MPL to Frozen ATPL

[Youngflyer1]

Hi everyone,
can a MPL holder with 400 hrs, currently employed by an airline complete the skills test to obtain a frozen ATPL ? Any other requirements needed ?
Thanks in advance.

[NaFenn]

Under the current licensing regs (CASR Part 61) a Frozen or Restricted ATPL does not exist.

The term "Frozen ATPL" was an unofficial term that came from the old regulations pre 2014 (CAR 5), which generally applied to someone who held a CPL with passes in their ATPL exams but does not meet the experience requirements for the ATPL to be issued. Under the old regs you could submit the paperwork once you met the requirements and be issued with a shiny ATPL. The term is still sometimes used to refer to someone who has a CPL with passes in all of the ATPL subjects but the days of putting in the paperwork without a flight test are long gone.

Under Part 61, for the holder of an MPL to be issued with an ATPL they would have to be atleast 21 years old, meet the full aeronautical experience requirements (1500 Total time, 1400 Flight hours, 500 PIC/ICUS, 200 X-Country, 100 X-Country PIC/ICUS, 100 Night other than dual, 75 Instrument and 45 Instrument in Aircraft) and pass the ATPL theory exams in the required timeframe first. Once those requirements are met an MPL holder could then conduct and pass a CASA approved ATPL flight test, likely conducted by the airline through the Checking and Training process in an approved simulator.

The FAA does have a restricted ATP system, but this is something that was not adopted by CASA in the change to Part 61.

I hope this helps

[Youngflyer1]

Thanks NaFenn
I've looked at Part 61 section J.
Would this mean that when the contract finishes with 1100-1200 hrs on a MPL, and subsequently unemployed, the MPL wouldn't be worth anything ?
I would have assumed with an active MPL, a FO could undertake the skills test for the ATPL.
thanks

[Qwark]

You must meet all the qualifying requirements of an ATPL prior to attempting the ATPL flight test.

[Mach E Avelli]

Thanks NaFenn
I've looked at Part 61 section J.
Would this mean that when the contract finishes with 1100-1200 hrs on a MPL, and subsequently unemployed, the MPL wouldn't be worth anything ?
I would have assumed with an active MPL, a FO could undertake the skills test for the ATPL.
thanks
Although the original concept of the MPL had a ‘sponsorship’ element in which pilots trained to a curriculum that enabled employment with a particular operator, I don’t see any legislation that restricts an MPL to that one operator.
Therefore, your MPL is not worthless just because you become unemployed. Another operator with the same aircraft type would be able to employ you. Also, I don’t believe an MPL means you can’t do another type rating, if needed.
In every change of employment there will be an induction process, including LOE and check to line.
As outlined in above posts, you can’t attempt the ATPL flight test until you have the qualifying hours.

[Youngflyer1]

Thanks. Need to start looking around. S.E Asia best bet.

[Capt Fathom]

Need to start looking around. S.E Asia best bet.

What are you hoping to find there?

[605carsten]

Hi everyone,
can a MPL holder with 400 hrs, currently employed by an airline complete the skills test to obtain a frozen ATPL ? Any other requirements needed ?
Thanks in advance.

First of all, stop calling it a frozen ATPL, its just a fancy term to say you have a Commercial and have done your ATP theory (which covers all licenses from ATP and down and sounds good as a marketing sales pitch) You basically need to find out how to make your worthless MPL become a stand-alone CPL (how much PIC time do you have? Also it seems MPL theory is taught to “ATPL level” but no actual written examination is done with the authorities, so you may have to redo all your theory… and a standalone IR test..)

Your best bet is to hope an airline will take you on as an MPL holder as it sounds like alot of work and money to convert to the CPL

[Mach E Avelli]

Thanks. Need to start looking around. S.E Asia best bet.
If you intend working in S.E. Asia you need to be sure that whatever CASA Licence you hope to convert is acceptable. Usually, you can't fly foreign registered aircraft in a foreign country on a CASA licence. I say 'usually' because temporary validation arrangements sometimes exist.

[Youngflyer1]

Seems as though you are correct. Will aim to complete extra hours and complete ATPL. Thanks