Airline Pilot Training
Are you interested in becoming an airline pilot and wondering about the training programs to achieve your professional goal?
Aéropyrénées offers two training paths to become an airline pilot, depending on your age and profile. Here is everything you need to know about these training programs, the details of the courses, and the possible career opportunities.
What are the different airline pilot training programs ?
To become an airline pilot, it is essential to acquire the necessary licenses and qualifications. These can be obtained through two training programs offered by our school Aéropyrénées: the Integrated ATPL Training and the Modular ATPL Training.
The Integrated ATPL Training
The Integrated ATPL Training is the fastest route to becoming an airline pilot and is designed for candidates with no prior aviation experience or only a few flight hours. This comprehensive training program leads to the acquisition of a Professional Pilot License within 18 months.
The Integrated ATPL Training is divided into two main parts:
- Theoretical ATPL Training
- Practical Training
The first part consists of 13 modules, each validated by a certificate, covering various technical and legal aspects of aircraft piloting, including air law, flight planning and monitoring, meteorology, radio navigation, weight and balance, flight mechanics, and more.
The practical part is completed after approximately 210 flight hours and includes several modules dedicated to learning piloting skills, crew cooperation, instrument flight, and more.
To enroll in this training, candidates must be at least 18 years old (or 17 at the time of entry if born later in the year), have a good level of English, and pass a Class 1 medical examination. A high school diploma is not mandatory but is recommended.
Modular ATPL training
Aéropyrénées also offers a modular program that allows candidates to first obtain a Private Pilot License (PPL) before progressing through various modules leading to a professional pilot license.
The private pilot license allows individuals to fly different types of aircraft with passengers on board for leisure purposes only. It serves as a first step toward potentially advancing to a professional license, which enables paid piloting for an airline or other aviation-related work.
The Private Pilot Training takes place over a period of 3 to 12 months, depending on availability. It includes 5 theoretical modules, 30 hours of flight instruction, 5 hours of simulator training, and 10 hours of solo flight. Candidates for the private pilot license must be at least 16 years old for their first solo flight and 17 years old at the time of the final test.
Once you have obtained your PPL, you can continue your training at Aéropyrénées to earn your professional license by following the different modules of the program. The theoretical ATPL part can be completed either on-site or remotely.
What are the differences between ATP Integrated & Modular training?
| Title | Content | Prerequisites | Specificity | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modular Course “ATP Modular” (ATPM) |
Phase 1: Private Pilot License (PPL) | Minimum age: 14 years old, 16 years old for the first solo flight, 17 years old for the test; Class 2 medical examination. |
Theory exam + practical exam; Need to keep qualifications up to date. |
36 to 48 months |
| Phase 2 A: Perfection & Hours building | Valid PPL. | Objective: CPL prerequisite. | ||
| Phase 2 B: Theoretical Airline Pilot Licence (ATPL Theoretical) | Minimum age: 17 years; Valid PPL; Valid Class 1 medical certificate. |
Possibility of completing the internship on-site, by videoconference or semi-remotely. | ||
| Phase 3: Advanced Unusual Positions Qualification (UPRT(A)) | Valid PPL; Valid medical class 1 or 2. |
The hours can be part of your hours building | ||
| Phase 4: Commercial Pilot License (CPL) | Minimum age: 18 years; Class 1 medical examination; Valid PPL; ATPL or theoretical CPL; 175 flight hours, including 100 hours as pilot-in-command; Night flight qualification. |
Must be completed within 36 months of obtaining your Theoretical ATPL. | ||
| Phase 5: Multi-engine qualification (MEP) | Class 1 (CPL) or 2 (PPL) medical examination; Valid PPL or CPL; Minimum 70 flight hours as PIC |
Can be carried out during the hours building process in order to count towards the hours required for entry into CPL. | ||
| Phase 6: Multi-engine instrument flight qualification (IRME) | Minimum age: 18 years; Valid medical class 1; CPL(A) or PPL(A) (with night flight authorization); ATPL or IR Theoretical; For a CPL: hold the FCL 055 certificate; Minimum 70 hours of flying time as captain, including a minimum of 50 hours of cross-country flying. |
No single engine flight planned (IRSE) Must be completed within 36 month of obtaining your theoretical ATPL |
||
| Phase 7 : Multi crew cooperation cours (MCC) | Hold a valid CPL – IRME. | Choice: MCC JOC or MCC APS. | ||
| Integrated Course “Integrated ATP” (ATPI) |
Phase 1: Learning to fly | 18 years old, or 17 years old if you are a final-year student; Class 1 medical examination; Possibility of crediting your PPL hours as part of the Integrated PPL training program. |
Professional training from the first hour of flight; The fastest way to land an airline position. |
18 to 24 months |
| Phase 2 A: Perfection & hours building | ||||
| Phase 2 B: Theoretical Airline Pilot Licence (ATPL Theoretical) | ||||
| Phase 3: Commercial Pilot License (CPL) | ||||
| Phase 4 A: Single-engine instrument flight qualification (IRSE) | ||||
| Phase 4 B: Multi-engine qualification (MEP) | ||||
| Phase 4 C: Multi-engine instrument flight qualification (IRME) | ||||
| Phase 5: Multi crew cooperation cours (MCC) |
Phases 2 A & B can be completed simultaneously. | Phases 4 A, B & C of the Integrated program correspond to the “IFR” block, including IRSE, MEP & IRME.
What are the different types of pilots?
There are different types of airplane pilots. The private pilot, holding a PPL (Private Pilot License), is authorized to fly any type of aircraft (for which they have obtained the qualification) carrying passengers in a private capacity and without compensation.
The professional pilot, on the other hand, holds a CPL (Commercial Pilot License), which allows them to work as an airline pilot within commercial airlines. They typically start their career as a co-pilot and then advance to captain. An airline pilot can operate short-haul flights (usually early in their career) or long-haul international flights.
An airline pilot may also work in civil aviation, business aviation, or in the aerial work sector.
To go further
Being a captain on an international flight is the culmination of a long career.
The job also requires good physical fitness. To enter training and to practice your profession afterwards, you must pass a Class 1 medical examination.
This preliminary examination is essential and can be conducted at a specialized examination center called CEMPN.
The career path of a pilot generally unfolds as follows: from co-pilot to pilot, from short-haul to long-haul.
Throughout your career, you will be required to undergo annual checks related to your professional capacity, mastery of emergency and rescue maneuvers, and your response time.
The profession is now open to international careers. Indeed, many companies around the world are currently hiring in these fields.
The European license known as EASA, issued by Aeropyrénées, is one of the most highly regarded licenses in the world.