FI with/after MPL license

[maxpod]

Hi all,

As a quick introduction, I am currently flying on B737 in a cargo airlines in Europe, and I hold a EASA MPL license (did a cadet training in another airline and changed airline with around 500hrs on type, proof that MPL are not tied anymore to an airline, which is good news).

As far as I understood, once I will get my 1500hrs, I will get an ATPL like any pilot who's been through a standard path (CPL IR/ME), but I will still be restricted to multi pilot operations (which is not an issue for a job in an airline), unless I add CPL privileges on my license.

The thing is: I would like to be a flight instructor (teach PPL basically), I have been through a lot of EASA documents but I have not found a clear answer to my question: will the ATPL unfrozen that I would get after MPL+1500hrs be sufficient to meet the prerequisites for a flight instructor course ?

About the prerequisites, EASA says that an applicant for an FI certificate shall:(1) hold at least a CPL(A); or

(2) hold at least a PPL(A) and have:

(i) met the requirements for CPL theoretical knowledge, except for an FI(A) providing training for the LAPL(A) only; and

(ii) completed at least 200 hours of flight time on aeroplanes or TMGs, of which 150 hours as PIC;

(3) have completed at least 30 hours on single-engine piston powered aeroplanes of which at least 5 hours shall have been completed during the 6 months preceding the pre-entry flight test set out in FCL.930.FI(a);

(4) have completed a VFR cross-country flight as PIC, including a flight of at least 540 km (300 NM) in the course of which full stop landings at 2 different aerodromes shall be made;

I get confused here, since they don't talk about an MPL. I assume then that there's not possibility to be a FI with only an MPL license (am I right ?). But, once the ATPL unfrozen, do I meet automatically these requirements ? Indeed, it says "at least a CPL", but would my ATPL still include a CPL even if it's unfrozen after an MPL ?

One option would be to add CPL privileges on my license and then it's fine, but it would cost an extra 5k euros. Another would be to build up hours until 150 as PIC (I already added PPL privileges on my license) but this would even be more expansive (I currently have around 40h PIC)

I am a bit confused here. From what I understand an ATPL gives you the requirements to apply for a FI course, but I am not sure if an ATPL obtained after an MPL would work as we're technically restricted to multi pilots ops...

If anyones could help me out with that, it would me much appreciated, and would maybe allow me to save some money (in that case I would wait my 1500 hours before being an FI, I am not in a rush for that).

Many thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Max

[rudestuff]

After 1500 hours and an ATPL check ride, your MPL will still be an MPL but think of it as an MP-ATPL. You can't legally fly anything bigger than a 70kg trike on your own, other than in the capacity of student pilot perhaps, so they aren't likely to let you loose teaching on that.

Talk to the authority and see if they will accept PICUS towards either the CPL requirements or the 150 hours PPL/FI - it's really down to their interpretation. Otherwise, bite the bullet and get yourself some SEP/TMG hours. If you're looking to get more hours to upgrade then it'll pay for itself and cost you nothing.

[maxpod]

Hi, thanks for your answer.

I already asked my airline to start logging time as PICUS, they approved (they will try to schedule me as much as possible with approved Captains). For a CPL, authority would accept PICUS, at least that's what EASA says:" Before exercising the privileges of a CPL(A), the holder of an MPL shall have completed in aeroplanes: (a) 70 hours of flight time:

(1) as PIC; or

(2) made up of at least 10 hours as PIC and the additional flight time as PIC under supervision (PICUS).

Of these 70 hours, 20 shall be of VFR cross-country flight time as PIC, or cross-country flight time made up of at least 10 hours as PIC and 10 hours as PICUS. This shall include a VFR cross- country flight of at least 540 km (300 NM) in the course of which full-stop landings at two different aerodromes shall be flown as PIC;

(b) the elements of the CPL(A) modular course as specified in paragraphs 10(a) and 11 of Appendix 3, E to this Part; and

(c) the CPL(A) skill test, in accordance with FCL.320."


10(a) and 11 say:

"10. (a) Applicants with a valid IR shall be given at least 15 hours dual visual flight instruction.
11. At least 5 hours of the flight instruction shall be carried out in an aeroplane certificated for the carriage of at least 4 persons and have a variable pitch propeller and retractable landing gear."


So maybe the easier option would be logging time as PICUS, get all the CPL prerequisites for MPL holders, do these 15 hours flight (10 + 5 with var. pitch and retractable landing gear). If I understand properly, with these CPL privileges I will be meeting prerequisites to be an FI, and also my ATPL would not me an "MP-ATPL" anymore ? (As CPL prerequisites would also be fulfilled).

God, aviation regulations can be very hard to understand.

Thanks again for you help :)

Max

[Contact Approach]

This kinda highlights the limitations of the MPL licence. Quite remarkable.