At the start of the training you have to be at least 17 years old.
The European Flight Academy does not prescribe any height. We follow the requirements of the medical examination in this regard. Your physical fitness for flying will be determined by a physician in the context of the aero-medical fitness examination. In the recruitment process that follows later, however, the airlines may have different requirements regarding height and other medical criteria such as diopter figures.
For a training start at EFA in Germany, the following applies:
A permanent settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) with an unrestricted work permit (unbeschränkte Arbeitserlaubnis) within the EU and Switzerland, as well as possession of an unrestricted passport is required.
For a training start at EFA in Switzerland, the following applies:
The student pilots must have Swiss/EU/EFTA citizenship and must possess an unrestricted passport.
The training language for the ATPL program is English, which is why fluent English is a prerequisite. In the context of the certificate issued by the Deutsches Luft- und Raumfahrtzentrum (DLR, German Aerospace Center), at least a “B” grade must have been achieved in this area. If the English language skills are not rated A or B, a B2 level language certificate (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Cambridge Certificate | GMAT | IELTS | LCCI | TELC | TOEFL iBT | TOEIC 4Skills; all test details in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) may be submitted as an alternative.
Additionally, at least one of the other four languages must be spoken at B2 proficiency:
German (everyday speakers and native speakers of German need not prove their proficiency in German),
- Dutch,
- Italian,
- French.
Please note that your language skills could have a bearing on your opportunity of applying with airlines later. Among the Lufthansa Group airlines, for example, certain language combinations (such as German and English) constitute a prerequisite for employment.
For a training start at EFA in Switzerland, the following applies:
Student pilots in Switzerland are required to have knowledge of German in addition to English.
General entrance qualification for higher education / leaving certificate (Matura), entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences / federal vocational baccalaureate or, in case a certificate of admission to a university of applied sciences or to a technical college without an examination is provided, similar qualifications.
In order to apply with a foreign school-leaving qualification, the school-leaving certificate and its translation (into English or German) must be provided.
Applicants with an international baccalaureate must additionally provide a confirmation by their school that the acquired diploma (international baccalaureate diploma) corresponds to the general higher education entrance qualification (Allgemeine Hochschulreife) in Germany pursuant to the resolution of the Kultusministerkonferenz (Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany) 1986 in the version of June 25th, 2010.
In order to apply with a foreign school-leaving qualification, the school-leaving certificate and its translation (into English or German) must be provided. These documents must be uploaded as part of the online application.
Applicants with a foreign school-leaving qualification can only apply once the school-leaving certificate (e. g. Matura (leaving certificate)) is available. You yourself can check your qualification in advance on the website www.anabin.de. The IB obtained at a school abroad is also deemed to be a foreign schoolleaving qualification. The school-leaving certificate (all pages) must be uploaded as part of the application. Applicants from Austria are required to please include the timetables setting out the subjects taught and the number of hours devoted to them (Stundentafeln). Applicants with a nonGerman certificate are required to please submit a copy of the original certificate together with a translation (into German or English).
Yes, as a general rule you may apply with your DLR certificate. However, you can only be admitted to the LHG selection process if you have completed your application in the system by submitting your certificate of having passed your A levels (Abiturzeugnis) / your leaving certificate (Maturazeugnis). The minimum age at the time of application is 17 years.
There is no numerus clausus. The average grade of the school-leaving certificate provides only limited information as to the chances of success in the suitability tests. Solid knowledge of the fundamentals of mathematics, physics, and English of grades 8 to 11 will be an advantage, since your basic technical and physical knowledge and understanding will be tested as part of the suitability tests. Additionally, we place great value in your achievement motivation and career motivation
No work experience will be required
Solid knowledge of the fundamentals of mathematics and physics of grades 8 to 11 will be an advantage, since your basic technical and physical knowledge and understanding will be tested as part LUFTHANSA AVIATION TRAINING public 4/21 of the suitability tests. Additionally, we place great value in your achievement motivation and career motivation.
