piloten

Piloten is the Dutch plural form of piloot, meaning pilots—people who operate aircraft. The word is used to refer to aviators who fly for commercial airlines, cargo carriers, charter operators, or private flying clubs, as well as to instructors and test pilots involved in aviation development. The singular form is piloot.

Becoming a piloot requires structured training and certification. Typical paths include obtaining a Private Pilot License (PPL) for non-commercial flying, a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) for paid aviation work, and an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) for captains of large aircraft. In the Netherlands and across the European Union, licensing follows European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) rules, with national authorities such as the Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport (ILT) implementing and enforcing them locally. Medical fitness is required, with a class 2 medical certificate for most private pilots and a class 1 certificate for airline pilots.

Regulation and safety: Aviators operate under strict safety standards, including recurrent training, flight checks, and compliance with air traffic control procedures and aircraft maintenance requirements. Training typically combines ground school, simulator sessions, and flight time.

Employment and working conditions: Piloten may work for airlines, cargo operators, business aviation, or general aviation clubs. Schedules vary with route structure, time zones, weather, and regulatory restrictions, often involving irregular hours and long-haul commitments for long-range carriers.

In Dutch, piloten is the standard plural form; in other languages, equivalent terms differ.