The less short, but more correct answer, is yes
BUT only in certain circumstances where the intention is to be self-employed.
If your career ambition is to be an airline pilot then you will be an employee and not self-employed and tehrefore the VAT will become.
This has been discussed ad infinitum here on pprune. Use Google to search VAT training on site(colon)pprune where (colon) is : symbol.
As for it being fair? That's a political matter but comparing surgeons and pilots is erroneous. You need A levels and a degree to even start traing as a doctor and not all doctors are good enough to be become surgeons. Surgeons save lives; pilots (in the main) enable people to conduct a luxury activity whether it be holiday, business or the transport of goods.
