When budgeting for flight training, consider additional costs beyond hourly rates, such as fees for examinations, medicals, and licences payable to licensing authorities which training organisations don’t always include in the complete costs of your training.
Class 1 Medical Certificates
The information below outlines the requirements and estimated costs associated with obtaining and renewing a Class 1 medical certificate for aspiring commercial pilots. Here’s a breakdown:
Requirement for Flight Training and Commercial Pilot Privileges:
A Class 1 medical certificate is necessary before starting flight training and to exercise the privileges of a commercial pilot.
Frequency of Renewal:
The certificate needs to be renewed every 6-12 months, depending on the pilot’s age.
Costs:
Initial Medical Assessment:
£720 for a UK CAA Class 1 medical
£780 for an EASA Class 1 medical
£1,010 for a combined CAA/EASA medical
Revalidations and Renewals:
From £250 per renewal
* Additional fees may apply for referral and consultation if underlying health conditions require further investigation. These fees can range from £105 plus additional consultation fees where applicable.
UK CAA and EASA Licence Skill Test / Examiner Fees
When undertaking a skill test for your Private Pilot’s Licence, Commercial Pilot’s Licence, Multi-Engine Piston or Multi-Engine Instrument Rating, you will need to budget for costs to pay for an examiner. If you are undergoing a dual licence, you will need to budget for two separate examiner fees for both your ME-IR and CPL, one examiner fee for a UK CAA examiner, and one examiner fee for an EASA examiner.
| Licence type | Examiner Fee |
| Private Pilot’s Licence | From £210 to £300* |
| Multi-Engine Pist | From £140 to £300* |
| Instrument Rating | From £924 (+ £500 if obtaining a dual licence) |
| CPL | From £924 (+ £500 if obtaining a dual licence) |
* Depending on the school you train with
Licence Application Fees
When applying for each licence and rating, including PPL, Night Rating, MEP, CPL, MEIR, you will need to budget for licence application fees to your chosen authority. The fees will vary depending on the EASA authority you choose if you are obtaining EASA licences, but they should be a similar cost to UK CAA licence application fees.
Private Pilot’s Licence From £220
Radio Telephony Licence From £86
Multi-Engine Piston Rating From £142
Instrument Rating From £142
Commercial Pilot’s Licence From £286
ATPL Theory study equipment and examination fees:
In addition to the theory course cost, you also need to budget for ATPL skill test fees and study kit items that are required for the course you study, and the exams you sit. If you wish to obtain a dual UK CAA and EASA licence. Additionally, you need to factor in the costs for two separate sets of exams.
Exam fees:
UK CAA ATPL exam fees £82 each x 13 exams = £1,066
Austro Control exam fees (If sat at BGS) £80 each x 13 exams = £1,040
Study kit items for ATPL exams:
You’ll need equipment including a CRP-5 Flight Computer, a Jeppesen GSPRM Route Manual, an approved exam calculator, Civil Aviation Publication Manuals, a geometry kit / drawing set and a navigation protractor, totalling between £230 to £280 depending on where they are purchased.
Airport Fees
Airports charge fees for various services including landing fees and approach fees. While many training organisations will include these fees in the price you pay, there are certain scenarios where you may incur further costs such as using Instrument approaches or landing away from your based airfield. The costs are also dependent on aircraft size, the size of the airport and the infrastructure they provide. A small airfield outside controlled airspace would usually be considerably cheaper (£10-£20) than landing at an international airport with air traffic control. (£40-£100+) While the costs themselves may not be significant on their own, they can quickly add up during a period of flight training. Be sure to discuss any possible airport fees with your training provider.
For any additional training required, we’d advise you to contact your preferred flight school for their hourly rate costs.
For accommodation (if required) throughout your training contact your chosen flight school for costs if they provide on-site accommodation, or for any local recommendations
Sources:
UK CAA Class 1 & EASA Class 1 Medicals – Heathrow Medical
sfc-modular-price-list.pdf (flysfc.com)
Booking an initial CPL or IR flight test | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)
Read the next blog: MEMS – How Do They Work Then?
