Applying, Admissions & Financing
How can I apply for the professional pilot course?
Fill out the application form. Your application will be reviewed, and if successful, you will be invited for interview and assessment at your training location.
What are the requirements to apply for the professional pilot courses?
For our Diamond Cadet ATPL Course program, you will need secondary school level skills in mathematics and physics and a good handling of written and spoken English.
Upper intermediate or better English skills are required and all candidates are tested. You should be able to use English effectively, but need not be perfect. You are almost fluent and your English is very accurate. You can deal with everyday situations in English. You can have long conversations and discussions. You have an extensive vocabulary and if you do not know a word you can find a way of describing it. CEFR level B2; IELTS score 5.5; TOEFL iBT score 80; TOEIC score 650; Cambridge FCE or better is required for international students.
We will test all of the above for successful candidates who are invited to our assessment. To apply, fill out the application form.
Do you make a psychological assessment of candidates?
We test all of our clients applying for professional training. Private pilots are exempt of testing. We test all of our cadet prospects before admission to the course and select only the best candidates. Our promise to the aviation industry is the same as our promise to you – we deliver only the highest quality. Testing is credited if you are admitted on the course, in all other cases the testing process costs 550 EUR (incl. VAT 24%).
Do you provide financing for the training?
Aeropole does not provide financing. However, our courses are paid in installments on a monthly as-you-go basis, so you do not need to prepare the full course price upfront. Our clients typically arrange course financing through their own bank or via a sponsor.
Can I work while studying?
Working while studying at Aeropole is possible thanks to our distance-learning theories and our tailored-to-fit training schedule. This is especially suitable for private pilot training and clients enrolling on one or two individual course modules. However, please note that we need you to be rested and available on your training days to effectively advance your learning. A heavy or mentally demanding work routine while studying may slow down your studies. In professional pilot training, such as our full Diamond Cadet programme, you need to be able to manage your own other workload so as to graduate within given time limits–even then we do not forbid working while studying, but we do not recommend taking on a full-time job in parallel.
Do pilots have physical size limits?
Not really, even if there always is a limit somewhere, of course. Tall and short, you are welcome. A generally good fitness is recommended. Typically pilots up to 190 cm tall comfortably fit in our training aircraft, even if ultimately it’s a question of proportions (length of legs and/or back). We can arrange a test sitting if you like.
I wear glasses. Can I be a pilot?
Of course. Modern cockpits are air conditioned and vision corrected with lenses is totally acceptable. Even limited colour-blindness may not be limiting. For a conclusive answer, you will need to consult a licensed aeromedical doctor. We would be glad to provide you with contact details.
Do you accept international students?
Absolutely. We have many international students and have experience in working with many licensing authorities. You will need to arrange accommodation, transport and Schengen visa yourself (for non-EU passport holders). We will take care of all the training arrangements, free of hassle. You do not need to hold a Finnish or Danish passport to hold a European EASA pilot license granted by the Finnish or Danish Civil Aviation Authority.
All students who are not EU citizens (or comparable) will need to apply for a residence permit for the whole duration of their training. We can issue an acceptance-for-training letter for this purpose for our elected students. EU citizens and comparable do not usually need a permit, but must still register their right of residence, if staying for longer than three months. For more visa and immigration services, please consult the Finnish Immigration Service or the Danish Immigration Service and your own Embassy.
Studying
Can you arrange housing?
We will do our best to assist with housing arrangements, although ultimately they are the responsibility of the client. Housing costs at our training centres are in the range of 350–700 euros per month.
Do you provide training in English?
Absolutely. All of our learning material is in the English language. Flying instruction can be in English, and our instructors also speak Swedish, French and other languages. Please note that English language proficiency is a requirement for all courses.
Can I get support from the Finnish Kela?
Yes. Our Diamond Cadet professional pilot students in Finland are eligible for Kela study grants and meal discounts, even if you are not a Finnish citizen, with certain conditions. You may then also be eligible for student priced public transport in Finland.
How long does the professional commercial pilot course take?
Typically you should be ready within 18-24 months from signing the training agreement. The duration of your training will depend on your own motivation and progress, your training location (climate) and whether you are a full-time or part-time student.
Is a type rating included in the course price?
No. You will be provided type rating training by the airline employing you after your graduation. Depending on your employer you may need to finance the type rating training yourself. Type rating training about 20-30.000 euros. After our training course you will hold a multi-engine class rating for piston-engined aircraft and a multi-crew cockpit training certificate. These are prerequisites for a type rating course on a multi-crew jet or turbo propeller aircraft such as Airbus, Boeing, ATR, Bombardier etc.
