The Complete Guide To Becoming A Pilot (2): Your First Steps

This is the third article in a series named “The Complete Guide To Becoming A Pilot.”

If you haven’t read the previous article, then please click here.

If you want to find all the articles in this guide, then please click here.

You meet all the academic criteria, have a passion for flying with good skills and traits, and now you are ready to start taking your first steps towards realising your dream of becoming a pilot. Join me as I guide you through the essential pilot training steps you need to take at this stage.

1. first Pilot Training Steps: EASA ATPL vs FAA ATP

When deciding on your pilot training steps, choosing between EASA ATPL and FAA ATP is crucial.

Both paths are good, and there is no significant benefit in choosing one over the other. Your decision can be based entirely on where you want to work. If you want to work in Europe, go for EASA; if you’re willing to work in the U.S., then go for FAA.

Nevertheless, here are some differences:

• The EASA ATPL program has more theory than the FAA ATP, but that shouldn’t be a problem. I personally think that’s more favourable; more knowledge is always welcome.
• An EASA licence will let you fly EU-registered aeroplanes, while an FAA licence will let you fly U.S.-registered aeroplanes. Airlines outside of Europe and the U.S. will ask you to validate your EASA or FAA licence to the airline’s registered state, which is usually a bit easier for EASA holders, depending on the country.
• Validating or converting an EASA licence to an FAA one is much easier than the other way around.
• You can work as a fresh graduate First Officer from an EASA program in an EU airline with around 250 hours, but you would need to get 1500 hours in the U.S.

Wondering about me? – I chose the EASA path, but it’s up to you to ask and do more research on this.

2. Integrated ATPL Path vs Modular ATPL Path?

In very simple terms: Full-time vs part-time, or a preset training pace vs you decide when and where.

Understanding the different pilot training steps between the Integrated and Modular ATPL paths can help you make an informed decision.

• The integrated path is quite intense; you study non-stop according to a preset schedule with very little interruption. In contrast, the modular path allows you to progress at your own pace.
• The integrated path allows you to focus solely on the training, while the modular path allows you to work and train simultaneously.
• The integrated path will take you from zero to hero (fATPL) in a continuous journey. The modular path takes it one step at a time: you get your PPL licence, then theoretical ATPL exams, get your ratings, and slowly build your hours towards a CPL.
• The integrated path is suitable for someone fully determined to pursue a career as a pilot from the start. The modular path is suitable for someone who has a job and wants to transition slowly into a pilot career.
• The modular path is usually cheaper than the integrated one.

Wondering about me? – I was integrated, and I loved it!

3. first Pilot Training Steps: how to choose The Right Flight School:

• Initial Research: Thoroughly check the flight school’s website and read their requirements.
• Partner Airlines: Check if they have good partner airlines (Cadet Programmes).
• Alumni Success: Look up their alumni on LinkedIn to see how long it took them to finish flight school and if most of them got hired.
• Safety Record: Examine their safety record.
• Reputation and Achievements: Check their reputation and achievements, as school reputation can be quite handy as a fresh graduate, especially if the competition is tight.
• Graduate Services: Ask if they have graduate services. For example, at CAE Oxford, we had one where they would try to find jobs for you, and all of my EU colleagues got hired just after graduation.
• Flying Curriculum and Locations: Check their flying curriculum and which locations they use for flying.
• Student Monitoring: Ask how students are monitored. Do they have a centralised system where you can check your progress, and how many internal tests do they have?
• Degree Programme: Check if they have a degree programme.
• Fleet Information: Check how many aircraft are in their fleet and what type.
• Airport Operations: Determine whether the airport they operate from is controlled or not.
• Open Days and Visits: Go to the school on an open day and interact with the staff, students, and classrooms. If you can’t visit, try to collect as much info from their alumni on LinkedIn or their students’ blogs as these sources are more authentic.
• Airline Preferences: If you have an airline that you want to join in mind, ask their pilots which schools are more likely to hire from.
• Cost vs Quality: Don’t just go with a flight school because it’s expensive (expensive doesn’t mean quality), and don’t just choose a flight school because it’s cheap (cheap doesn’t mean you hit the jackpot or found the best deal).
• Training Facilities and Equipment: Look into the quality of their training facilities and equipment. Modern simulators and well-maintained aircraft can make a big difference in your training.
• Instructors: Inquire about the experience and qualifications of their instructors. Experienced instructors can provide better training and insights.
• Class Size: Consider the class size. Smaller classes can offer more personalised attention and better learning opportunities.
• Weather Conditions: Look-up the typical weather conditions at the school’s location. Consistent weather can mean more reliable flying conditions and less downtime. If you can’t do that yourself, ask any pilot on LinkedIn who flies around that area, and they can look it up for you.
• Accreditation: Ensure the flight school is accredited by relevant aviation authorities. Accreditation ensures the school meets certain standards of quality and safety.

Wondering about me? – I went to CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, and it was so much fun!

