How to become a pilot in Germany ⭐ Guide

With pilot training, you can become a pilot in Germany. We explain in our guide how it works.

Requirements to become a pilot

The dream of flying: As a pilot, you can professionally control airplanes or helicopters. If you want to become a pilot, you have to complete training and obtain a pilot’s license. Such training takes at least 24 months and includes theoretical and practical instruction.

The prerequisites you need to become a pilot differ from airline to airline and flight school to flight school. The prerequisites also change from time to time, so you should compare and observe them.

Basically, the typical prerequisites can be divided into three classes:

1. Regulations on Age and Health for Pilots in Germany

In Germany, aspiring pilots must meet strict age and health requirements regulated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Understanding these guidelines is crucial for candidates to ensure compliance and maximize career longevity.

Age Limitations

While there is no fixed lower age limit for starting flight training, most programs require candidates to be at least 18 to begin Commercial Pilot License (CPL) training. However, the upper age limit is more closely monitored, especially for pilots seeking a long-term career. For instance, commercial pilots must retire by age 65 according to EASA regulations. This rule is largely for safety, as age can impact physical and cognitive performance, critical factors in aviation.

Health Requirements and Medical Certification

Health standards are rigorous. Pilots in Germany must pass a Class 1 Medical Examination before training. This includes comprehensive checks on vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, and psychological resilience. Pilots must renew this certification regularly—annually for those over 40 and every six months for those over 60. Mental health is also evaluated, with pilots required to undergo psychological assessments to prevent incidents linked to mental health issues.

These standards ensure that pilots maintain peak health and safety standards throughout their careers, helping Germany’s aviation industry remain one of the safest in the world.

2. Administrative Requirements

• EU citizen
• Unrestricted passport available
• Maximum 5 points in the central traffic register
• At least 17 years old at the time of application

3. Additional requirements

• General or subject-linked university entrance qualification
• Fluency in English (at least level B2) and often also proficiency in the airline’s working language.

These criteria are only rough guidelines – for the concrete hiring criteria you have to search the websites of the individual airlines and flight schools. Just take a look at the career pages of various airlines or portals on the subject.

Financing Options for Pilot Training in Germany

Financing a pilot’s education can be a major hurdle, as the training programs in Germany often carry substantial costs. Aspiring pilots can explore various pathways, including self-financing options, bank loans, airline sponsorships, and government scholarships.

German banks, for instance, frequently offer educational loans tailored for professional pilot training. Such loans often come with repayment options that begin only after completion of training. Specific German aviation-focused banks, such as the Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank, may have tailored loans for pilot training, which can sometimes offer more favorable terms compared to general educational loans.

Scholarships and Airline Sponsorships

Several airlines provide sponsorship opportunities for pilot trainees. In Germany, Lufthansa Aviation Training offers a highly structured pilot sponsorship program, where they cover some of the training costs in exchange for a commitment to work for them post-certification. Other airlines in Europe have similar programs, though competition for these positions can be intense.

Some additional funding options include:

• Jobcenter and Bundesagentur für Arbeit: These institutions occasionally offer funding support or guidance for aviation career paths.
• European Union Scholarships: The EU offers some funding opportunities for aviation through education support programs like Erasmus+.
• Aviation Charitable Foundations: Certain foundations and associations specific to aviation occasionally provide grants or scholarships for individuals pursuing commercial pilot training.

Cost Overview Table

Navigating these financial options can often determine the feasibility of a candidate’s journey through pilot training in Germany, providing essential support to manage costs and secure future employment.

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Comparison of Civilian vs. Military Pilot Training

Choosing between civilian and military pilot training in Germany involves weighing vastly different pathways, requirements, and eventual career prospects. Civilian pilot training generally leads to roles in commercial airlines or private aviation, whereas military training can offer additional avenues in national defense or government service roles, such as flying for the German Air Force (Luftwaffe).

Civilian Pilot Pathway

The civilian route typically involves training at private flight schools certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). These schools provide standardized training for various pilot licenses, including the Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and the Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). Civilian pilot training offers flexibility, allowing individuals to work for any commercial airline upon certification.

Advantages of civilian training include:

• Greater autonomy and flexibility in choosing airlines or private aviation jobs.
• Faster completion time relative to military programs.
• Direct path to high-paying roles in commercial airlines.

Military Pilot Pathway

Military pilot training, on the other hand, is conducted within the German Armed Forces, often involving an extended commitment to serve upon completion. The military pathway is highly selective, with rigorous physical and psychological screening. This pathway often includes comprehensive, state-funded training, covering aircraft from helicopters to fighter jets, providing a diverse skill set.

Choosing between these pathways depends on personal goals and the type of career an individual wishes to pursue. Military training can also offer pathways to civilian airlines after service, often with advanced skills and certifications that make transitioning to commercial flight smoother.

Job Market Trends for Pilots in Germany

The demand for pilots in Germany and across Europe has fluctuated due to factors like the global pandemic, changes in the travel industry, and shifts in airline operations. According to recent data, Germany is projected to see an increase in pilot demand over the next decade, especially as senior pilots begin to retire.

