Cost of Pilot Licence Training

Have you ever had the opportunity to travel by aircraft? The reasons for such a flight may vary – a business trip, or perhaps a dream holiday. Regardless, many people greatly enjoy air travel and, from an early age, dream of one day sitting at the controls of a real aircraft. The development of aviation today means that this dream need not be as distant or expensive as it once seemed, especially if the goal is recreational flying rather than long-haul airline operations. Below, we briefly present the most important training programmes required to become a pilot, along with the costs associated with each stage.

Private Pilot Licence (PPL(A)) training – the beginning of your aviation journey

If you are wondering where to start your flight training, this is the answer. The Private Pilot Licence PPL(A) is the beginning of the aviation journey. During this course, you will complete your first solo flight under the supervision of an experienced instructor from Smart Aero Flight Academy. After successfully passing the theoretical examination at the Civil Aviation Authority and the practical skill test with an examiner from the Aviation Examination Board, you will become a holder of an aircraft pilot licence valid throughout the European Union.

What does the PPL(A) licence allow you to do? First and foremost, it permits non-commercial flight operations on aircraft with a maximum take-off mass not exceeding 5,700 kg. In practice, this means that while you cannot conduct commercial flights, you may perform recreational flights and carry passengers.

To successfully complete PPL(A) training, it is necessary to complete approximately 100 hours of theoretical training (e.g. 42 hours of classroom instruction and 58 hours of e-learning) and a minimum of 45 hours of practical flight training on a single-engine aircraft such as the Cessna 152 or Piper PA-28 Archer III.

The total cost of PPL(A) training at Smart Aero Flight Academy currently starts from approximately 44,000 PLN gross.

Night VFR rating training

If you are already able to fly solo but would also like to do so after dark, completing the Night VFR rating is necessary to obtain this privilege. The theoretical course is usually conducted over one day and consists of a minimum of 5 hours of classroom instruction, followed by at least 5 hours of night flight training with an instructor. During this time, you will learn, among other things, how to navigate effectively during night operations and become familiar with night take-offs and landings.

The cost of Night VFR training starts from 6,000 PLN gross.

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Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL(A)) training – the step towards professional flying

If your passion for flying develops into something more, the next step may be a professional aviation career, for which obtaining a Commercial Pilot Licence CPL(A) is required. During this training, you will learn to fly in almost all weather conditions, become familiar with operations in controlled airspace, and gain the privilege to act as a pilot for remuneration.

To obtain a CPL(A), you must complete either a Commercial Pilot theoretical course or an Airline Transport Pilot theoretical course ATPL(A), which culminates in a state examination conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Additionally, you must complete a practical training programme consisting of a minimum of 25 flight hours, including training on a complex aircraft, night flying, operations in various meteorological conditions, and advanced navigation techniques.

The cost of practical training leading to a CPL(A) licence is approximately 24,000 PLN net. This cost may be reduced if you undertake CPL(A) training after completing an IR(A) course, in which case the total cost is approximately 15,000 PLN net. It is also worth noting that professional aviation training is VAT-exempt.

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How else can we further develop our skills?

The training programmes mentioned above are essential for progressing through an aviation career; however, they are not the only courses available. At Smart Aero Flight Academy, we also offer:

MEP(L) training, which introduces pilots to multi-engine aircraft operations. This is an additional rating endorsed in the CPL(A) or PPL(A) licence, qualifying the holder to operate multi-engine aircraft. The total cost starts from approximately 13,000 PLN net.

IRI course, which enables pilots to act as Instrument Rating instructors. During this course, candidates acquire the knowledge they will later pass on to their students. The cost of this course is 12,000 PLN net.

IR training, which provides the privilege to conduct instrument flight operations. It consists of two modules – basic and procedural. Like MEP(L), the IR rating is an additional qualification endorsed in the CPL(A) or PPL(A) licence. It includes 150 hours of theoretical training and 50 hours of practical training. The cost of IR training ranges from approximately 28,000 PLN to 38,000 PLN net, depending on the stage of training, previously completed courses, and the type of aircraft used (single-engine or multi-engine).