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The minimum age to get an ATPL is 21 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 engaged in commercial air transport

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

Training

Pre-requisites

If you are applying for an ATPL (H) you will need to already hold a CPL (H) and a multi-pilot helicopter type rating and have received instruction in multi-crew co-operation (MCC).

Theoretical

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/power plant
  • Aircraft general knowledge - instrumentation
  • Communications
  • Flight planning and monitoring
  • General navigation
  • Human performance
  • Mass and balance
  • Meteorology
  • Operational procedures
  • Performance
  • Principles of flight and
  • Radio navigation
Close Theoretical

Flying

Flight time

You also need to have completed a minimum of 1000 hours of flight time as a pilot of helicopters, including at least:

  1. 350 hours in multi-pilot helicopters
  2. 250 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC)
    or
    100 hours as PIC and 150 hours as Pilot in Command under supervision (PICUS)
    or
    250 hours as PICUS in multi pilot helicopters. In this case, the ATPL(H) is limited to multi pilot operations only, until 100 hours as PIC have been achieved
  3. 200 hours of cross-country flight time of which at least 100 hours should be as PIC or as PIC under supervision
  4. 30 hours of instrument time of which not more than 10 hours may be instrument ground time
  5. 100 hours of night flight as PIC or as co-pilot

Of the 1000 hours of total flight time, a maximum of 100 hours can be completed in an FSTD (not more than 25 hours can be completed in an FNPT).

Multi-pilot experience gained in single pilot aircraft

For two pilot operations in single pilot aircraft 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.

Close Flying

Skill test

At the end of training and when all licence requirements have been met, you will need to take a skill test with an examiner.

The skill test shall be take in the helicopter or an adequately qualified FFS representing the same type.

Applicants for an ATPL(H) shall pass a skill test in accordance with Appendix 9 to Part FCL to demonstrate the ability to perform as PIC of a multi pilot helicopter under IFR, the relevant procedures and manoeuvres with the competency appropriate to the privileges granted.

For the issue of a licence the applicant shall apply not later than 6 months after having succeeded at the skill test.

All theoretical and hours requirements must have been met before the skills test is completed.

More details can be found in Standards Document 3, 1A and 7A/H.

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Crediting

If you already hold a licence or have flying experience you may be eligible for credits towards the flying training and theoretical knowledge training for the issue of a licence or rating.

Third country licence holder

Full credit towards the requirement to undergo 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 type rating on your third country licence for the same type of helicopter that will be used for the ATPL skill test (an EASA approved multi-pilot type).

You must meet the experience requirements for the ATPL.

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UK military flight crew



The Military Aircrew Accreditation Scheme (MAAS) as detailed in CAP2254: Military Aircrew Accreditation Scheme | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk) (sets out the credits for UK Military Flight Crews, for the purpose of obtaining Part-FCL licences, ratings or certificates.

Changes to the MAAS now include credits available to QMP(A)s to gain a helicopter licence, and QMP(H)s to gain an aeroplane licence.  Instrument ratings are also now included.

All available credits can be found in CAP2254: Military Aircrew Accreditation Scheme | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)

In all instances the SRG2133 should be submitted with the application to the CAA, along with the relevant supporting documentation.

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Holders of a UK issued Part FCL licence in another category

Theoretical

An applicant for an ATPL holding a valid ATPL in another category of aircraft shall undertake 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

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

Flying

Flight time in aeroplanes shall be credited up to 50% against the 1000 hours flight time requirements.

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

Close Holders of a UK issued Part FCL licence in another category

Holders of a UK issued Part FCL CPL H

Theoretical

An applicant for an ATPL(H), having passed the relevant theoretical examinations for a CPL(H) is credited towards the theoretical knowledge requirements in the following subjects:

  • Air Law
  • Principles of Flight (Helicopter)
  • VFR Communications

An applicant for an ATPL(H) with an IR(H), having passed the relevant theoretical examinations for a CPL(H) is credited towards the theoretical knowledge requirements in the following subjects:

  • Principles of Flight (Helicopter)
  • VFR Communications
Close Holders of a UK issued Part FCL CPL H

Further information

Full guidance on the privileges, training and hours requirements for an ATPL(H) can be found in Subpart F of Part-FCL Easy Access Rules

How to Apply

There are two methods you can use to apply for an ATPL(H) issue; e-Licensing or Online application.

If you have previously used e-Licensing, please apply using this method.

e-Licensing

If you choose to apply using e-Licensing, you will need to upload the following documents as part of the application:

Name in e-Licensing Document required
Identification Document A certified copy of your photo ID
ATPL Skills Test

Examiner report form SRG2138

+ Examiner's licence, medical, examiner certificate (if non-UK examiner used)

These will all need to be uploaded as one PDF document

Flying Experience with PIC/US Letter PICUS letter from airline
ATPL Flying Hours Confirmation

Form CAA5013

Or

Form CAA5014 for military credits

Certified copy of licence for update rating(s) ATPL (A) A certified copy of your licence

You should not additionally submit an Online application form as e-Licensing replaces this form. You also do not need to submit your logbooks when using e-Licensing, as the hours confirmation form replaces this requirement.

You should not use e-Licensing if you are using credits from a Third Country Licence. In this instance, you need to submit an Online form instead along with the Online application for a Third Country verification.

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Online application form

You can submit your application using our online application form.

If you choose to this method, you will need to upload the following supporting evidence:

  • Examiner report form SRG2138, with a copy of the non-UK Simulator approval certificate if you used a non-UK simulator for the skills test
  • A copy of your Examiner's licence, medical and authorisation (only required if you used a non-UK examiner for the skill test)
  • A copy of the hours confirmation for the issue of an ATPL completed by your ATO (CAA5013)
  • A certified copy of your licence
  • A certified copy of your passport (preferred), or a certified copy of your full UK photographic driving licence
  • A certified copy of your relevant logbook pages/UK AOC hours confirmation to confirm your hours and experience

If your Theoretical Knowledge (TK) exams have been passed with another NAA:

  • A copy of Part-FCL theoretical knowledge exam results as provided by the relevant authority
  • A copy of theoretical knowledge course completion certificate completed by the relevant authority (CAA5004 or Training Organisation equivalent)
  • A copy of the non-UK ATO approval certificate detailing TK assessment approval (You are only required to submit the front page of the non-UK ATO approval, the pages relevant to the aircraft type or course and the final approval page signed by the National Aviation Authority (NAA)).

If you do not have a UK issued RT licence:

  • A copy of your evidence of UK Examination and Test for Grant of FRTOL (CAA5003)

UK military pilots need to additionally submit completed Military Accreditation Scheme (MAS) form SRG2133, with certified copies of relevant pages of the military logbook

Pilots applying on the basis of holding a Third Country ICAO licence will also need to submit the following paperwork:

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File size limit

Please note that there is currently 200Mb size limit to files uploaded to our forms. If your attachments exceed 200Mb, you should send all supporting documentation to fclweb@caa.co.uk quoting your application reference number.

All documents should be uploaded with a different filename clearly stating the content of the file attachment (for example Passport, Licence copy etc.) Submitting documents with the same filename may result in the loss of information in the system and added delays to the application assessment.

For questions relating to paperwork, such as how to obtain certified copies of documents, please refer to guidance on documentation.

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