Become an Airline Pilot

There are three intakes a year, the first in September and the second in November. Selection opens each December. Do allow time for your medical examination and for arranging funding. We moved the second Airline Pilot intake closer to make the schedule more accessible.

To be eligible, applicants must pass a Class 1 medical examination at an EASA-approved centre. These centres can be heavily booked, which means long waiting times. If you could not get your medical in time, contact us straight away. We can help find alternatives, such as looking for appointments at approved centres elsewhere in Europe (AeMC), or arranging group appointments and freeing up dates for our students.

Download a brochure and leave your contact details. A recruiter will then get in touch and guide you towards the programme that best fits your plans.

Hiring depends closely on the economic climate at the time. What sets you apart from other candidates is the quality of your training and the people skills you have built along the way.

Funding is usually arranged through a bank loan. If you run into difficulty, the school can help you put your application together.

There are no scholarships as such. You can, however, check with your local council or regional authority to see whether any training grants are available.

Traffic experience: in France, access to busy international airports is often limited, which can give students a false sense of how easy things are. In Crete, at Heraklion international airport, our students fly among dense commercial traffic, building valuable experience and better preparation as aviation professionals. Language immersion: in France you would tend to speak French, even with your instructors. In Crete all our instructors speak English only, as does Heraklion tower, which means total immersion in English at any hour of the day or night. That immersion matters enormously for an international flying career.

The licence obtained through our programme in Crete is recognised across Europe, because it meets the standards of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Our graduates can therefore work for European and international airlines, with wide recognition and plenty of career opportunities.

ESA does everything it can to make sure students feel supported and connected during their time in Crete. Several things help. A student community: students normally live in the Pilot's House, a residence five minutes from Heraklion international airport, with private bedrooms, shared spaces including a communal kitchen, and a pool open through the summer. It encourages people to mix and to form strong friendships. Small groups: our courses run in small groups, so students get to know one another and help each other out, which makes for a collaborative and friendly atmosphere. Institutional support: we support our students constantly, academically and personally. Instructors and administrative staff are always available to help and advise. Activities and integration: ESA regularly organises social and cultural activities to connect students with local life and reduce any sense of isolation. Between all of this, students generally find a balance between intensive training and genuine camaraderie, which makes a real difference even when they are far from family and friends.