Airline pilot: requirements

The ENAC has contributed to the training of airline pilots for more than 50 years by organising a national training course. This course allows young men and women to receive top quality professional training each year, meeting the requirements of the profession

Objectives

PROFESSIonAL PILOTS

Following this course, you will be able to operate as a professional pilot with an airline. When an airline recruits a graduate, the new employee must obtain a type qualification for the aircraft operated by the company, adapted to their operating conditions. once you hold this qualification, you will fly as a co-pilot/first officer for several years before reaching the position of commander

Prerequisites

Candidates can join the ENAC student airline pilot (EPL) course in three ways.

Route 1 (the most well-known route): EPL/S selecive examination. Candidates are not required to hold any prior aeronautical knowledge or skills.

Routes 2 and 3: these routes are open to candidates with prior theoretical knowledge (EPL/U selective examination) or theoretical knowledge and practical skills (EPL/P selective examination).

EPL/S SELECTIVE EXAMINATION

Pre-requisites for candidates:

Hold the nationality of a member of the European Community or another country havin signed the European Economic Area agreement,

Aged over 17 and under 23 on 1 January of the year of the selective examination,

Hold 'A' levels or equivalent according the holder the right to access a French scientific or technological university,

Compliance with law 97-1019 of 28/10/97 amended, reforming the National military service (contact your home townhall for details),

Candidates must be physically able to exercise the position. Candidates must read the medical standards, with reference to appendix FCL3 sub-part B of the order of 27 January 2005 on class 1 medical certificates

EPL/U SELECTIVE EXAMINATION

Pre-requisites for candidates:

Hold the nationality of a member of the European Community or another country havin signed the European Economic Area agreement ;

Aged over 17 and under 28 on 1 January of the year of the selective examination (for candidates havin completed their national service, this age limit is incremented either by the legal duration of the service, or by the actual duration of the service, whichever is shorter);

Compliance with all censor and military obligations (by the 1st day of the examination at the latest);

Hold 'A' levels and a diploma according the holder access to L3 for a scientific or technical degree in a French university or hold 120 ECTS at level L2;

Have passed the theory examinations for the issue of an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence for aeroplanes (ATPL(A)*) within the last 12 months on 1 January of the year of the examination

Candidates must be physically able to exercise the position. Candidates must read the medical standards, with reference to appendix FCL3 sub-part B of the order of 27 January 2005 on class 1 medical certificates.

EPL/P SELECTIVE EXAMINATION

Pre-requisites for candidates:

Hold the nationality of a member of the European Community or another country havin signed the European Economic Area agreement:

Aged over 18 and under 30 on 1 January of the year of the selective examination

Compliance with all censor and military obligations (by the 1st day of the examination at the latest);

Hold general or technological 'A' levels or equivalent according the holder the right to enter a French scientific or technological university on the date on which the candidate registers for the examination.

Hold a Commercial Pilot Licence for aeroplanes (CPL(A)*), a current class or type qualification and a class 1 medical certificate and the theory examinations required for the issue of an Airline Transport Pilot Licence for aeroplanes (ATPL(A)*) dated within the last 18 months on 1 January of the year of the selective examination. This deadline does not apply for candidates holding a current instrument rating for aeroplanes IR(A).

Information on aeronautical certificates or the ATPL(A) theory examination can be obtained fro the Flight crew examinations office of the Control and Safety division: Tel. + 33 (0)1 58 09 48 16

NOTE: For candidates without their final CPL(A), the in-flight test report form for the CPL and IR rating are adequate.

*All of these documents must be provided for the ENAC when you register.

Candidates may not attempt the student airline pilot selective examination more than three times (all examinations). However, only attempts wher the candidate failed the admission tests are taken into account

Contents

THE COURSE

The ENAC course will provide you with the aeronautical knowledge and professional understanding you need as an airline pilot.

Student airline pilots follow an integrated commercial air transport pilot training course with a duration of 18 months. The theory component includes Air law, General aircraft knowledge, Aircraft performance and flight planning, Human performances and limits, Meteorology, Navigation, Operating procedures, Principles of flight and Communication.

The practical component includes preparation for the Commercial Pilot Licence for aeroplanes (CPL(A)), plus an instrument rating (IR) for multi-engine aircraft, and the Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) certificate.

The practical component of successful candidates entering via the EPL/U and EPL/P selective examinations will be adapted to their current qualifications.