New MPL license (Multi Pilot License)?
Does anyone have any information on the new MPL (Multi Pilot License) that is rumoured to be in the pipeline. The 2006/2007 'Learn to Fly' magazine (a spin off publication from 'Flyer') mentions the rumour as being a fast track license that bypasses the traditional fATPL route, getting you in the right hand seat of a commercial airliner with just 70 hours flight time.
It suggests the new license will encompas ground school exams the same as the current ATPL, but will bypass PPL, CPL and other ratings and licenses. This would mean you would be qualified to fly a commercial airliner but not a light aircraft.
The artical also suggests that the requirement for the MPL may have come from the airlines themselves. Does this mean there is a genuine lack of fATPL pilots (the wannabe forums suggest not), or do the airlines just want a quicker and cheaper way of getting pilots trained?
As someone who is about to embark on the fATPL route (I need to save some more money first!), this route does seem quite interesting. That said, I belive a MPL pilot would not be permitted to progress to the position of Captain, so it is restricting from a career perspective.
Any further rumours or information on this would be appreciated.