Frequently Asked Questions

You can view the full list of services by clicking the services link on our website.

Students and parents can visit the Contact Us section on our website and book a consultation with one of our aviation consultants.

During this consultation, we review your academic background, career goals, and the different training pathways available. Based on this information, we guide you toward the most suitable pathway to become a licensed airline pilot or aviation professional.

Parents and students can book a consultation with one of our aviation consultants. During this session, we explain the complete end-to-end aviation training process to both the parents and the student.

For a consultation fee of £100, we help students create a five-year action plan that includes both Plan A and Plan B, ensuring that the student clearly understands the next steps in their aviation career.

If parents are unsure which program is suitable for their child, we recommend booking a consultation through the Contact Us section to begin the discussion.

Aero Launch provides visa support through our specialised visa team. We assist students with their visa application process and ensure that all necessary documents required from the training institutions are provided to support the visa application.

Different institutions offer different scholarship opportunities. To understand the scholarships available for your preferred course, we recommend booking a consultation with one of our aviation consultants.

Pilot training costs vary depending on the country and the training organisation. In countries such as Sri Lanka, pilot training usually takes around 24-30 months and costs approximately $40,000–$50,000, depending on the training school and number of flight hours required.

In the United States, pilot training typically costs between $80,000 and $100,000, although full airline-career programs can exceed $120,000 depending on the training pathway and additional ratings. In the United Kingdom, pilot training costs generally range from £60,000 to £130,000, with many integrated airline-pilot programs costing around £90,000–£115,000.

Through our partner schools such as European Pilot Academy and Zenith Aviation Academy, training programs are available between approximately $60,000 and $65,000 depending on the pathway selected.

No. Just like any other university degree, a job is not guaranteed after completing pilot training. Once students complete their training, they must prepare their CV, apply for positions, and attend interviews to secure their first job. Aviation follows the same process as many other professional fields.

However, the programs we work with help students complete all the required prerequisites for airline cadet pilot programs or junior first officer positions.
There are also airline cadet pilot programs where airlines sponsor training, but these programs have different requirements depending on the airline. Students should refer to the individual airline for the specific requirements.

Academic requirements depend on the training organisation.

• For European Pilot Academy, students must have six GCE/GCSE/IGCSE O-Levels passes with 'C” Passes in English, Mathematics, and Physics.
• For Zenith Aviation Academy, students who have completed Edexcel or Cambridge O-Levels with six passes are eligible.

Students who completed the Sri Lankan national syllabus are usually required to have completed both O-Levels and A-Levels. The A-Levels can be from any academic stream. Students are also encouraged to review the requirements of their national airline cadet programs. If students do not fully meet the requirements, we may be able to guide them through alternative pathways such as entrance tests or mentoring support.

As the names suggest, modular training allows the full pilot training program to be completed in separate modules. Students can pause the training and return later to complete the remaining modules. This pathway is often suitable for people who are working and want to complete pilot training part-time.

Under EASA regulations, students who choose the modular pathway usually begin with the Private Pilot Licence (PPL).

Integrated training is designed to be completed as a single structured program. It typically includes the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), Instrument Rating (IR), and ATPL theory knowledge. Integrated programs are usually completed within around 12 to 15 months, while modular training may take longer depending on how quickly the student completes each module. Because modular training is spread over time, the overall cost can sometimes increase as training prices change over the years.

Pilot training duration depends on the training program. For modular training at European Pilot Academy, the program usually takes around 15 months to complete. However, the actual duration may vary depending on how quickly the student completes the required examinations.

For integrated training at Zenith Aviation Academy, the program typically takes around 12 months to complete.

The medical requirement depends on the type of flying a person intends to do. If someone wants to hold a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and fly for leisure or as a hobby pilot, they must obtain an EASA Class 2 Medical Certificate.

If someone wants to fly commercially, they must obtain an EASA Class 1 Medical Certificate. Students who want to understand the detailed medical requirements can speak with our in-house aviation medical expert to receive guidance on the medical standards required for pilot training.

The licensing pathway depends on whether the student follows a modular or integrated training route. A person starting pilot training usually begins with a Student Pilot Licence.

In a modular pathway, students typically complete:

• Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
• Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
• Instrument Rating (IR)
• Multi-Engine Rating
• ATPL theory knowledge

In an integrated pathway, students complete a structured program that usually includes:

• Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
• Instrument Rating (IR)
• Multi-Engine Rating
• ATPL theory knowledge

Both pathways ultimately prepare students to meet the licensing requirements needed to apply for airline pilot positions.

Watch the video to see the step-by-step process

Most airlines recruit fresh cadets who have completed training through an Approved Training Organisation (ATO). Students who complete full flight training usually graduate with approximately 200 to 250 flight hours.

This is generally the level of experience airlines expect when recruiting candidates for cadet pilot programs or junior first officer positions.

International students from Sri Lanka may work as pilots in Europe provided they obtain a valid EASA Part-FCL licence and Class 1 Medical Certificate in compliance with EASA Regulation

In addition, they must obtain legal authorisation for employment, such as an EU Blue Card, by fulfilling the required work contract, salary thresholds, and professional qualification requirements established under Directive (EU) 2021/1883.

Yes. Pilot licenses can often be converted between countries.

Students should check the conversion requirements on the website of their local civil aviation authority or national aviation authority. The exact process may vary depending on the regulations of the country where the license will be converted.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering training costs depend on the program selected.

• For the EASA Part-147 approved program with Aviotrace Switzerland, the standard course price is approximately €16,500.
• If a student chooses a four-year aviation degree at a Part-147 approved school, the cost is approximately €3,800 per year, which would total around four years of study.
• There is also another pathway through Nilai University, where students can complete EASA modules with KLM UK, progress to an Advanced Diploma, and graduate with a Kingston University degree. The final cost for this pathway is currently to be confirmed.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering offers strong career opportunities, especially in Europe.