You have already accumulated flying hours? Since the training we offer is not modular, we cannot recognize your previous experience. We can allow you to apply for the training with the following licenses: Up to PPL (LAPL, LAPL (H), PPL (A), PPL (H)) and of course “without previous experience”
You do not have to be an elite athlete in order to be successful in the cockpit. We require of you a normal level of fitness.
For a training start at EFA in Germany, the following applies: You may not have more than three points entered in the Register of Driver Fitness, of which none may be because of drug use or alcohol use, respectively abuse of prescription drugs. The following applies for the commencement of training at EFA in Switzerland: No entry in the Register of Previous Criminal Convictions may exist.
You will take your first step in the selection process even before officially applying at the European Flight Academy. You can take the DLR test at our partner Deutsches Luft- und Raumfahrtzentrum (DLR, German Aerospace Center) to obtain the corresponding certificate. You can book an appointment in Hamburg directly via our website. You can submit to DLR a request for one of the appointments in Zurich via the website. You can find further information on this on the website. The test includes computer-aided psychological tests to determine suitability that are required pursuant to EASA guidelines. The participants will receive their results in the form of a certificate.
The test focuses on the following skills and abilities: memory retention, understanding and conception of space, performance and personality requirements, English, engineering, mathematics, attentiveness, psychomotility, multi-tasking, and also teamwork, as well as questionnaires on your personality.
You can book an appointment for the DLR certificate in Hamburg via the EFA website. You can submit to DLR a request for one of the appointments in Zurich via the website. Please note that we as the European Flight Academy will not be able to register you for the test.
At this point, you can take the test to obtain the certificate either at the DLR on site in Hamburg, Germany, or at the SWISS Flight Crew Assessment Center on site in Zurich, Switzerland. The contents and certificate of both tests are identical. Hence, for your application it will not make a difference whether you took the test in Zurich or Hamburg.
All participants of the DLR test will receive a certificate at the end, albeit with different ratings (A, B, C, D). You can use the certificate to apply at EFA but also on the market. Please note that you will need to achieve a certain rating if you want to apply at EFA. You can find detailed information here.
The rating of the certificate will be classified into A, B, C, or D. Please note that you will need to achieve a certain rating if you want to apply at EFA. You can find the details on our website.
If you are unsuccessful the first time, we recommend you plan for enough preparation time for your next try. You decide on the time for a new appointment to take the test.
No, in this case, unfortunately, your application will be rejected.
You will receive the certificate a few days after your appointment.
The costs for this test amount to € 374,21 and they are an investment in your future as a pilot. This is why you will have to cover these yourself. Bookings made via the webshop on the EFA website are currently discounted to 250 Euro. At the moment, the DLR tests in Hamburg can be booked via the webshop.
The DLR states that it is valid for a period of 2 years. Please note that your certificate will still need to be valid on the selection day of your Lufthansa Group assessment and the recruiting process will take some time, too. We recommend that you apply in the near future with your certificate to enable us to offer you a convenient appointment in your timeframe for your certificate to remain valid.
No, we will verify the authenticity of your certificate as part of the application process.
Our courses start year-round. It is therefore possible to apply for the training year-round, as well. The minimum age to apply is 17 years. Please allow for at least 6 months from your initial application to a possible training start.
When applying online, you will be asked to upload your DLR certificate, your CV, a valid ID, and your available report cards/transcripts.
When you have submitted your complete application, you will receive an automated confirmation. If you meet the formal criteria, you will be given access to the booking tool for the Lufthansa Group assessment. This tool allows you to choose for yourself when you would like to make a selection appointment.
You will bear the costs for the DLR certificate. Initially, there will be no costs charged for the further application process and step 2 (LGH assessment). Should you then sign a training agreement, your selection will be included in the basic costs. You will not be reimbursed for any travel costs or overnight stays for the interview appointments.
Once you submit your complete application, you will not have immediate access to it anymore. You will be able, however, to adjust your availability in the basic data at any time. Additionally, you will be able to send an e-mail via the application system at any time to inquire about the status of your application. If you want to upload documents, send an e-mail to this end, and your application will be accessible again.