I want to convert to an EASA license. Can you help me?
Yes we can. We provide tailored license conversion training from all ICAO licenses to EASA. Contact us to arrange an evaluation flight and to receive and offer.
What is required to convert my ICAO license to a EASA license?
Conversion training from an ICAO license (PPL, CPL or ATPL) requires both theory and practical flight training. In addition to learning more about EASA regulations and operations, we will familiarise you with the aircraft type, local procedures and flying in EASA-regulated airspace. Depending on your license and experience, you may require bridge training for instrument, commercial and multi-engine flying. We prepare an individual syllabus for all license conversion clients, based on your documentation and an evaluation session in our simulator.
We have experience in license conversions from USA (FAA), Canada, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Iraq, Turkey, Russia, etc. Check out our conversion course page.for more details.
Licensing and Employment
Can I work as a pilot with a private pilot licence?
No, with the exception of certain kind of instruction, that would be illegal. To fly for work you will need to hold a professional pilot licence. You can enrol on our modular Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) course if you already hold a private pilot licence (PPL) or start from the beginning on our all-inclusive Diamond Cadet professional pilot course.
I already have a pilot licence/rating but it has expired. How can I renew it?
Although the golden rule nowadays is not to let any rating or certificate expire, don’t panic! Renewal and revalidation of IR, MEP and various other ratings is our specialty. You will need some refresher training flights and simulator sessions followed by a Proficiency Check (PC) in flight. The amount of training depends on your experience, level and the length of time your ratings have been expired. We will prepare an individual training programme tailored for you and lead you back to the skies. We will provide you with an offer once we have received scanned copies of your licence and last pages of your logbook.
When you first contact us, it helps if you can follow the standard terminology: if your rating has expired, you will need to renew it; if it is still valid (and will remain valid till the day of your PC) you’ll only need to revalidate it, which is less costly. Don’t forget to mention which ratings you’d like to renew and/or revalidate when contacting us!
I have a non-European pilot licence. How do I convert it to a European license?
We can take care of it. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requirements are stringent but we will help you on your way to the coveted EASA pilot licence. Depending on your current licensing country and flying experience, you will need theoretical training, conversion flight training and a skill test in an aircraft or simulator. We can provide an offer for you once we receive scanned copies of your licence and last pages of your logbook. Typically you will need to undergo a full ATPL theory course. Our distance-learning ATPL is perfectly suited for that. We have experience in converting FAA/United States, Russian, Australian, South African and Brazilian licences.
What is the job market situation for pilots?
The aviation sector took a slump with the Covid-19 pandemic and while this may look extraordinary to the young aspiring professional, aviation has also always been quick to react to general economic changes, in good and bad — but the growth in good times has overweighed the slumps in downturns. According to Boeing’s Market Outlook made in 2020, passenger traffic growth is projected to increase by an average of 4% per year over the next 20 years (Flight Training News, Issue 379, Oct 2020). Our next big problem in the industry will probably be a huge lack of pilots, when travelling resumes again. Additionally there is also a tendency towards smaller planes meaning more pilots will be needed.
Starting professional pilot training now and graduating in 2 years is likely to place you very strong in the job market, as many senior pilots take early retirement now and never return to the industry when times get better. Also as a young graduate you will be more competitive, both in terms of salary requirements and recency (valid licence and ratings) compared to the more senior ones who have been stranded without flying for a couple of years.
That means that for motivated and determined pilots with good language and flying skills who are prepared to relocate globally there will always be a plane to fly somewhere. At Aeropole we train our pilots to the highest standards, and before the pandemic most of our graduates were employed by an airline or operator within 12 months of their graduation. As of June 2022, the industry is clearly picking up again. We are very proud of our cadets – many of our alumni who graduated during the pandemic have already found a job on the right-hand seat of an airliner.
Nordic aviation education is held to a high regard and European and Nordic pilots are highly valued in the aviation industry. Aeropole strives to be the best flight academy in the Nordic region, which has been duly noted by the airlines. Check out our alumni testimonials here.
Where have Aeropole graduates been employed?
Our alumni have been employed by various European airlines including Finnair, Ryanair, Norra, Norwegian, Scandinavian Airlines and CityJet. We also occasionally employ the very best of our own cadets as junior flight instructors in the company. As a pilot looking for a job, the world is your oyster. Check out our alumni testimonials here.
