Which European country is best for pilot training?
The Netherlands: The Netherlands has several flight schools known for their professional training programs. The country's central location in Europe makes it accessible for students from different parts of the continent.
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The USA is one of the top countries for flight training. It is home to some of the world's oldest and most reputed universities and training institutions. It is also globally acknowledged for its flight education curriculum.
Austria. Austria has a strong economy, bustling tourism, and well-connected airports that ensure steady demand for pilots. Austria is one of the best countries to become a pilot.
The region could face a shortage of 3,000 pilots by 2023 and 18,000 by 2032. Europe currently is in surplus and we expect it to remain so until the middle of the decade, but then forecast a shortage of 19,000 pilots by 2032, driven predominately by increased demand.
The demand for pilots will be at an all-time high over the next 20 years, according to some industry experts. Most of the expected pilot shortage will be experienced in China and India, with a smaller demand felt in the United States and Middle East.
Pilot training at a glanceIt can take 16-18 months to qualify as a pilot if you've no previous flying experience. A two-year part-time 'modular' route is also available allowing you to work while you train. It requires a huge financial investment. Training can cost anything between £70,000 and £130,000.
The Philippines is one of the cheapest nations globally for pilot training and getting a pilot's license. Students can usually complete their courses for roughly INR 9-10 lakh in this country. Australia is also comparatively cheaper in this regard along with Poland and Nigeria.
You have a better chance of becoming a military pilot in the Army. More aircraft and a lot easier requirements to be selected. The bulk of the Army's pilots are Warrant officers. You do not need a college degree, just pass the selection criteria, the medical requirements, and off to flight school.
The airline transport pilot (ATP) is the most advanced pilot certificate one can obtain, and it's necessary for those who want to fly commercial airliners for a living. All commercial airlines now require a pilot applicant to have an ATP certificate.
The Speedbird Pilot Academy is our fully funded training scheme for up to 60 successful candidates per year working with selected Flight Training Organisations.
As a rough guide, you can expect to make between £40,000 – £60,000 in your first year as a pilot in the UK. For example, a 'second officer' at Easyjet will receive roughly £47,000 yearly, not including flight pay. You can expect to fly between 700-900 hours per year.
In 2023 we have seen increased recruitment across a large portion of UK and European airlines. This recruitment need is predominantly being met by experienced pilots, however we are delighted to see a proportion of those jobs being filled by pilots who have not previously held a commercial flying position.
The aviation industry has been grappling with a significant pilot shortage after the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2020 and continued into 2021 and beyond, with no exception in 2023.
Post-Pandemic Pilot ShortageEarly retirements during the coronavirus pandemic have accelerated demand for new pilots to enter the industry and begin training.