Flight training - how to become a pilot step by step

Many people, even in the first years of their lives, dream of becoming an airplane pilot someday. Most often, dreams remain only dreams, and we ourselves deal with other things, living in the belief that this is too complicated and even impossible to realize path. Nothing more wrong — that is why below we will explain step by step what the training path looks like, how long it takes and how much it costs us. We must also remember that depending on the needs, time and financial possibilities, we do not have to immediately get carried away with a professional pilot license, but stop at training for a tourist pilot license (PPL (A)), enjoying ourselves and our loved ones tourist flights.

What are the basic requirements to start flight training?

The requirements in certain aspects vary depending on what training we undergo. However, there are some that apply to us at every level of science. These include, first of all, the following:

• Reaching the age of 16 at the time of the start of the training,
• Reaching the age of 17 at the time of application for a PPL (A) licence and 18 years of age in the case of a CPL (A) licence,
• Basic knowledge of English in the case of a PPL (A) license,
• Possession of an aeronautical medical certificate, at least of the second category.

Flight Training for Tourist Pilot License PPL (A)

If you dream of flying and it is your passion, then a PPL (A) Tourist Pilot License will be the first step you need to take to start your aviation career. Interestingly, although this is the first license, it is actually the most important and crucial for our further destiny. It is at this stage that we build our foundations of knowledge about aviation, both in theoretical and practical terms. In addition, without a PPL (A) tourist license, we will not be able to pursue further challenges and obtain further aviation privileges.

What should we know before joining the training?

As we have already mentioned, obtaining a PPL Tourist Pilot License (A) is the first and most important step in the aviation adventure. It is also a step that will teach us appropriate behaviors and habits, which will already accompany us also when acquiring further licenses and permissions.

In order to start training for the PPL (A) tourist air license, you must first meet several conditions that are necessary. These include, first of all, the following:

• Reaching the age of 16 and obtaining the written consent of a parent or legal guardian,
• Possession of current aviation tests of category 2 in one of the certified centers of aeronautical medicine,
• Having at least a secondary school education.

The PPL Tourist Pilot License (A) training itself consists of two main parts. The first of them is the theoretical part, which includes such subjects as:

• Aviation law,
• Navigation,
• Operating procedures,
• Rules of flight,
• Connectivity,
• Performance and flight planning,
• General knowledge of the aircraft,
• Meteorology,
• Aeronautical medicine, the possibilities and limitations of man.

The advantage of studying at an aviation school is the fact that we do not have to attend all classes. People who, for various reasons, cannot take part in stationary classes can take a modular course on our proprietary e-learning platform, where most of the learning takes place remotely. However, let us remember that theory, as in any field, is not everything. After completing the theoretical course and passing the internal exams in individual subjects, we can proceed to the second part of the course, which is practical learning. Hands-on training typically takes place on a two-seater Cessna 152 or a four-seat Piper PA28 Archer III. It should also be mentioned that during this time we must make a minimum of 45 hours of flights, including about 11 hours of autonomous flights supervised by our instructor.

Training for VFR entitlement night

If we already have a PPL (A) tourist pilot license, but we associate further plans with aviation, then the next step may be to complete training in performing night flights, or NVFR. Such training is no longer so time-consuming, since most often it consists of a one-day theoretical course, followed by practical training. This training, in turn, consists of a minimum of 5 hours of night flights with an instructor and independent landings under his supervision. Trainings conducted by Smart Aero Flight Academy, take place at a professionally lit controlled airport in Modlin, making flights extremely safe, but also beautiful and exciting.

MEP Qualification Training (L)

Already having a PPL (A) tourist license and VFR night privileges, the next stage is finally the transition to a multi-engine aircraft. Two engines in an airplane are, first of all, increased safety during the flight, but it should also be borne in mind that driving such a machine is much more complicated. Therefore, MEP (L) training in the Smart Aero Flight Academy takes place under the supervision of only the most experienced and qualified instructors who will acquaint you with the characteristics ofmulti-engine aircraft.

