The Dream of Flying: How Do You Actually Become a Pilot?

I still vividly remember sitting on a plane as a child, unsettled by the loud engines. I asked myself: what's happening right now? Is this normal? Back then, flying made me uneasy. Today, that's almost unimaginable. Now, there's hardly anything more beautiful to me than starting the engines at sunrise and taxiing onto the runway – a moment that feels special every single time.

My father works as an aircraft mechanic, which meant I came into contact with the world of aviation at an early age. I observed pilots at work, gained insights into the everyday life of flight schools, and even regularly helped out at my father's workplace – both directly on the aircraft and around it. These experiences gave me a solid technical foundation and profoundly shaped my enthusiasm for aviation. The more I understood what really happens in the cockpit, the clearer it became: I wanted to take to the skies – ideally as a pilot.

Becoming a Pilot: Knowledge of Math and Physics Is Helpful

First, I trained as a carpenter, since I've always enjoyed working with my hands. However, my dream of flying never went away. Through a vocational program, I eventually obtained the equivalent of the German Abitur – a requirement for pilot training. My advice for anyone who wants to follow this path is to study math and physics, as they can be very helpful in many areas of the training.

After passing the aptitude test at the German Aerospace Center and the selection process at the European Flight Academy, I went to Bremen. There, I spent a year focusing on theory, including meteorology, aviation law, and navigation in what was 12 months of intensive study.

Next came the practical part of the training. For that, we went to the desert in Goodyear, Arizona – ideal weather conditions for visual flight. There, I flew a single-engine Cirrus SR20. A highlight was my very first solo flight: the traditional "pilot baptism" consists of being carried out of the cockpit by classmates and thrown into a pool – touching the ground is strictly forbidden!

Back in Germany, the journey continued in Rostock, where training with the Diamond DA42 and the corresponding Diamond simulators was on the agenda – especially those involving emergency scenarios and system failures. At the end of this phase, I took the practical exam for the commercial pilot license with an instrument rating. I also obtained the MEP (Multi-Engine Piston) class rating, authorizing me to operate multi-engine aircraft.

This was followed by training on the A320 full-flight simulator for multi-crew cooperation,  which focuses on communication, leadership, and teamwork between the Pilot Flying, who operates the aircraft, and the Pilot Monitoring, who handles air traffic communication, monitors systems, and provides support.

Making Friends for Life During Pilot Training

This training is special not only because of its technical depth, but also because of the camaraderie. In my course, LHG2205-P, we went through all the challenging stages together. You grow close, support each other, and share countless moments that create strong bonds. Friendships are formed that last far beyond the training – true friends for life.

I completed the training several months ago. In the meantime, I'm working at Lufthansa Aviation Training, supporting the flight school until I transition into the cockpit. I help with course coordination and serve as a contact person for interested applicants.

My dream has come true. And all I can say is that if you really want it and stick with it, it will happen.

About

Lennard Saalfeld, born in Munich in 1996, successfully completed his training at the European Flight Academy and will begin working as a pilot for a Lufthansa Group airline in 2026.