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Your Journey Starts Here

HOW TO BECOME A PILOT

From your first discovery flight to earning your airline transport license — here’s the complete roadmap to the skies.

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Your Step By Step Guide To becoming a pilot

Your Journey to becoming a pilot

Becoming a pilot is a structured journey that requires dedication, proper guidance, and a clear understanding of each training stage. From your very first introduction to flight through to advanced certifications, every step is designed to build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to operate an aircraft safely and professionally. This pathway combines both theoretical learning and practical flight experience, ensuring you develop a strong foundation in aviation principles, navigation, and real-world flying scenarios.

To embark on the journey of becoming a pilot, it’s essential to understand the foundational requirements, training structure, and qualifications needed for this career path.

Below is a clear breakdown of the key stages, skills, and criteria every aspiring pilot should be aware of before starting their training journey.

Pilot Training Roadmap

Your Pilot Training Journey Timeline

Introduction to FlightOne day experience to find out if flight training is for you.
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The first step of your Pilot Journey will be an Introduction to Flight. This introduction is used to give all prospective student pilots their first taste of pilot training. The Introduction to Flight includes 45 minutes of instructed flight in our Piper PA38/28 aircraft with a dedicated flight instructor and covers technical aspects such as taxiing, basic trimming and primary/secondary effects of control. Also included are both your pre-flight and post-flight briefings.

During your Introduction to Flight, you will also receive a comprehensive tour of the facility as well as an in-depth discussion with a member of the team covering all things pilot training.

Private Pilot Licence (PPL)Duration: 3 months up to 24 months
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The Private Pilot Licence (PPL) is the first major step in your pilot training journey. To obtain a PPL, students must meet eligibility requirements such as minimum age, medical certification, and English proficiency. Training includes both ground school and practical flight training.

Ground school covers subjects like air law, meteorology, navigation, aerodynamics, and flight planning, followed by official theoretical exams. Flight training is conducted with a certified instructor and includes aircraft handling, take-offs, landings, navigation, and emergency procedures.

Students must complete a minimum of around 45 flight hours, including solo and cross-country flights. The final step is a checkride with an examiner to demonstrate flying ability and knowledge. Training must be completed through an approved flight school to meet aviation authority standards.

Night RatingA minimum of 5 hours of flight training, of which: 3 hours must be dual.
Night Rating

As per the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) definition, a night rating allows a pilot to fly at night exercising visual flight rules (VFR). If a pilot wishes to fly at night using instrument flight rules (IFR) they are also required to have an instrument rating. The night rating is non-expiring (it has lifetime validity). In order to complete the final stage of your modular pilot training journey, a night rating must be completed. Below is the minimum requirements involved in the night rating training course:

A minimum of 5 hours of flight training, of which:

3 hours must be dual.
Cross country flight of minimum 27NM must be completed
5 full stop take offs and landings as PIC solo

There is no test at the end of the night rating course.

ATPL & Hour BuildingOn average between 9 & 20 months
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The ATPL Theory and Hour Building stage combines both theoretical study and practical flying experience. Students must complete 13 ATPL subjects including Air Law, Meteorology, Navigation, Flight Planning, Human Performance, and Aircraft Knowledge.

Most theoretical study is completed online, supported by in-person classes every 3–4 weeks through Bristol Ground School for additional guidance. Alongside exams, students are required to build a minimum of 100 hours of Pilot-in-Command (PIC) flight time, where they take full responsibility for flight operations and safety.

Commercial RatingsOn average 3months
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After completing the PPL, the next training stages depend on your licence path (CAA/EASA) and prior experience. Your training plan is structured to be efficient and cost-effective, guided by your Pilot Path advisor.

This phase includes Multi Engine Piston (MEP) training (7 hours ground school, 6 hours flight), Multi Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR) with up to 45 hours of instrument training, and the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), requiring 15–25 flight hours depending on prior qualifications.

Students also complete Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT-A), a 3-day course including ground school and flight training. All training is subject to regulatory updates.

APS-MCCOn average 18 days
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The final stage of training is the Multi Crew Cooperation (MCC) course, required before starting a multi-pilot type rating. Many students complete the Airline Pilot Standard (APS MCC), an advanced version preferred by most airlines.

This course includes CBT learning, classroom theory, and extensive simulator training with briefing and debriefing sessions. The APS course provides enhanced preparation for airline operations and concludes with a final assessment, making graduates more job-ready for airline careers.

Book Now

The first step of your Pilot Journey will be an Introduction to Flight. This introduction is used to give all prospective student pilots their first taste of pilot training. The Introduction to Flight includes 45 minutes of instructed flight in our Piper PA38/28 aircraft with a dedicated flight instructor and covers technical aspects such as taxiing, basic trimming and primary/secondary effects of control. Also included are both your pre-flight and post-flight briefings.

