PDA

View Full Version : Cpl theory


Roff
27th Dec 2011, 22:27
Hi all, Can somebody please tell me what ATPL exams are needed to instruct only as i have no interest in becoming an airline pilot.
I have seen many threads about this but they are all contradicting each other.

Also what changes made by EASA can we expect to Theory exams needed before taking the FI course over the next year or so?

Many thanks Roff

Genghis the Engineer
27th Dec 2011, 23:13
CPL writtens (9 exams, compared to 14 for ATPL).

Under EASA, to do remunerated PPL instruction, you'll no longer require the CPL. To do anything else and be paid, you'll still need the CPL.

You can do the CRI course without needing the CPL writtens, but (in my opinion, having done the CRI after my CPL) you'd struggle to pass it without something very like the CPL to bring your theoretical knowledge and flying consistency up to the required standard.

In the short term, I'd expect no changes to the theory exams - nobody in Europe seems to have been resourced to change them.

G

MIKECR
27th Dec 2011, 23:20
The CPL and ATPL theoretical knowledge courses are 2 entirely separate approved courses with separate exams. CAA Standards docs(31 of the top of my head) lists the various groundschool providers who are approved to conduct such courses.

For all 'new' FI ratings under EASA from next year, CPL theoretical knowledge exams are still required.

Genghis the Engineer
28th Dec 2011, 08:09
The CPL and ATPL theoretical knowledge courses are 2 entirely separate approved courses with separate exams

Technically true, although the exam standards are substantially the same, and the content about 90% common.

G

snchater
28th Dec 2011, 08:09
The CPL exams/course approval are different to the ATPL.
I undertook CPL groundschool with GTS Bournemouth (excellent). However AIUI there is little additional study with ATPL compared to CPL knowledge (Southern hemisphere meteorology,supersonic flight etc) .
ATPL exam pass is also useful if you go on to your IR - therefore I would recommend doing ATPL exams as you can never be sure that a career change will not seem attractive sometime in the future.

Safe flying

Whopity
28th Dec 2011, 08:58
you can never be sure that a career change will not seem attractive sometime in the futureBut they are only valid for 3 years! You might also want to be aware of AIC 73/2011 (http://www.ead.eurocontrol.int/eadbasic/pamslight-23E53557C4C2300CB2511C53082467BB/7FE5QZZF3FXUS/EN/AIC/W/073-2011/EG_Circ_2011_W_073_en_2011-08-11.pdf) which outlines the changes to a revised syllabus and associated validity issues.

Genghis the Engineer
28th Dec 2011, 09:05
But they are only valid for 3 years! You might also want to be aware of AIC 73/2011 (http://www.ead.eurocontrol.int/eadbasic/pamslight-23E53557C4C2300CB2511C53082467BB/7FE5QZZF3FXUS/EN/AIC/W/073-2011/EG_Circ_2011_W_073_en_2011-08-11.pdf) which outlines the changes to a revised syllabus and associated validity issues.

Precisely why I did CPL rather than ATPL writtens - although almost certainly if/when I do a full IR, I'll do the ATPLs rather than just the CPL writtens - that way whilst I doubt very much I'll ever shoot for an ATPL, I at-least have the exams in the bag should I ever want to do a multi-crew type rating, which you can't do with a CPL/IR unless you also have the ATPL writtens.

G

RTN11
28th Dec 2011, 09:07
But they are only valid for 3 years!That's 3 years to get the CPL and the IR, then it is locked in for 7 years after the IR expires, or indefinately if you keep the IR current.

So, if you have any intention of getting a full IR within 3 years, you are far better off doing the full 14 ATPL exams from the word go, rather than getting CPL, then doing all the IR exams later, then possibly having to do all the ATPL exams further down the line if you do decide that the airlines are for you.

Sometimes it's best to keep your options open, sometimes budgets are more restrictive. You can get the ATPL distance learning pack for about £2k, and the exams are £65 x 14. In the grand scheme, the CPL pack won't be that much cheaper, and there will only be a 5 x £65 saving on the exams. However, it will be quite a bit more work to get the full ATPL exams rather than just CPL, so it really does depend where you see your career going.

I know a few career instructors without a full IR who are very content instructing PPL for life, however with the IMC rating disappearing next year, a full IR will be more appealing long term.

Roff
30th Dec 2011, 20:20
Cheers guys, what are my options for a CPL G/S course?
I today learned Bristol won't assist so is Bournemouth my only option?

Many thanks Roff

S-Works
30th Dec 2011, 21:00
CATS do CPL an IR as well as ATPL.

Pitch+Power
30th Dec 2011, 22:31
CPL will soon be 13 exams, come April, thanks to EASA.

ch-ching

Treadstone1
31st Dec 2011, 10:41
You can't do an IR with just the CPL level exams, you need either the IR exams or the ATPL's to do an IR. Its a strange set up......

Genghis the Engineer
31st Dec 2011, 13:03
You can't do an IR with just the CPL level exams, you need either the IR exams or the ATPL's to do an IR. Its a strange set up......


It will be interesting to see how, or if, the EIR or the new "competence based" IR through EASA change that.

G

Genghis the Engineer
31st Dec 2011, 13:14
CPL will soon be 13 exams, come April, thanks to EASA.

ch-ching

Which will, if true, make doing a CPL completely pointless when in 14 exams you can do the ATPLs potentially giving IR and multi-crew privileges.

G