Pilot Training: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

1. How do I become a pilot?
To become a pilot, you must complete theoretical and practical training at a DGCA (SHGM) approved flight school, complete the required flight hours, pass the exams, and meet the health requirements; once these conditions are met, an ATPL license can be obtained.
2. What are the criteria required to become a pilot?
  • At least a high school diploma
  • DGCA Class 1 (or Class 2 depending on the training stage) medical certificate
  • Sufficient English proficiency
  • Meeting the age and education requirements is necessary.
3. I have a specific medical condition; will this be an obstacle?
It depends on the type of condition; a definitive assessment is determined by an examination at an aviation medical center authorized by the DGCA.
4. What should my educational background be?
At least a high school diploma is sufficient for flight training; however, a university degree may be preferred during airline recruitment.
5. Is it mandatory to be a university graduate?
No; being a university graduate is not mandatory, but it is preferred by some airlines during recruitment.
6. Can I become a pilot as a high school graduate?
Yes; provided you meet the necessary health, training, and exam requirements, you can become a pilot.
7. Can I become a pilot as a primary school graduate?
No; primary school graduation is not sufficient for pilotage training—at least a high school diploma is required.
8. Can I take pilot training while studying at a university?
Yes; provided you manage your time well, you can take flight training parallel to university education, but the workload should be taken into account.
9. Is it more logical to take this training in Turkey or abroad?
Both options have advantages/disadvantages: License equivalency, cost, and local job connections for Turkey; different standards, cost, and international experience for abroad. We guide you according to your personal goals.
10. How can I transition from military pilotage to civil pilotage?
Military training and flight hours must be evaluated through DGCA equivalency processes; our school provides guidance on equivalency and adaptation processes.
11. Is it appropriate to take flight training from you while studying pilotage at a university?
It depends on your goal; the university provides the theoretical infrastructure, while the flight school provides practical flight training—we offer training either combined or separately.
12. What are the job opportunities?
It may vary according to sector demand; however, as a school, we provide job application support, internship opportunities, and references to our graduates. Our graduate employment rate is 95%.
13. Which airlines can I work for?
Our graduates can apply to all local and international airlines, private operators, charter companies, and corporate flight providers.
14. What are the salaries of pilots?
Salaries vary according to the airline worked for, the aircraft type used, the position (FO/First Officer or Captain), and experience. Initially, First Officer (FO) salaries are lower than captain salaries; however, they are quite high compared to the average of other professional groups.
15. Do I start as a captain or a first officer? How does the process work?
You start work as a First Officer; promotion to captaincy occurs based on experience, flight hours, and company criteria.
16. If I cannot find a job in airlines, what can I do alternatively with a pilot license?
Alternative jobs such as charter flights, flight instruction, air taxi pilotage, photo/mapping flights, agricultural aviation, and VIP flight operations are possible.
17. Where can I get a medical report?
The medical report is obtained from Aeromedical Centers authorized by the relevant civil aviation authority; our school provides guidance on this matter.
18. Which hospitals provide medical reports?
Authorized centers are listed on the DGCA website; our school has contracted centers and candidates are directed to them.
19. Which tests are performed?
Vision test, hearing test, blood tests, ECG, neurological examination, orthopedic evaluation, and psychological/performance evaluations are typical.
20. What should be the English level?
Generally, a minimum ICAO English Level 4 is required for aviation communication; however, some companies and operations prefer Level 5 or higher. Additionally, many airlines require exam results such as TOEFL, IELTS, ITEP, or PTE documenting international English proficiency as a condition.
21. What are the trainings for pilotage? What are the expected and general criteria?
Theoretical lessons (air law, meteorology, navigation, principles of flight, etc.), basic flight training, advanced flight training, simulator, and flight hours; DGCA hour and exam criteria are applied.
22. Are airline company criteria the same as flight school criteria?
No; flight schools provide training for licensing; airlines may request additional criteria such as age, education, flight hours, foreign language, and interviews for recruitment.
23. Is a license obtained abroad valid in Turkey?
It depends on the country and the licensing authority; partial or full validity can be obtained through the DGCA equivalency process, the procedure varies by country.
24. Is a license obtained in Turkey valid abroad?
Generally, ICAO-based licenses have international recognition, but every country has its own approval and equivalency processes; confirmation with the authority of the country where you will fly is required.
25. Do translation procedures for a license obtained abroad vary by the country it was obtained in?
Yes, requested documents and training difference requirements may vary according to the country where the license was obtained.
26. Is a license obtained from Germany valid in Turkey?
There is an equivalency process for German (EASA) licenses in Turkey; adaptation and additional exams/experiences may be required per DGCA procedures.
27. Can I fly in the UK with a license obtained in Turkey?
Equivalency and conversion processes are required for the UK (CAA); some exams, flight hours, or simulator checks may be requested.
