An initial class one medical is a requirement for any person undergoing any form of professional flying. The medical will last around half a day and involves many tests as well as a thorough check of your medical history. The initial medical costs around £500-600, however it could save you lots of money on flight training if you’re declared medically unfit to train. Please note, there are only certain places you can obtain an initial class one medical from. The class one medical is valid for 12 months. Once you have had an initial class one medical, you are able to renew it at a more local CAA approved doctor. As the class one medical is stricter than the class two medical, whenever you take a class one medical, you will also obtain a valid class two medical, which is valid for 5 years and can be used for any form of private flying

A Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) is a licence that allows you to fly aircraft without getting paid for it. The PPL is the first step for all pilots, whether you want to be fly commercially or just fly for leisure. Different flying schools offer different packages but the PPL will usually set you back around £8000-£12000. 

After completion of your PPL you can train toward your night rating. This allows you to fly at night and must be completed before commencing CPL training. Again, dependant on where you choose to complete this training you will be offered different packages. Typically it will cost around £800-1500. Hour building consists of building up around 150 hours to start commercial flight training. Many people choose to travel abroad to complete this phase of training, to cut costs and often to make use of the better weather in other countries, meaning the hours can be built quicker. Hour building costs vary tremendously; it would be hard to put a cost to it – just find the cheapest flying you can!

The ATPL theory consists of 14 examinations, which are all multiple choice. The learning phase can be completed as a distant learning course or as a full-time or part-time classroom based course. Courses can range in price from £2000-4500

A commercial pilot’s licence is like a more advanced version of the PPL. Once completed, it means you can legally be paid to fly. However, before airlines will consider you, you will need to have a valid instrument rating alongside your CPL. A Commercial Pilot Licence will set you back between £4000 and £6000 dependent upon where you decide to train. 

A multi-engine rating allows you to fly aircraft with more than one engine. This training consists of a minimum of 6 hours training in a twin-engine aircraft. Depending on where you complete your training and what aircraft type, expect it to cost between £2000 and £4000. 

An instrument rating is a requirement by all airlines that allows the holder to fly on airways and by the instruments for example in poor weather. An instrument rating course requires you to complete 55 hours of flight training of which some of this time can be done in an approved simulator, which most certified schools have access to. You should budget, between £15000 and £20000 for an instrument rating course depending on where you train.

A Multi Crew Cooperation (MCC) course is a simulator based course which focuses on training you to operate in a multi crew environment, such as in an airliner. Many airlines have this as a perquisite for applications. Completing a MCC course will cost you around £2000 to £4500 depending on which simulator you chose to use.

A Jet Orientation Course is similar to an MCC course, however instead of a teamwork focus it is aimed at providing the student with experience flying jets in the simulator. This course varies in price from £500 to £2000 and most can be done alongside the MCC course.