Originally Posted by
redsnail
The ATPLs have a clear time limit otherwise you need to do them again if you haven't got an CPL licence with an IFR (aka "frozen" ATPL).
This is an important point. The ATPL exams will eat up the bulk of your time. You (can) get a PPL in a month and CPL/IR in two months, but the exams will take take you 6-12 months realistically which is about 80% time wise. You really don't want to have to do them again just because you ran out of money and timed out. You can mitigate this by getting your CBIR then CPL. A single engine IR will still freeze the ATPL.