Ways to reach your goal

There are more than one ways to get your pilot training. Actually, there are two. You can take what is called the modular route, or you can do the integrated route. The integrated route is where you do the complete training at one school only. It usually takes about 18 – 24 months to complete. Certain licences, like the PPL (Private Pilots Licence) are skipped because you will be working towards the one licence you need to fly airliners, the ATPL. (Air Transport Pilot’s Licence). Once you have that you would have had to give up the private licence anyway, so why bother even getting it?

The Modular route is where the individual student builds his or her training from the “blocks” that are mandatory to get towards the final licence, the ATPL. He or she is free to choose his or her school for every block. The blocks basically consist of the following:

PPL (Private Pilot’s Licence) – theory

PPL – practical

ATPL (Air Transport Pilot Licence) – theory

(in the meantime gather 150 hours flight time from which at least 100 must be Pilot in Command (PIC))

CPL (Commercial Pilot’s Licence)

IR (Instrument Rating)

ME (Multi Engine rating)

ME/IR (Multi Engine with Instrument Rating)

Usually, or almost always I might say, the PPL training is done on a simple single engine piston airplane. The licence then automatically comes with a Rating, namely the Single Engine Piston (or SEP) rating. It allows you to fly single piston engine aircraft. If you want to fly something else, like an aircraft with a turbine engine (a Jet or Turboprop), you need to get a separate rating for it.

Once you have done all of the above you can start applying for a job at the airlines.

But still you are in no way finished with your training. Usually, at least in the JAA system you need to do a MCC (Multi Crew Course). Because up till now you have only flown as a captain in your own little aeroplane. An MCC prepares you for flying with two crewmembers. It’s all about captaincy, initiative, cooperation on the flight deck etc.

Then, IF you are very lucky, you will be hired by an airline which will pay for the next step in your career, the Typerating (TR).