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Europe · Authority: Irish Aviation Authority

Flight training in Ireland

11 researched schools and 19 verified programs so far. This is the research done to date, not a complete list of every provider in Ireland.

Cities:BirrCarnmoreCharlestownCorkDublinLeixlipLimerickLucanStrandhillWaterford

11 schools

Country: Ireland Reset all

No coordinates are published for the bases in these results yet, so nothing can be plotted. The list below has every base.

All bases in these results

Results are listed alphabetically; there is no price ranking because prices in different currencies, price types and bases are not comparable. Schools marked Sponsored are paid placements and never change approval status or order.

About training in Ireland

How pilot training is regulated

Ireland applies the common EU aircrew rules (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, Part-FCL), which EASA maintains; the Irish Aviation Authority is the competent authority that issues licences and oversees training organisations in Ireland. Commercial training is delivered by Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) approved by the authority, while private pilot training can be provided by Declared Training Organisations (DTOs) that have declared their activity to the authority. Ireland also keeps some national provisions for certain light-aircraft licences, which are restricted to Irish-registered aircraft. Students should confirm a school's ATO or DTO status with the IAA.

Source: iaa.ie/personnel-licensing/pilot-licences-(eu-

Relevant aviation authorities

  • Irish Aviation AuthorityThe national competent authority in Ireland for pilot licensing, medical certificates and the approval of Approved Training Organisations and receipt of Declared Training Organisation declarations under EU rules.
  • European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)Sets the common EU rules (Part-FCL) but does not issue licences; national authorities do.

Listing here does not imply affiliation. Flight School Atlas is independent of every aviation authority.

Training pathways

  • Private pilot (DTO)

    Private pilot training can be done at a Declared Training Organisation.

    Source

  • Commercial pilot (ATO)

    Commercial licences are trained at approved organisations; hours differ between modular and integrated routes.

    Source

Qualification terminology

Names and privileges are local to Ireland. Similar names in other countries are not interchangeable.

CodeOfficial nameMinimum ageRegulatory minimum flight timeSource
SPLStudent Pilot Licence (national)Student licence listed with a minimum age of 16 on the IAA page.16n/pofficial
PPL(A)Private Pilot Licence (Part-FCL)Licence for non-commercial flying; the IAA table gives 45 hours as the overall minimum with other hours criteria also to be satisfied.1745 hOverall figure per the IAA page; other minimum-hours criteria must also be met.official
CPLCommercial Pilot Licence (Part-FCL)Commercial licence; IAA table lists 200 hours for the modular route and 150 hours for the integrated route.18200 hModular route 200 hours; integrated route 150 hours, per the IAA table. Other hours criteria also apply.official
ATPLAirline Transport Pilot Licence (Part-FCL)Highest-level licence in the IAA table.211500 hOverall figure per the IAA table; other criteria also apply.official
FIFlight Instructor certificateThe IAA FAQ states that the requirements for an instructor certificate are described in Part-FCL Subpart J.n/pn/pofficial

A regulatory minimum is a legal floor for the qualification. It is not the number of hours most students need, and not a guarantee of cost or completion time.

Terms you will meet

ATO
Approved Training Organisation: an organisation approved by the national authority to deliver commercial pilot training courses.
DTO
Declared Training Organisation: an organisation that has declared its training activity to the authority and may provide private pilot training.
Part-FCL
The EU flight crew licensing requirements in Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 applied by the national authority.

Medical, language and instruction

Class 1 medical certificates are normally needed for commercial licences and Class 2 for private use. Official medical information

Applicants must have an acceptable assessed level of English language proficiency.

Languages of instruction among researched schools: English.

International students

Non-EEA nationals should check Irish immigration requirements for study with the Immigration Service Delivery, including whether a given course is eligible for student permission. This directory makes no promise about visa eligibility for flight training.

Training approval does not establish immigration permission or international-student eligibility. Verify current rules with the official sources above.

Foreign licences and conversion

The IAA FAQ on third-country ICAO licences explains conversion and validation: there is no automatic conversion of an ICAO professional licence to an EU Part-FCL licence, and validations for commercial air transport are time-limited.

Country information last reviewed 16 October 2026. 3 official sources consulted.