Flight training is one of the most expensive things a young person can choose to study, so we understand why so many families look abroad for better value. Pilot training in Turkey has become a serious option over the last decade. The country has one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the region, modern training fleets, long stretches of good flying weather and costs that are usually well below Western Europe
That said, this is not a field where you should sign the first contract an agent sends you. The route you pick decides how long you train, what licence you hold at the end and where you can legally fly. Below is what we explain to every student who asks us about becoming a pilot in Turkey
Two Routes to Pilot Training in Turkey
Most people do not realise there are two very different paths, and they suit different students
1. A university bachelor’s degree in pilotage
Several Turkish universities run a four-year undergraduate programme usually called Pilotage or Pilot Training. You study aviation theory, meteorology, navigation, air law and human factors as academic courses, and you fly with the university’s approved training organisation in parallel. Anadolu University in Eskişehir has one of the oldest civil aviation faculties in the country with its own airport, the University of Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK University) is based in Ankara, and private universities like Özyeğin in Istanbul teach the programme in English
At the end you hold a bachelor’s degree plus a commercial pilot licence with instrument rating and frozen ATPL theory credits. The degree is useful if you ever need a fallback career, want to move into management or plan to apply for jobs that ask for a university qualification
2. A flight school (ATO) integrated or modular ATPL
Private approved training organisations, mostly around Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Aydın and Antalya, offer the professional course without a degree. An integrated ATPL course takes roughly 18 to 24 months full time. A modular route lets you go step by step, starting with a private pilot licence, then hour building, a commercial licence and instrument rating. Modular is slower but easier to pay for in stages
Licences, SHGM and EASA: What You Actually Get
Pilot licences in Turkey are issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, known by its Turkish initials SHGM. Turkish licensing rules follow the European JAR and EASA framework closely and are ICAO compliant, which means your licence is internationally recognised as a valid professional licence. It is not, however, an EASA licence. If you want to fly for an airline registered in the European Union, you will need to convert it, which usually means extra exams and a skill test
This is the single most important question to ask before choosing a school. Where do you want to fly in five years? If the answer is the Gulf, Central Asia or your home country, a Turkish licence plus local validation is often enough. If the answer is Europe, ask the school directly whether they offer EASA-approved training too, and get that in writing
Requirements Before You Start
Whether you go through a university or a flight school, the basic entry checks are similar
- A Class 1 medical certificate from an SHGM-authorised aeromedical centre, covering eyesight, hearing, heart and general health
- An aptitude test, for example the Mollymawk assessment used by some universities, plus an interview
- Good English, since aviation English at ICAO level 4 or above is required for the licence
- Strong maths and physics at high school level, which universities check through your transcript and exam scores
- Usually a minimum age of 17 for the first solo phases and 18 for a commercial licence
Do the medical first, before paying any deposit. We have seen students lose money on school fees and then discover a colour vision or heart issue that rules them out. A Class 1 initial exam in Turkey costs a few hundred US dollars at most and takes a day or two
For the university route you also go through normal international admissions, with YÖS, SAT or high school grades depending on the university. Our step-by-step guide on applying to Turkish universities as a foreigner walks through the paperwork. English-taught pilot programmes require IELTS or TOEFL, or a year of English preparatory study if your level is not yet there
How Much Does Pilot Training in Turkey Cost?
Costs move with fuel prices and the exchange rate, and schools quote in US dollars or euros. These are the ranges we have seen in recent quotes. Always ask for a written breakdown of what is included
| Route or item | Approximate cost | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private pilot licence (PPL) | Roughly USD 8,000 – 13,000 | 3 to 6 months |
| Integrated ATPL at a flight school | Roughly USD 50,000 – 85,000 | 18 to 24 months |
| University pilotage degree (total incl. flying) | Roughly USD 70,000 – 130,000 | 4 years plus prep year if needed |
| Type rating (A320 or B737) | Roughly USD 20,000 – 30,000 | 1 to 3 months |
| Class 1 medical (initial) | Roughly USD 150 – 400 | 1 to 2 days |
On top of training fees, plan for accommodation, health insurance, exam fees and residence permit costs. University students get a student residence permit, while flight school students usually apply for a short-term residence permit instead, so ask the school which category its foreign trainees normally use
Planning to become a pilot in Turkey?
We compare university pilotage programmes and approved flight schools, check the licence you will end up with and help you with admission, medicals and residence paperwork for 2027
Jobs After Training: Be Realistic
Turkish airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, AJet and SunExpress hire large numbers of pilots, but their cadet and first officer programmes are usually aimed at Turkish citizens. Foreign graduates should not assume they will be hired locally. The graduates we know who did well either went home to a national carrier, joined airlines in the Gulf or Asia after building hours, or converted to an EASA licence and applied in Europe
A licence alone does not get you an airline seat. Most airlines also want a type rating, a multi-crew cooperation course and sometimes a minimum number of hours. Budget for the year after graduation, not just the training itself
Alternatives if You Love Aviation
Not everyone passes the Class 1 medical, and not everyone can afford flight training. If that is your situation, aviation still has room for you. Aerospace engineering, avionics, aircraft maintenance and aviation management are all taught at Turkish universities, many in English and at a much lower cost. Our guide on engineering degrees in Turkey covers the aerospace programmes in detail
For the university pilotage route, your diploma is a regular YÖK-accredited bachelor’s, and you can read more about how Turkish degrees are recognised abroad. Licence recognition is a separate process handled by aviation authorities, so check both
If you are serious, your first step should be booking the Class 1 medical and deciding which country you want to fly in. Once those two things are clear, choosing between a university and a flight school becomes much easier, and we can help you compare specific offers
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners do pilot training in Turkey?
Yes. Both universities and private flight schools accept international students, as long as they pass the Class 1 medical, the aptitude test and the English requirement
Is a Turkish pilot licence valid in Europe?
A Turkish SHGM licence is ICAO compliant but it is not an EASA licence. To fly for an EU airline you would normally need a conversion with extra exams and checks
How long does pilot training in Turkey take?
An integrated ATPL course at a flight school takes about 18 to 24 months. A university pilotage degree takes four years, plus a preparatory year if needed
How much does it cost to become a pilot in Turkey?
Expect roughly USD 50,000 to 85,000 for a flight school ATPL and more for a university degree with flying included. A type rating adds roughly USD 20,000 to 30,000
Can I work as a pilot in Turkey after training?
It is difficult for foreign nationals, because most Turkish airline cadet programmes target citizens. Many international graduates fly in their home country or in the Gulf instead
