How to become an airline pilot in Europe

Integrated versus modular training, the licences on the way, the typical cost and the steps after you graduate.

The short answer

You need a commercial pilot licence with a multi engine instrument rating, the ATPL theory, and usually an MCC or APS MCC course. You can get there in one full time integrated course, or step by step on the modular route starting with a PPL.

Integrated or modular

Integrated courses take roughly 18 to 24 months at one approved school, from zero experience to frozen ATPL. Modular training lets you train in stages, keep working, and pay as you go, but takes more planning and usually longer. Airlines hire from both routes.

The steps on the modular route

• Class 1 medical, ideally before you spend anything
• PPL(A)
• Hour building to 150 hours total, with the required PIC and cross country time
• ATPL theory, 13 exams
• Night rating
• CPL(A) course and skill test
• Multi engine class rating and instrument rating (or CB IR)
• MCC or APS MCC, then a type rating with your airline

What it costs

Commonly quoted totals range from about €70,000 on a carefully planned modular route to well over €120,000 for some integrated courses, before a type rating. Get a written breakdown from any school and check what is excluded.