Can I become a pilot?

Are you unsure if you have what it takes to be a pilot? We answer key questions about health, age, and aptitude. Find out what requirements you need to meet to legally and safely take the controls of an airplane.

This is the first and most important question. Many aviation enthusiasts give up on their dreams, mistakenly assuming they won’t be able to meet the strict requirements. The truth is that the barriers to recreational aviation are much lower than you think. Here’s what you need to know.

Health – the most important requirement. Let’s debunk the myths!

To legally fly an airplane, you must have a valid medical certificate. But don’t worry—the requirements for recreational pilots aren’t as strict as those for military or commercial pilots.

What are aviation medical examinations?

• Class 2 (for the PPL(A) license): These are the standard medical exams required to obtain a tourist license. The medical examiner assesses your overall health, vision, hearing, and coordination. The exams are valid for 5 years (for people under 40).
• LAPL class (for the LAPL(A) license): This is an even simpler set of tests, with lower requirements, designed for pilots who fly purely for recreational purposes.

The biggest myth: A vision impairment disqualifies you

That's absolutely not true! Vision correction (glasses or contact lenses) is perfectly acceptable, provided it allows the required visual acuity to be achieved. Many recreational and professional pilots fly while wearing glasses on a daily basis.

The medical requirements essentially boil down to the absence of serious chronic conditions (such as poorly controlled diabetes or severe heart disease) that could lead to a sudden loss of consciousness or functional ability during flight.

Age – you can start at any age

Aviation is a passion that brings generations together. Age is no barrier, as long as your health allows it.

• Minimum age: You can start training (both theoretical and practical) as early as 16 years old (with the consent of parents or legal guardians).
• Age for licensing: To take the state exam and receive your PPL(A) license, you must have completed 17 years.
• Maximum age: There’s no upper age limit! As long as your health allows you to obtain an aviation medical certificate (Class 2 or LAPL), you can fly. We have students who are fulfilling their dreams even after retirement.

Aptitude: What Does It Really Take?

You don’t have to be a math genius or have superhuman reflexes. Modern aircraft are safe and designed to be intuitive to fly. The most important qualities for a pilot candidate are:

• Motivation and commitment: Training requires time to learn the theory and practice regular flights. Your willingness to learn is key.
• Responsibility: The pilot is always responsible for himself, the passengers, the aircraft, and the surrounding area.
• The ability to assess a situation and remain calm: We teach you how to assess a situation (e.g., weather conditions, vehicle condition) and make calm, rational decisions.
• A desire to learn: The rest—that is, all the procedures, navigation, meteorology, and the actual flying— We'll teach you from scratch.

Still on the fence? Give it a try!

The best way to find out if flying is for you and if you feel comfortable at the controls is to take an introductory flight. It’s a 20-minute flight under the supervision of an instructor, which will answer more questions than any guidebook ever could. You’ll know right away if this is “it.”