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Minimum age to become a Pilot, Engineer, and Air Traffic Controller

MEDICAL ASSESSMENT NEEDED

Medical certificates have 3 classes:

Class 1

Validity: 1 year

Needed to obtain:

 – Air Transport Pilot License
 – Commercial Pilot License (other than balloons)
 – Multi-crew Pilot License
 – Flight Engineer License
 – Student Flight Engineer License

Class 2

Validity: up to 4 years if you’re below 40 years old.

Needed to obtain:

 – Recreational Pilot License

 – Private Pilot License

 – Commercial Pilot (Balloon) License

Class 3

Validity: 2 year

Needed to obtain:

 – Air Traffic Control License

 – Flight Service Officers

For more information about the restriction and differences between these medical certificates, click here.

Annex 1: Personnel Licensing made by International Civil Aviation Organization contains the minimum age and medical requirements for a crew member’s license to be recognized by the Contracting States.

Student Pilot License

Minimum Age Requirement: 16

Validity of License: 5 years

Medical Certificate: Class 1 or 2

Medical Certificate Validity: 24 months for Pilot age 17-40

12 months for Pilot above 40 years old

How many hours do you need to graduate from a student pilot course?

At least 40 flight hours to fly solo.

Private Pilot License (PPL)

Minimum Age Requirement: 17

Validity of License: 5 years

Medical Certificate: Class 2

Medical Certificate Validity: 24 months for PPL age 17-40

12 months for PPL above 40

How many hours do you need to have a Private Pilot License?

At least 100 hours PIC instrument flight time.

Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

Minimum Age Requirement: 18

Validity of License: 5 years

Medical Certificate: Class 1

Medical Certificate Validity: 24 months for PPL age 17-40

6 months for CPL above 40

How many hours do you need to have a Commercial Pilot License?

At least 1 000 hours as PIC in commercial air transportation.

Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)

Minimum Age Requirement: 21

Validity of License: 5 years

Medical Certificate: Class 1

Medical Certificate Validity: 6 months for ATPL age 17-40

How many hours do you need to have an Airline Transport Pilot License?

1 500 hours as PIC in multi-pilot certificated airplanes.

Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL)

Minimum Age Requirement: 18

Validity of License: 5 years

Medical Certificate Validity: 12 months for ATPL age 17-40

6 months for Pilot above 40 years old

Free Balloon License and Glider Pilot License

Minimum Age Requirement: 16

Validity of License: 5 years

Medical Certificate: Class 2

Medical Certificate Validity: 24 months for Pilot age 17-40

12 months for Pilot above 40 years old

Glider Pilot License

Minimum Age Requirement: 16

Validity of License: 5 years

Medical Certificate: Class 2

Medical Certificate Validity: 24 months for Pilot age 17-40

12 months for Pilot above 40 years old

Remote Pilot License

Minimum Age Requirement: 18

Validity of License: 5 years

Medical Certificate: Class 1, 2, or 3

Other aviation personnel’s licensing and medical requirements:

Flight Engineer

Minimum Age Requirement: 16

Validity of License: 5 years

Medical Certificate: Class 1

Validity of Medical Certificate: 12 months

Experience: 1 500 hours as a flight engineer on in commercial air transportation

Flight Navigator

Minimum Age Requirement: 16

Validity of License: 5 years

Medical Certificate: Class 1

Validity of Medical Certificate: 12 months

Air Traffic Controller

Minimum Age Requirement: 21

Validity of License: 5 years

Medical Certificate: Class 3

Validity of Medical Certificate: 24 months (Age 21-40)

12 months if your age is greater than 40

Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT)

Minimum Age Requirement: 18

Validity of License: 5 years

FAQS

What’s the maximum age to become a pilot?

The age limit for a pilot depends on his roles. To become an Airline Transport Pilot the age limit ranges from his/her 60th to 67th birthday with different restrictions.

PILOTS WHO HAVE ATTAINED 60TH BIRTHDAY

If a pilot reached the age of 60, he or she may not allow engaging as a PIC in single-pilot operations in commercial air transport operations. He or she may be allowed to be a copilot in domestic commercial air transport.

PILOTS WHO HAVE ATTAINED 65TH BIRTHDAY A 65-year-old pilot is allowed to engage in international commercial air transport operations (provided that other pilots are less than 60 years old).

PILOTS WHO HAVE ATTAINED 67TH BIRTHDAY A pilot who reached the age of 67 is allowed to be engaged in domestic commercial air transport operations (provided that other pilots are less than 60 years old)