Your pilot licence, wherever in the world you fly
World ATP Flights prepares you for your licence under the rules of the country where you want to fly, from your first solo to the Airline Transport Pilot Licence.
Built around the authority you’ll fly under
Every authority writes its own rules for medical classes, examinations, minimum ages and fees. We start from where you want to fly and plan your training around that authority.
- Eight licensing systems
- UK CAA, EASA, FAA, CASA, CAAS, SACAA, GCAA and Transport Canada.
- The authority comes first
- We help you choose the rules you’ll fly under before you start training, not after.
- Every step, SPL to ATPL
- From your first solo flight to the Airline Transport Pilot Licence.
- Offices on 3 continents
- Atlanta, Adelaide, Munich, Ottawa.
From first solo to the airline flight deck
Professional pilot training follows the same climb everywhere: initial training, private flying, commercial flying and, eventually, airline transport. Names and privileges differ by authority.
Stage 1
Initial training
Authorised training and supervised solo flying.
Stage 2
Recreational flying
Limited flying within defined aircraft and rules.
Stage 3
Private flying
Fly privately, not for hire.
Stage 4
Commercial flying
Professional flying for compensation.
Stage 5
Airline transport
Multi-crew and airline operations.
Train for the country you’ll fly in
Requirements by destination
UK
United Kingdom
UK Civil Aviation Authority
EU
EASA member states
European Union Aviation Safety Agency
US
United States
Federal Aviation Administration
AU
Australia
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
SG
Singapore
Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
ZA
South Africa
South African Civil Aviation Authority
AE
United Arab Emirates
General Civil Aviation Authority
CA
Canada
Transport Canada
Eight rulebooks, one plan
Choosing the right authority before you start saves time and money later. Three differences to know before you choose.
US
Licence or certificate
The FAA issues pilot certificates; the other authorities issue licences. The progression from student to airline transport pilot is similar.
Pilot certificates in the United StatesEU
EASA rules, national licences
EASA sets common rules for its member states, but the licence itself is issued by the national aviation authority.
Pilot licences in EASA member statesAE
Recognition is not automatic
Flying on a foreign licence takes more than paperwork. In the UAE, the GCAA can require written examinations, English proficiency and verification by the issuing authority.
Foreign licences in the UAE
How a licence is earned
The steps are similar under every authority. The syllabus, minimum hours and examiners differ.
- 01
Ground instruction
Prepare the aeronautical knowledge your licence requires.
- 02
Theory examinations
Pass the knowledge tests set by your authority.
- 03
Flight training
Complete approved flight instruction and the minimum flight experience.
- 04
Skills test
Fly the practical test with an examiner, often called the checkride.
- 05
Ratings
Add instrument, multi-engine, night or type ratings where your flying requires them.
You’ll also need the medical certificate your licence requires. Under the UK CAA, EASA and CAAS rules, that is at least a Class 2 medical for a PPL and a Class 1 medical for professional licences.
Offices on 3 continents
Meet the team in Atlanta, Adelaide, Munich or Ottawa, or talk to us on WhatsApp from anywhere.
United States
Atlanta, Fulton County Airport (FTY)
3948 Aviation Cir NW
Atlanta, GA 30336Australia
Adelaide, Tarndanya
Level 1, 80 Grenfell Street
Adelaide SA 5000Germany
Munich Airport, LabCampus
LabCampus 48
85356 München-FlughafenCanada
Ottawa
Tower C, Place de Ville
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Common questions
Can’t find your answer? Write to us and we’ll reply with the rules that apply to you.
Does EASA issue pilot licences?
Generally not. EASA sets common rules for its member states, and the national aviation authority of each state issues the licence under those rules.
Is a pilot certificate the same as a pilot licence?
In the United States, the FAA uses the term pilot certificate rather than pilot licence. The progression is similar: student, private, commercial and airline transport pilot.
Will my foreign licence be recognised in the UAE?
Not automatically. The GCAA may recognise certain foreign licences subject to conditions that include verification by the foreign authority, a valid licence and medical certificate, written examinations, English proficiency and age requirements.
Which medical certificate do I need?
Under the UK CAA, EASA and CAAS rules, a PPL requires at least a Class 2 medical and the CPL, MPL and ATPL require a Class 1 medical. In the United States, the required medical certification depends on the certificate and the intended operations.
Do the ATPL theory exams alone qualify me for an ATPL?
No. Under EASA rules, passing the 13 ATPL theory subjects is one requirement. Flight experience, medical fitness and other applicable requirements must also be satisfied.
How many flight hours does a commercial licence take?
It depends on the authority and the training route. The FAA states that the standard aeroplane commercial pilot certificate generally requires 250 hours of flight time. Airlines may require considerably more experience than the regulatory minimum.
What is the minimum age for an airline transport licence?
It varies by authority: 21 for the Transport Canada ATPL, and generally 23 for an unrestricted FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate.
Are the authority’s fees included in the training price?
No. Authorities charge their own examination and licence fees, separately from training. For example, the UK CAA lists £341 for the initial issue of certain professional Part-FCL licences, including the ATPL(A), CPL(A) and MPL.
Tell us where you want to fly
Share the licence you’re aiming for and where you’re starting from. We’ll help you plan the route: authority, licences and training steps.