How to Become a Pilot in Uruguay in 2024

Hi there, future Pilot! Your interest in becoming a pilot must have brought you to this page.  You might be wondering how to become a Pilot in Uruguay after 12th Grade? Is becoming a Pilot your dream? Or are you simply just curious about how to become a Pilot in Uruguay? If you answer yes to one of these, then this “How to become a Pilot in Uruguay in 2024” Guide is for you!

You probably have a multitude of questions when it comes to qualifications, duration, and requirements necessary for pilot training in Uruguay. Fret not, as we, at Aviationfly, have compiled the most basic things you need to know when planning to take your pilot course/program in Uruguay.

Aviationfly has helped many aspiring pilots just like you become a pilot with this “How to become a Pilot in Uruguay in 2022” Guide. On this page, we will walk you through all the steps that you need to take into consideration when pursuing your dream of becoming either a private pilot, commercial pilot, or airline transport pilot.

Step 1. Do research on the available flight training options in Uruguay

You need to know what pilot training programs are being offered in the country and which among those is the most suitable for you. This is where you should take into account what is your aviation goal. Do you want to obtain a Private Pilot License (PPL) or a Commercial Pilot License (CPL)? Are you seeking to work for an airline? If yes, then an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) is for you. Do you aim to attain a college degree at the same time too? Or do you see yourself joining the military, particularly the Air Force?

Did we lose you? Don’t panic! If you’re not familiar with the terms or can’t choose which license is right for you, you can send in your questions and our team will be happy to help you out.

Here are your options:

  • Flight School

There are approximately 13 flight schools in Uruguay that offer different pilot training programs that you can choose from. It is important that you create a list of your preferred flight school/s so you can compare which is fitting for you. Each school has its own procedures, enrollment requirements, and depending on which pilot training courses you decide to take, the tuition fee also varies.

  • Aviation-related college degree program

However, if you’re interested in obtaining a college degree accompanied with flight training, you should consider aviation-related college degree programs. These programs allow students to combine a college degree with flight training. With this kind of program, you will earn a college degree together with a pilot license such as Commercial Pilot License (CPL) in most cases. This will give you the opportunity to have the best of both worlds.

  • Airline cadet pilot program

Meanwhile, if your greatest childhood dream is to become an airline pilot, you should consider airline cadet pilot programs. Airlines often sponsor these programs and students are guaranteed employment upon course completion. In this pilot program, you will obtain an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). You can reach out to us to get an insight on the options currently available.

  • Join the military

Finally, if you’re interested in serving your country, you can join the Uruguayan Air Force. The Government will sponsor your flight training but you will have to stay with the military for around 12 years after completion before you can apply to commercial airlines.

Aeroguard Ads

Step 2. Look up the Basic Requirements

  • What is the minimum age to become a pilot in Uruguay?

You need to be at least 17 years old to start your pilot training in Uruguay.

  • What do I need to start pilot training in Uruguay?

In order to start your pilot training, you will need to secure a medical certificate. The best way to do this is to speak with the flight school you would like to enroll in and they will help arrange it for you.

  • What are the minimum educational requirements to become a pilot in Uruguay?

Potential students must be at least a high school graduate.

  • What level of English do I need to become a pilot in Uruguay?

Since the language of aviation internationally is English, it is recommended to have at least a level 4 English standard before receiving your pilot license. If you are looking to improve your English, you can send us a message and we will give you tips on what courses to take.

  • Is Spanish Proficiency required for me to become a Pilot in Uruguay?

Yes, you must be able to read, speak, understand and write in Spanish language at the minimum required level by the Dirección Nacional de Aviación Civil e Infrastructura Aeronáutica (DINACIA).

  • What is the maximum age for airline pilots in Uruguay?

The retirement age for airline pilots is 65 years old.

