Atpl Enrolment/commencement

[Ringway004]

sorry if this sounds like a daft question but is it a requirement to have a ppl in hand on the day of starting your ATPL's, I've jsut sent off my license paperwork and start groundschool in 2 weeks, what happens if I don't receive it by then:confused:

[SD.]

I'm pretty sure that you'll be ok. When I started the ATP's I never showed BGS my PPL.

Infact, I'm 95% sure that you holding a PPL will only be cross checked when the CAA mark your exams.

[Pilot_in_the_making]

CATS didn't check my PPL when I started there. If asked, just tell your school that you're waiting for it to come back from the CAA. They may want to see it later when you get it.

I guess it depends how busy the CAA are, my licence came back very, very quickly (just over a week). If you've got two weeks then you may be OK.

I think I'm right in saying that technically you should have it in your hand before you start groundschool as the CAA could still in theory reject your application if they find something they don't like (although I'm not aware of any cases of this happening as I think most examiners are usually very thorough when they check your paperwork before the test to make sure that you meet the requirements).

I wouldn't worry about it. You should be fine. :ok:

[MIKECR]

When I started my F/T ATPL course there were 2 guys who were in the same situation as you. Both had just passed their PPL's but were still waiting on licence issue. It wasnt a problem, the school just asked for their licence numbers once they were issued.

[Ringway004]

thx guys, that puts my mind to rest fwwwww:), mind you i got my caa payment receipt today so the application seems to be going well, could be expecting the litttle brown book sooner than i thought

[DJRC]

Does anyone know if it is possible to commence distance learing ground studies before passing the PPL as long as the PPL is in hand before the exams? Or do you need an ICAO PPL before even starting? Also, is a Canadian PPL considered ICAO annex 1 compliant, or will I need to convert it to a JAA?

[Keith.Williams.]

The official line from the CAA is that your PPL must have been issued before you start your ATPL ground school course.

I know of one occasion on which a student applied for his PLL, then started his ATPL ground school on the assumption that his PPL would arrive in the post after the advertised 10 working days.

Unfortunately his application was not processed and his PPL had not been issued 8 weeks later when he reached the end of his first ground school module.

When the CAA learned that he had already started his ATPL ground school they stated that none of his ground school training would be recognised, so he must start all over again. It took a good deal of argument before their policy department agreed that "as a special one-off concession on this occasion, they would let the matter pass without penalty". The PPL then arrived within two days and it all ended happily.

At the end of the day it all depends on how they feel at the time. The best policy is to get your PPL in your hand before starting your ATPL ground school.

The question of whether or not your CGI ensures that you have one is totally irrelevant. The CAA will not accept a failure on the part of your CGI as an excuse, if they happen to be feeling tetchy when they learn that you have started ATPL ground school but do not have a PPL.

[Fly Ginger]

as ever keith..............a font of knoweldge. Good to see you are still dishing out the good stuff with a wry smile, hope you are well.:D

Fly Ginger:ok:

[Leezyjet]

Few guys on my course didn't have theirs either, but were allowed to start as they had completed, but didn't have the license in hand.


DJRC,

A Canadian PPL is fine as long as it is issued by an ICAO state which I'm sure Canada is. I'm doing my JAA ATPL on a South African PPL with no problems.

:)