Dreaming of a career at the controls of an aircraft? Being a pilot is one of the most prestigious and demanding professions, combining passion with great responsibility. The route to the cockpit is long and costly, but with the right preparation it is achievable. This step-by-step guide explains how to pursue that goal: from the aviation medical and choice of licence and training route to the realities of airline work. We write from the perspective of an academy that guides students all the way, from their first flight to an airline cockpit.
Step 1: entry and medical requirements
How do you become a pilot? To answer this question, it helps to take the process step by step. Before investing time and money, check that you meet the basic requirements. This is the most important stage, as it determines what options are open to you. The basic formal requirements include age (training for a private pilot licence can start at 16, and for a commercial licence at 18) and education (at least secondary education for commercial licences). You also need a fluent command of English, confirmed by an examination at ICAO Level 4 or above.
The first and most important step is to obtain an aviation medical certificate. You cannot begin flight training without one. Commercial pilots need a Class 1 certificate, which involves a series of rigorous examinations (internal medicine, cardiology, ophthalmology and psychology). Vision correction is permitted within certain limits (from -6 to +5 dioptres for airline pilots), but serious conditions such as glaucoma or a lack of stereoscopic vision disqualify a candidate. Before making any financial commitments, book your medical and check that your health allows you to pursue your goals.
Step 2: pilot licence types
A pilot's career consists of successive stages and qualifications. It starts with the basics and leads to the highest level. Here is a summary; for a detailed comparison and help choosing, see our article which pilot course should you choose: PPL, CPL or ATPL.
- PPL(A) – Private Pilot Licence – the first, basic licence, which allows recreational flying without pay. It is a good way to find out whether flying suits you before investing hundreds of thousands of PLN in further training. We cover the requirements, training and costs for this stage in our complete guide to the PPL(A) licence.
- CPL(A) – Commercial Pilot Licence – a commercial licence that allows you to fly for pay, most often as a first officer (co-pilot) in a multi-pilot crew.
- ATPL(A) – Airline Transport Pilot Licence – the highest-level licence, allowing its holder to act as captain in commercial air transport.
In practice, most candidates earn an ATPL(A) Frozen qualification. This means they have passed all the ATPL(A) theory examinations and hold a CPL(A) with additional ratings. To qualify for a full ATPL(A), a pilot must log at least 1,500 hours as a member of an airline crew.
| Criterion | PPL(A) (Private Pilot Licence) | CPL(A) (Commercial Pilot Licence) | ATPL(A) (Airline Transport Pilot Licence) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Recreational flying, without pay | Working as a pilot, for example as a first officer | Working as an airline captain |
| Minimum age | 17 (to obtain the licence) | 18 | 18 |
| Medical requirements | Class 2 medical certificate | Class 1 medical certificate | Class 1 medical certificate |
| Minimum flight time | 45 hours | 200 hours | 1,500 hours |
Step 3: two routes to the goal – modular and integrated training
There are two main training routes towards a commercial licence. The right choice depends on your finances, available time and preferences. We compare the duration, costs and VAT treatment of both routes in our article how to become an airline pilot: modular or integrated training.
- Integrated training is an intensive, continuous programme designed to take students from zero towards an ATPL(A) Frozen qualification, delivered by a single ATO. It is faster, follows a standardised syllabus and is VAT-exempt. However, it requires a very large one-off payment (around 200,000 PLN) and does not allow breaks.
- Modular training is a flexible route in which you complete licences and ratings (PPL, hour building, ATPL ground school, CPL and more) in separate modules, often at different flight schools and at your own pace. This lets you spread the cost over time and work while you train. Although the process takes longer and PPL(A) training is subject to 23% VAT, it is a more accessible option for many candidates. Importantly, airlines do not favour graduates of either route in today's job market: skills are what count.
How to become an aeroplane pilot, and is it worth it? The realities of the job
Once you have a frozen ATPL qualification, your working career begins. As a first officer, you gain experience and build the flight time needed to qualify for a full ATPL and progress to captain. A pilot's job involves travel, but above all great responsibility, continuous training, working under time pressure and adapting to rapidly changing conditions. The effort and investment translate into earnings. We have set out the costs at each stage – flight hours, ground school and indicative fees – in our article how much a pilot licence costs and how many hours you need to fly. Pilot salaries in Poland range from 15,000 PLN a month for newly qualified first officers to as much as 90,000 PLN for experienced captains at major airlines.
Summary
The route to the cockpit calls for strategic planning. Before you begin, make sure you are following the right path.
- Start with your medical – book a Class 1 aviation medical examination. A positive certificate opens the door to the next steps.
- Choose a training route – assess your finances and lifestyle before deciding between flexible modular training and an intensive integrated programme.
- Make a financial plan – look into the Education Loan and plan how to cover the remaining costs.
- Choose your ATO carefully – do not make your decision on price alone. Check the fleet, instructors and graduate reviews of the ATO you choose. At Ventum Air, you can meet instructors who fly for airlines as part of their day-to-day work, as well as graduates now working for airlines.
A pilot's career is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes determination, commitment and considerable investment, but the reward is work that fulfils a lifelong passion for many people. At Ventum Air, Warsaw's most experienced flight academy, you can complete the whole route in one place, from PPL(A) through Night VFR, IR and MEP to CPL(A) and ATPL(A) ground school. Explore our courses, and start with your medical.