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    How to choose the best school for flight training?

Flight Training in Europe

Useful guide to choose the best flying school.

Rosa M. Márquez

Publicado por Rosa M. Márquez el 17 February, 2025

Última actualización: 10 June, 2026

With the growing demand for aeronautical personnel expected in the coming years, the supply schools for flight training in Europe has also increased.

So, if you are thinking of studying a pilot course, here are a few guidelines that will help you on your way to finding the best flight school for you, out of all those that exist.

Why flight training in Europe is booming?

As you know, the opening of new air routes and the emergence of new airlines, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, has triggered the demand for new commercial pilots and other professionals in the industry.

Due to this, the number of schools for flight training in Europe has increased in recent years. So, if you are thinking about doing a Commercial Pilot Course or a Private Pilot Course, you are probably evaluating which one is the best for you.

Here are a few tips to help you get your thinking straight, so if you want to know which European flight school is best for your training, read on.

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How to choose between best flight schools in Europe?

Approved
Organisation

Aircraft
Fleet

Simulation
Centre

Operating
Bases

Transfer +
Accommodation

Did you know that Avion Revue, the leading aviation magazine in Spanish, has chosen us three times as the Best Flight School in Spain? Yes, they did so in 2020, 2021 and 2024.

But well, apart from this, there are different factors that you should take into account when choosing between the best flight schools in Europe for your training, but we’re sure you already know a few. Let’s take a look at the most important ones.

Is it an Approved Training Organisation under EASA regulations?

This point is paramount. In fact, before looking any further, you should make sure that you will study in an approved aviation school, and recognised as an ATO, by the competent authority.

Moreover, in our case, One Air is the official headquarters for the AESA FCL exams in Malaga; therefore, you will be able to take your exams in the same facilities where you are training, without having to travel anywhere else.

ONE AIR
Official Headquarters for AESA FCL Exams in Malaga
State Aviation Safety Agency

In which airports do the school operate? How are their facilities?

The type of airport where you spend your flight hours will determine the quality of those hours.

Flying in a private aerodrome will give you peace of mind and confidence in your first phases of flight; which is essential for perfect integration into the aeronautical environment.

However, doing it in an international airport, with a high influx of commercial flights, will be decisive for your training and will provide an invaluable plus to your flying hours.

In addition, find out what the facilities where you are going to study are. Find out if they have a good library, if their classrooms are digitalised or if they are comfortable enough to spend the long hours of study; remember that it all adds up when it comes to finding the best flight school for you.

What fleet does the school have? What kind of planes their cadets fly?

Another aspect that you should take into account when making your choice is the fleet: find out how many twin-engines it has, how many single-engines, what avionics its aircraft uses and, above all, how old are the planes.

The best flight schools in Europe invest in having a modern and technologically advanced fleet, which will provide you with optimal flying experience and consistent with what you will find in your working life. Besides, the newer the aircraft, the more hours they can offer you to fly.

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And what about aircraft maintenance?

Another factor of great importance when choosing between the best flight schools in Europe is the maintenance of the fleet. Just as a good fleet is decisive, having a maintenance team that is up to the task is crucial to ensure a smooth running of the aircraft.

With an own maintenance centre, which is dedicated exclusively to the school’s aircraft, immediate support is offered to comply with the schedule and the dreaded cancellations are minimised. In addition, aircraft downtime due to periodic overhauls is significantly reduced.

What simulators, and how many of them, do they have for flight training?

Investment in advanced simulators is equally essential. What’s more, the more advanced the simulation technology, the smoother your transition from simulated flight to real flight will be.

Also, look at the variety of simulated flight options they offer. How many airline simulators do they have? And how many FNPT II certified simulators? Are they replicas of the aircraft you will be flying next? Do they provide trainers or other specific simulators to enrich your training?

What else should the best flying schools in Europe have?

We have already talked about fleet, facilities, simulators and airports; but what else should you look at before making your choice?

First of all, consider how much time you will need to obtain your license. As a minimum, in an integrated program, it usually takes between 16 and 18 months from the time you start until you get your frozen ATPL.

During this time, it is essential that the flight school you choose offers you the maximum added value, don’t you think?

Check out where is the flight school and what the city has to offer you?

The city where the school facilities are located will become your home during the entire training; therefore, it will be a detail that will make the difference.

The main reason to consider the location of the school is the weather. The better the weather, the more hours to fly. How many schools for flight training in Europe boast an average of 320 sunny days a year? That’s almost 3,000 hours of sunshine a year!

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Ask if they offer accommodation and what transfer options they have

Nowadays, one of the reasons that most restrains any person who wants to start a job or new studies far from home is the rent. Looking for a place to live is a task that requires effort, time and money, and it does not guarantee that you will find what you are looking for.

For this reason, the best aviation schools tend to attract more students because they have been concerned with finding a solution to the problem of finding accommodation.

  • A new concept of luxury accommodation for students

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You should also make sure that the flight academy you eventually choose offers its students a private transport between the main facilities, your residence and the airport where it operates. What good would excellent accommodation do if you can’t get to your classes quickly?

  • Daily shuttle between flight school, airports and residence

FAQs About choosing the best flight school in Europe

When choosing the right school for your training, you must take several fundamental factors into account, such as the team, the age and innovation of the fleet, and their training facilities, including whether the simulators are older models or state-of-the-art.

The airport environment is also highly important, as training at an international airport such as Málaga will always be far more comprehensive than anywhere else.

Finally, the weather is essential. You should know that flights are conducted under favourable weather conditions, meaning that in an area with a better climate, you will complete your flight hours much sooner.

Absolutely. At One Air, you will always fly new aircraft; the most powerful and modern versions from Diamond, Cirrus, and Tecnam, which are the leading manufacturers for pilot training.

If you would like to find out more, we have a comprehensive post on the importance of the fleet when choosing a flight school, where we also share tips to help you compare different options.

Yes, they are absolutely indispensable and a strategic pillar of your learning for several reasons:

  1. They allow you to practise critical manoeuvres, emergency management, and adverse weather conditions in a controlled environment with zero real risk.
  2. Before stepping into a real aircraft, the simulator allows you to internalise the location of the controls, checklists, and cockpit flows.
  3. In the simulator, there are no air traffic delays or weather cancellations. It allows you to pause the session, repeat an instrument approach ten times in a row, and meticulously analyse every turn alongside your instructor.

There is no single simulator that is absolutely “the best”; the best simulator is the one that adapts perfectly to each phase of your training. Therefore, when choosing between flight schools in Spain, make sure their simulators are not generic. Demand centres that feature certified devices and whose cockpits exactly replicate the real fleet and current commercial aircraft on the market.

Of course it is. The school you choose is one of the most decisive factors in your professional future, because it’s not just about getting a license, but about the quality, rigor, and relevance of the training you receive.

At One Air, we are committed to offering you the latest technology and methodologies in line with current aviation industry standards. We prioritise impeccable training discipline that produces highly competent pilots who are highly valued by airlines.

What’s more, your choice of flight school directly influences the return on investment of your career. If you are interested in learning more about the economic impact of this profession, you can consult our detailed analysis of how much an airplane pilot earns.

The final step in choosing among the best aviation academies in Europe

Gather information, compare different schools, and assess your needs. Since your budget is a fundamental pillar of your decision, we recommend first reviewing our post on the cost of pilot training in Spain to get a clear reference for the investment and the technology you will be hiring.

Once you decide where you want to train, schedule an appointment. Write down all your questions and make sure they are all answered during your visit.

This will be the final push you need to confirm if you have truly found the best flight school for pilot training in Spain.

PILOT COURSES + RATINGS

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