Best route

[M.zoelfakar]

Dear all, Good day,

Without previous training, Is it wise to take an integrated ATPL training to become a Flight Instructor in Europe?

Best Regards

Mohamed Zoelfakar

[Duchess_Driver]

In a word, "No." In more words, "Not really".

An integrated ATPL course is aimed at providing a route from nothing to a Commercial Pilot Licence, with Multi Engine Class and Instrument rating with ATPL Theoretical Knowledge credits. It's primary aim is for those wishing to end up with the airlines - the focus is more on operating (as a crew) in an IFR environment.

If you are wanting to become an FI in Europe there are better ways of achieving the desired result. Modular PPL, night and (diverse) hour building then MEC, CPL and IR in whichever order you choose. Finishing off with an FI course to be able to work. You don't even need to do the MEC / IR if you don't want to and many I know have done the CPL then FI, leaving the MEC / IR to later when they've got a bit more experience.

Doing the modular route should save you a few Euro and you'll have just as much fun (probably more) than on an integrated course. With effort and planning, you can do the modular route in not much longer time than an integrated course.

[M.zoelfakar]

Dear Duchess_Driver, Thanks for the helpful information

If i left Multi-Engine Class and IR is it better to have CPL or ATPL theory with CPL.

and to double check what i need after this for ATPL is MEC and IR only right ?

[Duchess_Driver]

The ATPL theoretical knowledge exams are valid for the issue of an instrument rating for a period of three years. If you are planning on heading to the airlines at some point then you would need these examinations to hold an ATPL once you meet all of the other qualifying criteria.

If all you ever want to be is an instructor with no IR etc then the CPL examinations would suffice.

[M.zoelfakar]

Thank you Duchess_Driver much appreciated :)

[rudestuff]

What exactly do you want to do? Just flight instruction? You can do that with a PPL in Europe - if you have 200 hours and 150 PIC. You will need to have passed the CPL or ATPL exams, but you don't need to have a CPL. Of course, since you need 200 hours anyway, then to get an IR and/or CPL would only cost you the extra instruction. You'd be daft to just keep hour building.
You can be a LAPL instructor without the CPL exams.

The exams: hardly anyone take the CPL exams, because most people want to go on to fly for airlines - they just go straight to the ATPL exams. Most of the questions are very similar of not identical so you should go for the ATPLs. In fact, since there are more question banks and support for the ATPLs, ironically they are actually easier!
Once you have the exams they are valid for 3 years for CPL/IR, and indefinitely as long as you renew your IR every 7 years. They have no expiry date in respect of an FI course, you just have to do it once.

[M.zoelfakar]

Thanks rudestuff Much appreciated