What is the age requirement to become a pilot?
The minimum age to learn how to fly is 14 years old but this depends on where you are in the world!
To get a Student Pilot License (SPL), you must be at least 16 years old. If you’re learning how to fly gliders or balloons, you can get a SPL at 14 years old.
If you want to fly as a hobby or for leisure, you need to have a Private Pilot License and you can get one at 17 years old or 16 for gliders and balloons.
Commercial Pilot License allows you to fly for commercial purposes and to get the CPL you will need to be at least 18 years old.
If you want to become a Captain with an airline, you will need to have Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) and to have an unrestricted ATPL, you will need to be at least 23 years old.
So to summarize the minimum age requirements for aircraft:
- Student Pilot License – at least 16 years old
- Private Pilot License – at least 17 years old
- Commercial Pilot License – at least 18 years old
- Airline Transport License (ATPL) – at least 23 years old
Please note that there might be slight differences in the regulations regarding the age requirement depending on which country you are in and we recommend checking with the Civil Aviation Authority of the country you plan to do your pilot training in.
Check out our other FAQ questions related to starting your pilot training:
Medical Requirements to become a pilot
How to get student pilot license (SPL)?
Educational Requirements to become a pilot?
If you have any other questions kindly reach out to us and we will try to provide you with an answer!
