Whether you’re aiming for an airline career with KLM, Transavia, or want flexible modular training, this article highlights the Top 5 Flight Schools in The Netherlands (in no particular order) to help you choose the right one for you.
1. KLM Flight Academy
The KLM Flight Academy is one of the most prestigious aviation schools in The Netherlands. As the training hub for KLM, it offers aspiring pilots the chance to directly join the KLM cockpit after the training is complete.
Entry Requirements
- Fluent in Dutch
- Dutch or EU nationality
- Minimum age: 17 years
- Height: 158 cm (5’2”) – 203 cm (6’6”)
- HAVO/VWO Diploma
Selection Process
The academy uses a rigorous 4-phase assessment, plus an additional pre-selection stage, added in April 2025:
- Basic Capacity Assessment (BCO) – tests numerical, verbal, logical, and abstract reasoning.
- Sensorimotor Assessment (SMO) – measures coordination, multitasking, and concentration.
- Competency Assessment (KCO) – includes personality questionnaires, psychologist interviews, and group assignments.
- Final Interviews (TC & COVA) – 30–45 minutes with the admissions committee to evaluate motivation, life story, and results.
Cost & Training
- Fully funded by KLM (training + housing).
- Graduates repay their training costs through future income when hired.
- Training takes place in Eelde and Amsterdam Schiphol (MCC).
2. Transavia MPL Program
Part of the KLM Group, Transavia offers a golden ticket called the Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) program that gets you into the cockpit in just two years.
Requirements
- Fluent in Dutch & English
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Eyesight between -6 and +5 (correctable with contact lenses)
Selection Process (6 Steps)
- Online application form
- Online selection tests (Compass, CPP)
- Admissions committee interview
- Flight simulator assessment & group assignment
- Medical and security checks
- Training begins
Cost & Training
- €65,000 (excl. housing, food, travel).
- Includes type rating, simulator, and aircraft training.
- Guaranteed employment with Transavia upon completion.
- Additional €400 selection fee.
- Training locations: Lelystad Airport, Utrecht and Schiphol East.
3. EPST (European Pilot Selection & Training)
EPST partners with multiple academies across Europe, including in Greece, Switzerland, and Norway. Students complete an Integrated ATPL training with international exposure. While EPST does not provide a job guarantee, it does have strong connections with airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, and other leading low-cost carriers, giving graduates interesting career opportunities.
Training Locations & Costs
- Global Aviation (Greece) – €109,000, 72 weeks.
- AELO Swiss Academy – €110,500, 78 weeks.
- OSM Aviation Academy (Norway) – €119,000, 82 weeks.
Requirements
- Age 18+
- HAVO diploma (MBO not accepted)
- Height: 1.57m–1.95m (depending on partner school)
- Glasses/contact lenses allowed (no color blindness)
Selection Process
- COMPASS tests, aviation English, and technical comprehension
- Simulator and group assessments
- Final management interview
4. E-Flight Academy
Founded in 2023, E-Flight is a forward-thinking academy that uses electric aircraft for sustainable training.
Highlights
- Offers trial flights (€278–288 for 2 hours) before full enrollment.
- Modular “Zero to Hero” ATPL course (PPL → CPL → Frozen ATPL).
- Duration: 15–18 months.
Requirements
- Age 17–28
- HAVO or MBO4 diploma
- Max weight: 180 kg (396 lbs)
- Medical exam + intake interview
Cost
- €119,000 all-inclusive (flight hours, theory, exams, MCC, workshops).
- Excludes lodging, transport, and type rating.
- No financing options yet, but installment payments possible.
5. Breda Aviation
Located in Breda, this academy brands itself as the leading modular training school in The Netherlands.
Key Details
- Trial session: €255–265 for a 50-minute flight.
- Requirements: HAVO diploma, English proficiency, minimum age 17.
- Includes 220 flying hours, 200 classroom hours, 750 self-study hours.
- Training duration: 18–24 months.
Selection Process
- Tests in language, numeracy, spatial awareness, logical reasoning.
- Intake interview.
- Trial flight on the Aquila A211GX.
The Best Flight School in The Netherlands
Choosing the right flight school is a big deal as it’s the first step toward becoming an airline pilot. The Netherlands has some amazing flight schools, but what really matters is finding a school that fits you: your goals, your budget, and how you learn best. KLM Flight Academy stands out for direct entries into KLM’s cockpit, Transavia MPL offers a guaranteed seat with the airline once you graduate and EPST gives you international training opportunities across Europe. If you want sustainability and flexibility, E-Flight provides modular courses with electric aircraft, while Breda is ideal for those who prefer a modular step-by-step approach with trial lessons before committing. It all comes down to what you’re looking for.
Take a look at our Flight School Directory to compare more programs in The Netherlands and across Europe. Once you’ve figured out which flight school you’d like to go to, make sure to sign up for their information days, talk with their students and ask all the questions you need to ask.
Flight School Selection Preparation
Being prepared for the selection process is just as important as choosing the right flight school. Some schools, like EPST, use the COMPASS test to assess candidates, while others create their own exams in Math, Physics, and English. No matter how driven or passionate you are, you’ll need to show that you’re ready, not just in your head, but on paper too.
And this… this is where many future pilots slip up. Not because the tests are too hard, but because they’re easy to underestimate, especially under time pressure. You might have the mindset, the discipline, and the dream, but the first hurdle is proving you’ve got the academic foundation to back it up.
If you haven’t looked at Math or Physics in a while (or if those subjects were never your strongest) don’t let that hold you back. The Math for Pilots and Physics for Pilots courses from Your Pilot Academy are built for this exact moment.
They focus on the knowledge and skill you’ll need, the kind that actually shows up in assessments. What you bring to the cockpit goes far beyond any exam, so take the time, prepare with purpose, and give yourself the best shot at making your dream take off.
Read more about the stages of a flight school selection process here!
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