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Questions about the pilot training

Frequently asked questions about the pilot education

Before becoming a pilot student at CAPA, you must take an admission test at the school. This test consists of multiple parts, including English, mathematics, a group exercise, simulator flying, and a final interview. A whole day is dedicated to the admission test, and at the end, you receive feedback on your suitability and areas where improvement may be needed.

We encourage everyone to attend an informational meeting at the school as well.

 

At CAPA, we start new classes four times a year: January, April, August, and October. The practical part of the training at CAPA takes place in both actual aircraft and approved simulators. Approximately 9 months of the education focus on ATPL theory with classroom instruction and corresponding exams. Generally, students take exams in four subjects at a time and proceed to four new subjects afterward. In total, 14 ATPL subjects must be passed.

ATPL theory overlaps with various flight phases. Since parts of the flight program, except for simulator flying, depend on weather conditions, we strive to schedule flights when the weather allows. Consequently, there may be variations in when classes start and finish their ATPL theory. Some classes complete the ATPL theory in a continuous sequence, while others may have interruptions due to flying activities during the summer months.

It is entirely possible to become a pilot even if you wear glasses and/or contact lenses. To become a pilot, one must obtain a Class 1 medical certificate, which has specific requirements that must be met for issuance. Additionally, the Class 1 medical certificate needs to be renewed annually. To obtain a Class 1 medical, one must initially be in ‘good health and fit.

The pilot training is one of the few educations in Denmark that is self-financed. It costs DKK 745,000 to be trained as a pilot at CAPA. We understand that it is a significant amount of money invested in education, and therefore, we have high expectations and demands for our pilot students. We also expect them to reciprocate the commitment to us as an educational institution. It is in our highest interest to provide an education that fully meets industry standards, and we take pride in offering a training program that we know is one of the best in the market. A program for which we have set the standard ourselves, as we have done for more than 30 years.

There are several ways to address a longer distance to the school. One can, for example, apply for mileage reimbursement if they meet the relevant requirements. Additionally, there is an option to live on one of the school’s campuses. Living there, you stay with your fellow students and are less than 200 meters away from the school. Many of our students choose to live on campus as it provides a great opportunity to study and network together. It helps in building good friendships, and literally, you have airplanes in your backyard.

It is crucial to have financing in place for the education before starting as a pilot student with us. If it is not possible to secure full financing, CAPA offers assistance in this area.

CAPA Credit is a financing option that can help fund the pilot education. CAPA Credit is a loan that has no repayments throughout the entire training period and is interest-free for the first 6 months after establishment. The minimum requirement to apply for CAPA Credit is a down payment of DKK 150,000.

To take out a loan with CAPA Credit, an approved guarantee in addition to the minimum down payment is required. This can be in the form of home equity. The loan interest is variable and may vary from person to person depending on the down payment and guarantee. If you want to know more about the current interest rate or any other details regarding CAPA Credit, feel free to contact us or attend our information session, where you can learn more.

It is important to note that each loan is individual and is discussed further after a personal consultation with CAPA Credit’s bank advisor. Another requirement to apply for the loan is a successfully passed an admission test with us.

At CAPA, we hold information sessions on the first Wednesday of every month. Here, you can learn more about the pilot training, the school, and its facilities. There is also an opportunity to meet students who can share insights into their daily life at CAPA. You are always welcome to sign up for an information session, and you can do so through our event portal on our website.

You can sign up for our admission test through our event portal on our website; here.

To become a pilot student at CAPA, you need to pass our internal admission test. A successful admission test indicates that you are deemed suitable to commence your pilot education.

Our aircraft fleet consists of 2 twin-engine Tecnam P2006T MKII and 5 single-engine Tecnam P-Mentor airplanes. Our Tecnam aircraft fleet is brand new, manufactured in 2022. They are modern and up-to-date, equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

At CAPA, one spends a total of 55 hours in the simulator. The initial 15 hours are dedicated to the Instrument Rating, and the remaining 40 hours are part of the APS MCC course in a B737 or A320 simulator, which marks the completion of the pilot training. It is important for us to equip and prepare our students as effectively as possible for entry into the international aviation industry, enabling them to apply for jobs and pass entrance exams with airlines. This is achieved through our extended APS MCC course.

