Unfreezing JAR ATPL

[GoAround-Flap15]

Yes another question about unfreezing the atpl...

I've been flying for an Austrian operator for the last 2 1/2 years and I am at about 1700 hours incl. all those required to "unfreeze" the atpl (500 multi crew, 250 PIC(US) etc).

So I asked my training department if I could do the atpl skills test on my next LPC. Usually they only let you do the atpl skills test once you're in the command upgrading course. Nevertheless I wanted to get it earlier. They then told me, that I can't take the skills test as long as I am flying as copilot, because in order to take the skills test I would have to sit on the left hand seat...

It seems that other operators let their copilots do the skills test, also from the right hand seat. Does anyone know if the 'left hand seat' thing is only a fairy tale of my company (the don't like to pay you anything...) or if it is actually true?

Thanks

[4Screwaircrew]

We administer the ATPL skills test when the candidate has the hours; this is done as part of a normal LPC with them in the right seat. For clarity we are a UK based 737 operator.

[A-Z]

Mine was done at Swiss Aviation Training in the right seat. My previous airline (large LHR based operation) also thawed its FOs in the right seat of the sim.

Your operation might be confusing their facts with the FAA requirement to test a candidate in the left seat for what the Americans call a "command" type rating. It is the same comprehensive type rating as a JAA type rating, only of course, we test the candidate in the seat that they are going to be working in.

All the best.

[GoAround-Flap15]

Thanks a lot!

[DA50driver]

There is no such thing in the US. It is either a type rating, or an SIC type rating established purely to satisfy the Europeans. There is no "frozen" ATPL either, you can not take the written test for the ATP unless you have 1500 TT.

I hold an Austrian ATPL as well as a US ATP and the only reason they are holding this guy back is because they don't want to pay for any more than they have to, or make him more desirable to other operators.

As a quick aside, I would rather have a guy in the right seat with 5000 hours jet and no type on the specific airplane we are flying than a 225 hour "frozen" ATPL with a type.