4. Get Your Funding Sorted:

Whether it’s your family’s money, your own money, or taking a loan from the bank, get it sorted ASAP before joining. Funding is a critical part of your pilot training steps, and you don’t want to get into trouble midway through your studies.

• The cost of an integrated ATPL in the UK is somewhere between £58,000 and £120,000.
• The cost of a modular ATPL in the UK is somewhere between £60,000 and £82,000.

• In the USA, the cost of an integrated ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) programme can range from $70,000 to $120,000.
• For a modular ATP programme in the USA, costs can range from $50,000 to $80,000.

• In Asia, the cost of an integrated ATPL programme can range from $50,000 to $100,000, depending on the country and the flight school.
• For a modular ATPL programme in Asia, costs can range from $40,000 to $70,000.

Please note that costs do change, so check with your flight school and beware of hidden costs that might not be included in the price tag they give you!

5. Get your Class 1 Medical:

Book your initial Class 1 medical examination with an approved AME (Aviation Medical Examiner).

For UK CAA-approved AMEs, you can find them on the CAA database here.

I have already discussed what to expect during your medical in the previous article.

Wondering about me? – I did my first ever medical in London with Dr Chris King; I still remember it; was a bit stressed, but it went smoothly! Amazing Doctor!

6. Obtain Your Secondary (High) School Diploma Equivalency Certificate:

If Applicable.

If you plan to study abroad, it’s likely that your home country has a different school system than your destination country.

In this case, the flight school will ask you to get an equivalency certificate for your diploma. Your flight school should guide you through the procedure.

For example, if you are preparing to study in the UK, you would obtain your equivalency certificate from UK NARIC. This was my personal experience. Always ask your institution to guide you to the appropriate organisation for obtaining your equivalency certificate.

7. Prepare For Your Flight School’s Assessment:

Most reputable flight schools will assess you before finally accepting you, and these assessments can range from a simple interview to a comprehensive airline-like evaluation.

A proper assessment will test your personality, Maths and Physics knowledge, cognitive abilities (including abstract, spatial, and verbal reasoning), and more. You may also have to undergo an interview, a group assessment, and a simulator assessment.

I plan to write an article detailing my assessment experience at CAE Oxford Aviation Academy (I will link it here once available). Just note that not all flight schools have the same assessment process.

So, how can you prepare for your flight school’s assessment?

Generally, you should prepare for the assessment by first knowing roughly what’s in it (Pretty Obvious – I know).

As assessments can differ from one flight school to another, the best advice on preparing would come from their students, so try to connect with them for feedback. This way, you don’t end up preparing for the wrong tests!

• Use Available Resources: Buy subscriptions on websites and software that can help you prepare, such as latestpilotsjobs.com, pilotaptitudetest, and Skytest (if they have your specific school), or similar testing software/methods.
• Mental Maths and Physics: Prepare by practising mental maths and revising your high school Maths and Physics.
• Flight Simulator Practice: Get your hands on Microsoft Flight Simulator, and try to fly a bit to train your hand-eye coordination and familiarise yourself with the cockpit and some aviation terms (altitude, altimeter, speed indicator, thrust, knots, etc.).
• Stay Updated: Read the latest aviation news, as you might get asked about it. They want to see how enthusiastic you are about aviation!
• Physics of Flight: Have some general knowledge about the physics of flight.

On the day of the assessment, be calm and composed! They know what stage you are at in life, and they don’t expect you to be a genius—no one does! Just meet their standards; even if you fail, they will let you retake it after a specified time frame. No airline is going to ask for your assessment report, so don’t worry.

8. Congrats! You Passed Your Assessment:

You are now ready to start your pilot training! Don’t rush to start. If you go to a busy school, there is usually a new course starting every three weeks or so. Take your time and prepare well for the next phase of your life. So, how can you prepare well for flight school?

• Get a Head Start: Buy used ATPL books from eBay or watch videos on YouTube explaining aerodynamics, propulsion, and weather to get at least a rough idea of what you will encounter.
• Flight Simulator Practice: Play Microsoft Flight Simulator. While it’s nothing like being in a real aeroplane, it’s very helpful for familiarising yourself with the cockpit and teaching yourself how to fly circuits. Look up the aircraft type that your flight school uses and download the model in the game to take a glance at the instruments, where they are, and what they are used for.
• Document Management: Scan all of your documents and have them available digitally (cloud, laptop, etc.). Make it a habit to do this for every official document you receive; it will help you in the future!
• Networking: Start networking with your classmates if you know who they are.
• Study Habit: Develop a study habit.

For Non-EU, Non-English Citizens:

Get your IELTS test done. The score should be at least 6 overall, with 5.5 in each band. I advise you to complete this before the assessment.

One last tip: If you are an integrated student at a flight school where you have to finish all 14 ATPL exams in less than six months, I would advise you to pack some towels to wipe up your tears because it gets very intense 😛 – Kidding!