How to become a pilot: a step-by-step guide to your PPL licence (2026)
Dream of flying an aircraft yourself? A PPL (Private Pilot Licence) lets you fly as a private pilot, including with passengers. You do not need to be a maths genius or have perfect eyesight — you do need persistence and a plan. This step-by-step guide walks the whole route, from first idea to licence.
Step 1 — Check whether it suits you
Before investing thousands of euros: a PPL takes 1 to 2 years and requires consistency. You do not need to be young (many students are 30, 40 or 50+) and you do not need to be an athlete. Not sure if it suits you? Take UP Aviation's free pilot profile check: in a few minutes you will know which route fits your situation.
Step 2 — Get your Class 2 medical
You need an EASA Class 2 medical certificate, issued by an authorised aeromedical examiner (AME). Do this early: it would be a waste to study for months and only then discover a medical obstacle. Most people pass fine with glasses or minor conditions.
Step 3 — Choose a flight school (at home or abroad)
You can train in your own country or abroad (e.g. Spain or France, often cheaper with better flying weather). The licence is the same EASA PPL, valid across Europe. When choosing, look beyond price and distance: check aircraft and instructor availability, and the state of the fleet.
Step 4 — Pass your theory: 9 subjects in 18 months
The PPL theory consists of 9 EASA subjects, including Air Law, Meteorology, Navigation, Aircraft General Knowledge and Human Performance. The moment you sit your first exam, an 18-month window starts in which you must pass all 9 (minimum 75% per subject). Plan smartly — start with the easy subjects and save the hard ones (Navigation, Meteo) for when you have a rhythm.
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15-minute free intro call with a coach who has been through it themselves.
Step 5 — Start flying: 45 hours, dual and solo
Alongside or after the theory you start flying. You fly a minimum of 45 hours: first dual (with an instructor), then solo. You learn take-offs, landings, navigation, emergency procedures and your first solo cross-country. Most students take 50–60 hours.
Step 6 — R/T and LPE: talking to the tower
To communicate with air traffic control you need a radiotelephony qualification (R/T), and for international flying a language test (LPE / Language Proficiency, minimum level 4). Both can be obtained separately with a few focused sessions.
Step 7 — The skill test: your practical exam
When your instructor judges you ready, you take the skill test with an examiner: a flight in which you demonstrate all the skills you have learned. Pass it and you receive your PPL. From that moment you may fly as pilot-in-command with passengers.
How much time and money does it take?
Expect 1 to 2 years (depending on how intensively you fly and study) and roughly €10,000–€25,000 in total. Want an accurate estimate for your country and number of hours? Use UP Aviation's PPL cost calculator.
The biggest beginner mistakes
The three most common mistakes: (1) underestimating theory and only starting to study once you already fly; (2) flying too irregularly, so every lesson is spent catching up; (3) choosing a flight school on price alone. With a good plan and a bit of guidance you avoid all three.
Ready to get started?
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