Europe · Authority: UK CAA
Flight training in United Kingdom
29 researched schools and 46 verified programs so far. This is the research done to date, not a complete list of every provider in United Kingdom.
29 schools
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
- Cambridge Airport · Cambridge
Cambridge Aero Club - Haverfordwest Airport · Haverfordwest
Haverfordwest Flight Centre (Flywales) - Aeros Academy Gloucester · Cheltenham
Aeros Flight Training - Aeros Academy Cardiff · Rhoose (Cardiff Airport)
Aeros Flight Training - Aeros Academy Wellesbourne · Wellesbourne
Aeros Flight Training - Aeros Academy Leeds · Church Fenton (Tadcaster)
Aeros Flight Training - City of Derry Airport · Eglinton (Londonderry)
Cutting Edge Helicopters - High Wycombe Campus · High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire New University - School of Aviation and Security - Oxford Campus · Kidlington
Leading Edge Aviation - London Oxford Airport, Hangar 7 · Kidlington
Oxford Airline Training - Gloucestershire · Staverton
Skyborne Airline Academy (UK) - Vero Beach, Florida (USA) · Vero Beach
Skyborne Airline Academy (UK) - Sywell Aerodrome · Northampton (Sywell)
Sloane Helicopters Flying School - Ealing campus · London (Ealing)
University of West London - Aviation Management with Commercial Pilot Licence - Doncaster Sheffield · Doncaster
Yorkshire Aero Club - Leicester Airport · Leicester
Helicentre Aviation Academy - Wycombe Air Park · High Wycombe (Wycombe Air Park)
Heli Air - Wellesbourne Airfield (head office) · Wellesbourne
Heli Air - Inverness Airport · Inverness
Highland Aviation - Blackbushe Airport · Camberley
Blackbushe Aviation - Blackbushe Airport · Camberley
Blackbushe School of Flying (Air First) - Cranfield Airport · Cranfield
Cranfield Flying School - Redhill Aerodrome · Redhill
Cubair Flight Training - Dunkeswell Aerodrome · Honiton
Devon & Somerset Flight Training - Redhill Aerodrome · Redhill
EBG Helicopters - Fife Airport · Glenrothes
Fife Flight Centre - Elstree Aerodrome · Borehamwood
Flight Training London - White Waltham Airfield · Maidenhead
Helicopter Services - Cumbernauld Airport · Cumbernauld
Phoenix Flight Training (Cumbernauld) - Redhill Aerodrome · Redhill
Redhill Aviation - Blackbushe Airport · Camberley
SEMET Aviation - Sherburn-in-Elmet Airfield · Sherburn in Elmet
Sherburn Aero Club - Gloucestershire Airport · Cheltenham
The Cotswold Aero Club - Clevedon centre · Clevedon
Bristol Groundschool
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 United Kingdom
How pilot training is regulated
Since Brexit the UK operates its own aircrew licensing regime, administered by the UK CAA and separate from the EASA system. UK Part-FCL (derived from the retained version of Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011) sets the requirements for the LAPL, PPL, CPL, ATPL and ratings, and the CAA also issues UK national licences such as the NPPL, which are valid on UK-registered aircraft in UK airspace. The CAA treats licences from other states, including EASA states, as third-country licences for conversion purposes. Flying training is delivered by approved training organisations or registered facilities; prospective students should check a provider's approval on the CAA website.
Training pathways
National private pilot licence (NPPL)
A UK-only licence for lighter aircraft that can begin training with a Pilot Medical Declaration.
Private pilot licence (Part-FCL)
Part-FCL PPL requires a Part-MED Class 2 medical and a minimum amount of flight instruction and supervised solo time.
Commercial pilot licence (integrated or modular)
CPL requires Part-MED Class 1 and a minimum amount of flight time before the skill test; theory exams may be taken at CPL, IR or ATPL level depending on the course.
Qualification terminology
Names and privileges are local to United Kingdom. Similar names in other countries are not interchangeable.
| Code | Official name | Minimum age | Regulatory minimum flight time | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPPL | National Private Pilot LicenceUK national licence for non-commercial flying, limited to UK-registered aircraft in UK airspace unless another state agrees otherwise. | 17 | n/pThe CAA NPPL page does not state a minimum hours figure; it refers to CAP 3181. | official |
| PPL(A) | Private Pilot Licence for Aeroplanes (UK Part-FCL)Licence for non-commercial flying of aeroplanes, issued under UK Part-FCL. | 17 | 40 hFlight instruction on aeroplanes, including 10 hours supervised solo (at least 5 hours solo cross-country); can reduce to 35 hours on an approved ATO course; up to 5 hours may be in an approved simulator. | official |
| PPL(H) | Private Pilot Licence for Helicopters (UK Part-FCL)Licence for non-commercial flying of helicopters. | 17 | 45 hFlight instruction on helicopters, with 10 hours supervised solo of which at least 5 hours solo cross-country; up to 5 hours may be in a simulator. | official |
| CPL(A) | Commercial Pilot Licence for AeroplanesLicence for professional flying of aeroplanes. | 18 | 200 hFlight time required before the skill test, including specified PIC, night and instrument elements. Theory training requires at least 350 hours for CPL(A) exams. | official |
| CPL(H) | Commercial Pilot Licence for HelicoptersLicence for professional flying of helicopters; hours differ by integrated or modular route. | 18 | 135 h135 hours on an integrated CPL(H) course; for the modular route, 185 hours of flight time before the skill test (and 155 hours including 50 hours PIC before starting). The CAA page also lists 150 hours for an integrated ATP(H) course. | official |
| IR(A)/CBIR | Competency Based Instrument Rating for aeroplanesRating to fly aeroplanes under instrument flight rules. Applicants must meet English language proficiency, hold a qualifying licence and complete theory training with an authorised training organisation. | n/p | 40 hAt least 40 hours of instrument time under instruction on a single-engine course and 45 hours on a multi-engine course, plus 50 hours cross-country PIC. | official |
| ATPL(A) | Airline Transport Pilot Licence for AeroplanesHighest-level aeroplane licence; requires an MPL or a CPL(A) with a multi-engine IR and MCC training. | 21 | 1500 hFlight time in aeroplanes with specified multi-pilot and instrument sub-requirements; up to 100 hours may be in a suitable simulator. | official |
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
- Part-FCL
- The flight crew licensing requirements in the UK version of Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, administered by the UK CAA.
- ATO
- Approved Training Organisation, a school approved to deliver Part-FCL courses (e.g. integrated or modular).
- CBIR
- Competency Based Instrument Rating, a route to flying under instrument rules.
Medical, language and instruction
UK Part-MED medical certificates (Class 1 for commercial, Class 2 for private licences) are required for Part-FCL licences; the NPPL uses a Pilot Medical Declaration. Official medical information
Applicants for the competency-based instrument rating must meet English language proficiency requirements.
Languages of instruction among researched schools: English.
International students
Non-UK nationals who need a visa to train in the UK should check the GOV.UK Student visa route and confirm with their chosen school whether it is a licensed student sponsor. Eligibility is decided by the Home Office, not by this directory.
Training approval does not establish immigration permission or international-student eligibility. Verify current rules with the official sources above.
Foreign licences and conversion
The CAA publishes separate guidance for converting a third-country ICAO licence to a UK Part-FCL licence and for validating an ICAO licence for work in the UK. Licence verification with the issuing authority is part of the process. EASA licences are handled as third-country licences following the end of the transition arrangements on 31 December 2022.
Country information last reviewed 16 October 2026. 5 official sources consulted.