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Submitted by

Lance Dandan, Jan


Denver Jimenez

Submitted to

Engr. Kent B. Coco


How to become a pilot?

Have you ever dream of becoming a pilot someday? Admit it that way back
when you were just a child, every time an airplane flies by you while wondering how it
feels to be one of the people aboard the plane seeing the world from above the skies of
entertainment.

But you have to make sure that going to be a pilot is what you really want
because becoming a pilot is not easy because aviation training doesn’t come easy. It
takes time, money, and effort. The shortest training about six months, and the longest
can go four years.

How do I start of becoming a Pilot?

Before becoming a pilot, you should secure medical certificates confirming


that you possess the prescribed eyesight. A pilot which has good eyesight is one of the
most important assets. Don’t be fooled by some of the myths such as, ‘I can’t be a
professional pilot because I wear glasses.’ Contrary to popular belief, you can fly
commercial aircraft wearing glasses or contact lenses, as long as your vision is
correctable to 20/20. Blind spots, low visibility, and open areas with minimal visual
references could hinder him from performing his job well, a job that is responsible for
hundreds of life at a time. There are 3 types of medical certificates required for aspiring
pilot: first class, second class, and third class. Each medical class corresponds to the
different flight licenses a pilot obtains.

Becoming A Student Pilot

To become a student pilot you need to get a Student Pilot License and a
second class medical certificate. This is the first pilot licence that you need to be able to
fly an airplane during the training and this license is good for 24 months. After obtaining
this license you can now start your Private Pilot License (PPL) training.

Private Pilot License (PPL) Training

Now that you already have a Student Pilot License (SPL) you are now ready
for PPL which you need to have a 40 to 50 hours of total flying hours (solo flying and
dual flying) and a regular class called Ground School. Once you have completed these
requirements. You can now get your Private Pilot License.

If you are licensed private pilot holder, you are allowed to enjoy a special
privilege only few people have a chance to encounter such a hop in an airplane and
explore the skies, take part in volunteer search and rescue mission, and other personal
activities. Unfortunately, a private pilot cannot fly or "work for hire".
Commercial Pilot’s License

For many Pilots flying of an Airline is an ultimate dream you have to attain a
Commercial Pilot License. Be aware that becoming a commercial pilot is a huge
financial commitment and is also very competitive. Shop around a wide variety of
training schools, consider all the different routes and finally, gain experience.
Commercial pilot training is not usually done in a jet, although it can be. In fact, many
people complete the commercial pilot certificate in the same aircraft that they completed
their private pilot certificate in a small four seater aircraft. The main difference is that for
the commercial certificate, students need to acquire 10 hours of flight time in a high-
performance aircraft, so some choose to do the entire training in a high-performance
aircraft.
It’s true that Boeing’s Pilot and Technician Outlook projects that between
2015 and 2033, the world’s aviation system will require 533,000 new commercial airline
pilots, but the truth of this is that almost half of these pilots will be required in the Asia
Pacific region.

Approved Training Organizations (ATO)


 Conduct, itself or through National Aviation Authorities or Qualified Entities,
investigations and audits of the organisations it certifies;

 Issue and renew the certificates of Pilot Training Organizations and Aero-Medical
Centres located outside the territory of the Member States and, where relevant,
their personnel;

 Amend, limit, suspend or revoke the relevant certificate when the conditions
according to which it was issued by it are no longer fulfilled, or if the legal or
natural person holding the certificate fails to fulfil the obligations imposed on it by
this Regulation or its implementing rules.

Whichever route you choose, you’re going to want to make sure that your investment is
secure. So what steps should you take?

1. Research your chosen ATO. How long have they been trading? Do they have
any history of financial problems? What links do they have with major airlines?
Most ATOs operate on a very strong financial footing but sadly it’s not unknown
for an ATO to go under, sometimes taking their students’ investments with them.
It’s obviously best to go with a well-established organization with impressive
industry links.
2. If you can, pay module-by-module rather than all up-front. Even some integrated
courses offer a pre-designated schedule to draw down payments in installments
over the period of your training rather than taking it all in one go.
3. Pay for the training by credit card, which can provide some sort of insurance in
the event of an ATO going under.
4. Does your chosen ATO offer a payment protection program? These plans
guarantee to refund a percentage of your fees should you fail to reach the
required standard to complete the course.
5. Throughout your training, keep your eyes on the bigger picture, in terms of the
financial position of your chosen ATO and the industry in general.
6. Finally, remember the old adage: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Note: The German Federal Aviation Office has certified two members of the
Lufthansa Flight Training Group as approved training organizations (ATOs). LFT-
CST GmbH is being changed from TRTO status (type rating training organization)
to an ATO, while the Lufthansa Flight Training pilot school in Bremen is being
changed from FTO (flight training organization) status.

Being a full-time student means your progress can be monitored at each stage of training,
giving you every opportunity to make the most of your investment. Should you fail your
ground exams and flight tests during your training (and this is exactly the same whether
you’ve chosen the integrated or modular routes) while the chance does exist to retake them,
airlines do look more favorably on graduates who have passed first time and with top
marks. So it really is worth getting your head down, working hard and accepting all and
whatever help and advice is available.

While many of these aspects of your training are completed as part of a curriculum that has
been set by the CAA, it’s the specific character, location, cost and presentation of each FTO
that will help you decide which is the best suited for you.

Note FTO (Flight Training Organization)

The training it can be split into specific modules, which typically run like this:

The ATPL ground exams – for many, the most demanding part of the training. You’ll need
to pass 14 exams covering subjects such as navigation, flight planning and aviation law.

Flight training – the fun bit. A majority of this may well take place overseas, often in the
USA, which offers cheaper flying and better weather.
Night Qualification – your first additional qualification allowing you to fly as you would
expect at night.

Commercial Pilots License – the CPL is a basic requirement to be allowed to fly for
financial reward. This is a major stepping stone towards a career in the airlines. You need a
minimum of 150 hours of flight time to get this far, with flying more complex aircraft with
retractable undercarriage and variable-pitch propellers.

Multi-engine rating

Instrument Rating – the most demanding of flying skills flying solely with reference to the
airplane’s instruments.

Multi-Crew Co-operation – learn to work as a team a requisite for the majority of


professional pilots.

With all of this successfully completed, you’ll have what is known as a frozen ATPL. The
‘frozen’ part refers to the fact that you’ve passed the required theory part of the Airline
Transport Pilots License; to ‘unfreeze’ it you’ll need to have a total of 1,500 hours flying time
logged. You’ll also need a type rating, basically the result of a course of training undertaken
that is individual to each type of aircraft, e.g. a Boeing 737-400. At the present
time, particularly when applying for a first job with many airlines, you might well have to pay
for your own type rating, at a cost of between £20,000 and £30,000. However, as your
experience increases, you can generally expect future type ratings to be paid for by your
employers.

What next?
Remember; always visit any schools in person. All of the reputable schools will be
happy for you to tour their facilities, either on an Open Day or sometimes through a
prearranged appointment. Find out as much as you can about your chosen ATO, do
your research on the career and have realistic expectations. Ask key questions about
the success rates of the trainer and remember the golden rule: if it looks too good to be
true, it probably is.

Sources:
https://www.pilotcareernews.com/pilot-training-integrated-vs-modular/

https://www.lufthansa-flight-training.com/en/e-notes/enotesjuni2014/lft_jetzt_apo

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-become-a-commercial-pilot-282898

https://www.easa.europa.eu/easa-and-you/aircrew-and-medical/approved-training-organisations-ato

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