FAQs Page

It is a full time training course, similar to going to school or university. This course is perfect if you have little to no flying experience. It is typically 18-24 months long. It is structured and the more expensive route but is the 'simpler' option as you will be with a flying school who will organise everything for you.

A training route that is more step by step, you will complete it at your own pace. The schedule is more flexible which allows you to work alongside studying so it is often the more afforable way to finance your flying lessons. It can take between 2 to 5 years to complete the course however this is very general. The typical order of modules you would complete on a modular course is PPL - Hour building - ATPL theory - CPL - Instrument rating (IR) - Multi Engine Rating (MEIR)

This will depend on many factors such as weather, where you choose to train, how quick you can progress and how quickly you pick up the concepts in each lesson.

However an average / general timeline could look like this:

PPL (Private Pilot License) typically 6 - 12 months

Hour Building up to 6 months

ATPL theory full time - up to 6 months part time - up to 18 months

CPL (Commercial Pilot License) up to 3 months

Instrument Rating (IR) up to 4 months

Multi Engine Rating (MEIR) about 1 month

A few things to bare in mind when it comes to starting with a flying school especially if you are choosing to go integrated through a flying school:

1. you will most probably pay for the full course before being half way through and so you will be bound to the school after this point, regardless of delays or anything outside your control
2. Expect delays, I cannot stress this enough. I am in Spain for the first phase of my flying training because the weather is better than in the UK and I have seen countless cancellations due to one thing or another. Be prepared for this in terms of your personal finances and also finding hobbies and ways to keep you occupied
3. Ground school will really challenge you at times. For me it was constant revision, after a full day learning at the school I had to continue when I got home and using the weekends as another day of full revision. It will test your resilience and motivation constantly. The whole process is a lot more than just achieving the stripes on your epaulettes. 

The typical cost in 2026 in the UK is about £70,000 - £130,000. A realistic total budget including living costs and sometimes the type rating would be about £95,000. There are schools that include accomdation in the total cost so be sure to have a look around and research to see where you can get the most for your money.

For a Modular course the estimated course in 2026 is £50,000 - £85,000. As this is modular there are ways to lower the cost, for example some people will go to the USA for hour building because it can be cheaper and the weather is better so you will progress faster with this stage. Along with this you can work whilst training so the cost won't seem so intense and you can pay-as-you-go making it more manageable.

You would have needed to complete secondary education

At least 5 GCSE's grade 4 or above and must include Maths, Science and English

For an integrated course you don't need any prior experience as they will teach you everything you need to know. However I would recommend you learn the basic understanding of how a plane flies and learn about the course and the school you are applying to. Some people have been asked how a plan flies in their interviews for the school! For me to was helpful to refresh my knowledge on maths before I started because I know I am weak in that area.