How to Become a Pilot in 2025: Step-by-Step
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Your journey to the cockpit starts here.
Becoming a pilot is one of the most exciting ambitions a person can have — but it’s also one of the most misunderstood.
The internet is full of outdated information, complicated explanations, and price breakdowns that don’t reflect how aviation actually works today.
So, let’s fix that.
Whether you’re 14 or 40, whether you’ve never sat in a cockpit or you’ve already flown a simulator for years — this step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to become a pilot in 2025.
Simple. Clear. Real.
Let’s take off.
1. Decide What Kind of Pilot You Want to Be
Before anything else, ask yourself:
What type of flying are you actually aiming for?
There are three main paths:
✔ Private Pilot (PPL)
Fly for fun. No paid flying.
✔ Commercial Pilot (CPL / ATPL)
Fly for airlines, cargo, private jets — paid flying.
✔ Military Pilot
Join your country’s air force.
Most people reading this are aiming for commercial aviation, so that’s the path we’ll focus on.
2. Check the Basic Requirements
To train as a commercial pilot in Europe (EASA), you must meet the following:
✔ Age
You can start ground school at 16–17.
You can fly solo at 16.
You can hold a commercial license at 18.
You can hold an ATPL at 21.
✔ Language
Basic English proficiency (ICAO Level 4 and up).
✔ Medical
This is the big one — you need a Class 1 Medical Certificate.
Which brings us to...
3. Get Your Class 1 Medical
This is the official confirmation that you’re physically fit to become a commercial pilot.
It checks:
- Vision
- Hearing
- ECG
- Blood tests
- Lung function
- General health
- It’s not as strict as people think — 90%+ pass.
Tip:Do this before applying to any flight school.
It saves time, money, and avoids surprises.
4. Choose Your Training Route
In 2025, you have two main pathways:
Route 1: Integrated Training (Fastest & Most Common)
You join a flight school full-time and complete everything in one structured program.
Duration: 18–24 months
Cost: €70,000–€120,000 (varies by school)
This includes:
- ATPL theory
- Flight training
- Night rating
- Instrument rating
- Multi-engine
- CPL skills test
Integrated is fast, efficient, and ideal for beginners.
Route 2: Modular Training (Flexible & Pay-As-You-Go)
You complete each license separately, spreading out cost and time.
Duration: Flexible
Cost: Can be cheaper than integrated
Perfect if you:
- Need to work while training
- Want to pay in smaller chunks
- Prefer full control over timeline and school choices
5. Complete ATPL Theory
This is the part everyone fears — but shouldn’t.
ATPL theory covers 14 subjects, including:
- Meteorology
- Principles of Flight
- Navigation
- Human Performance
- Instrumentation
- Performance
- Flight Planning
- Aircraft General Knowledge ... and more
Today, training programs are much more beginner-friendly than they used to be.
Tip:
Treat ATPL as a marathon, not a sprint.
Small daily progress beats last-minute panic every time.
6. Start Flying
Your practical flight training begins with:
- Basic handling
- Takeoffs and landings
- Navigation
- Instrument flying
- Multi-engine flying
At around 15–20 hours, you experience one of aviation’s biggest milestones:
Your first solo flight.
No instructor.
Just you, the aircraft, the runway, and the sky.
It’s a moment you never forget — and often the moment everything “clicks.”
7. Build Hours
Depending on your course, you'll build flight hours through:
- Navigation flights
- Solo flights
- Simulator sessions
- Multi-engine time
By the end, you’ll have around 200–250 flight hours, enough to enter the job market.
8. Pass Your Skills Tests
To finish, you must pass:
- CPL Skills Test
- Instrument Rating (IR) Test
- Multi-Engine Class Rating
- ATPL exams
Once done, you receive a frozen ATPL, meaning you’re qualified to work as a commercial pilot but need experience to “unfreeze” it.
9. Apply for Airline Jobs
In 2025, airlines across Europe and the world are hiring aggressively.
You can apply for:
- First Officer positions
- Cadet programs
- Trainee programs
- Regional airlines
- Seasonal charter airlines
Your frozen ATPL + CPL/IR/ME is your ticket to the airline world.
10. Start Your Career
Once you're hired, you’ll complete:
- Type Rating (A320, B737, etc.)
- Line Training
- Supervised flights
After gaining 1,500 flight hours, your license becomes a full ATPL.
This unlocks:
- Captain positions
- Crew training roles
- Widebody opportunities
The sky truly opens up from here.
Final Thoughts: The Journey Begins With One Step
Becoming a pilot in 2025 is more achievable than ever, but you need clarity — not chaos.
If you’re just starting out, remember this:
Every pilot you’ve ever seen started exactly where you are now.
No knowledge.
No experience.
Just a dream and a decision.
Make that decision today.
Your journey into the sky begins now.