EASA PPL to UK CPL/fATPL

[FlyingHaute]

Hi All

First post on here.

I am interested in pursuing a CPL/fATPL via the Modular route.

I am currently resident in Switzerland but plan to return to the UK in the medium term.

There is a flight school over the border in France that offers reasonably-priced PPL courses in English. I have seen mention on here that it is possible to get a EASA PPL and then go on to pursue a UK Modular CPL/fATPL. I would welcome any information or experience people may have about how this works as I understand one needs a UK license to fly G-reg aircraft in the UK so presumably a French-issued EASA license would restrict me to hour building in EASA countries? Would this experience be valid for applying for a UK CPL/fATPLin the future?

Does anyone perhaps have a link to the section of the UK CAA website describing the process (if one exists)?

Would it be simpler to get a UK PPL? I am open to this but exploring the EASA route seems worthwhile as it would be significantly more convenient.

Thanks in advance for any advice or replies.

Best regards

FlyingHaute

[Genghis the Engineer]

That's correct - you need a PPL to commence either an EASA or a UK CPL, but it doesn't matter where you got that PPL so long as it's ICAO compliant.

Also correct that you can't automatically fly PiC in a G-reg aircraft without a UK licence, but it is possible to get a temporary approval to subject to an examiner sign-off. Here are the procedures: https://www.caa.co.uk/commercial-industry/pilot-licences/non-uk-licences/validate-an-icao-licence-for-non-commercial-activities/

You technically don't need anything at-all to start an integrated fATPL course but my advice to anybody would be to do a PPL first, to understand if you have the dedication and aptitude, before you commit to anything more.

If you have the right to live and work in both the UK and Switzerland, as your post suggest, I'd suggest looking forwards to dual rated schools that will enable you to get both a UK and an EASA professional licence at the same time. No need to do that at PPL level.

G

[FlyingHaute]

Thanks very much for the helpful response and link! That's good news and, yes, I was thinking a dual rating would be a good idea if I do decide to go for a commercial license.

Cheers

[rfl500500]

I'm considering the same and hold a FAA PPL.

I notice that the UK CAA prerequisites for starting a UK CAA CPL(A) are to hold and ICAO compliant PPL, but it doesn't explicitly say it has to be valid/current as it does for other licenses/ratings/courses.

Can anyone confirm if the ICAO PPL needs to be current with a current medical?

Thanks

[paco]

You are correct, it doesn't state anything like that. That's how we interpret it, given that the law must be read in plain words. However, they often use the phrase "hold or have held".