The EFA selection process entails two steps. Step 1 is the computer-aided DLR test for which a certificate is issued. Step 2 is the Lufthansa Group assessment which gives us an opportunity to get to know your personality and your social as well as your psychomotor abilities. If you successfully completed both steps and had your medical examination, you will be able to sign an agreement for your pilot training.
If you are interested in a position at Swiss or Edelweiss at some point in the future, you will be invited to the pre-airline fit once you have passed step 2. At the pre-airline fit you will take another test, and a representative of the airline will conduct an interview with you with the intention of getting to know you better as a person. The aim of the pre-airline fit is to create the foundation for the airline to possibly issue a declaration of intent to hire.
You can check via the booking tool which appointments are available and book one for yourself.
Yes. You will be able to change your appointment independently in the system up to a minimum of 14 days prior to the appointment. In order to reschedule your appointment outside of this timeframe you will be required to provide a doctor’s note; otherwise, we will no longer be able to consider your application.
As is the case for any exam, it is important for you to be healthy and fit on the day of the interview. Please note that certain medication might interfere with your performance. It is not permissible to claim impairment ex post facto. Since these interviews entail costs and since, moreover, only a limited number of interview appointments is available, you will be able to independently change your interview appointment in the system up to 14 days prior to the interview appointment at the latest. Outside of this timeframe you will need a doctor’s note.
At this point, you can participate in step 2, the Lufthansa Group assessment, either at Interpersonal on site in Hamburg, Germany, or at the SWISS Flight Crew Assessment Center on site in Zurich, Switzerland. The process, tests, and decision rules are identical.
In this second step, your ability to work in a team in dynamic situations, your behavior in group situations and individual situations, your psychomotor abilities, and your career motivation will be put to the test.
You will be informed of this a few days later.
If you do not receive a positive recommendation after the Lufthansa Group assessment, this step of the selection process will be deemed to have been “failed.” The selection process can be repeated after 24 months.
There may be a maximum of 24 months between your selection day of the LHG assessment and your first day at the flight school.
You will be expected to dress appropriately to the occasion of a job interview (business-casual attire).
Since you independently schedule an appointment with an aero-medical center (AMC) of your choice, you can schedule it whenever you like. It is our recommendation, however, to subject yourself to the medical fitness examination only once you successfully passed the Lufthansa Group Assessment. Usually, the medical fitness examination will take place in an aero-medical center (AMC) after successful completion of the Lufthansa Group Assessment interview.
You do not have to be an elite athlete in order to hold your own in the cockpit. We require of you a normal level of fitness. We will verify that you meet the medical requirements. In addition, you will have to subject yourself to a drug screening.
Once you successfully completed the selection process, the team of the European Flight Academy will contact you with an offer of a training agreement.
This timeframe varies depending on your availability, the success rate of all applicants in the examinations, and the number of courses. In your application you can state your desired month for a training start. The choice range extends from the current year to the first quarter of the subsequent year.
The class 1 medical certificate will be issued in the context of the medical fitness examination conducted by an aero-medical center (AMC). As a general rule, we only accept an unqualified class 1 medical certificate. Any qualifications, for example regarding diopters, will need to be reviewed in the individual case. For the flight training in the USA, you will also need to obtain an FAA third-class airman medical certificate (USA). We will help you find the aero-medical center that is right for you.
As a general rule, the EASA class 1 medical certificate is valid for 1 year; afterwards, it will have to be renewed yearly. The initial examination in an AMC is more comprehensive, while the yearly renewals need not be performed in an AMC; an examination by a recognized aviation physician will suffice.
The FAA third-class airman medical certificate is valid for 5 years following issuance.
It is our recommendation to have both medical examinations done in one single appointment at an AMC after successful completion of the group qualification. To this end, when you book your appointment you should mention that you would like to receive an FAA third-class airman medical certificate in addition to the EASA class 1 medical certificate.
The prerequisites for employment with an airline may deviate from this; the requirements specific to an airline are currently being adjusted and will subsequently be added here.
Yes, this certificate will be recognized.
After your positive selection and further formal steps, we will contact you regarding your training agreement and will coordinate the training start with you.
