Become a pilot
BeCA, as the professional association representing pilots in Belgium, works in close cooperation with Belgian stakeholders on a number of industrial topics.
How to become a pilot, step by step.
This is our guide to what it takes to become a pilot and the main obstacles to consider.
01
Meet basic requirements
- Age: you must be at least 18 years old to begin training for a commercial pilot’s licence (CPL).
- Language: English proficiency is essential as it is the international language of aviation. A high level of English (at least ICAO Level 4) is required.
- Health: you must pass a Class 1 medical examination conducted by an EASA-approved medical examiner (AME). This involves tests for vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, and overall fitness. Find a list here
02
Choose a pathway
The EU offers multiple pilot licenses, including the PPL (Private – hobby pilots), CPL (Commercial – air taxi, paradrop, etc.), and ATPL (Airline), along with SPL for gliders and BPL for balloons.
To fly for a typical airline, you will need a (frozen)-ATPL.
There are different routes to becoming an airline pilot. Through integrated training, modular training, or an MPL-program.
Integrated Training: this is a full-time, structured training program that takes you from no flying experience to a fully qualified airline transport pilot. Integrated programs are more expensive but faster. Usually this takes about 24 months full-time. Students obtain a frozen ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot licence). This is a CPL with the ATPL-theory. This can be ‘unfrozen’ into the full ATPL after 2+ years on the job.
Most schools start with full-time ATPL-theory (750h). Some will combine this phase with flying, some will wait upon the successful completion of all the theory exams before teaching their students how to fly. The first flight training-phase will be performed on single engine piston aircraft (SEP). In this single engine aircraft, the first lessons will be in good weather conditions (VFR). That is why some schools opt to send students to other countries. Depending on the school, the student will learn to fly IFR by only looking inside the cockpit at the instruments on these single engine aircraft. Other schools will transition to multi engine piston aircraft (MEP) before starting the IFR-training. Every ATPL-student will eventually fly the MEP-aircraft.
At the end of the program, students should have flown a total of 195h (combination of aircraft and simulator, and upset and recovery-training). The final exam will be a check ride for CPL MEP IFR (IR).
After this exam, the student will have to go through a multi crew coordination (MCC) course to transition from single pilot aircraft to two-pilot (jet)aircraft. Typically, this course is performed on a Boeing 737- or Airbus 320-type of simulator. After this, the student will request his/her pilot licence from the national competent authority. As a student, check the differences between schools: How many hours on single engine, hours on multi engine, how extensive is the MCC? Do they provide the legal minimum, or do you get extra training? How many hours on the jet-simulator? What ‘aftercare’ does the school provide if you don’t find a job straight away? What kind of selection training do they provide?
– Modular Training: this is a more flexible, ‘à la carte’-option where you can train step-by-step, paying for each phase individually. It’s a more affordable but longer route. You can go to multiple schools to ‘DIY’ your path, and even work while studying in your free time. The result is also an ATPL-license.
Firstly, obtain a Private Pilot Licence (PPL). Training Hours: you must complete a minimum of 45 flying hours and theoretical and practical exams. You can do this either in a school (commercial) or a club (private, asbl/vzw). However, find yourself an instructor that knows the ‘airline-way’ of flying. Students will pass a check ride at the end of this program.
Secondly, obtain a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). This licence allows you to get paid for flying : either as a captain on smaller aircraft or as a first officer on an airliner or a mid-size business jet. You will need to accumulate a total of 200 flying hours, including solo flight time and cross-country flights. On top, you will need to pass a series of written exams covering subjects such as air law, navigation, meteorology, engines. A check ride with an examiner follows.
Simultaneously or thirdly, obtain an Instrument Rating (IR)
An Instrument Rating (IR) is required to fly in various weather conditions, including low visibility, and to fly commercially at night. Instead of using external visual references such as the horizon, the pilot is using the aircraft instruments. You must complete at least 50 hours of instrument flight training. Again, concluding this phase with a check ride.
Then, obtain a Multi-Engine Rating (ME)
If you intend to fly multi-engine aircraft, you will need a Multi-Engine Rating. This involves additional training on handling multi-engine aircraft, usually a light twin-engined aircraft. Note that this rating is not mandatory to become a pilot on an airliner, but most airlines require it to apply for a pilot position.
