have an Instrument Rating. You would need a PPL with theoretical knowledge exams valid and at least accumulate 150 hours of flight time before starting on any type of training towards the CPL.
Multi-Engine Piston (MEP) Rating
An MEP rating is required to fly multi-engine aircraft. It can be included in the CPL or trained separately. That will cost you from 4,000$ to 8,000$, depending on the school and the aircraft.
Instrument Rating (IR)
The IR turns one into instrument flight rules flying, hence operating an aircraft through all weather conditions. Usually, the MEIR course will be combined with the MEP rating and cost approximately 17,000$ to 20,000$.
UPRT—Upset Prevention and Recovery Training.
UPRT on preventing and recovering unusual aircraft attitudes: Required course, 5 hours theory/3 hours flight, cost 1,300–2,000$.
Airline Pilot Standard Multi Crew Co-operation – APS MCC.
The APS MCC course will train you in operating commercial jets on multi-crew coordination and decision-making. Although extremely useful when applying to a multi-crew airline job, it is not now a compulsory qualification, costing in the region of 4,000$ - 6,000$.
What do you get after all that ?
Frozen ATPL (fATPL): When you first qualify, you will be issued a frozen ATPL, which will permit you to apply for first officer positions.
This can later be upgraded to a full ATPL when you have attained 1,500 flight hours.
CAA, EASA, or Dual ATPL:
This, of course is dictated by the location of your initial employing airline. If this is a UK-based airline, you'll require a CAA ATPL; if it is EU-based, you will need an EASA ATPL. In case of doubt, it is good to obtain both licenses. This will enable you to work for CAA and EASA airlines. That will mean going through 2 medicals, theoretical exams, and flying skills tests for an extra $ 5,000$. You can convert your license later with some more training.