Please note: EASA guidelines demand that there be a maximum of 24 months between your selection day of the LHG assessment and your first day at the flight school.
Once you successfully completed the selection process, the team of the European Flight Academy will contact you with a contractual offer.
After successful completion of your training at the European Flight Academy, you can apply with all LHG airlines, provided they are in demand and you meet the individual requirements (e. g. language skills). When you as an EFA graduate apply, you will be granted priority over external applicants and will not have to take part in a ready-entry assessment.
As per statutory requirements, an airline must conduct an interview with you before you can sign an employment agreement with the airline. The airline will want to get to know you better on a personal level in the context of what is called the “airline fit.” The individual Group airlines decide whether or not there will be additional assessment components to the recruitment process in this context.
Yes. Once you have obtained the “frozen” ATP (CPL/IR) license, you will be eligible to apply with many well-known European airlines, which means you will have a variety of job prospects.
High quality of training. The theoretical and practical flight instructors have been hand-selected, can draw on a plethora of experience, and will impart to you the training contents in a comprehensive manner that is oriented by practical relevance. Our close ties to airline operations ensure that your training is geared toward the requirements of your future cockpit job.
High-quality training fleet. The flight training of the multi-engine piston phase (MEP) will take place on a standardized training fleet by the manufacturer Diamond in Rostock (Germany) respectively Grenchen (Switzerland). The single-engine piston phase (SEP) will be performed by our cooperation partner UAA, using its modern training devices of the Cirrus SR20 type, or in our DA40NG fleet at our location in Switzerland.
Attractive training locations. The European Flight Academy locations have been newly defined in order to ideally utilize the strength of each location. The location being established in Germany solely for theoretical instruction, for example, will be a competence center in Bremen. The practical flight training will be performed at a partner location, the United Aviate Academy (UAA) in Phoenix (USA), and subsequently in Rostock-Laage (Germany).
For our Swiss student pilots, the theoretical phases take place at the Zurich training center. The practical flight training will also be performed at our partner location near Phoenix (USA) as well as in Grenchen (Switzerland).
Good value-for-money ratio. The European Flight Academy has developed a concept that is fit for the future and has transformed itself while at the same time maintaining its high standard of quality. In the course of this development, the payment scheme was also adjusted in line with the market and offers an attractive value-for-money ratio in a Europe-wide comparison. The costs of the training will have to be paid by the student pilots during the course of the training. We are currently working on funding concepts with external partners that you will be able to avail yourself of in the future. This transparent arrangement brings with it the advantage for you to be able to choose your employer independently at the end of the training.
Best-possible prospects within Lufthansa Group and outside it. Lufthansa Group is Europe’s largest airline group. The pilot training at the European Flight Academy offers the best chance at a seat in the cockpit of a Lufthansa Group airline, since we are the only ab-initio flight school for Lufthansa Group.
We closely coordinate with the planning departments of a large number of airlines, and you will be the first to be considered for any cockpit jobs that might open up within Lufthansa Group. We are in close contact with airlines outside Lufthansa Group and will support you in placing you in a cockpit should you so wish.
Sustainability. Right from the start, our future pilots will also be trained on the topic of “sustainable flying.” Additionally, the whole training will be carbon-neutral through a combination of CO2 avoidance and carbon offset. In the medium term, CO2 emissions are to be reduced even further through other technical and procedural adjustments.
We will announce the starting dates on our website in line with the status of the planning.
As a rule, the training at the European Flight Academy for obtaining an ATPL (CPL/IR) takes about 24 months (excluding type rating).
Our student pilots will perform their first practical flying lessons while staying in the USA, after completion of the 12-month theoretical training phase.
For our student pilots in Switzerland, the first flying phase will start earlier. Here, the first flying phase will take place after the first theoretical phase, which lasts about 7 weeks.
During the training in Germany and the theoretical phases in Switzerland, no housing will be provided. We are happy to help you find suitable accommodation. The training costs include student housing during the flying phase in the USA. Additionally, the costs of the training in Switzerland include housing in Grenchen
It is possible to retake an exam. If it happens multiple times, however, that exams are failed, the student pilot and the training supervisor need to have a discussion to find out the causes and work towards a solution.