Training Hours: Typically, around 6–10 hours of flight time in a multi-engine aircraft and some simulator sessions.
Lastly, complete the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)-theory
The ATPL is the highest-level licence for commercial pilots, and it is required to become a captain on an airline jet. Theoretical exams: The ATPL theory involves studying in detail subjects like air law, human performance, aircraft general knowledge, engines, flight planning….
Training Duration: The ATPL theory course usually takes 650 hours (10 months to one year) Note that many schools start the training with the completion of the ATPL theory since it also counts for the theoretical knowledge exam for the PPL and CPL.
If you passed the ATPL theory exams and have a CPL, you have what is commonly called a “Frozen ATPL”. This means you’ve completed the academic and flight training requirements for the ATPL, but you still need to gain further additional experience before you can operate an airline jet: follow an Multi Pilot Coordination (MCC) course where you will transition from single pilot to multi pilot aircraft. This can take between one and two months to complete.
MPL stand for multi-pilots licence. Students are already hired by an airline before they start the course, and will normally get a job with the airline after the successful completion of the program. Not every airline offers this program, and the number of candidates is limited. Some airlines take a portion of the financial burden, some offer students the possibility to work in their offices and thereby providing them with a salary to pay the program. Check online for MPL to find the latest courses.
Please read the ‘integrated’ course outline above, as the MPL is very similar. The difference is that MPL-students will fly less hours on real aircraft, and will transition sooner to simulator training, where they will already start to use the ‘multi-pilot’ concept.
03
Type Rating (TR)
Once the training is completed, you can start applying for jobs. Once you sign with your future employer, you will go through a Type Rating (TR) for the aircraft you plan to fly. This training includes both ground school (theoretical training) and simulator or flight training specific to that aircraft.
At the end of the training (2-3 months) the candidate must pass a skill test in flight or in a simulator. The type rating course is either paid by the employer, deducted from your salary, or self-funded. The cost is about 30-35.000 EUR.
04
Gain experience as a First Officer
With a Frozen ATPL and a type rating, you can fly as a First Officer (copilot) in an airline. The airline will provide you with ‘line training’.
Line Training Instructors (LTC) will teach you how to fly the aircraft efficiently in day-to-day operations. Usually, it takes between 40 and 80 flights before your ‘line check’. You can now fly with every captain on your fleet.
05
Upgrade to Captain
After accumulating at least 1.500h as a captain on small aircraft and/or as a First Officer with an airline, you are eligible for an upgrade to captain.
This requires additional theory- and simulator training, testing, and line training. In 95% of the time, it takes multiple years to become captain. Some first officers opt to move to larger long-haul aircraft before becoming a captain on medium size aircraft.
06
Stay current and revalidate certifications
- Medical checkups: every year (or every 6 months for older pilots), you will need to pass a medical check with an approved AME.
- Recurrent training: every 6 months, airline pilots must pass recurrent training and checking in a simulator. They must also follow several ground courses to keep up with new procedures, regulations, and flight technologies.
07
Job prospects and airlines in Belgium
- Major passenger airlines based in Belgium include Brussels Airlines, TUI fly Belgium, Air Belgium and Ryanair. ASL Airlines Belgium and Challenge operate cargo flights. There is no difference between passenger and cargo companies concerning pilot licences.
- You can apply to one of these airlines once you meet the above qualification, or you can start by gaining experience with smaller operators or flight schools to build up hours.
- Private jet operators in Belgium: Luxaviation, ASL jets, Flying Group.
08
Additional Tips
- Flight schools: there are several flight schools in Belgium, feel free to check their websites and get in touch with them. Try to get in touch with alumni of the school to get a review. Schools are commercial companies and need to sell their training course to students.
- Language: while English is the international language of aviation, some schools and airlines might require proficiency in Dutch or French, the official languages of Belgium.
09
Duration of training and cost:
Becoming a professional airline pilot typically takes 2 to 3 years from the beginning of training to gaining the required hours and obtaining a frozen ATPL. The total cost of training can range from €70,000 to €150,000 depending on the pathway chosen (modular or integrated, type rating paid by the student or the airline)
Note that your qualifications are usually valid for 1 year and have to be revalidated at the student’s cost if he/she has not yet found a job.
