If you want to become a pilot of an aircraft or continue flying, you must complete training, take examinations and hold the correct certificates. The Civil Aviation Authority the Netherlands (CAA NL), part of the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT), oversees this in the Netherlands.
Complete training
To become a pilot, you must first complete training. Where you complete this training depends on the pilot licence you want to apply for.
You must complete your training at:
- An Approved Training Organisation (ATO).
- A Declared Training Organisation (DTO).
- A Registered Training Facility (RTF).
ATOs and DTOs provide training for EASA pilot licences. There is currently 1 DTO in the Netherlands that is authorised to train balloon pilots: the Koninklijke Nederlandse Vereniging voor Luchtvaart, KNVvL (Royal Dutch Aviation Association, in Dutch).
RTFs provide training for a national pilot licence and radiotelephony certification. If you complete training through the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force), you can apply for a civil pilot licence for up to 1 year after leaving service.
CAA NL does not provide training. However, CAA NL assesses whether training organisations in the Netherlands meet the requirements to be allowed to provide training. CAA NL also checks whether training organisations comply with the rules.
Find an approved training organisation for pilots (in Dutch).
Apply for a medical certificate
You need a valid medical certificate to be allowed to fly. You do not always need this certificate for your first flying lesson, but you do need it before your first solo flight. The certificate is issued following a medical examination. There are different types of medical certificate. The medical certificate you need depends on your pilot licence.
CAA NL manages your aeromedical records but does not carry out medical examinations. Only an Aeromedical Examiner (AME) or an Aeromedical Centre (AeMC) certified by CAA NL is allowed to issue a medical certificate.
Find out which medical certificate you need.
Find a certified doctor or Aeromedical Centre (AeMC, in Dutch).
Take an examination
After your training, you take an examination. For most pilot licences, you take a theoretical knowledge exam and a skill test. Where you take the examination depends on the type of pilot licence.
- In most situations, you take a theoretical knowledge exam at the central office for motor vehicle driver testing, CBR (in Dutch).
- For commercial balloon operations and sailplane flying, you take a theoretical knowledge exam at Stichting Theorie Examens Ballonvaren & Zweefvliegen, STEBZ (Theoretical Examinations in Ballooning & Gliding Foundation, in Dutch).
You take a skill test with a flight examiner authorised by CAA NL.
Check whether your flight examiner is authorised.
CAA NL does not conduct examinations but provides oversight of flight examiners. The flight examiner will tell you the result after the skill test.
Demonstrate language proficiency
For some pilot licences or privileges, you need a Language Proficiency Endorsement (LPE) at level 4, 5 or 6. To obtain an LPE, your language proficiency must be assessed by an approved Language Assessment Body (LAB). CAA NL assesses whether LABs are allowed to carry out language assessments and checks whether they comply with the rules.
Find an approved Language Assessment Body (LAB, in Dutch).
If you are unsure whether you need an LPE in your situation, first check the attachments you need before applying for a pilot licence.
Apply for a pilot licence
If you have completed your training, passed the examinations and meet the requirements, you can apply for a pilot licence. CAA NL issues pilot licences.
Read about which pilot licence you can apply for, how to apply and which attachments you need to upload for each type of aircraft.
Amend a pilot licence
If you have a pilot licence and want to amend it, for example by adding a new rating or remark, you will usually need to complete additional training and meet extra requirements, such as having specific flying experience.
Read how to amend your pilot licence for each type of aircraft and what you need to arrange.
Maintain validity
To continue flying, you must check whether your pilot licence, ratings, endorsements and medical certificate are still valid. You must do this yourself. In some situations, you must meet the revalidation requirements or requirements for renewal. In other situations, you must meet the recency requirements.