If, contrary to expectations, you are unable to complete your training due to performance issues, your training costs are capped at 20% of the training price. We will reimburse you for any costs already paid in excess of that.
It is our recommendation that appropriate insurance be taken out. On our website, for example, you will find the link to our financial partner Albatros.
In cooperation with Bremen City University of Applied Sciences, the ILST study program is offered. Ideally, applications are to be submitted after the second semester (1 year in advance). Together with Bremen City University of Applied Sciences we offer other abbreviated study programs to those who completed the pilot training at EFA. In selected study programs, between 20% and 25% of the study credits can be transferred. You can find further information on our website under the heading “Prospects/EFA Campus.”
For a training start at EFA in Switzerland, the following applies: In Switzerland, it is possible to combine the ATPL training with a bachelor’s degree program in aviation at Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
The training package includes the complete theoretical and practical phases, including learning material and certificates. The price for this in Germany is EUR 110,000. Without taking government subsidies into account, the training costs in Switzerland amount to CHF 140,000. The training costs already include many additional services such as flight transfer to the USA, student housing in the USA, and flight uniforms. You can find further information on this on our website under Costs and Services.
Besides the basic services, the following mandatory additional services will have to be used:
Prior to and during your training:
- Costs for the DLR certificate (1. selection step)
- EASA class 1 medical certificate / FAA class 3 medical certificate
- Visa costs (USA)
If you so wish, you can avail yourself of the following additional fee-based service:
- Obtaining SEP rating
As a general rule, the airline transport pilot training is eligible for student aid pursuant to the Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz (BAföG, German Federal Law on Educational Support).
We are working with financial services providers to facilitate your access to the training. You can find specific information on financing options via third-party providers on our website.
The pilot training is to be viewed as a full-time occupation. It is a prerequisite for the successful completion of the training that you focus entirely on the training. This is why we recommend not taking on a secondary job. In case the costs of living cannot be paid out-of-pocket, there might be the option of receiving student aid pursuant to the Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz (BAföG, German Federal Law on Educational Support)
The Verordnung über die Finanzhilfen für Ausbildungen im Bereich der Luftfahrt (VFAL, ordinance on financial aid for aviation training) provides for the financial aid for future pilots in Switzerland. The VFAL screening will determine the allocation of the financial aid in case the amount applied for exceeds the funds available.
After a successfully completed assessment. You will receive more information on the VFAL screening in the course of the assessment. Applicants that can show an “unqualified SPHAIR recommendation for a career as a professional airline pilot” (which recommendation may not be older 10 years) are exempt from the VFAL screening.
We believe in the high demand for junior pilots within Lufthansa Group and would like to offer you perspectives and investment security. As part of our EFA campus, we will support you in finding a suitable cockpit job available within the Lufthansa Group after successful completion of your training as an airline transport pilot at EFA. Should you not receive an offer for a job in the cockpit of a Lufthansa Group airline within 24 months after having completed the training, you will be reimbursed for 50% of the training costs as part of our take-off promise.
The EFA campus accompanies you during your training and supports you in your search for a cockpit job within Lufthansa Group even before completion of your training. For this purpose, we have developed the Campus Plus online tool, where you as (prospective) alumni can manage your qualifications, desired airline(s), possible entry dates, and your application documents; the online tool will also proactively notify you if a cockpit job is advertised as available.
The take-off promise means that you will receive an offer for a job in the cockpit of a Lufthansa Group airline within 24 months after having completed the training. In the event that this does not happen, you will be reimbursed for 50% of the training costs.
In the event that you no longer meet at least one of the training requirements, you will no longer be entitled to the take-off promise.
No, the LHG airlines will proactively approach you with an offer, provided you are registered with EFA campus plus and you are open to receive offers.
Yes, you can take a job outside the cockpit and you will not risk forfeiting your entitlement to the takeoff promise. What is relevant is that you receive a job offer from an LH Group airline. What you do professionally in the meantime has no bearing on the take-off promise.