28. Are there age criteria?
Generally, a minimum of 18 years of age is required to start training, and DGCA and airline policy requirements exist for commercial pilot duties; the upper age limit depends on medical fitness.
29. What is the minimum age limit to receive training?
At least 17 years old for PPL license, and at least 21 years old for ATPL license. While the age of 21 is required for license issuance, the age to start training is 17.
30. What is the age limit to enter airlines?
The lower age for airline applications is generally preferred in the 21-23 range; the exact age limit varies by airline.
31. Does the flight school have agreements with universities?
Yes: the school has agreed university programs.
32. Does the flight school have agreements with airlines?
Our school has cooperation with certain airlines.
33. Does the flight school have agreements with banks?
Our school does not work with a contracted bank; loan opportunities can be provided through personal consumer loans from banks.
34. Does the flight school offer loan opportunities?
Loan solutions can be provided through the school or partner banks; conditions depend on bank policies.
35. Can I take the training at the flight school first and pay after I start working?
In some special airline programs, payment plans/contracts after starting work may be possible; conditions are evaluated individually.
36. Is there a discount opportunity at the flight school?
Discount options may be available for early registration and bulk payment; details are provided by the registration office.
37. Is an installment option available?
Yes; installment plans are available, determined according to contract terms.
38. Which airlines is the flight school cooperating with?
You can talk to our officials about graduate placement opportunities through the airlines our school cooperates with.
39. How long is the training duration?
On average between 18–24 months; it may vary according to airport conditions, weather conditions, exam schedule, and student performance.
40. Do you offer accommodation opportunities?
Contracted apartment/accommodation options and support are provided for those coming from outside the city.
41. Is accommodation only in Isparta?
The academy's headquarters is in Isparta; we also have a center in Istanbul for theoretical and advanced modules. Accommodation options vary by location. Uşak, Isparta, Denizli, and Kütahya airports are used as flight bases.
42. What types of aircraft are used?
Our training fleet consists of Cessna 172 single-engine and DA42 multi-engine aircraft.
43. Where is simulator training provided?
Training suitable for FNPT II class requirements is provided at simulator centers in Isparta and Istanbul or at our training fields.
44. Is training provided in Istanbul?
Theoretical training, simulator trainings, and some ground lessons are provided in Istanbul; flight practices are carried out at our flight airports.
45. How many graduates have you had?
Current graduate numbers and statistics are shared by our registration/alumni relations department.
46. Which airlines are your graduates currently working for?
Our graduates serve in national and international airlines, primarily THY, Pegasus, AJet, and SunExpress. A detailed list can be shared upon request.
47. What is the employment rate of graduates?
We share our employment rates in annual reports; current statistics are presented to candidates. Currently, our graduate placement rate is 95%.
48. Can I take this training without knowing English?
You can start theoretical training; however, when the English requirement for aviation communication arises, you must have basic English knowledge.
49. Can I find a job without knowing English?
English is mandatory for international operations; there may be flexibility in local/private operations, but the chance of finding a job decreases.
50. Pilotage training from which universities is valid?
Pilotage programs approved by the DGCA and affiliated with YÖK (Council of Higher Education) are valid; equivalency and accreditation are important, our school provides guidance.
51. Do you make special discounts for airline companies?
The price list is fixed in our school; convenience is provided according to the payment type.
52. I have poor eyesight; up to what degree can I be a pilot?
Vision criteria are determined according to DGCA standards; generally, if corrected vision is sufficient, acceptance is possible, the definitive assessment is made during the medical examination.
53. I have had surgery before, I have scoliosis. Can I be a pilot?
Surgery and scoliosis conditions depend on medical evaluation; a suitability decision is made after evaluation at DGCA authorized centers.
54. I wear glasses, can I be a pilot?
In many cases, corrected vision (with glasses or contact lenses) is accepted, but medical evaluation is required for specific limits.
55. Which eye diseases prevent being a pilot?
Advanced vision loss, retinal diseases, or untreated serious eye problems may be obstacles; the DGCA decides.
56. Do you have contracted hospitals?
We cooperate with DGCA authorized aviation medical centers and guidance is provided.
57. What documents are requested at the beginning?
Documents requested for application:
  • ID Card
  • Diploma or graduation certificate
  • Criminal record
  • Health declarations
  • Application form
  • (If any) previous flight records
58. Is there an opportunity to interview current students or graduates?
Yes; we provide candidates with reference interviews and opportunities to meet with graduates.
59. What is offered as accommodation opportunities?
Dormitories, student apartments, or contracted hotel options; price and location information is provided by the registration unit.
60. Do we cover accommodation costs ourselves?
It is the student's responsibility.