During your Introduction to Flight, you will also receive a comprehensive tour of the facility as well as an in-depth discussion with a member of the team covering all things pilot training.

Book Now

The Private Pilot Licence (PPL) is the first major step in your pilot training journey. To obtain a PPL, students must meet eligibility requirements such as minimum age, medical certification, and English proficiency. Training includes both ground school and practical flight training.

Ground school covers subjects like air law, meteorology, navigation, aerodynamics, and flight planning, followed by official theoretical exams. Flight training is conducted with a certified instructor and includes aircraft handling, take-offs, landings, navigation, and emergency procedures.

Students must complete a minimum of around 45 flight hours, including solo and cross-country flights. The final step is a checkride with an examiner to demonstrate flying ability and knowledge. Training must be completed through an approved flight school to meet aviation authority standards.

Night Rating

As per the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) definition, a night rating allows a pilot to fly at night exercising visual flight rules (VFR). If a pilot wishes to fly at night using instrument flight rules (IFR) they are also required to have an instrument rating. The night rating is non-expiring (it has lifetime validity). In order to complete the final stage of your modular pilot training journey, a night rating must be completed. Below is the minimum requirements involved in the night rating training course:

A minimum of 5 hours of flight training, of which:

3 hours must be dual.
Cross country flight of minimum 27NM must be completed
5 full stop take offs and landings as PIC solo

There is no test at the end of the night rating course.

Book Now

The ATPL Theory and Hour Building stage combines both theoretical study and practical flying experience. Students must complete 13 ATPL subjects including Air Law, Meteorology, Navigation, Flight Planning, Human Performance, and Aircraft Knowledge.

Most theoretical study is completed online, supported by in-person classes every 3–4 weeks through Bristol Ground School for additional guidance. Alongside exams, students are required to build a minimum of 100 hours of Pilot-in-Command (PIC) flight time, where they take full responsibility for flight operations and safety.

Book Now

After completing the PPL, the next training stages depend on your licence path (CAA/EASA) and prior experience. Your training plan is structured to be efficient and cost-effective, guided by your Pilot Path advisor.

This phase includes Multi Engine Piston (MEP) training (7 hours ground school, 6 hours flight), Multi Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR) with up to 45 hours of instrument training, and the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), requiring 15–25 flight hours depending on prior qualifications.

Students also complete Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT-A), a 3-day course including ground school and flight training. All training is subject to regulatory updates.

Book Now

The final stage of training is the Multi Crew Cooperation (MCC) course, required before starting a multi-pilot type rating. Many students complete the Airline Pilot Standard (APS MCC), an advanced version preferred by most airlines.

This course includes CBT learning, classroom theory, and extensive simulator training with briefing and debriefing sessions. The APS course provides enhanced preparation for airline operations and concludes with a final assessment, making graduates more job-ready for airline careers.

Training Pathway

The Modular Journey to Your Dream Career

Day 1 Support

Get a dedicated engagement manager from your trial lesson to commercial training.

CV & Interview Prep

Post training interview workshops and CV prep ensuring you land your dream airline job

Ongoing Updates

Stay ahead with the latest industry news and regulatory changes.

Personalized Approach

Pilot Path staff understand your needs and create a customized plan to help you succeed in aviation.

Industry Connections

Connect with top aviation companies and training institutions for valuable career opportunities.

Staggered Payments

Simplified costing with monthly payments — no huge upfront costs.

No Hidden Fees

No landing fees, touch & go fees, or fuel surcharges during PPL training.

No Huge Upfront Costs

Pilot training can be costly; we simplify it into manageable stages.

OUR FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions?

I want to become a pilot, what should I do first?

Your first step, if you have zero experience is to take part in our introduction to flight package which you can book at this link.

You need to be at least 16 to begin training and 17 to be issued your licence. But there’s no upper age limit to train with us as long as you can hold an unrestricted CAA Class 1 Medical.

Pilot Path offer the most flexible & transparent payment plans in Europe for flight training. We offer a range of payment plans across 80% of courses available and are actively pursuing a finance arrangement in the UK with a third party.

The beauty of modular flight training is that it leaves all the decisions within the hands of the student. All aspects of training can be completed in as little as 18 months or as many as 5 years depending on each individuals work, family, financial, and personal commitments.

Get in Touch

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Whether you’re just starting out or already have some flying experience, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Call us at

+353 (01) 6202842

Drop us your email at

info@pilotpathtraining.com

Address

6-9 Trinity Street, Dublin 02

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