To become an airline pilot, there are specific requirements related to age, education, health, and language proficiency.

• Age: You must be at least 17 years old to start the ATPL course and 18 to take the exams.
• Medical certificate: A valid Class 1 medical certificate issued by an authorized aeromedical examiner is required.
• English proficiency: Minimum ICAO level 4 (on a scale from 1 to 6).
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.

There is no maximum age limit: as long as you meet the medical requirements for the Class 1 certificate, you can pursue a commercial pilot career at any age.

To enroll in the ATPL course, you must be at least 17 years old. However, to take the exams and become a pilot, you must be at least 18 years old.

There is no maximum age: as long as you meet the medical requirements of the Class 1 medical certificate, you can pursue this career at any age.

To become an airline pilot, it is mandatory to obtain the Class 1 Medical Certificate of Psychophysical Fitness, issued exclusively by an authorized Aeromedical Center (AeMC). This certificate confirms that the candidate is in good health and fit to perform the profession safely. The main requirements and examinations include:

1. General check-up and medical history

   Clinical examination and review of medical history, including assessment of any conditions or surgeries incompatible with the profession.

2. Vision

   Assessment of visual acuity and color perception. Vision can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses but must meet the required standard (corrected to 10/10).

3. Hearing

   Audiometric test to ensure the ability to perceive sounds and communications in noisy environments, such as the cockpit.

4. Cardiological exams

   Cardiology evaluation with ECG to check heart health and rule out cardiovascular conditions.

5. Respiratory exams

   Spirometry to verify lung function.

6. Blood and urine tests

   Laboratory tests to exclude systemic diseases.

7. ENT examination

   Check of upper airways and auditory system.

8. Neurological and psychological evaluation

   Neurological tests and psychological interview to assess mental fitness and the ability to handle stress and responsibilities.

9. Body composition

   Assessment of fat and lean mass within established limits.

10. Health profile

    Only candidates meeting health profiles with fitness coefficients 1 or 2 are considered eligible.

The medical examination typically lasts about 4 hours. If all parameters are within the normal range, the certificate is issued immediately; if further investigation is required, the process may take longer.

These checks are essential to ensure the pilot can safely handle the responsibilities and operational conditions of the profession.

Nearest Authorized Centers

• Istituto di Medicina Aerospaziale I.M.A.S. - Angelo Mosso
  Viale dell’Aviazione, 1 - 20138 Milan
  Tel: 02 7390 3701-3704
  Email: aeroistmelinate.up@aeronautica.difesa.it
• Cavok Medical Center
  Via Del Gregge, 100 – 21015 Lonate Pozzolo (VA)
  Tel: 0331 116 0008
  Email: info@cavok.it

For a complete list of authorized centers in Italy, consult the ENAC website. Appointments can also be arranged through the academy’s office.

To become an airline pilot, in addition to technical and medical requirements, it is essential to pass a psychological assessment that certifies suitability for the responsibilities and pressures of the role. The main psychological requirements include:

• Ability to concentrate
• Stress management and self-control
• Ability to make quick decisions
• Teamwork skills
• Communication skills
• Multitasking ability
• Adaptability
• Sense of direction
• Assertiveness, leadership, and cooperativeness

These characteristics are evaluated through aptitude tests, personality assessments, and individual and group interviews conducted by specialized psychologists. It is necessary to demonstrate these skills and abilities to obtain the psychophysical fitness certificate required to access training and pursue a career as an airline pilot.

Yes, it is possible to become an airline pilot even if you wear glasses, provided that your vision, with optical correction (glasses or contact lenses), meets the parameters required by aviation regulations.

During the first-class medical examination, essential for obtaining certification, visual acuity is assessed: you must have at least 7/10 in each eye without correction, but the most important requirement is to reach 10/10 in each eye with glasses or contact lenses.

Both glasses and contact lenses are allowed, provided they are single-vision and non-tinted, and the refractive error (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) must not exceed certain limits. Additionally, there must be no serious ocular diseases or conditions that could compromise flight safety.

In summary: wearing glasses does not prevent you from becoming an airline pilot, as long as your vision is properly corrected and the regulatory limits are respected.

The time required to become an airline pilot depends on the chosen path to obtain the ATPL license.

Generally, it takes about 18-24 months to become an airline pilot if you choose the integrated ATPL path, which is the fastest and most structured. This course includes intensive theoretical and practical lessons and can be completed in approximately two years, starting from scratch.

If you opt for the modular path, the course has no fixed duration as it consists of individual modules: PPL, IR, CPL, MCC, interspersed with flight hours to reach the minimum of 200 flight hours required to take the CPL exam. The duration is therefore variable and depends on the time the student can dedicate; it usually exceeds 24 months.

The cost of becoming an airline pilot varies depending on the type of training path chosen (integrated or modular), the duration of the course, and any included services, such as simulator hours, advanced theoretical training, or airline interview preparation.

At Turin Flying Academy, we offer complete and structured programs to guide you from your first flight to entering the world of airlines. To help you achieve your dream, you can also access financing solutions, such as the BNL Futuriamo loan, specifically designed for those investing in their professional future.

We recommend booking a personalized consultation: you will be able to learn in detail the path that suits you best, receive a tailored quote, and discover all available financial support options.

Choosing a flight school is a crucial decision for anyone wishing to pursue a career in aviation. To make an informed choice, it is important to carefully evaluate several key aspects:

• Certifications and authorizations
  Ensure that the school is an Approved Training Organization (ATO) certified according to EASA standards.
• Quality of the training program
  Review the available courses (Integrated ATPL, Modular ATPL, FISO, OJTI) and the level of updating of teaching materials, simulators, and fleet.
• Experience and expertise of instructors
  A team of instructors with solid operational experience ensures thorough training aligned with the standards required by airlines.
• Facilities and support services
  Consider the availability of MCC simulation, advanced training, tutoring, and personalized support throughout the course.
• Concrete results
  Check the course completion rates, job placement statistics, and active partnerships with airlines.
• Location
  Training at an international airport means dealing from the start with real procedures, heavy air traffic, and complex communications: an experience that makes a difference compared to training at smaller airports.