Theoretical Training
Will my theory studies expire?
Generally speaking there is a principle that IR and CPL theories are valid for 3 years after passing Traficom’s exams. The whole IR or CPL training including skill tests and the sending of applications must be concluded in 3 years. On the other hand, the starting date of the theory course doesn’t matter here.
After finishing the training the ATPL theories for ATPL license never expire if you maintain your CPL/IR valid, and after CPL/IR expiration you still have 7 more years to renew IR.
How much does it cost to do Traficom’s exams?
In 2021 Traficom’s ATPL/IR/CPL exams cost 59 eur per subject. There are 14 exams in ATPL level, 13 in CPL level and 7 in IR level.
What are the theory subjects in ATPL/CPL/IR?
We go by the EASA Part-FCL division. The syllabi for all three theory courses (ATPL, CPL and IR) have a similar structure. (See the table below.) There are some differences inside the subjects between the courses – for example VFR Communications is the same on both ATPL and CPL courses but on the other hand a CPL pilot doesn’t have to be familiar with the theory of supersonic flights or procedures related to transatlantic flights. X’s in the table below doesn’t necessarily mean the same content between ATPL/IR/CPL courses. These differences will become more clear during the training.
Generally speaking we like to recommend the whole ATPL theory package for those who want to become professional pilots and for those who are fast learners and interested in aviation. It takes a lot of time and effort, though. If you’re sure you don’t need ATPL license for anything or you don’t want to go through all that effort, pick CPL and/or IR. If your goal is to get the IR rating on your PPL licence while working/studying at the same time, and no interest in becoming professional pilot, it’s recommended to choose only IR.
The subjects are grouped into three so-called Ground School (GS) sessions lasting up to a week each. It doesn’t matter in which order you attend the GS sessions – you can choose the dates that fit you the best. Just make sure that you are well prepared for each GS by studying the correct subjects and that at the end of the theory training you have attended each required subject once.
You can do the CAA exams on different subjects as soon as you have attended the corresponding GS and passed Aeropole’s final exams on the subject. We recommend to do the CAA exams when the subjects are still fresh in your memory.
GS | Code | Subject | ATPL(A) | CPL(A) | IR(A/H) |
#1 | 010 | AIR LAW |
x |
x |
x |
#3 | 021 | AIRCRAFT GENERAL KNOWLEDGE – AIR FRAMES, SYSTEMS, ELECTRICS, POWERPLANTS, EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT |
x |
x |
|
#3 | 022 | AIRCRAFT GENERAL KNOWLEDGE – INSTRUMENTS |
x |
x |
x |
#2 | 031 | MASS AND BALANCE |
x |
x |
|
#2 | 032 | PERFORMANCE |
x |
x |
|
#2 | 033 | FLIGHT PLANNING AND MONITORING |
x |
x |
x |
#1 | 040 | HUMAN PERFORMANCE AND LIMITATIONS |
x |
x |
x |
#1 | 050 | METEOROLOGY |
x |
x |
x |
#3 | 061 | GENERAL NAVIGATION |
x |
x |
|
#3 | 062 | RADIO NAVIGATION |
x |
x |
x |
#1 | 070 | OPERATIONS |
x |
x |
|
#2 | 081 | PRINCIPLES OF FLIGHT |
x |
x |
|
#1 | 091 | VFR COMMUNICATIONS |
x |
x |
|
#1 | 092 | IFR COMMUNICATIONS |
x |
|
x |
I have an ATPL from FAA/an ICAO member state. Do I need to write all ATPL exams?
Yes. If you hold an ICAO ATPL or FAA ATP for fixed-wing aircraft, you will need to pass all 14 ATPL theory examinations for EASA. We highly recommend purchasing our learning material for the ATPL theory course to prepare for the ATPL examinations. You may also elect to attend our classroom instruction sessions (groundschool) if you wish to have additional prep training for the exams. All of our theory courses are distance learning and do not require physical presence at our premises with the exception of the final exams.
If you hold a frozen ATPL (CPL) issued by an ICAO member state, you will need to undergo the full ATPL theory course including self-study, groundschool and examinations. No theory credit is available unless you hold an ICAO ATPL license.
Private Pilot Training
How much does it cost?
See our complete price list here.
