When you’re new to aviation, everything looks confusing, many sources of information, different type of licences, it can be overwhelming really fast. PPL, ATPL, CPL, ME, IR, MCC… It feels like an alphabet soup mixed with a six-figure bill.
Truth is, the journey becomes simple once you understand the order.
Here’s the clean and detailed version of the path:
1. PPL — Your first license, known as the Private Pilot Licence
This is where you learn the basics and discover whether flying is truly for you.
It took me a year, and it completely changed my life.
2. ATPL Theory — 14 exams
Most people pay thousands for schools.
I studied mine on my own, remotely, while working as an engineer.
Hard? Yes. Worth it? 100%.
3. Hour building
This is where most people lose money. I used cost-sharing to finance a huge part of mine, that was the best decision ever.
4. CPL + ME + IR
I did this training in Eastern Europe. Great instructors, fast progression and a fraction of Western European prices.
5. MCC + UPRT
Your final transition into true airline-style flying.
After that, You’re ready to start applying for airliners.
And trust me, the feeling of being “pilot-ready” hits different.
If someone had explained this path clearly when I started, I would have saved months and thousands of euros.
That’s why I created a full detailed guide breaking everything down step-by-step, with tips I wish I had from day one. You can get it here.
If becoming a pilot is your dream, you are definitely following the right path with this guide.
