ATPL Requirements
The Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) is the highest civil pilot license and entitles to work as a responsible pilot on commercial aircraft. Anyone who wants to embark on this career path must meet various personal, health and professional requirements. On this page we give an overview of the main conditions to start with ATPL training.
The requirements for the ATPL at a glance
| Category | Requirements / Notes |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | • At least 17 years at the start of training • At least 21 years for the issue of the full ATPL licence |
| School education | • No legally fixed minimum requirement • In practice: at least Real school qualification • Frequently Abitur or University of Applied Sciences preferably |
| Medical fitness | • Requires a Medical Class 1 • Includes, among others, Eye and hearing tests, ECG, blood and urine tests • Must be available before the start of training and must be renewed regularly |
| English language skills | • Evidence of ICAO Language Level English (min.) Level 4 • Usually taken during or towards the end of training |
| Personal characteristics | • High level Responsibility • Resistance and stress resistance • Teamwork • Technical understanding and decision-making strength |
| Suitability tests | • Many flight schools run their own Aptitude and ability tests through • Frequently: psychological checks, reaction and concentration tests, math/physics tasks, interviews |
| Financial conditions | • Total cost typically approx. 60.000 – 120.000 € • Funding often over Private funds or Educational loans • As a rule, no funding by BAföG |
| Language & Residence status (Germany) | • Good things German language skills Required (depending on the school often at least). B2–C1 • For non-EU citizens: suitable Residency or Visa regimes Necessary for the duration of training |