Here’s our top tips for anyone looking to become a commercial pilot
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Have a trial lesson at your local flying club
You might have flown on a passenger plane already but being a pilot in a light aircraft can feel completely different! It can give you the chance to control a plane for the first time and get a feel of what you’ll be doing in your future job.
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Consider how much money you’ll be able to spend on training
Flight training can cost upwards of £100,000, which is too much for many people. Modular training costs far less – from approximately £57,000 and also lets you work at the same time, if you wish, so you can have a source of income during your training.
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Research what you’ll be expected to learn as a commercial pilot
This includes the 13 ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence) theory exams. Wings Alliance recommends Bristol Groundschool for this training, the leading ATPL theory training provider. The exams will be split up into 3 manageable modules, with a revision week before each block of exams.
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Have a chat with students at the school you’re considering applying to
Getting feedback from current or past students is a great way to check that the school offers what it promises. Have a look at the feedback from Wings Alliance graduates.
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Think about how the training is structured
Integrated schools can require you to live in a totally different location from where your friends and family are. While this might be an exciting first adventure away for some people, others may prefer to stay put. Read our Integrated versus modular page.
- Go through airline-style assessment before spending £10,000’s on training. Training is a big commitment, so it’s best to see early on if you’ve got what it takes to be a pilot at the end. Wings Alliance Assessment will give you useful feedback on any areas you need to improve.
