Pilot Career Timeline (EASA) — Pilote autrement

Your European Airline Pilot Roadmap (2025-ready)

From Class 1 medical to first line flight — modular or integrated — this timeline shows the sequence, durations, realistic budgets and what each phase includes. Built around EASA standards and what hiring teams expect in Europe.

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Typical durations Budgets vary by country & ATO EASA-compliant order
Cadet / Integrated / Modular IR includes PBN APS MCC recommended
Phase 1 • Entry & Medical
01

Admissions, EASA Class 1 & Admin

Duration: 0–3 months Age: 17+ (18 for CPL test)
  • •EASA Class 1 medical (vision incl. CVD screening, ECG, audiogram). Aim for ICAO English L4+.
  • •Math/physics refresh, background check, ID/security docs. Choose route: Modular, Integrated, or Cadet.
  • •Open a training log (digital or paper) and plan a realistic budget envelope.

Pro tip

Do the medical first before paying large deposits. Ask the AeMC for a checklist to avoid repeat visits.

Budget

€500–€1,800 (Class 1 + tests). Keep a 10–15% buffer for admin/travel.

Phase 2 • ATPL Theory
02

ATPL(A) Theory — 14 EASA Subjects

Duration: 6–12 months Modular / Integrated
  • •Ground school + distance learning; progress tests and CAA sittings (max 6 sittings / 4 attempts per subject).
  • •Front-load Performance, AGK, Instruments; continuous mini-revision beats cramming.
  • •Use concise notes aligned to QDB patterns; simulate mixed-topic blocks.

Study tip

Alternate 40 min focused (notes) + 20 min drills (banks). Weekly mixed review to avoid silo learning.

Budget

€3,000–€8,000. Save via distance learning + strong revision sheets. Exam fees vary by authority.

Phase 3 • PPL + Hours
03

PPL(A) & Structured Hour Building

Duration: 6–12 months Target: 150–200 h TT
  • •PPL min 45 h. Book blocks and protect weather windows to keep continuity.
  • •Structured XC plan (night, nav, airspace variety). Keep a skills log (landings, x-wind, radio).
  • •Control costs via Eastern EU bases / shared flights where legal / fuel deals with some aerodromes.

Pro tip

Design routes that teach something: terrain, controlled airspace entries, cross-border ops.

Budget

€15,000–€28,000 (PPL + hours). Wet rate, fuel, landing fees and club membership drive totals.

Phase 4 • Night Rating (NR)
04

Optional but Highly Recommended

Duration: 1–2 weeks IR prep
  • •5 h at night (dual + solo): circuits, nav, emergencies; boosts scan discipline.
  • •Pick an ATO with good lighting/procedures to simulate IFR thinking.

Pro tip

Schedule NR near winter; combine with radio exercises at busier airports.

Budget

€800–€1,500 depending on aircraft and airport fees.

Phase 5 • CPL(A)
05

Commercial Pilot Licence

Duration: 1–2 months ≥ 200 h TT at test
  • •Advanced handling, navigation, abnormal procedures; skill test with FE.
  • •Sharpen precision, radio, decision-making; rehearse the full test profile.

Checkride tip

Fly a mock test with a different instructor to reduce “first-time” surprises.

Budget

€6,000–€10,000. Multi-day blocks reduce cancellations and travel overhead.

Phase 6 • IR(A) + PBN
06

Instrument Rating (SE/ME) with PBN

Duration: 2–3 months 40–55 h IFR
  • •IFR procedures: SID/STAR, holds, ILS/VOR/RNAV (GNSS) incl. PBN endorsement.
  • •Sim + aircraft balance; plan alternates and minima; get fluent with Jeppesen charts.

Pro tip

Use a single brief format (threats, minima, nav-aid set-up). Build your own IFR checklist.

Budget

€12,000–€20,000. ME-IR costs more but aligns with airline twins and helps later.

Phase 7 • MEP
07

Multi-Engine Piston Class Rating

Duration: 1–3 weeks ~10 h twin
  • •Asymmetric flight, EFATO, single-engine go-around; performance on one engine.
  • •Combine with ME-IR modules for efficiency if scheduling allows.

Pro tip

Memorize Vyse/blue line and rehearse engine-out flows on the ground before each sortie.

Budget

€3,000–€5,000 depending on aircraft and airport.

Phase 8 • UPRT (Advanced)
08

Upset Prevention & Recovery

Duration: 3–5 days Mandatory pre-TR
  • •High-AoA awareness, unusual attitudes, energy management, startle control.
  • •Bridges GA habits to airline SOPs; boosts confidence in MCC/APS sims.

Mindset tip

Focus on energy state before attitude. Recover with a disciplined flow, not instinct.

Budget

€1,500–€3,500 (higher for aerobatic types / specialized providers).

Phase 9 • MCC / APS MCC
09

Multi-Crew Cooperation (APS recommended)

Duration: 3–6 weeks FNPT II / FFS
  • •CRM, PF/PM roles, SOP discipline, abnormal/emergency flows, time management.
  • •APS MCC adds jet handling standards & stricter evaluation — valued by recruiters.

Sim tip

Practice brief-do-debrief cycles; keep a callouts sheet and refine after each session.

Budget

€3,000–€8,000 (APS: €5k–€8k). Check airline tie-ins and instructor background.

Phase 10 • Selection & Type Rating
10

Airline Assessments & Type Rating

Type duration: 6–12 weeks B737/A320 typical
  • •Selection: HR interview, group tasks, COMPASS/Cut-e/ADAPT, psychometrics; sim profile (raw-data ILS, holds).
  • •Type rating: CBT, fixed-base, FFS, base training. Financing may be self-/co-funded — read terms carefully.

Interview tip

Prepare 3 STAR stories (leadership, error management, teamwork). Keep answers succinct & specific.

Budget

€20,000–€35,000 (varies by airline/aircraft). Some operators reimburse partially post-line training.

Phase 11 • First Job & Line Training
11

Line Flying, Recurrent & Upgrade

Window: 1–5 years FO → Capt 1500–2500 h
  • •Line training with training captain; 6-monthly LPC/OPC; continuous CRM refresh and SOP fidelity.
  • •Build multi-sector experience; consider TRI/SFI later; track FTL compliance to manage fatigue.

Career tip

Keep an updated training record + logbook highlights (abnormals handled, LOFT scenarios).

Pay

FO in Europe ~€2,500–€5,500/mo (varies with base, contract type and per-diems).

Total training window~18–30 months at modular pace
All-in budget (excl. TR)~€45k–€90k (add €20k–€35k if self-funded Type Rating)
English levelICAO L4 minimum (aim L5–6 for hiring)
Bonus add-onsJet orientation, Interview coaching, EU mobility planning

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