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How Long Does It Take to Become a Commercial Pilot in the UK?

Embarking on the journey to become a commercial pilot is an exciting venture filled with anticipation and ambition. One of the most common questions aspiring pilots ask is, "How long will it take to earn my commercial pilot licence in the UK?"

November 6, 2024

Typical Timeline for Pilot Training

Generally, the journey to a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) in the UK can take anywhere from 18 months to 3 years, depending on factors like training availability, weather, and the type of program (integrated or modular) you choose. An integrated training course is usually faster, often taking around 18-24 months, but requires full-time commitment and a significant financial investment upfront. On the other hand, a modular training approach allows for flexibility, which is ideal for students who wish to train at their own pace, perhaps while balancing work or other commitments.

Our Unique Approach to Training

Aviation Academy Scotland)offers something quite unique in the world of pilot training: the ability to train part-time towards your commercial licences without sacrificing speed. Unlike larger academies, we keep our intakes small, ensuring personalised attention for each student. This means that even if you're training part-time, you might find that you're progressing more quickly than you would in a larger school with long waiting times for aircraft and instructors.

Our smaller intakes mean more availability for lessons, reduced waiting times, and a streamlined training experience. This focused approach helps keep your training on track.

How Long Will It Take with Us?

The length of time it takes to become a commercial pilot with Aviation Academy Scotland will depend on your personal schedule and commitment. For full-time students, the journey from zero experience to a CPL can be completed in as little as 12-18 months (this all depends on how long it takes you to gain your ATPL Theory exams). For part-time students, the timeline can extend, but our efficient scheduling and small group sizes mean that even those with limited availability can progress steadily and achieve their goals faster than they might expect.

Flexible Yet Efficient

Our flexibility allows you to tailor your training around your life, while our commitment to small intakes ensures that you get the focused support you need to succeed. This combination means that, for many of our students, training with us is not only more convenient but also faster and more effective than at larger schools that prioritize volume over individual progress.

Ready to start your journey? Get in touch to learn more about how we can help you achieve your dream of becoming a commercial pilot—on a schedule that works for you.

Next Steps

Book a meeting with the team, view our live and on demand webinars or take a look at our pricing in our digital brochure.

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Meet with us online or in person at the Academy

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Training Experience

Unlike other schools, we allow you to try before you commit to training.

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