Retirements and New Hires

One of the major drivers of this trend is the aging workforce within the airline industry. Many commercial pilots are nearing retirement age, especially within major carriers like Lufthansa. This generational shift creates substantial demand for new pilots to fill the roles of those retiring. With Germany’s strategic role in European aviation, this demand has extended to domestic and international markets, including regional airlines and international carriers.

International Demand and Competition

Germany’s aviation market also competes with other European countries for skilled pilots. With the increased trend toward international collaboration, German-trained pilots find opportunities across European airlines, particularly as demand outstrips supply in certain regions. Training in Germany, recognized for its high standards and EASA compliance, often means candidates have an edge in securing positions in Europe and beyond.

Emerging Areas in Aviation

The rise of low-cost carriers and budget airlines has also influenced demand, as many of these airlines prioritize frequent recruitment of newly qualified pilots. Additionally, the growth of cargo aviation and air logistics, partly due to the e-commerce boom, is another sector creating job opportunities for pilots in Germany.

Questions and answers about pilot training

Which European airlines hire most pilots?

There are several European airlines that are known to hire a large number of pilots. Some of the major airlines that have a high demand for pilots include:

1. Ryanair: Based in Ireland, Ryanair is one of the largest airlines in Europe and operates flights to destinations throughout the continent. The airline is known for its large fleet of Boeing 737s and is always looking to hire new pilots.
2. Lufthansa: Based in Germany, Lufthansa is the largest airline in Europe and a member of the Star Alliance. The airline operates flights to destinations throughout the world and is known for its high standards of pilot training.
3. EasyJet: Based in the United Kingdom, EasyJet is one of the largest budget airlines in Europe and operates flights to destinations throughout the continent. The airline is known for its large fleet of Airbus aircraft and is always looking to hire new pilots.
4. Air France: Based in France, Air France is a major European airline and a member of the SkyTeam alliance. The airline operates flights to destinations throughout the world and is known for its high standards of pilot training.
5. British Airways: Based in the United Kingdom, British Airways is one of the largest and most prestigious airlines in Europe. The airline operates flights to destinations throughout the world and is known for its high standards of pilot training.

Other European airlines that have a high demand for pilots include: KLM, Iberia, SAS, easyJet, and Wizz Air.

Outside of Europe there are the fowllowing airlines with high numbers of hired pilots:

1. American Airlines: American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world and employs thousands of pilots to fly its fleet of aircraft.
2. Delta Air Lines: Delta Air Lines is another major airline that employs a large number of pilots. The company has a strong reputation for providing comprehensive training and career development opportunities for its pilots.
3. United Airlines: United Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world and employs thousands of pilots to fly its fleet of aircraft.
4. Southwest Airlines: Southwest Airlines is a major airline in the United States and is known for hiring a large number of pilots each year.
5. China Southern Airlines: China Southern Airlines is one of the largest airlines in China and is known for hiring a large number of pilots each year.
6. Emirates: Emirates is one of the largest airlines in the Middle East and is known for hiring a large number of pilots each year.
7. Qantas: Qantas is one of the largest airlines in Australia and is known for hiring a large number of pilots each year.

What should I look for when choosing a school for pilot training?

In addition to low prices and a high-quality selection, you should pay particular attention to whether the school maintains good relationships with airlines. Let the school explain to you before the training, which connections there are, if and under which conditions you will be recommended to the airlines and how the school can establish contacts etc. for you.

Make sure that the school does not only have good connections to one airline and that the connections are not only personal but structural. Cooperation agreements between pilot schools and airlines are very helpful to identify this quality for example.

Aptitude test for pilots

Every airline or flight school will conduct an aptitude test with you before you start your training. The aptitude test usually uses a computer test to examine the following points:

• basic technical and physical knowledge
• knowledge of mathematics
• English skills
• Reactivity
• retentiveness
• Ability to concentrate

Your ability to work in a team and your behavior will also be tested by assessing you in individual interviews and/or group discussions.

What is it like to work as a pilot?

Before you decide to become a pilot, you should reflect on whether you will be satisfied with the day-to-day work later on. These are some points you should consider when choosing a career:

The great thing about being a pilot for many is that every day is something different. You usually have frequently changing flight schedules and often always have a different captain or first officer at your side. You’re constantly seeing lots of new places – not just from above, but you’re often staying overnight all over the world. That means you’re often away from your family.

One thing that makes the job of being a pilot difficult for many is that you’ll have to fly in all weather and in all situations. You won’t be a fair weather pilot, but you will have to fly in really difficult weather.

Pilot’s work can be challenging

The hours can be tough, too. Not only is the time you spend in the air important, but also the many hours of preparation before each flight. You’ll also have to do a lot of paperwork and many administrative steps.

You must be prepared to work with your colleagues even for many hours in a confined space (cockpit) and you will be enormously exhausted after several short-haul flights per day or a real long-haul.

It is also important to note that you will have irregular working hours. If you are a person with strong routines and pronounced power curves in the day, it could be difficult. As a pilot, you need to be able to fly just as well at 3 a.m. as you do at 4 p.m. in the afternoon.

Alternatives to pilot training

Another option is for you to join the German Armed Forces and, with any luck, become a pilot there. However, this is often not really plannable and in the end no guarantee that you will also become a civilian pilot.

The state police and the federal police also hire and train pilots.

By the way, there are a lot of jobs at airports besides pilots. We have written an article for you on “Jobs at airports in Germany“.

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