Approved Training Organisation

Airline Transport Pilots Licence for Aeroplanes

The minimum age to get an ATPL is 21 years old and you will need to hold a Part MED Class 1 Medical Certificate.

If you hold an ATPL you can, in the appropriate aircraft category:

exercise all the privileges of the holder of a LAPL, PPL and CPL.

act as pilot in command (PIC) of aircraft flown for commercial air transport operations.

Applicants for the issue of an ATPL shall have fulfilled the requirements for the type rating of the aircraft used in the skill test.

Minimum of 1500hours

As the full ATPL is not granted until you have 1500hrs, you are granted what is known as a Frozen ATPL when you graduate from an ATO

This is a colloquial name given to the licenses you have when combined:

CPL

MEIR

APS MCC

UPRT

ATPL Theory Exams

These licences combined allow you to fly a commercial jet for an airline

Commercial Pilots License

The minimum age to get a CPL is 18 and you will need to hold a Part MED Class 1 Medical Certificate.

If you hold a CPL you can, on the appropriate aircraft category:

exercise all the privileges of the holder of a LAPL and a PPL. (To exercise LAPL privileges you will need a LAPL licence)

act as pilot in command (PIC) or co-pilot of any aircraft operations other than commercial air transport

act as PIC in commercial air transport of any single-pilot aircraft, subject to some restrictions

act as co-pilot in commercial air transport subject to some restrictions.

Multi Engine Instrument Rating

Private Pilot’s Licence

United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority

European Aviation Safety Agency

Airline Pilot Standard Multi Crew Co-operation

A conversion course of around 40hrs in a jet simulator, which transfers your knowledge of how to fly a light twin (e.g. DA42 / Seminole) to how to fly a Commercial Air Transport Plane such as a B737 or A320.

Whilst this course is likely to be conducted on one of these types, it does not affect the type of aircraft you will then go on to fly at an airline, as this is covered in detail when you conduct your type rating

Jet Orientation Course - preceded APS MCC

Upset Prevention & Recovery Training

Mandatory course which looks at how to recover aircraft in unusual attitudes – introduced after AF447

International Civil Aviation Organisation

The global body that governs civil aviation, which the CAA/EASA and all other bodies must follow

British Pilot’s Association - Main Pilot union in UK

International Air Transport Association

Slide rule aviation computer