Becoming a Pilot

First Officer Lapsitthipone, aka Moss - CAFTC 2024 Graduate (ATPL Course)

To become a pilot, you will need to meet certain age, medical, and training requirements. You'll also need to demonstrate your proficiency in English.

Age

To receive student pilot authorization, you must be at least 16 years old.
To receive a private pilot license, you must be at least 17 years old.
To receive a commercial pilot license, you must be at least 18 years old.
To receive an airline transport pilot license, you must be at least 22 years old.

Medical

You will need to pass an aviation medical examination and get a medical certificate.
Pilots working for an airline need a 1st Class Medical certificate.
You will need to have 6/6 vision (in meters), or able to correct it with glasses or contacts.
For more details and for an appointment contact the Lao aviation medical assessor Dr Khamsouk Haophommasaeng.
- +856 20 22222892.
- The fee will be approximately $150.

Training

To become a commercial pilot, you will need to pass several knowledge and skill tests from the regulator (Lao DCA).
To prepare you for these tests, you will need to complete ground school and flight training at an approved training organization (ATO). The CAFTC is an ATO. Our certificate number is DCAL/ATO_01 Revision 03, valid until 13 Feb. 2027.

English

You will need to be fluent in spoken and written English.
To obtain a pilot license you must score 4 (Operational) or above on your ICAO Aviation English examination. You will be required to complete this test in the early stages of your flight training. The following English scores will help you achieve this:
IELTS 5.5 or equivalent (TOEFL PBT 513, TOEFL IBT 65, Duolingo 100).
- No score below 4.5 (reading, writing, listening & speaking)
- This is to ensure that you will be ready for the fast-paced aviation training in the English language.
- You must be fluent and have good understanding to read and comprehend aviation material.
- You must be able to write and communicate in English with your teachers and flight instructors.
- The test must have been done within the previous 12 months at the time of application.
  
  English Testing Score Comparison

Licensing

To become a commercial pilot, you will need a Commercial Pilot License. This license enables a pilot to act as first officer (or co-pilot) and as a captain of any airplane certified for single-pilot crew.
To become a captain in air transport operations on aircraft requiring a two-pilot crew pilot, you will need to have an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL).
- To qualify for an ATPL, you must meet the experience requirements (1,500 flight hours total time and other hour requirements), and have passed the ATPL knowledge and skill tests. Pilots who wish to be in command typically upgrade their CPL to an ATPL within 4-10 years of joining the airline.

Selection Requirements for Airline Cadets

Being accepted into a cadet program is a great opportunity to receive airline funding for your training. In return you sign a contract for x number of years (typically between 10 and 15). Being bound to an airline can be a good thing as it will also give you job security. However, make sure to understand the terms of your contract well.

General Requirements:
- You will have to submit your application to the airline plus supporting documents. Ask the airline directly or monitor their social media to see if they have an upcoming cadet program and inquire how to apply.
- You will need to have graduated from high school with good grades in English, Math and Science: 7/10 or more.
  - Provide your grade card with your application.
- You will need to pass a criminal background check.
  - This check is required in order to gain access to the air side of the airport.
  - Please provide a copy of a recent check, not older than 6 months. You can obtain this document from your provincial office or the Vientiane criminal court (aka. the office of the supreme prosecuter).
- You will need to pass a CAFTC English interview.
- You will need to pass a CAFTC fitness test.
- You will need to pass a CAFTC psychological test.
- You will need to pass CAFTC aptitude tests.
Lao Skyway requirements:
- Minimum age 18, maximum age 24 at start of training
- Able to meet flight deck reach requirements:
  - Height between 165 cm (minimum) and 180 cm (maximum) and a standard BMI between 25 and 29. See below.
  - The calculation for the body mass index divides your weight (kilograms) by your height (meter squared).
- Uncorrected 6/6 vision
- No tattoos
- “No Hepatitis B”
  “A college, university or aviation degree will be an advantage.”
- “Work experience preferred.”