FAQs

The cost of pilot training depends on which route you decide to take.

Our Integrated ATPL course starts from £79,950.

Find out more about our Integrated ATPL course

We also offer Modular ATPL training with Theoretical Knowledge starting from £2,400, CPL MEIR £36,000 and MCC £5,699.

Find out more about our Modular ATPL training

All of our training programs are self-funded by way of either savings or a loan secured typically against a UK property. We ourselves are not able to offer any financial advice however, we would suggest that potential candidates speak with their families and a variety of banks, lenders and independent financial advisers who will be best placed to discuss the products that may be available.

Find out more on EASA pilot training funding and finance options

Typically, an Integrated ATPL course takes between 18 and 24 months to complete, depending on capacity and scheduling.

Find out more about our Integrated ATPL course

Modular ATPL training is more flexible than the integrated approach and cadets have three years to complete training once they have passed their Theoretical Knowledge exams.

Find out more about our Modular ATPL training

Our entry criteria determines the minimum requirements to start pilot training. Including: being 18 years old to start training, holding a minimum of 5 GCSEs grade C / 4 or above (or international equivalent), be able to pass an EASA Class 1 Medical and have the right to live and work in EEA and Switzerland or be able to obtain a Tier 4 Visa.

Find out more on our entry criteria requirements

Integrated ATPL courses start with Theoretical Knowledge (Ground School) in the UK at our London Training Centre (LTC) near Gatwick.

Discover more about our London Training Centre

Flight training is subject to scheduling and where we have capacity at the time, it could take place in Bournemouth or Cranfield in the UK or Ponte de Sor in Portugal, although we as a company are always looking at alternative locations so you are encouraged to remain flexible as you are not able to preference your training locations.

Discover more about our Bournemouth Airline Academy

Discover more about our Cranfield Airline Academy

Discover more about our Ponte de Sor Airline Academy

We are currently offering the Aviation Industry Recovery (AIR) Scholarship. Enrol before 31 December 2021 for your chance to earn up to a £10k scholarship.

Click here to find out more

For many of our programs the minimum educational requirements would be for the applicant to hold a minimum of 5 GCSEs (or high school equivalents) at grade C or above, including maths, science and English language. Airline partnered routes may also require further qualifications, for example A-Levels (excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking) or a degree graded 2:2 or above. (the acceptance of an equivalent will be at the Airlines discretion).

For more information, please explore our guide on qualifications needed to become a pilot.

Qualifications needed to become a pilot

We are not able to recommend specific subjects but would encourage candidates to choose subjects they enjoy to ensure they meet the minimum level or above.

The acceptance of an equivalent qualification will be at the Airlines discretion.

Airlines open and close their application windows at their discretion so unfortunately we would not be able to advise when they may next be open for new applications.

All events will be announced via our website. Dates and locations will not be released until approximately 4 to 6 weeks prior to each event date. Tickets are free of charge and you will be able to register by following this link - https://www.l3commercialaviation.com/events/

We would suggest to all applicants to make an application once they are in a position to commence training within 6 months of the application date.

Unfortunately we are not in a position to make comment on anything relating to medicals apart from you will be required to obtain an unrestricted class 1 medical to commence training with L3 Airline Academy.

Please contact the issuing authority for further information regarding medicals, in the case of the UK the CAA should be able to assist.

To find out more about our 'Training Standard' please visit our EASA Finance and Funding section.

We cannot recommend or endorse any Aptitude Software however we can suggest researching CUT-e as this is the company we use for our Aptitude testing.

No, this phase of training cost is additional to the cost of the Integrated ATPL program. We suggest to factor in £30,000 for the Type Rating, this would be the upper amount required, and some Airlines may contribute towards the cost or potentially bond you for a period of time.

Holders of a PPL can apply for our Integrated training programs however it is not a prerequisite and you will be required to sit all areas of the training and pay full price.

You are not guaranteed a job however with an Airline program before commencement of training you will be given a conditional offer of employment outlining the standard of your performance which must be met through your training for you to go into employment with the Airline.

All of our training programmes are self-funded. The best way to keep up to date is to register for our newsletter, which will provide all information on upcoming Airline application windows, events and any initiatives that we announce.

Sign up to our EASA newsletter

The main difference between an MPL and ATPL program is and MPL is an Airline specific qualification, which allows you to operate for a certain Airline whilst the Integrated ATPL is an industry wide qualification, accepted by all Airlines.

Many of our programs ask that the applicant is at least 17 years and 6 months to apply, ready to commence training from 18 years old. The exception to this is our Integrated ATPL program, which you can apply to at 17 years old although it is worth considering that you will have to have turned 18 by commencement of training and your results from assessment are only valid for 12 months.

We would suggest that you attend one of the industry events such as Pilot Careers Live. These events give you the opportunity to speak with trainees who are currently in training and some that have graduated and have gone on to work for our partner airlines. These events are not run by L3 so you would need to use the link below to find further information - https://www.pilotcareernews.com/live/

12 months from the date of your assessment event.

We cannot make any recommendations but we can provide names of companies that our trainees have previously used for their insurance requirements which you may wish to research.

Finch Group: Loss of Training Expenses, Loss of Life Insurance, Travel Insurance / Hiscox Global Flying Insurance: Loss of Training Expenses / BALPA Financial Solutions Insurance: Loss of Training Expenses, Loss of Life Insurance / APPN: Loss of Training Expenses, Loss of Life Insurance /
SAAM Verspieren Group: Loss of Training Expenses, Loss of Life insurance / Allianz Global Assistance: Travel Insurance

The type of license issued on successful completion of training is optional. Cadets are offered the choice to study towards a UK CAA license or an EASA license, which we issue via Ireland. Please note there is an additional cost of £3,000 for the Irish IAA license.

No. If you are training towards the UK CAA license you will need a UK CAA Class 1 Medical without restrictions. If you are training towards the Irish IAA license you will need an EASA Class 1 Medical without restrictions.