The pilot education typically takes around 24 months and is a program that combines both theory and practice. At CAPA, the practical part of the education occurs in both aircraft and approved simulators. Approximately 9 months of the education are dedicated to ATPL theory with classroom instruction and corresponding exams. The remaining part of the education is focused on practical training, conducted in our aircraft fleet and simulators. The education concludes with an extended MCC APS course in our B737 or A320 simulator.

When you finish school, you receive a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with an ATPL theory. With a CPL, you have the same privileges as a PPL, but you can also fly in commercial contexts and apply for pilot positions at international airlines. In most cases, you’ll need a type rating to fly a specific aircraft type that the airline operates, such as a Boeing 737, Airbus 350, or ATR.

As a pilot student at CAPA, you can receive student financial aid (SU). This is possible because the education is an integrated program and is considered a full-time course. Additionally, you are eligible for increased SU since the education is self-financed.

Anyone can train to become a pilot for the international aviation industry, including both men and women. The school’s leadership, instructors, and students consist of both women and men.

To be admitted to the pilot education at CAPA, you must be at least 18 years old, pass a Class 1 medical examination to confirm good health, and successfully complete CAPA’s internal admission test.

At CAPA, we have many flight and theory instructors. We have both permanent instructors who are based at the school and freelance instructors who work as pilots in international airlines. This creates a dynamic blend of expertise in small aircraft and pilot training, as well as knowledge about heavy aviation and the daily life of an airline pilot.

Yes, you can. Most of our students secure jobs with an airline after completing their education. Many of these airlines operate aircraft types that require a type rating to operate. In many companies, you may receive the rating during your employment, either covered by a bonding arrangement, paid for by the company, or at your own expense.

There are also airlines operating smaller aircraft where a type rating is not required. Examples include photo flights, pollution control, or aerial survey. Several of our students find employment in such companies, offering many exciting flying opportunities.

As with almost all educations, we, as a school, can never guarantee you a job after completing the education. We strive to provide the best education so that when you are ready to apply for jobs, you are well-prepared for job interviews and the world that awaits you.

We collaborate with various aviation companies and constantly strive to educate the type of pilot that we hear they are looking for.

Many of our pilot students choose to live in one of the dormitories on campus. It provides a great study environment and sense of community. Read more about our campus here.

There is no requirement to have a high school education to start the pilot education, so you can apply with any high school education and subject level that you prefer.

However, we encourage having some form of high school or other secondary education, as this might be a requirement that individual airlines could impose.

The integrated pilot education at CAPA is a full-time study, where the estimated time for the education is relatively short, and the curriculum is well-compressed. There’s a lot to cover! Therefore, as a general rule, you cannot have a part-time job alongside your pilot education.

 

Yes, it is possible to get a pilot job abroad after completing the education. Many pilots work for international airlines and fly to various destinations worldwide. This also opens the door to having a home base and, consequently, living abroad.

Pilot salaries vary widely depending on factors such as the size of the airline, the pilot’s experience, and the type of flying.

In addition to flying for an airline, a pilot education can also lead to jobs in the aviation industry such as a test pilot or safety expert. Some pilots also use their training to fly private planes or to teach others how to fly.

Pilots are trained to fly in different weather conditions, but there are still certain limitations on when one can fly. If the weather is too poor, flights may be delayed or canceled for safety reasons. In CAPA, students learn to fly in all kinds of weather within the weather minimums set by both regulations, the school, and the limitations of the aircraft.

There are no specific requirements for height and weight to become a pilot, but one must have a generally good physical and mental health. Certain airlines may have specific requirements for different health parameters.

If you fail a theoretical or practical exam during the training, you usually have the opportunity to retake the exam. However, there are not unlimited attempts. It is important to pass all the exams to complete the training.

The age requirement to start a pilot education can vary depending on the country and educational institution. Generally, one must be at least 18 years old to obtain a commercial pilot license.

You can book a time for a medical examination, which is required to become a pilot, through an approved aviation medical examiner. These can usually be found through your educational institution or by searching online.

If you are enrolled in a pilot education in Denmark, you may be eligible for financial aid (SU) depending on your age, educational level, and other factors. It is recommended to investigate the SU rules further and contact the SU office for more information. Generally, the integrated pilot education is eligible for an increased rate of financial aid.

