L3Harris Airline Academy
Requirements & qualifications to become a pilot
Whether you’ve graduated from university or school, thinking of a career change or travelling from overseas to become a pilot, you’ll need the relevant qualifications to start your journey.
What to expect?
A career as a pilot is unlike any other, full of excitement and possibilities. You will enjoy attractive pay and benefits and an office above the clouds with spectacular views and create life-long friendships with people across the globe.
Read on to discover what qualifications are needed as well as the requirements to become a pilot.
Pilot requirements
In addition to the above qualifications, Cadets also need to meet the following requirements to become a pilot:
- Be at least 17 to submit an application and 18 to commence training
- Minimum height: 5ft 2in (157cm) | Maximum height: 6ft 3in (191cm)
- Fluent in English (verbal and written). Non-native English speakers must achieve level 5.5 individual and overall in IELTS or equivalent ICAO level 4 prior to starting training
It is also preferable if you have the following pilot requirements:
- A good understanding of maths and physics
- Excellent communications skills
- Ability to work well in a team and to demonstrate leadership skills
- Excellent spatial awareness and coordination, and ability to remain calm under pressure
Get in touch today and start your journey!
Do you have any questions about starting your pilot training journey at L3Harris Airline Academy? Please send us a message and our Airline Pilot Careers Advice Team will be happy to assist.
Pilot qualifications
To begin pilot training you’ll need the following qualifications:
- A minimum of five GCSEs grade C/4 or above, or international equivalent, for example in Portugal: Secondary School (Year 12) completion certificate; which must include Maths, English and Science
You will also need:
- EASA Class 1 Medical Certification (without restrictions)
- UKCAA Class 1 Medical Certification (without restrictions for UKCAA licence)
- You must have the unrestricted right to live, study and work in either the UK or the European Economic Area (EEA)/Switzerland depending on where you study. Alternatively, you will have to meet the United Kingdom Visa & Immigration Service (UKVI) or EU requirements to qualify for an applicable visa enabling you to study. Further details on visa requirements are listed on individual course pages
- Produce a clean criminal record check (CRC) basic disclosure certificate
If you have the above commercial airline pilot qualifications, you will be eligible to apply for the Integrated ATPL course or a Modular ATPL course.
Some Cadets may opt to combine university study with pilot training. For example, the BSc (Hons) Aviation – Pilot Programme has been designed to prepare students for a career as a professional pilot. The programme has been developed between L3Harris and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and is approved by aviation regulators UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
On successful course completion, you will achieve a ‘frozen’ Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), the qualification needed to start your career as a pilot.
Pilot training coursesModular ATPL courses
Our Modular ATPL offers a range of flight school courses to complete in bite-size chunks, allowing you to work in between pilot training to fund course fees. We offer training modules for:
PPL:
- Cost: £13,000
- Duration: Approx. 10-weeks
Hours Building:
- Cost: £20,000
- Duration: Approx. 15-weeks
Theoretical Knowledge:
- Cost: £6,950 (Classroom-Based) or £2,400 (Distance Learning)
- Duration: Approx. 29-weeks
CPL MEIR:
- Cost: £39,500
- Duration: Approx. 23-weeks
MCC:
- Cost: £7,795
- Duration: Approx. 3-weeks
Integrated ATPL course
Our Integrated ATPL course is designed to prepare you for the role of First Officer, the programme give you access to state-of-the-art facilities, modern training aircraft and world class tuition, to help your dream become a reality.
On successful completion, you will graduate with a frozen ATPL issued by the UKCAA or EASA.
Our Integrated ATPL courseStart your journey to become an airline pilot
Our Airline Academy is equipped to start your career as a pilot, whether you’re just leaving school or later in life. L3Harris help people reach their dreams.
Contact us
Please complete the form below to contact our team for more information on our Airline Academy.