Flight Deck Pathway
Whether you’re starting with no flying experience, already hold a PPL, or have completed your ATPL(A) theory, one clear and structured route from aspiring pilot to Flight Deck Ready.
- Starting price
- From £50,300
- Zero to Flight Deck Ready*
- 18 months
- From advanced training*
- 6 months
Find your boarding group
- ZEROFDR
Starting from zero? Start here. Complete the full pathway from your first flight to the flight deck, with Euro Flight Training supporting you at every stage.
- You’ll need
- Class 1 Medical
- In as little as
- 18 months*
- PPLFDR
Already hold your PPL(A)? Keep moving forward. Join at the appropriate stage. Where required, we’ll provide your Night Rating and structured hour building before you move into advanced professional training.
- You’ll need
- PPL(A), Class 1 Medical
- In as little as
- 12 months*
- ATPLFDR
Already completed your ATPL(A) theory? Take the fast track. With your experience and theory complete, move directly into the advanced training phase and on towards the flight deck.
- You’ll need
- PPL(A), ATPL theory, 170 hrs
- In as little as
- 6 months*
One structured route
- 01Group 1 boards here
Private Pilot Licence
with Euro Flight TrainingA minimum of 40 hours flight training, including at least 10 hours solo, alongside the theoretical knowledge exams and your Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL). You’ll develop the core handling, navigation, communication and decision-making skills of a safe, confident pilot.
- 02Group 2 if required
Night Rating
with Euro Flight TrainingYour first experience of operating after dark and in reduced visibility, with a minimum of 5 hours night flight training.
- 03Group 2 if required
Hour building
with Euro Flight TrainingStructured hour building to a minimum of 100 hours Pilot-in-Command, consolidating your skills across different routes, aerodromes and operating environments while you build the experience needed for the professional phase.
- 04Group 2 boards here
ATPL(A) theory
with Bristol GroundschoolThe academic foundation of every airline pilot: 13 exams covering flight planning, meteorology, aircraft systems, performance, navigation, air law and more. Flexible self-study with structured support, an extensive video library, a comprehensive question bank and revision weeks online or in person.
- 05Group 3 boards here
Advanced flight training
with Euro Flight TrainingDelivered full-time at EFT in our modern Diamond fleet, this is where you move from private flying to professional aviation.
- MEP Multi Engine Piston Rating
- 6 hours in the DA42, covering aircraft handling, systems management, performance and engine failure procedures.
- CPL Commercial Pilot Licence
- 25 hours, including 10 hours of instrument training (BIFM): 5 hours in our DA40 simulator, 15 hours in the DA40 and 5 hours in the DA42.
- MEIR Multi Engine Instrument Rating
- 20 hours in our DA42 FNPT II simulator and 15 hours in the Diamond DA42, flying under Instrument Flight Rules.
- UPRT Upset Prevention and Recovery Training
- 5 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction and 3 hours of airborne training, meeting airline entry requirements.
- 06
APS MCC
with Simtech AviationThe Airline Pilot Standards Multi-Crew Cooperation course is the final stage before airline assessment. Delivered by Simtech Aviation at Dublin Airport in Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 simulators, it develops the technical and non-technical skills today’s operators expect.
- 07
Airline assessment
with Simtech Aviation & our airline networkYou finish airline assessment ready. Suitable candidates can access fast-track assessment and recruitment opportunities with multiple airline partners.
Boarding Group 1 starts at Private Pilot Licence, Group 2 at ATPL(A) theory and Group 3 at Advanced flight training.
Costs & timescales
Flexible at the start, full-time at the finish. PPL(A), Night Rating, hour building and ATPL(A) theory fit around work and family, with ATPL theory taking six to 18 months. Advanced training and APS MCC are full-time, so you can expect to be Flight Deck Ready around six months after starting advanced training, or in as little as 18 months from your first flight.*
Stage by stage
The full route for Boarding Group 1. Groups 2 and 3 join part-way through.
- PPL(A)
- From £11,700
- Night Rating
- From £1,375
- Hour building (114 hours)
- From £21,130
- ATPL(A) theory
- From £4,000
- MEP, CPL, MEIR, UPRT and APS MCC
- From £50,300
- Complete pathway
- From £88,500
Pay as you progress
The Flight Deck Pathway is a structured route to the flight deck without large upfront payments. Unlike many integrated programmes, you pay for each stage as you reach it.
- No £120,000+ upfront commitment
- Pay only for the stage you are completing
- Greater financial flexibility
- Reduced financial risk
ATPL(A) theory - Bristol Groundschool
- Divided into three modules
- Each module is paid for separately as training progresses
- UK CAA examination fees are paid directly to the CAA, per exam
Flight training - Euro Flight Training
- Pay as you fly
- Payment is due as flights and lessons are completed
- No requirement to place large sums on account
APS MCC - Simtech Aviation
- Course fees are payable around the start of the course
- Payment is made directly to Simtech
£1,000 deposit
Secures your place on the pathway. The deposit is non-refundable if you cancel, but is credited against your training and returned once all training invoices have been settled.
All prices include VAT and the first attempt at any applicable UK CAA examination. Training is delivered on a pay-as-you-go basis throughout, with a £1,000 deposit required to secure a place on any pathway. Prices do not include training completed above the regulatory minimum course requirements, landing or instrument approach fees, accommodation, travel expenses or flight equipment. Prices are correct as of September 2026 and are subject to change. Please refer to the pricing page for full details of additional charges and optional extras.
One pathway, three organisations
- PPL(A), hour building & advanced flight training
Your PPL(A), Night Rating, hour building and full-time advanced training (MEP, CPL, MEIR and UPRT) in our modern Diamond fleet and FNPT II simulators.
- ATPL(A) theory
One of the UK's leading ATPL training providers, combining flexible self-study with structured support: industry-leading materials, an extensive video library, a comprehensive question bank and revision weeks online or in person.
- APS MCC
One of Europe's most respected airline training providers, at Dublin Airport with over 25 years' experience and A320 and 737 simulators. Simtech alumni fly for more than 70 airlines, with strong relationships including Wizz Air UK and Emerald Airlines UK.
Our alumni
EFT has a growing community of graduates flying with airlines and commercial operators. Through Simtech Aviation and our wider industry network, suitable candidates can access fast-track assessment and recruitment opportunities with multiple airline partners.
- Toni
- Freddie
- Sophie
- Jamie
- Marcus
- Brendan
Real pilots. Real airlines. Real careers. Modular flight training produces results.
- British Airways
- easyJet
- Ryanair
- Wizz Air
- Jet2
- TUI
- Loganair
- Aurigny
- Draken
Why train modular with EFT
Airlines increasingly recognise that pilots from modular backgrounds bring a broader range of experience, stronger decision-making and greater maturity to the role. Modular training also lets you control your timescales and finances, paying as you go.
The Flight Deck Pathway combines those strengths with the structure, support and industry partnerships of an integrated programme, taught by instructors who understand modern airline recruitment. For a full comparison, see our modular vs integrated guide.
The Wizz Air Pathway
For PPL(A) holders: the same advanced training at EFT, finishing with a Wizz Air-focused A320/A321 APS MCC delivered by IAGO.
Explore the Wizz Air Pathway