Unlike pilots, who may face visa restrictions when working between countries, aircraft maintenance engineers usually work in a specific country at a maintenance base. Because of this, it is often easier for aircraft maintenance professionals to build their careers internationally.

There is currently growing demand for aircraft maintenance engineers and technicians in Europe. Students can choose programs such as Aviotrace Switzerland or TSI Latvia to prepare for these opportunities.

No. Completing the course does not immediately make someone a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer.

After training, graduates usually start working as junior mechanics or junior technicians and must gain basic maintenance experience based on their licence category and training program. Once the required experience is completed, the candidate must submit Form 19, along with their logbook and supporting documents, to the relevant National Aviation Authority.

If approved, the authority will issue a blank aircraft maintenance licence. To become certifying staff, the engineer must then obtain a type rating for a specific aircraft and have it endorsed on the licence.

Watch the video to see the step-by-step process :

The exact academic requirements may vary depending on the training institution.

Students who are interested in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering should speak with one of our aviation consultants to review their academic qualifications and determine the most suitable pathway for their training.

Students with lower academic results may still have alternative pathways available.

The best option is to book a consultation with one of our aviation consultants and share your academic results. Based on your grades and goals, we can help design a suitable pathway toward your aviation career.

Aviation offers many career opportunities beyond piloting and aircraft maintenance engineering. At Aero Launch, we can help students design career pathways for several aviation professions. These include careers such as cabin crew, air traffic controller, flight dispatcher, airline ticketing agent, aerospace engineer, Aviation manager, and supply chain or logistics manager within the aviation industry.

Our aviation consultants can help students understand these different roles and guide them toward the pathway that best matches their interests and qualifications.

If there is one subject students should focus on, it is English.

In aviation, English is the common language used across all aviation professions worldwide. Strong communication skills in English are therefore extremely important for any aviation career.

For students planning to enter the technical side of aviation, such as engineering or maintenance, having a background in science and mathematics is also beneficial. However, overall, English remains the most important subject across all aviation fields.

Students should ideally begin thinking about their aviation career before starting their GCSE or O-Level studies.

We have a specialised team of teachers who can help students build a strong academic foundation for O-Level and A-Level studies. By speaking with our team, students and parents can receive guidance on selecting the right subjects that support future aviation training.

Students can plan their aviation career pathway by speaking with one of our aviation consultants.

During the consultation, we review the student’s academic background, interests, and career goals. Based on this information, we help design a clear pathway toward the aviation career they wish to pursue.

This planning process helps students understand the steps required to reach their long-term goals in aviation.

Students and parents can receive personalised guidance by booking a consultation through the Contact Us section of our website.

During the consultation, our aviation consultants explain the full training process, career options, and possible pathways available. This allows both students and parents to clearly understand the aviation career journey before making important decisions.

This depends largely on where the student lives and where they plan to work in the future.

In regions such as South Asia, there is often high competition for pilot positions, as many students are pursuing the same career. Because of this, some students choose to complete their training abroad so they can enter recruitment pathways earlier.

In Europe, there are many airlines and aviation companies, and in some areas there may be a higher demand for aviation professionals.

Another important factor is the civil aviation authority that governs the licence. Aviation is a highly regulated industry, and different countries have different authorities and licensing systems. Students should consider where they plan to work before choosing their training location.

Pilot licences can often be converted between countries, but students should confirm the requirements with the relevant civil aviation authority. Our team can also assist students in understanding these requirements.

In many European countries, international students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while studying.

During certain periods, such as summer breaks, students may be allowed to work full-time, up to around 40 hours per week, depending on the country's regulations.

However, rules vary by country. For example, in Switzerland, students must usually wait six months before starting part-time work, and the working hours may be limited to around 15 hours per week.

Because visa and work regulations vary between countries, it is recommended that students speak with one of our immigration consultants to understand the specific rules that apply to their destination country. .

Europe currently offers strong opportunities for aviation professionals because it has a large number of airlines and maintenance organisations (MROs). .

Many countries around the world operate under their own civil aviation authorities. In many cases, if someone studies in a particular country, their licence is primarily recognised within that country.

However, Europe operates under the EASA regulatory system, which applies across 31 countries. This means that qualifications obtained in one EASA member country are recognised across the other EASA countries, providing broader career opportunities within Europe.

Students should budget for several additional expenses besides the course fee.

Accommodation is one of the main costs, as not all universities or training institutions provide housing. Accommodation may typically range between €300 and €700 per month depending on the location.

Other expenses may include visa application fees, flight tickets, and general living expenses.

Students applying for visas are also usually required to show financial evidence, which means certain funds must remain available during their studies.

In addition, Aero Launch charges a fixed consultation fee of £100, which is separate from the course cost.

The biggest risk is the financial commitment, because a job is not guaranteed after completing pilot training.

However, due to the structure of aviation regulations and pilot training, it is only possible to fully assess a student's employability after they complete the training program, as completing pilot training is the minimum requirement to become a professional pilot.

To help minimise this risk, Aero Launch offers a program called AeroMentor. Through this program, students are matched with a professional airline pilot who can guide them through CV preparation, interview preparation, and career guidance.

We also offer mock interviews to help students prepare for airline recruitment processes.

In addition, we provide a Decision Think List for Pilot Training, which helps parents carefully evaluate whether investing in pilot training is the right decision. Parents can request this list by emailing hello@aerolaunch.net with the subject line “Decision Think List for Pilot Training”, or by booking a consultation with one of our aviation consultants.

This checklist helps families gain a clear understanding of the investment and the training pathway before making a final decision.