How to get a uk pilot license

The military offers the only proper way of going from zero to qualified pilot completely free while being paid. Check out the following for careers with the different services. Although becoming a tug pilot is not for everyone because of the experience needed and risks involved , becoming a tug pilot can be an excellent way to build hours for free towards a commercial pilot licence. If lucky, your gliding club may be able to offer accommodation at a subsidised rate during the summer season in case you do not live locally to your gliding club and are working as a tug pilot for them.

After getting your commercial pilot licence and instrument rating, one of the highest costs to fly professionally is paying for a type rating.

Most airlines now charge low hour pilots for their type ratings. Try and join a company that offers an apprenticeship scheme. An excellent example of this is the Jet2 pilot apprentice scheme. The scheme is based on initially spending months on various rotations around the business. At the end of the apprenticeship, you complete your type rating free of charge and start flying.

During your apprenticeship period, you are paid a reasonable salary, and as soon as you start your type rating, you are paid a first officers salary. Many student pilots forget that there are other avenues to fly professionally besides airline flying. With there being many low hour pilots looking for their first jobs at the moment, type ratings are currently expensive, with first officer salaries being weak — think about other professional flying opportunities.

Completing your training via the modular route makes it possible to become a pilot for slightly less cost. You may be able to complete your training for slightly less. The estimate above is a mid-range estimate, and you can do it for less if you shop around. The cheapest way to become a pilot is to take advantage of air cadet flying opportunities which are entirely free if you are still at school.

If you wish to fly in the military, the Army, Airforce and Royal Navy offer excellent flying careers. If you found this useful or have other ideas on how to become a pilot for free, please leave a comment in the section below!

Kudzi Chikohora is a B pilot with around 2, hours flying in Europe. He holds a masters degree in Aerospace Engineering and is a chartered engineer and a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Kudzi completed his pilot training via the self funded modular pilot training route and created kcthepilot. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Other than that plenty of enthusiasm always helps! How much will it cost me? How long will it take to pass? From the gallery. Book Now For the time of your life. Keep in touch Email alert: Sign Up Follow us on:.

During lockdown flight training was suspended and over the course of the last year and a half a number of airlines and flight training schools have gone bust and even experienced pilots have lost their jobs. This isn't a positive picture, but with the cost of training to become a pilot so high, it's better to know the facts.

If you've considered your options and weighed up all the risks and still want to embark on a career as a pilot, read on to discover how. However, before you can do this, you'll be expected to have undertaken the necessary training and obtained a Class 1 Medical Certificate valid for 12 months until you're A second language will also prove useful.

While a degree isn't essential, A-levels are viewed favourably. Tests are carried out at RAF Cranwell. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic RAF Cranwell are unable to offer pilot aptitude testing in , instead from August the tests will be carried out at their London office - Air Pilots House. With a frozen ATPL you'll be able to apply for jobs as a first officer or co-pilot.

To 'unfreeze' your ATPL you'll need to complete 1, hours flying experience, after which you'll be able to apply for jobs as a captain. You'll also need to pass a practical skill test, in addition to ATPL theoretical knowledge exams in areas such as air law, operation procedures and radio navigation.

Pilot training schools, otherwise known as flying schools, typically offer two types of professional flight training - integrated and modular. Integrated courses enable trainee pilots with no previous flying experience to gain their ATPL within 18 months. Courses are intense and as such you'll need to finish the training in one go.

Integrated courses incorporate both theoretical study and practical flying experience. At a much lower price point than that of a formal ground course, mind you. As a private pilot in training, you learn how to fly aircraft, which involves more than handling the control wheel. Your flight training encompasses preflight preparation, navigation, and emergency procedures among several other areas of aircraft operations.

You learn the ropes from a flight instructor through flight lessons, each consisting of three segments:. Although insignificant, the Part 61 vs Part difference comes into play here. Both figures must include 20 hours of flight training with an instructor as well as other minimum hours of solo, cross-country, instrument and night flight time. Gaining the required flight proficiency takes most pilots 60 to 75 hours, though. Among other factors, your aptitude, flight frequency, pilot school, and flight instructor influence the number of flight hours.

Typically, it takes 3 months to complete a private pilot course. However, accelerated courses last only a handful of weeks.

Once your training is complete, and your instructor deems you ready, you must pass tests to get your license. Interestingly, you may sit for the private pilot knowledge test at 15 years old. However, you must present an authorization to take the test. Many pilots prefer to pass the knowledge test before they begin flight training.

Passing your private pilot practical test , commonly known as checkride, is the final step on your path to becoming a private pilot. The checkride comes after completing your pilot training, passing your knowledge test, and getting an instructor endorsement.

It attests to meeting the required practical test standards. Your instructor issues the endorsement, but only after you demonstrate flight proficiency in a 3-hour preparatory flight within two months of the test. The cost of becoming a private pilot varies, but the average is around 10, dollars.