Please note that there are certain ancillary costs that you’ll need to pay to third parties, in the order of one to two thousand euros depending on where you train. The biggest additional cost would come from using Finavia’s airports now that Finavia has changed their charging model and levels. (Landing and other usage fees from airports are not included in the course price; however these are fees we can all try to minimise with wise choices. Unfortunately there is added bureaucracy from us having to re-invoice Finavia’s fees to our clients as they first send their invoices to aircraft owners.) At our training bases where we can buy a “yearly card” for our aircraft based there, you wouldn’t need to pay for landing fees, but not all airports offer such a possibility.
After getting the PPL licence, how much/often do I need to fly to keep it valid?
In principle the licence is for life and even if you had several years of non-flying in between, you will never need to take the full PPL course again. There are certain administrative limits and chores though to go through every 2 years at minimum to keep the licence fully in effect. In practice you just need to be aware that if fly very little, the longer — we are talking about years, not months — you have not exercised the rights of your licence, the more you will need to do to freshen up your knowledge and skills in order to bring the licence back alive again:
- If you fly 12 hours or more every year, you can benefit from the easiest option of all to renew the rights of your licence every 2 years, for the 2 years to come. One school flight of minimum 1 hour with an instructor is all you need then. See Extending the SEP rating.
- If you have not flown the 12 hours prior to the end of the 2-year period, you will need to take a proficiency check with a flight examiner instead of just a school flight with an instructor — the same type of “check ride” that you take in the end of your PPL training to get your initial licence. In practice, this is not much different from the above option.
- If your SEP rating has expired (you’ve outrun the 2-year period without revalidating the rating as described above) then you’ll need to undertake further training commensurate with the period the rating has been expired — usually we are talking about a few hours.
Perhaps more importantly, you should exercise your judgement and think if, after e.g. 15 months of non-flying you are ready and comfortable taking the controls again, even if technically you were legal to fly. It is an everyday routine for our instructors to accompany low-hour pilots to get up to speed again until they feel comfortable again with a particular aircraft type.
When can I start my LAPL/PPL training?
Anytime! The course includes theory and flight training.
Theoretical training can be commenced immediately after signing the training agreement and paying the initial fee, as the theory is by distance learning via the internet (a number of classroom groundschool sessions are also included in the price of the course).
We can start your flight training as soon as you have signed the training agreement and paid an amount covering the first practial training sessions.
Is it possible to get a LAPL/PPL in Finland if I am not a Finnish citizen?
Yes it is! There is no need to be a Finnish citizen to get a pilot license in Finland.
How long does the course take?
The duration of the PPL course varies greatly and mostly depending on your own availability and the effort you can make. The weather is another factor but in the bigger scheme of things it’s just a thing you’ll learn to live with — in the summer weather is very seldom a limiting factor, whereas in the winter it often is. You can finish in as little as 3 months if you focus on it full time. But most of our clients work or study in other institutions at the same time, so 6-12 months is more realistic. You should definitely aim at finishing it in less than 18 months.
LAPL training requires only 30 flight hours at minimum, compared to the 45 hours for PPL, and training can thus be accomplished in a slightly shorter period of time.
I do not speak Finnish or Danish. Can I take flying lessons?
We will gladly teach you in English, which is the lingua franca of aviation. In addition, we can provide instruction in Finnish, Danish or French at your request. You do not need to speak Finnish to fly in Finland — English is fine. All our materials are in English anyway.
I do not speak English. Can I take flying lessons?
Technically, sufficient knowledge in English is a prerequisite for enrolling on our PPL course. In practice this relates more to the ability understand written materials, since our theory package is mainly in English. However, we also provide instruction in Finnish, Danish and French, and enough written learning materials exist in all these other languages, too, so that if only you can understand these web pages you should have no difficulty finishing the course.
You do not need to speak English to fly in Finland/Denmark/France, if you are more or less fluent in Finnish/Danish/French. English is a requirement to fly abroad, however.
What are the medical requirements for private pilots?
For private pilots, the medical requirements are similar to those required for a driving license. You do not need the medical certificate before you fly alone (solo).
Private pilots (PPL) — Class 2 medical requirements for private pilots are described in EASA Part MED, available on the Traficom website. An applicant for or a holder of a private pilot license must hold a valid Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate. Class 2 medical certificates are valid for 5 years until the age of 40, then 2 years until the age of 50, and 12 months thereafter.
LAPL — medical requirements for LAPL are slightly relaxed compared to the Class 2 medical certificate for private pilots.
Initial, renewal and revalidation examinations for Class 2/LAPL medical certificates may be carried out by an authorised aeromedical examiner (AME). Your aeromedical doctor, the AME, will be able to answer all your detailed questions about requirements and tests.