Pea Ads

Step 3. Decide on which training stages you will have to undergo

In general, there are six (6) different pilot training stages in which students need to complete depending on what their goal is. The stages of pilot training are as follows:

  • Student Pilot License (SPL)

The first pilot license you will need to obtain is a student pilot license. This license allows you to start your flight training. To get a Student Pilot Certificate, you should be:

(a) at least 16 years old;

(b) Valid Class II Medical Certificate.

(c) be pursuing studies corresponding to middle or secondary education.

  • Private Pilot License (PPL)

The private pilot license will allow you to fly solo, passengers, or cargo but without monetary compensation. To get a Private Pilot License, you must be:

(a) at least 17 years old;

(b) holder of Student Pilot License

(c) possess a Class II Medical Certificate;

(d) read, speak and understand the official language of the State that issues the license (i.e. Spanish);

(e) demonstrate proficiency in speaking and understanding the English language;

(f) have completed high school or equivalent;

(g) must log at least a total of forty (40) hours of instruction and solo flight, which must include at least:

(i) Twenty (20) hours of instruction in dual command;

(ii) ten (10) hours of flight only during the day in the airplane appropriate for the class rating to be obtained, including five (5) hours of cross country flight;

(iii) a cross-country flight of a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) nautical miles [two hundred seventy (270) km] during which two (2) landings will have been made complete at two (2) different aerodromes;

(iv) the flight instruction received in a training device for simulation of flight, approved by the AAC, is acceptable up to a maximum of five (5) hours;

(v) Three hours of night flight instruction, including reserved, and ten (10) takeoffs and ten (10) landings, each landing will involve one flight traffic pattern at an airfield.

  • Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

To start earning from flying, you will need to obtain a commercial pilot license. This license allows you to become a paid professional pilot. To get a Commercial Pilot License, you must be:

(a) at least 18 years old;

(b) possess a current Class I medical certificate;

(c) read, speak and understand the official language of the State that issues the license (i.e. Spanish);

(d) demonstrate proficiency in speaking and understanding the English language;

(e) have completed high school or its equivalent;

(f) have a valid Class 1 aeronautical medical certificate;

(g) must log a total of at least two hundred (200) flight hours as an airplane pilot. If the applicant has accumulated these hours in an instruction course recognized, the total required is one hundred and fifty (150) flight hours. The total of Flight time as a pilot must include at least:

(i) One hundred (100) hours of time as pilot in command or seventy (70) in the case of a recognized course of instruction has been followed;

(ii) twenty (20) hours of cross country flight as pilot-in-command, including one flight of crossing of a minimum of five hundred forty (540) kms [three hundred (300) nautical miles], during which it will have made complete landings in two (2) different aerodromes; (iii) ten (10) hours of instrument flight instruction, of which a maximum five (5) hours may be time on an instructional device to flight simulation; (iv) so that the powers of the license can be exercised at night, five (5) hours of night flight comprising five (5) take-offs and five (5) landings as pilot in command.

Both Instrument Rating and Multi-Engine Rating are add-ons to your pilot license.

  • Instrument Rating (IR)

Being instrument-rated means that you can fly the aircraft in any weather condition (for example low or zero visibility) using just the instruments. Flight schools offer Instrument Rating along with their commercial pilot training. But this can also be obtained separately.

  • Multi-Engine Rating (MER)

The multi-engine rating will allow you to fly multi-engine aircraft. Flight schools offer Multi-Engine Rating along with their private pilot training and commercial pilot training. But this can also be obtained separately.

  • Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)

Is the highest level of Aircraft Pilot Certificate that allows you to act as pilot in command on scheduled air carriers. To get an Airline Transport Pilot License, you must be:

(a) at least 21 years old;

(b) possess a valid Class I Medical Certificate;

(c)read, speak and understand the official language of the State that issues the license (i.e. Spanish);

(d) demonstrate proficiency in speaking and understanding the English language;

(e) have completed high school or equivalent;

(f) must log a total of at least one thousand five hundred (1,500) flight hours as an airplane pilot, which include:

(i) Five hundred (500) hours as pilot in command under supervision or two hundred fifty (250) flight hours either as pilot in command, or a minimum of seventy (70) hours as pilot-in-command plus additional flight time required as pilot at the command under supervision;

(ii) two hundred (200) cross country flight hours, of which a minimum of one hundred (100) hours as pilot-in-command under supervision; (iii) one hundred (100) hours of night flight time, as pilot in command or co-pilot; (iv) seventy-five (75) hours of instrument flight time of which a maximum thirty (30) hours can be performed on an instructional device to flight simulation.

Airways Ads

Step 4. Choose a flight school

After doing your research on the type of license you would like to obtain, the next step is to choose which flight school is the most suitable for your budget.

So, how much does pilot training cost?

It is important to note that becoming a pilot requires a certain budget. Your flight training cost depends on the country you do your training, the flight school you pick, and a number of other factors.

If you decide to do your flight training within the country, there are approximately 13 pilot schools in Uruguay for you to choose from. You can find a list of flight training institutes in Uruguay by registering with us on Aviationfly.com. Our flight school directory has a list of all the latest active flight schools in Uruguay including their brief background, pilot training courses being offered, the school’s fleet details, what they can offer to you, and other information.

On the other hand, if you decide to do your flight training abroad, you must note is that after your training you will have to convert your license to the Dirección Nacional de Aviación Civil e Infrastructura Aeronáutica (DINACIA).

As mentioned above, another alternative is to enroll in an airline pilot program. Once you have successfully passed your pilot training, you will be employed by the airlines that have set up the program.

Quality Fly

Step 5. Consider your Career Options

Many aspiring pilots have a defined career path they would like to pursue, while others don’t.

Below is a list of options for what you can potentially do with a pilot license.

  • Airline pilot for large airlines or smaller regional ones
  • Corporate or business aviation pilot
  • Cargo pilot
  • Charter / Air taxi pilot
  • Flight instructor
  • Medical/ Air ambulance pilots
  • Agricultural pilot and many more options
Aeroguard Ads

Tips for Picking a Flight School

Tip 1. Decide on your pilot goals
Firstly, ask yourself – what are your long-term aspirations in aviation? Do you want to become a pilot in your free time (Private Pilot License)? Or do you want to fly in General Aviation (Commercial Pilot License)? Do you want to become an airline pilot through an airline pilot cadet program? Additionally, which airlines are currently hiring? What type of aircraft will be utilized by airlines in the next few years? Which flight schools do the airlines usually hire from? Best to ask flight schools if they have partnerships with airlines. These are critical questions you should list and get answers to when asking yourself “how will I become a Pilot”.

Tip 2. Determine how much you can afford to spend
Secondly, different flight schools have different costs (due to location, number of students, aircraft type and several other factors), find out the reasons for the price difference. Moreover, do these programs have financial assistance/loan programs? Might a part-time program work for you?

Tip 3. Determine how much free time you have
Each flight training school has its own training schedules with some offering flexibility while others want the cadets to train full time and on campus. Note that delaying flight training usually increases your training costs.

Tip 4. Find out what type of aircraft the flight school uses and information about its aircraft maintenance center
This is important from a training point of view, but even more importantly, from a safety aspect. Furthermore, you should also take into consideration the equipment preference of airlines. Aircraft age does not always relate to safety, this is dependent on the aircraft maintenance – ask the flight school in detail about their aircraft maintenance department and safety features of the aircraft.

Tip 5. Visit your shortlist of flight schools
Finally, when possible, speak to the instructors and flight school management teams to learn about the training, safety policies, history, and graduates of the flight school.

Do you still have questions? Send us a message!

You can also check out How to become a Pilot in the USA or other countries by navigating on our platform or simply just reach out to our team through chat.

Good luck, future Pilot! 

Aeroguard Ads