How to become a pilot

If you are planning to get an airplane Private, Commercial or Airline Transport Pilot Licence (PPL, CPL or ATPL) you must complete relevant training courses and receive a Class I or II medical certificate. In order to familiarize you with the process of getting the licence or additional ratings, below you will find information on the relevant courses required.

Airplane Private Pilot Licence PPL(A)

The PPL(A) training begins with the ground training which comprises 100 hours of lectures. Upon completing the ground school course and submitting a Class II medical certificate you can start flight training. The flight training consists of at least 45 hours of flight, first with an instructor and then solo. After completing the flight training a student pilot receives a flight training certificate. This document along with a valid medical certificate and radiotelephone operator licence (radiotelephone operator exam is taken at the Office of Electronic Communications), positive results of theoretical exams at the Civil Aviation Authority we can sign up for a practical exam. After passing the practical exam we receive a Private Pilot Licence PPL(A). A private Pilot Licence enables you to fly any type of a single engine airplane with maximum take-off weight of 5700kg across the European Union.

VFR Night Rating

When you hold a Private Pilot Licence PPL(A) you are rated to perform VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flights between sunrise and sunset. In order to perform flights after sunset or before sunrise you need to complete a VFR night training. The training consists of short ground school lectures and a 5-hour practical training. The VFR Night rating does not require passing any exams before the Aviation Examination Board at the Civil Aviation Authority.

Airplane Airline Transport License ATPL(A) Frozen

When you obtain your Private Pilot Licence PPL(A) you can start a theoretical Airline Transport Pilot Licence ATPL(A) course. After finishing the theoretical ATPL(A) course, having a VFR Night rating, 50 hours of flight as a pilot-in-command and a Class I medical certificate, you can start a practical  Instrument Rating IR(A) course. The course will be concluded with an exam before the Aviation Examination Board. After logging 150 hours of total flying time and having passed theoretical ATPL(A) exams you must begin a practical Commercial Pilot Licence CPL(A) training, which lasts 28 hours, including 8 hours on a twin-engine airplane with retractable gear, variable pitch propeller, etc., which equals a Multiple Engine Pilot Licence MEP(L). The ratings obtained this way (passed theoretical exams such as ATPL(A), CPL(A), IR and ME) make you an ATPL Frozen licence holder.