61. Is a refund made in case of any mishap during the training?
Refund policies are stated in the contract; in case of disruptions caused by health obstacles, refunds or deferrals are applied according to contract terms.
62. Is the fee refunded if a medical report cannot be obtained?
It is evaluated according to contract terms; generally, specific procedures and refund/credit options are available in case of medical unfitness.
63. What deductions are applied if I cancel the training?
Cancellation and withdrawal conditions are clearly stated in the contract; different deduction rates apply depending on the application and registration date.
64. What process is followed in case of failure in training?
Additional training, compensation flights, or re-exam opportunities are provided; we have performance-based support programs.
65. How many aircraft do you have?
The number of aircraft in our fleet is dynamically updated. We have a total of 35 training aircraft.
66. When were you founded?
Erah Aviation was founded in 1991 and is one of Turkey's oldest aviation companies.
67. Who is the owner of the company?
Mr. M. Erdoğan Cabioğlu, who is also a captain pilot, is the general manager and owner of our company.
68. Do you provide job opportunities?
Job application support, CV preparation, interview preparation, and job connections are provided to our graduates; no guarantee is given.
69. Do you have a job-guaranteed training program?
We do not have programs giving job guarantees; however, the accreditation of our graduates and their probability of finding jobs in companies are meticulously tracked.
70. Do you accept foreign students?
Foreign student acceptance is available; guidance is provided on visa, accommodation, and language requirements.
71. Is English training provided?
There are institutions we direct foreign students to who want to receive English training. English training is not given as a lesson in our school.
72. What is your language of instruction?
The language of instruction is Turkish, while aviation terminology and some modules are conducted in English.
73. Are lessons held online or in a classroom environment?
Theoretical lessons can be given as hybrid (online + face-to-face); flight and simulator trainings are done face-to-face.
74. Is integrated training available?
Yes; we have integrated (ab-initio) programs—seamless training options from basic to ME/CPL/IR level are offered.
75. What types of training are provided?
Within the scope of modular training, PPL (Private Pilot Licence), CPL (Commercial Pilot Licence), IR (Instrument Rating), ME, AUPRT, and MCC trainings are provided. Integrated ATPL and MPL trainings are continued in line with the relevant decision.
76. Can payment be made by promissory note?
There is no option to pay by promissory note within the scope of the contract.
77. Can payment be made by credit card?
Payments are accepted via bank transfer only.
78. Which lessons are provided?
Lessons such as air law, meteorology, principles of flight, navigation, performance, radio communication, human factors, flight planning, etc. are provided.
79. What is provided as course material?
Textbooks, flight manuals, and digital resources.
80. Is wearing a uniform mandatory?
There is a mandatory official uniform requirement during training. Professional vocational rules apply. Uniforms are provided by our school after registration.
81. Is there a rule regarding hair and beard?
There are regulations suitable for aviation professionalism; details are specified in the student handbook.
82. Can flights be scheduled whenever I want?
Flight planning is done according to the training calendar, airport availability, and instructor schedule; student requests are evaluated as much as possible.
83. Do you organize tourist flights?
Only training flights are organized at our school.
84. Do you have an aircraft rental service?
Only training flights are organized at our school.
85. Can I fly the plane on my own?
Only training flights are organized at our school.
86. How many instructors and personnel do you have?
The number of instructors and technical personnel is dynamic. Currently, there are 45 instructors and 40 technicians.
87. How long is the training duration?
(Repeat) Average is 18–24 months; may vary according to program type.
88. How long does it take to get a license?
Depends on stages and candidate performance; basic PPL takes a few months, full training including CPL, IR, and ME usually takes 18–24 months.
89. How can I get security training?
Security training is taken via the KDM system.
90. Is a diploma also given after receiving the license?
Our school provides a graduation certificate and DGCA approved license documents; the university program provides a diploma. Our school is an institution affiliated with the DGCA.
91. Is your institution a university or an academy?
ERAH Aviation Academy is an academy providing flight training; there are university collaborations in some joint programs.
92. Can I fly my family (mother-father)?
Only training flights are conducted at our school, and carrying passengers is not allowed in accordance with DGCA rules.
93. Is there an opportunity to rent a plane to propose to my girlfriend?
Only training flights are conducted at our school, and carrying passengers is prohibited in accordance with DGCA rules.
94. Is membership to any community or association required?
It is not mandatory; however, participation in student clubs and community activities is encouraged.
95. Do you accept sponsorship?
Corporate sponsorship and scholarship applications are not accepted on a project basis.
96. Do you have a job-guaranteed program?
Job guarantees are not provided; however, we provide job search support to graduates, priority evaluation with partner airlines, and career counseling.
97. How long does it take to get the medical report results?
Depending on the medical center and the scope of tests, it usually results between a few business days and a few weeks; the process can be accelerated at school contracted centers.