How to become pilot in Bangladesh?

Desk Report | Published: Saturday, November 22, 2025

Image: Collected.

Becoming a pilot in Bangladesh is a rewarding but demanding career path, regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). The process involves meeting eligibility criteria, obtaining medical clearance, completing ground school and flight training at a CAAB-approved school, and passing exams.

Training can lead to a Private Pilot License (PPL) for recreational flying or a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) for professional roles, such as with airlines like Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, or Novoair. The entire journey typically takes 12–24 months for a CPL, depending on weather, scheduling, and your progress. Costs have risen due to fuel prices but remain more affordable than in many Western countries.

Many aspiring pilots train abroad (e.g., USA, Australia) for better facilities and then convert their license to CAAB standards, as local options can face delays from limited aircraft and bureaucracy. If you're passionate about military aviation, consider joining the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) via their GD(P) entry after HSC.

Basic eligibility requirements

To start training, you must meet these CAAB-mandated criteria:

Requirement	Details
Age	Minimum 17 years for Student Pilot License (SPL) and PPL; 18 years for CPL. No strict upper limit, but airlines prefer under 35–40 for cadet programs.
Education	HSC (or equivalent, e.g., A-Levels) with at least 60% average marks overall. Science background (Physics, Chemistry, Math) preferred by most schools, though not always mandatory—basic math skills suffice.
Medical fitness	Class 2 Medical Certificate for SPL/PPL; upgrade to Class 1 for CPL. Exam at CAAB HQ or approved centers (e.g., vision 6/6, no color blindness, good hearing). Costs ~TK 10,000–20,000.
Language	Proficient in English (ICAO Level 4+); pass Aviation English Language Proficiency (AELP) test at CAAB.
Other	Bangladeshi citizen; no criminal record. For BAF: Unmarried male, height 5'4"+, screened by Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB).

Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Pilot

Research and Prepare (1–2 Months) Review CAAB regulations (available on caab.gov.bd). Decide on PPL (hobby flying) or CPL (professional). If aiming for airlines, target integrated programs including Instrument Rating (IR) and Multi-Engine Rating (MER). Join BAF for sponsored training if interested in military service.
Obtain Student Pilot License (SPL) Apply at CAAB with HSC certificate, medical proof, and photos. Valid for 24 months. Cost: ~TK 5,000–10,000. This allows supervised solo flights.
Choose a Flight School Enroll in a CAAB-Approved Training Organization (ATO). Top options:

Bangladesh Flying Academy (BFA): First CAAB ATO, at Hazrat Shahjalal Intl Airport, Dhaka. Offers PPL/CPL; 90% of Biman pilots trained here.
Arirang Flying School: Private school in Dhaka; follows international standards for PPL/CPL/IR.
Galaxy Flying Academy: In Rajshahi/Dhaka; residential program with Cessna fleet; strong on ground classes.
Biman Airlines Training Centre (BATC): For Biman cadets; EASA-approved, focuses on ATPL. Other mentions: BAF Shaheen College Flying Club. Compare via school websites for fleet (e.g., Cessna 152/172) and pass rates.

Complete Ground School (3–4 Months) Classroom theory: Aerodynamics, navigation, meteorology, air law. 200–750 hours total for CPL. Held at school or CAAB. Pass written CAAB exams (e.g., 5 subjects for PPL).
Flight Training (6–18 Months) Log minimum hours:

PPL: 40–50 hours (20 solo).
CPL: 150–200 hours total (including 100 PIC, night flying, cross-country). Includes simulator time. Weather in Bangladesh can delay progress. For airlines, add 40–50 hours IR + 10–15 MER.

Exams and Licensing

Pass CAAB flight test, oral/practical exams, and Radio Telephony License (NTC).
Submit logbook, fees (~TK 20,000–50,000).
For CPL to ATPL: Gain 1,500 hours experience post-CPL.

License Conversion (If Trained Abroad) Submit foreign license, flight logs, and exams to CAAB for equivalency. Process: 1–3 months.
Job Placement Apply to airlines (e.g., Biman cadet program requires 60% HSC). Starting salary: TK 1.5–2 lakh/month; captains earn TK 6–6.5 lakh. Join BAF for guaranteed income but military commitment.

Costs (2025 estimates)

Costs vary by school, hours flown, and extras (e.g., repeats due to failures). Fuel inflation has increased prices by 20–30% since 2023. Total excludes living expenses (~TK 5–10 lakh/year).

License/Program	Estimated Cost (TK)	Duration	Notes
SPL + PPL	8–12 lakh	6–8 months	Basic recreational flying; excludes multi-engine.
CPL (Integrated)	22–30 lakh	12–18 months	Includes IR/MER; ~USD 35,000 equivalent. Add 5–10% for exams/uniform.
ATPL Cadet (Biman/BAF)	10–15 lakh (subsidized)	18–24 months	Stipend during training; job guarantee.
Abroad Training + Conversion	25–40 lakh	12–24 months	USA/Australia cheaper per hour but visa adds ~TK 2–5 lakh.

Tips to Manage Costs: Opt for modular training (PPL first), train in good weather seasons, or seek airline sponsorships. Avoid unapproved schools to prevent license issues.

Challenges and Tips

Challenges: Limited local aircraft (delays), high costs, job market saturation (post-COVID recovery ongoing).
Tips: Start with PPL to test interest. Train abroad for modern fleets but budget for conversion. Network via Reddit (r/Dhaka) or aviation forums. Stay fit—medical rechecks are annual.

For latest details, visit caab.gov.bd or contact schools directly.

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