Becoming a pilot is one of the most exciting careers you can pursue, but it can also feel complicated and overwhelming. Between licences, hours, exams, and flying schools, it’s easy to get lost.
One of the biggest decisions aspiring pilots face is whether to follow an integrated training route or take a modular approach. Modular pilot training is often misunderstood, some think it’s slower or harder to manage, but that isn’t necessarily the case.
Done correctly, modular training can be flexible, cost-effective, and even as quick as integrated training.
What Modular Training Actually Is
Modular training is a step-by-step approach to becoming a commercial pilot. Instead of completing all your training with a single school in a fixed programme, you complete each stage individually. You might start with a private pilot licence (PPL), then move on to building hours, taking ATPL theory exams, earning a commercial pilot licence (CPL), completing night flying, multi-engine and instrument ratings (MEP and IR), finishing an upset prevention and recovery course (UPRT), and finally an airline pilot standards multi-crew course (APS MCC).
This method gives you control over where, when, and how you complete each stage. You could train at one school for your PPL, another for your hour building, and study ATPL theory online or with a provider of your choice. It allows flexibility that integrated courses cannot offer.
The Modular Training Pathway
Here’s a typical modular journey:
- PPL (Private Pilot Licence) – Your first licence, allowing you to fly solo or with passengers.
- Hour Building – Accumulating flying hours to meet CPL requirements.
- Night Rating – Qualification to fly at night, usually after the PPL.
- ATPL Theory – The 14 subjects required for a commercial licence.
- CPL (Commercial Pilot Licence) – Enables you to fly commercially.
- MEP (Multi Engine Piston) – Training to fly multi-engine aircraft.
- IR (Instrument Rating) – Flying in poor weather or low visibility.
- UPRT (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training) – Learning recovery techniques for unusual attitudes.
- APS MCC – Multi-crew coordination for airline operations.
The stages are flexible and can be scheduled to suit your life.
You can pause between stages, study ATPL theory at your own pace, or combine courses to fit your personal circumstances.
Benefits of Modular Training
- Flexibility – Fit training around work, studies, or personal commitments.
- Cost Control – Pay for each stage as you go rather than a lump sum upfront.
- Customisation – Choose schools, instructors, and locations that suit your preferences.
- Adaptability – Adjust your training if life changes, such as moving or taking a break.
Potential Drawbacks
While modular training has many advantages, it can be less efficient if not planned carefully. Poor planning can lead to:
- Inefficiency – Long gaps between stages or switching schools unnecessarily can slow your progress.
- Additional costs – You may spend more than necessary on refreshers, repeated lessons, or extra travel, although modular training is still generally more affordable than integrated options.
- Confusion – Managing different schools, instructors, and training requirements without guidance can make the process stressful and harder to track.