Before You Start

As we have stated elsewhere on this website, a student training/studying to obtain their ATPL will be required to complete a number of steps or 'modules'.  At first understanding these steps can be daunting so on this page we have listed them with some explanatory notes:

Basic Flight Training

As an aspiring pilot with zero flight experience you need to start somewhere. For those wishing to become an ATPL holder, the first step could be your Private Pilot Licence (PPL).

Private Pilot Licence (PPL)

During your PPL training you will be taught fundamental skills of flying and navigation until you are ready to take your PPL Skills Test. You will also be required to pass 7 ground examinations including a Radiotelephony (R/T) practical.

Night Rating

Your introduction to the issues that effect a pilot flying and navigating after dark.

Structured Hour Building

A pilot may pass their PPL Skills Test with a minimum of 45 hours of flight time, but before they continue commercial flight training they are required to build upon their flight experience  to reach a minimum of 150 hours total flight time. This period, which is known as hour building, is designed to allow the newly qualified pilot to refine their command confidence and decision making skills in solo flight prior to moving on to commercial flight training.

ATPL Exams

ATPL Knowledge Theory Ground Studies

Prior to beginning their advanced flight training the UK CAA require pilots to study for and pass advanced theoretical knowledge ground exams. For those working towards their ATPL this is known as ATPL Knowledge Theory Ground Studies, or the ATPL exams for short. 14 subjects are studied and each subject leads to one of the 14 exams. All these examinations are administered in the UK by the CAA.

Advanced Flight Training

Once all the ATPL Theory ground exams have been passed, a student can move on to Advanced Flight Training. The objectives during this stage of your training are to learn to handle more complex aircraft to greater accuracy in a wider range of weather conditions. Specifically, advanced training will be broken down as:

Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)

Flying more accurately in an aircraft with variable pitch propeller and retractable landing gear.  The CPL training builds upon your experience so far and sharpens those skills to the standards expected of a Professional Pilot.

Multi Engine Rating (ME)

Learning to understand and handle the aerodynamics of an aircraft with more than one engine.

Instrument Rating (I/R)

For many people this is the most demanding part of their training as they learn to accurately navigate and control an aircraft according to Instrument Flight Rules solely by reference to its onboard instrumentation.

Additional Training Elements:

Most prospective Commercial Operations employers will wish to see that the newly qualified pilot has completed a Multi-Crew Cooperation course. Similarly the aircraft operated by these employers is likely to require specific training to acquaint the pilot with its design and systems.

Multi Crew Co-operation (MCC)

Many commercially used aircraft require more than one pilot, thus the student pilot needs to learn to work as part of a crew. The MCC part of your training is designed to provide the student with the team skills needed to work effectively within the modern-day flightdeck environment.

Type Rating for an operational aircraft (TR)

A type rating is approval to fly a specific model of aircraft that requires additional training beyond the scope of an initial license and aircraft class training. In essence, the type rating for an aircraft is designed to teach a new pilot the type’s very specific design and system characteristics. The local Aviation Authority decides which aircraft require a type rating.

Obtaining a Type Rating for a particular aircraft can be very expensive. For this reason, a Type Rating will often be financed by a prospective employer after employment as a pilot has been secured. Sponsorship payment by the employer will usually be accompanied by a ‘bond’ retaining the pilot’s service for a minimum period of time.

With so many steps to complete it is not surprising to learn that there are a number of possible ways for you to progress through your training. Indeed this is the principle reason why it is wise to do your homework before you start.