Theoretical knowledge examinations

When you apply for your ATPL, you must have previously passed the ATPL theoretical knowledge exams in the relevant subject areas. You will likely have done this as part of your training towards the CPL/IR or MPL.

The theoretical knowledge areas include: 

• Air law
• Aircraft general knowledge - airframe/systems/powerplant
• Aircraft general knowledge - instrumentation
• Mass and balance
• Performance
• Flight planning and monitoring
• Human performance
• Meteorology
• General navigation
• Radio navigation
• Operational procedures
• Principles of flight
• Visual flight rules (VFR) communications
• Instrument flight rules (IFR) communications

Flight time

You must have completed a minimum of 1500 hours of flight time in aeroplanes, including at least: 

1. 500 hours in multi-pilot operations on aeroplanes
2. 500 hours as Pilot in command under supervision (PICUS) 
   or
   250 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC)
   or
   250 hours to include a minimum of 70 hours as PIC and the remainder as PICUS.
3. 200 hours of cross-country flight time, of which at least 100 hours should be as PIC or as PIC under supervision
4. 75 hours of instrument time, of which not more than 30 hours can be instrument ground time
5. 100 hours of night flight as PIC or co-pilot.

Of the 1500 hours of total flight time required, up to 100 hours can be completed in a suitable simulator (FFS or FNPT - but only a maximum of 25 hours may be completed in an FNPT). 

Multi-pilot experience gained in single pilot aircraft

For two pilot operations in single pilot aeroplanes to be accepted as “Multi-pilot operations” you must show evidence that the approval of the operator to carry out the flight included a legal requirement that two pilots acting together was the minimum allowable crew for the flight.

The European Aircrew Regulation includes the following definitions: 

Multi-pilot operation 

For aeroplanes, it means an operation requiring at least 2 pilots using multi-crew cooperation in either multi-pilot or single-pilot aeroplanes;

For helicopters, it means an operation requiring at least 2 pilots using multi-crew cooperation on multi-pilot helicopters. 

Multi-pilot aircraft 

For aeroplanes, it means aeroplanes certificated for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots; 

For helicopters, airships and powered-lift aircraft, it means the type of aircraft which is required to be operated with a co-pilot as specified in the flight manual or by the air operator certificate or equivalent document.

A flight with two pilots who are simply taking turns to fly - and where the flight could still take place if only one pilot was available - is not a multi-pilot operation. For a flight to be accepted as multi-pilot the law that applied to the flight must require 2 pilots. 

Documentary evidence from both the operator (Air Operator's Certificate clearly identifying the nature of the operations) and the national authority concerned confirming that the aircraft used was required to be operated solely by 2 pilots qualified on type will be required as well as logbook evidence. 

Full credit towards the requirement to complete a training course prior to undertaking the theoretical knowledge examinations may be available if you hold: 

• a current and valid ATPL issued by or on behalf of a third country that is ICAO compliant (see Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention).
  
  
• a validating medical for your third country licence.
  
  
• a valid multi pilot type rating on your third country licence for the same type of aircraft that will be used for the ATPL skill test (an EASA approved multi-pilot type).

The Military Accreditation Scheme sets out the credits for UK Military Flight Crew, so the scheme is only open to serving Members of HM UK Forces or people discharged from HM UK Forces.  

The scheme is only open to people who can provide proof of UK Military service.

QMP(A)s who hold or have held an Operational Category and Unrestricted Military Green IR (Aeroplanes) are credited the requirement to complete a theoretical knowledge instruction course as set out in FCL.515 and Appendix 3, paragraph B prior to attempting the theoretical knowledge examinations for the ATPL(A).

An applicant for an ATPL holding a valid ATPL in another category of aircraft needs to complete
theoretical knowledge bridge instruction at an ATO according to the differences identified between the ATPL syllabi for different aircraft categories.

The applicant shall pass theoretical knowledge examinations as defined in this Part for the following subjects in the appropriate aircraft category:

• 021 - Aircraft General Knowledge: Airframe and Systems, Electrics, Powerplant, Emergency Equipment
• 022 - Aircraft General Knowledge: Instrumentation
• 032/034 - Performance Aeroplanes or Helicopters, as applicable,
• 070 - Operational Procedures,
  and
• 080 - Principles of Flight ( aeroplanes)

The applicant is credited the remaining ATPL(A) examinations.

An applicant for an ATPL(A) having passed the relevant theoretical examination for a CPL(A) or CPL (H) is credited towards the theoretical knowledge requirements in subject VFR communications.

An applicant for an ATPL(A) having passed the relevant theoretical examination for an IR(A) or IR(H) is credited towards the theoretical knowledge requirements in subject IFR Communications.

Full credit towards the flying training may be available if you hold:  

• a current and valid ATPL issued by or on behalf of a third country that is ICAO compliant (see Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention).
  
  
• a validating medical for your third country licence
  
  
• a valid type rating on your third country licence for the same type of aircraft that will be used for the ATPL skill test (an EASA approved multi-pilot type)

  You must meet the experience requirements for the ATPL.

The Military Accreditation Scheme sets out the credits for UK Military Flight Crew, so the scheme is only open to serving Members of HM UK Forces or people discharged from HM UK Forces.  

The scheme is only open to people who can provide proof of UK Military service.

Qualified Military Pilots who hold or have held an operational category with a Military
Unrestricted Green Instrument Rating to operate military multi-pilot aeroplanes may
apply the credits below, towards satisfying the Part-FCL requirements.

The following types are considered to be multi-pilot aeroplanes for this purpose:

• Andover  
• BAC 1-11
• BAe 125
• BAe 146
• C17  Hercules (C1/C3 and C4/C5 variants)
• Jetstream T3
• Nimrod 
• Rivet Joint
• Sentinel  
• Sentry
• Tristar VC10
• Voyager Tanker (Airbus A330-200). 

Multi pilot experience gained on the shadow can be accepted towards the ATPL issue but the ATPL cannot be opened with this type.

Flying Experience Credits

Qualified Military Pilots are given full credit for the Multi Crew Cooperation (MCC) and the requirement to undergo a training course before taking the skill test for the issue
of an ATPL(A).

You must hold or have held:

• an Operational Category and Unrestricted Military Green IR (Aeroplanes) to operate military multi-pilot aeroplanes

You must also have met the experience requirements for an ATPL(A). 
 
The skill test must be conducted by the holder of a Type Rating Examiner (TRE) Certificate for the aeroplane type, authorised to conduct an ATPL skill test, issued under Part-FCL.

The skill test must be conducted in:

• an appropriate multi-pilot type of military aeroplane on which you are or have been qualified to operate as a QMP, suitably equipped for the purpose, which has an EASA civilian equivalent; 
  or
• an appropriate multi-pilot type of civilian aeroplane provided you have completed the Part-FCL requirements for inclusion of that type with IR in a Part-FCL licence except the type rating skill test. 

When the applicant holds a current and valid pilot licence for another categories of aircraft  they can be credited with flight time up to a maximum of:

• for TMG or sailplanes, 30 hours flown as PIC;
• for helicopters, 50% of all the flight time requirements for the issue of an ATPL(A).

Holders of a flight engineer licence issued in accordance with applicable national rules shall be credited with 50% of the flight engineer time up to a maximum credit of 250 hours. These 250 hours may be credited against the 1500 hours requirement and the 500 hours requirement of multi pilot operations provided that the total credit given against any of these paragraphs does not exceed 250 hours.

The experience requirement shall be completed before the skill test for the ATPL(A) is taken.