How to Become a Pilot in 2025? What Are the Requirements?

Piloting is a professional activity related to flying an airplane or helicopter. Pilots assume a range of responsibilities, including flight safety, passenger comfort, and air traffic management.

A pilot’s duties include understanding aircraft systems and control panels, monitoring weather conditions, determining the flight route, managing takeoffs and landings, and identifying and resolving problems during flight. Pilots also ensure flight safety by adhering to aviation rules and regulations.

Pilots can work in many areas, including civil aviation, military aviation, private aviation, and cargo transportation. Civil aviation involves passenger transportation, airline cargo transportation, and the operation of private jets, while military aviation involves the operation of military aircraft and military training.

The piloting profession requires high technical skills, a high degree of concentration, stress management, teamwork, and communication skills. Furthermore, pilots must regularly undergo refreshing training to keep their technical knowledge current and adapt to new technologies.

How Can I Become a Pilot in Türkiye?

To become a pilot in Türkiye, you must first be interested in this profession and possess the discipline, dedication, and work ethic it requires. If you are truly passionate about this profession and want to spend your life in it, you can achieve your goal by taking the right steps.

First, you need to enroll in a flight school to receive pilot training. There are numerous flight schools in Türkiye, most of which are approved by the Civil Aviation Authority. You can register and learn more about their training programs on the schools’ websites.

Pilot training generally consists of two phases: theoretical and practical. In theoretical training, you learn topics such as aviation terminology, meteorology, navigation, aircraft systems, and the principles of safe flight. In practical training, you gain flight experience in aircraft simulators and real aircraft. The duration of training varies from school to school, but is generally between one and two years.

Students who successfully complete the training are eligible to take the exam to obtain a pilot’s license. In these exams, they demonstrate their knowledge and skills in aviation regulations, aircraft systems, meteorology, and flight safety. Students who successfully complete the exams can obtain a pilot’s license from the Civil Aviation Authority.

The piloting profession requires discipline and dedication. Those who choose this profession will face intense working hours, long flights, and regular training. However, the aviation industry is constantly evolving and growing, offering many opportunities for those seeking a career in this field.

What are the Requirements for Becoming a Pilot in Türkiye?

Candidates wishing to become pilots in Türkiye must meet certain requirements. These include education, health, and language proficiency.

As an educational requirement, candidates wishing to become pilots in Türkiye must have graduated from at least a high school or equivalent institution. In addition, specialized training is required to become a pilot. Aviation training can be obtained from private schools or aviation departments at universities. The curriculum of these schools covers aviation regulations, meteorology, air traffic management, flight performance, piloting skills, and other technical subjects.

As a health requirement, candidates wishing to become pilots in Türkiye must obtain a JAR-FCL 3 or SHY-6A medical certificate. This certificate determines whether the candidate meets aviation medical standards. The medical certificate must be renewed regularly.

As a language proficiency requirement, candidates wishing to become pilots in Türkiye must know at least one foreign language. This language is usually English. Pilots use English to communicate with air traffic controllers and other pilots during flight. Therefore, English language proficiency is considered an essential element of the piloting profession.

Furthermore, there are specific age limits for aspiring pilots in Türkiye. To obtain a commercial pilot license (ATPL), one must be at least 21 years old. To obtain an airline transport pilot license (ATPL-Frozen), one must be at least 18 years old. Pilots are also required to have a certain number of flight hours.

What are the Differences Between Military and Civilian Pilots in Türkiye?

In Türkiye, the piloting profession can be pursued in two distinct fields: military and civilian. Pilots’ duties and responsibilities differ in these two fields.

Military pilots serve within the Turkish Armed Forces and operate military aircraft. Their duties include safely operating and managing aircraft for military operations, detecting enemy air elements, conducting aerial reconnaissance missions, transporting military cargo and personnel, and providing air ambulance services. Military pilots receive training at military training schools. Special requirements and training programs are required to become a military pilot.

Civilian pilots, on the other hand, operate in the civil aviation sector. Their duties relate to civil aviation activities such as transporting passengers and cargo, conducting flight planning and operations, and ensuring flight safety. Civilian pilots are required to complete specialized training provided by civil aviation institutions. This training covers topics such as air traffic management, meteorology, navigation, piloting techniques, and flight safety.

The training and working conditions for military and civilian pilots also differ. Because military pilots serve within a military institution, they are subject to a different discipline and hierarchy. Civilian pilots, on the other hand, operate within the civil aviation sector and are subject to the rules and regulations established by civil aviation institutions. The civil aviation sector is regulated in accordance with national and international aviation regulations.

How to Get Pilot Training in Türkiye? What Health Requirements Are Required?

Certain requirements must be met to receive pilot training in Türkiye. Firstly, aspiring pilots must meet certain physical and health standards. To do so, they must apply to an aviation health institution and obtain a medical report.

Those wishing to receive pilot training must at least have a high school diploma. Those wishing to become pilots with a bachelor’s degree must have graduated from a relevant university department. Furthermore, proficiency in English is crucial for those seeking pilot training. The Turkish Aeronautical Association, universities, and private aviation schools are among the institutions that provide pilot training.

One of these requirements is health requirements. Pilots perform a profession that directly impacts people’s lives, and therefore, they must meet certain health standards.

Those wishing to receive pilot training must first apply to an aviation health institution and obtain a medical report. A medical report is a document that determines a candidate’s health status and determines whether they are eligible to become a pilot.

There are specific criteria for a medical report. These requirements include having normal functions in systems such as the eyes, ears, nervous system, circulatory system, and respiratory system; not having certain disabilities such as color blindness; not having a fear of heights; and not experiencing uncontrollable seizures during flight.

A medical report is generally divided into three classes. A Class 1 report is required for commercial airline pilots and other airline pilots. A Class 2 report is required for pilots such as private airline pilots, agricultural aviation pilots, and business jet pilots. A Class 3 report is required for pilots engaged in sporting aviation activities.

Meeting the health requirements is a crucial factor in becoming a pilot for those wishing to receive pilot training. Therefore, those who fail to meet the health requirements are not eligible to become pilots.

Can I Become a Pilot as a Hobby in Türkiye?

Piloting as a hobby is possible in Türkiye. However, certain requirements must be met.

People who wish to become a pilot as a hobby must first apply to an authorized flight school. Flight schools are institutions that provide pilot training and offer training programs suitable for hobby pilots. This training is generally conducted within the context of sport aviation activities.

Becoming a hobby pilot requires obtaining a flight license. Obtaining a flight license requires training at a flight school and completing a certain number of flight hours. Furthermore, health requirements are also required to obtain a flight license. These requirements differ from those required for commercial pilots and are more flexible.

Aircraft used for hobby piloting are generally small and light. These aircraft have different characteristics than larger aircraft used for commercial airline flights and fly at lower altitudes.

Who Cannot Become a Pilot?

People with visual impairments, such as visual impairment or color blindness, cannot become pilots. Additionally, health issues such as hearing loss or hearing impairment, balance problems, cardiovascular problems, neurological conditions such as epilepsy, respiratory conditions such as asthma, kidney disease, and high blood pressure may also constitute obstacles to becoming a pilot.

Certain medications are also considered unsuitable for pilots. These include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, anti-epileptic medications, blood thinners, beta-blockers, sleeping pills, opioids, and some painkillers.