Importantly, MEP (L) qualification training is one of the components of PPL (A) or CPL (A) licenses, which we will mention later in the article. According to the requirements, it consists of 7-10 hours of theoretical training and a minimum of 6 hours of practical training on the Piper PA30 Twin Comanche aircraft.

What requirements must be met in order to start training for MEP (L) qualifications?

As in the case of previous trainings, here we must meet some initial requirements that will allow us to proceed to participate in the course. These mainly include:

• Possess a CPL (A) or a PPL (A) license, but with a minimum of 70 hours of flight time as a pilot in command (PIC),
• Possession of an aero-medical certificate of the first or second category.

Training for MEP (L) qualifications, as we have already mentioned, consists of a theoretical and practical part. The first part consists of 7-10 hours of study in stationary mode, on the territory of the flight school, while the second consists of 6 hours of flights with an instructor on the Piper PA30 Twin Comanche aircraft. The training program includes such elements as:

• Circle flights,
• Flights to the zone,
• Circle flights or learning to take off and land in a complex twin-engine aircraft,
• Flights with asymmetric thrust,
• Procedures for dealing with the occurrence of failure of one of the engines,
• Aircraft control techniques with thrust asymmetry etc.

So, as we can see, during the training we are able to learn a lot and experience in a controlled way simulated emergency situations, with which we will be able to cope perfectly. Completion of this course is a pass to fly in multi-engine aircraft, that is, aircraft that provide the greatest safety during the flight. Moreover, these types of aircraft are much faster and allow you to travel much longer distances without having to refuel. So if we are interested in further development and want to be an airline pilot in the future, then the MEP (L) entitlement is an indispensable element of this path.

ATPL (A) Airline Pilot License Training

This is a key license that allows us to switch from tourist planes, to larger passenger or cargo planes and finally not only enjoy flying, but also earn money. As a result, it is the next and most often the last key stop on the way to the career of a liner pilot. We recommend this type of training primarily for those people who want to acquire new skills, start earning work by flying and expand their existing competencies.

What requirements must be met in order to participate in the training?

In the case of an ATPL (A) licence, the requirements are already slightly higher than in the case of a PPL (A) tourist licence. First of all, the offer is addressed only to persons who already have such a license and have valid aero-medical examinations. Such training should also be used by those who plan to carry out commercial flights and apply to airlines in the near future. In addition, in order to participate in ATPL (A) training, it is necessary to:

• At least 17 years of age (and at the time of applying for a license, the age of 18),
• Having at least a secondary school education,
• Possession of an aeronautical medical certificate,
• Valid PPL (A) or CPL (A) pilot licence,

The training itself for the ATPL (A) airline pilot line license consists of a theoretical part. In this case, however, the theoretical course consists of as many as 650 hours of study, which includes subjects such as:

• Aviation law and air traffic procedures,
• General knowledge of the aircraft,
• Flight performance and planning,
• On-board equipment, electronics and avionics,
• Mass and balance,
• Flight planning and monitoring,
• A man of possibilities and limitations,
• Meteorology,
• General navigation,
• Radionavigation,
• Operating procedures,
• Rules of flight,
• Connectivity.

Part of this training is usually conducted by the “distance learning” method, so, as we wrote at the beginning, it is not necessary to attend all classes on a stationary basis. This translates into approximately 120 hours of in-person lectures and 530 hours of distance learning, in-house. If we complete the theoretical training with a positive result, we will be able to proceed to the practical part, which will give us the opportunity to obtain a professional license CPL (A) and the possibility of obtaining flight rights according to the indications of IR instruments (A).

‍

Remember, however, that only obtaining all the qualifications, i.e. CPL (A), IR (A), MEPL (A) and the theoretical exam for ATPL in the Office of Civil Aviation, will give us the so-called pass to receive the frozen airline license (ATPL (A) Frozen). What does this mean in practice? Well, thanks to such a license, we can act as the first officer in a multi-person crew, however, in order to defrost said license, we are obliged to fly at least 1500 hours, which will include at least 300 hours in IR (A) and at least 200 hours in a multi-person crew.

‍