When you graduate as a pilot, you can apply for pilot positions at various airlines or explore other jobs within the aviation industry. There is also the opportunity for further education in areas such as management, safety, or aircraft maintenance.

It depends on the diagnosis. Certain health issues or diagnoses may impact a person’s ability to become a pilot, while other diagnoses can be managed with medication or treatment, allowing someone with such a diagnosis to become a pilot. It is best to contact an aviation medical examiner or the school for more specific information on which diagnoses may be disqualifying for pilot training.

 

n general, a pilot education will allow you to fly various types of aircraft, from smaller planes to larger commercial ones. At CAPA, we fly Tecnam P2006T MKII, P-Mentor, and PA28 aircraft.

As a general rule, there are no additional costs for flying and instruction. There are extra costs for the Danish Transport Authority (Trafikstyrelsen) related to exam fees for flight tests and exams. The exact amounts depend on the rates set by the Danish Transport Authority, but it can be expected to be around 20,000 DKK in total.

Certainly! At CAPA, we certainly don’t expect you to have a lot of knowledge about aviation before starting school. We ensure to teach everything you need to know.

The school days during the education vary greatly. As a general rule, our students fly when the weather is good! Therefore, the theory portion may be interrupted by periods of good weather. When on the flight program, students often arrive 1 – 2 hours before the lesson starts. Here, they prepare for the day’s flight and check the weather, the condition of the aircraft, etc. At the beginning of the lesson, time is spent in the briefing room to brief on the current conditions relevant to the lesson. Then, they proceed to the flight portion, and the length can vary depending on the lesson content.

When on the theory program, students often attend teaching sessions lasting 3 – 6 hours. This can occur a few times a week or every day, depending on the schedule for that particular week. In addition to classroom instruction, there is also a lot of self-study. One can expect that all teaching and reading material constitute approximately 8 hours of school each day.

The education for a professional pilot takes about 18-24 months.

 

Some of the most important skills to become a good pilot include strong situational awareness, decision-making abilities, communication skills, technical proficiency, and the ability to work under pressure.

Job opportunities for pilots in Denmark can vary depending on the industry and economic conditions, but generally, there are good employment opportunities in the commercial aviation industry.

There are several factors that can contribute to the low percentage of women in the pilot profession in Denmark and other countries. Some of these factors may include stereotypical gender role expectations, a lack of female role models in the industry, and a perception that the profession is more male-oriented. However, there is an increased focus on attracting more women to the pilot profession and creating a more inclusive culture in the industry. The pilot education is for everyone!

The pilot education in Denmark includes both theoretical and practical training over a period of several years. The theoretical education covers subjects such as regulations, navigation, meteorology, and communication. The practical training involves flying with an instructor who trains the student in various skills and maneuvers. There are also requirements for a certain amount of flight hours and passing exams.

To train as a professional commercial pilot, one must be at least 18 years old.

To prepare for CAPA’s entrance exam, it’s a good idea to practice your mathematical skills and English language proficiency. Read more about the entrance exam at CAPA here.

The salaries for pilots in Denmark vary depending on factors such as experience, type of flying, and employer. A newly graduated pilot can typically expect a starting salary of around 30,000 to 40,000 Danish kroner per month, while more experienced pilots can earn between 50,000 and over 100,000 Danish kroner per month.

Yes, it is possible to take the pilot education in English. As English is the primary language in aviation and is a requirement in international communication between pilots and air traffic control, all instructional material at CAPA is in English. This is to prepare our students as effectively as possible for entering the international aviation industry after completing their education.

To obtain a pilot certificate, you need to have good English language proficiency, as it is the primary language in aviation.

The practical part of the pilot education at CAPA involves training in aircraft as well as simulators under the guidance of an experienced instructor. You will learn to control and navigate an aircraft, perform takeoff and landing procedures, communicate with air traffic control, and handle emergency situations. We equip our students as thoroughly as possible to complete the education, pass their flight tests, and provide them with the skills and determination to seek employment in their future endeavors in the aviation industry.

The time it takes to get a job as a pilot after completing the education can vary depending on various factors, such as economic conditions in the aviation industry, competition among applicants, and personal preferences.

If you want more information about taking the pilot education in Denmark, we encourage you to attend one of our information meetings. We hold information meetings at CAPA every first Wednesday of the month, and registration is required here.