Many people dream from childhood of taking to the sky and controlling an aeroplane. Moving from imagination to actually sitting in a cockpit, however, requires careful planning and determination. Earning pilot qualifications is a multi-stage process governed by strict European EASA regulations. These ensure the highest safety standards while imposing specific requirements on candidates. This article focuses on the figures: the flight time and theory required for each licence, indicative costs and potential earnings afterwards. We explain the successive steps from medical examination to cockpit separately in our article how to become an aeroplane pilot – step by step.
Pilot licences: how do you earn your qualifications? From amateur to professional
Many aspiring pilots wonder how to obtain a pilot licence and where to begin this complex certification process. There is no single route to the cockpit. It depends primarily on your ultimate goal: whether you want to fly recreationally over your home or dream of controlling a multi-tonne passenger jet in the colours of a national carrier. Every professional flight school operating as an approved training organisation (ATO) offers two main routes: modular and integrated. The modular route lets you earn successive qualifications at your own pace, making it ideal for people in employment. Integrated training is an intensive course lasting around two years, taking you from beginner directly to the level of readiness required for airline employment.
The qualification process can be summarised in five fundamental steps that every candidate must complete.
- Obtain the appropriate class of aviation medical certificate, confirming that your body is fit to work under increased stress and changing pressure.
- Complete ground school, covering subjects such as air law, navigation, meteorology and principles of flight.
- Complete flight training under the supervision of an experienced flight instructor, culminating in your first solo flight.
- Pass the state theory and practical exams before an examiner authorised by the Polish Civil Aviation Authority (ULC).
- Submit your application and receive the licence, allowing you legally to act as pilot in command of an aircraft.
Types of aeroplane licence
Before choosing a course, you need to understand that civil aviation qualifications form a hierarchy. Each grants different privileges and imposes different restrictions. Choosing the right licence is fundamental to optimising both training costs and study time. The most common types are summarised below; for a full comparison and help choosing, read which pilot course to choose – PPL, CPL or ATPL.
Private Pilot Licence PPL(A)
The PPL(A), or Private Pilot Licence, is the most common starting point for future pilots. It permits you to act as pilot in command or co-pilot in aeroplanes used for non-commercial flights. You can take family or friends aboard and travel throughout Europe, but you cannot be paid. It is the foundation for all further professional qualifications and requires sound preparation in visual flight rules (VFR). We describe it step by step – requirements, stages and costs – in our complete guide to the PPL(A) licence.
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)
Anyone who wants to earn money from flying needs a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), which permits commercial operations such as agricultural aviation, aerial surveying or corporate flying. The highest qualification is the ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence), commonly known as the airline pilot licence. In practice, training begins with a so-called frozen ATPL. This means that a candidate has passed all 13 theory exams and holds the qualifications needed to work in a multi-pilot crew as a First Officer, but must accumulate 1,500 hours in airline operations before obtaining a full ATPL.
| Licence type | Minimum flight-training hours | Approximate cost (PLN) | Main privileges |
|---|---|---|---|
| PPL(A) | 45h | 35,000 – 48,000 | Leisure flights worldwide (non-commercial). |
| CPL(A) | 150h – 200h | 120,000 – 160,000 | Paid work as a commercial pilot. |
| Frozen ATPL | approximately 200h | 200,000 – 320,000 | Employment with an airline such as LOT or Ryanair. |
Pilot licence: how many hours must you spend in the air?
Flight-time requirements for each licence are strictly defined in EASA Part-FCL and form an absolute minimum during training. For a PPL(A), the lower limit is 45 hours of flight time. At least 25 hours must be dual instruction and at least 10 hours must be supervised solo flight. Within that time, candidates must complete at least one cross-country flight of at least 270 km, including two landings at aerodromes other than the departure aerodrome. In practice, weather or the need to refine particular manoeuvres means that many students finish with 50-55 hours.
Requirements for professional licences are much higher. To take the CPL(A) exam, you need 200 hours of total flight time, or 150 hours on an integrated course. We explain the differences and which route offers better value on the way to an airline in how to become an airline pilot – modular or integrated route. The greatest challenge is obtaining a full ATPL, which requires 1,500 hours in the air. Pilots usually acquire this time while already working for an airline or as a flight instructor (FI), building experience as they go. Theory also matters: PPL ground school takes around 100 hours, while ATPL theory requires more than 650 hours of intensive study in physics, meteorology and advanced aircraft systems.
How much does an aeroplane pilot earn after obtaining a licence?
Pilot salaries are one of the profession's strongest attractions, although the early stages of a career can be financially difficult. Many begin by working as a flight instructor (FI), earning around 4,000 – 8,000 Polish zloty gross depending on the hours flown. Income rises substantially after moving to an airline. A First Officer at a popular low-cost carrier can earn around 15,000 – 25,000 Polish zloty per month, while the Captain of a narrow-body aircraft such as a Boeing 737 earns from 35,000 to as much as 60,000 Polish zloty gross.
Employment models in aviation have evolved, and B2B contracts now dominate, although national carriers still offer traditional employment contracts. Corporate pilots flying private jets may earn even more, but face highly irregular schedules and the need to remain on call almost around the clock. Final pay depends on flight time, seniority, rank and the pilot's base.
Summary
Becoming a pilot requires sacrifice, immense discipline and significant capital, but the satisfaction of your first solo take-off and views from ‘the office with the world's best window’ reward the effort. Success depends on choosing a reputable training organisation and taking a realistic view of your available time and finances. You can complete the route described here, from PPL(A) towards ATPL(A), within one organisation at Ventum Air, Warsaw's most experienced flight academy. Explore pilot-licence training at Ventum Air.