CPL, MPL and ATPL

Commercial pilot privileges

A CPL permits commercial pilot activity within its specified limits.

Issue and privileges

A CPL applicant must be at least 18, complete the relevant approved course, theoretical examinations and required experience, hold the applicable medical and pass the skill test. Experience depends on the approved training route; a modular CPL(A) normally requires 200 hours total time, including the specified PIC and cross-country components, while an integrated course has its own approved requirements.

CPL privileges include the privileges of the LAPL/PPL in the category, acting as PIC or co-pilot in operations other than CAT, acting as PIC in CAT of a single-pilot aircraft, and acting as co-pilot in CAT, subject to ratings, experience and other applicable requirements. A CPL alone does not grant PIC privileges on a multi-pilot CAT aeroplane.

Check the operation, not just payment

The licence privilege and operator requirements must both be met. A pilot can hold a CPL but lack an IR, a type rating, passenger recency or an operator line check needed for the proposed flight. A training route’s theoretical credit does not enlarge the printed licence privileges.

When solving an eligibility question, identify the seat, aircraft certification, type of operation and category first. Then check the licence privilege, rating, medical and current experience. A commercial pilot licence is not a promise of employability or an operator authorisation.

Modular CPL(A) experience detail

The normal modular pre-skill-test total is 200 flight hours, including 100 PIC, 20 cross-country PIC with the qualifying 540 km (300 NM) VFR flight and full-stop landings at two aerodromes different from departure, five night hours under the specified instruction/solo components, and ten instrument-instruction hours within the permitted device credit. A multi-engine skill test requires at least six hours in multi-engine aeroplanes under the applicable rule. Approved integrated pathways have different course totals; do not mix their figures with the modular route.

What an ATPL(A) actually requires

Passing the theory is one prerequisite, not issue of the licence.

Age, licences and experience

An ATPL applicant must be at least 21. For ATPL(A), the applicant holds an MPL or a CPL(A) with a multi-engine IR and MCC instruction as specified, satisfies the theoretical requirements and passes the required skill test. The normal total aeroplane experience requirement is 1,500 hours, with the detailed crediting rules in FCL.510.A.

The breakdown includes 500 hours in multi-pilot operations; the specified PIC/PICUS alternatives; 200 hours cross-country, including at least 100 PIC or PICUS; 75 hours instrument time, with no more than 30 instrument ground time; and 100 hours night as PIC or co-pilot. The PIC alternatives include 500 PICUS, or 250 PIC, or 250 comprising at least 70 PIC and the remainder PICUS. Permitted simulator credit is limited: up to 100 hours FFS/FNPT within the 1,500, with no more than 25 in FNPT.

Privileges and the informal “frozen ATPL”

An ATPL includes the applicable LAPL/PPL/CPL privileges and permits acting as PIC in CAT, with the required category, ratings, medical, recency and operator qualifications. “Frozen ATPL” is informal industry shorthand, often for a CPL/IR with ATPL theory credit and other training. It is not a separate Part-FCL licence and does not grant an ATPL’s PIC privilege.

For an experience calculation, verify every sub-total as well as the total. A pilot with 1,500 hours but insufficient cross-country PIC/PICUS has not automatically satisfied FCL.510.A. Different categories and permitted credits need the actual rule, not a generic 1,500-hour counter.

The multi-crew pilot licence

The MPL is designed around the co-pilot role in multi-pilot aeroplanes.

Issue pathway

An MPL applicant must be at least 18, complete the approved integrated competency-based MPL course, satisfy the knowledge and medical requirements, and demonstrate the required competence and skill in the multi-pilot environment. The course comprises at least 240 hours as pilot flying and pilot monitoring in actual and simulated flight, with the specified training phases and requirements.

The MPL’s central privilege is to act as co-pilot in an aeroplane required to be operated with a co-pilot. Additional single-pilot, PPL or CPL privileges require the applicable further conditions. Do not assume a newly issued MPL is automatically an unrestricted CPL for all single-pilot commercial flying.

A defined privilege rather than a ranking

The training integrates technical and non-technical competence, threat and error management and crew coordination. An airline-oriented pathway does not remove the need for a valid type rating, medical or operator training. Transition to an ATPL still requires the applicable experience and skill requirements.

Compare licences by the activity authorised. “More advanced training” is not a legal privilege. For a single-pilot commercial proposal, inspect the actual licence and any additional privileges instead of extrapolating from the multi-pilot course.

Can you apply the rules?

Four original questions. Choose from the facts, then review the explanation.