MPL to CPL/IR
 

Hi All,

I would have thought this has been discussed before, but having done quite a bit of searching around now i’m coming up short on answers.

My question relates to the exact privileges of the MPL, and ‘conversion’ to fATPL. As i understand it, an MPL can be converted to an ATLP after 1500 hours, but with a multi-crew restriction. But what kind of extra training / conversion would be needed to fly single-crew ops?

I presume you would have to sit all the individual skills tests to get an ME-CPL/IR, but would you have to complete the entire course syllabus? In other words, would the holder of an MPL wishing to convert to single pilot ops requiring CPL and IR (say for an air taxi) end up spending a few hundred pounds in test fees, or many thousands of pounds on effectively starting modular (or i guess even integrated) training again from scratch? I can’t imagine there will be too many people wanting to do this, but just out of interest.

I am aware that at least one of the early MPL courses collapsed and the guys on it converted to ATPL. But presumably that was arranged with the ATO. What about after flight school? Would it be different pre and post 1500 hour ATPL conversion?

Many thanks in advance for any thoughts/knowledge anyone has on this subject.

MPL to CPL/IR
 

Once you pass 1500 hours you get a full ATPL just like any other. No multi crew restriction.
The only time you would have to do tests to convert to an fATPL is like you mentioned, if training collapses. But if you are doing an MPL, you have been chosen by an airline. As long as the airline is a good one (whole other topic) then you have a job and have no reason to worry about fATPL.

really?
 

@Chris49 - thanks very much for the reply but are you completely sure about that? Can you tell me where this is written down? I have read many times that the ATPL arising from MPL is restricted to multi-crew flying but i would be very happy to be corrected on that.

Cheers.

@john_smith - Thanks for the very useful and interesting answer. So when you get the ATPL, you only transfer across the TR? or the class rating also? (is there even an MEP class rating on an MPL license?), what about night rating for example? I was under the impression that there was still a certain training syllabus that has to be 'ticked off' in order to undergo the tests - or is that purely at the discretion of the ATO, even for the IR (single pilot) and CPL?

Say you already had an SEP (as in my case for example - i have a PPL), and you kept it current, when you apply for the ATPL could you add the SEP at that time or would have to re-do the skills test also?

Presumably there are very few if any people who have ever done this so far. I wonder if it would actually be quite difficult for an MPL to pick up light aircraft flying for the CPL/IR - its obviously fairly different to autopilot/auto-trim!

Interesting question, i have to ask our cadets as they still do the full PPL as part of their MPL training, and do fly real Seminoles as well. I have no idea though how those licenses/class ratings are being kept. And some have already converted to an ATPL as they have been offered captain positions at regional carriers in the unmentionable equity alliance.

This is what the EASA regulation says. In my opinion you would have to negotiate with the Authority to have them specify which extra training is necessary as in many countries they just don't have such experience yet. When I was trying to get the ansver from my country CAA, they were not able to give me more than this regulation.


Multi-crew pilot

2.5.2.1 Subject to compliance with the requirements specified in 1.2.5, 1.2.6, 1.2.7.1, 1.2.9 and 2.1, the privileges of the holder of a multi-crew pilot licence shall be:
a) to exercise all the privileges of the holder of a private pilot licence in the aeroplane category provided the requirements of paragraph 2.3.3 have been met;
b) to exercise the privileges of the instrument rating in a multi-crew operation; and
c) to act as co-pilot of an aeroplane required to be operated with a co-pilot.
(ICAO Annex 1)



FCL.405.A MPL Privileges
(a) The privileges of the holder of an MPL are to:
(1) act as co-pilot in an aeroplane required to be operated with a copilot; and
(2) exercise the privileges of the IR(A) in an aeroplane required to be operated with a co-pilot.
(b) The holder of an MPL may obtain the extra privileges of:
(1) the holder of a PPL(A), provided that the requirements for the PPL(A) specified in Subpart C are met;
(2) a CPL(A), provided that the requirements specified in FCL.325.A are met;
(3) the IR(A) in single pilot operations in aeroplanes provided that the licence holder has completed the training necessary to act as pilot-in-command in single pilot operations exercised solely by reference to instruments and passed the skill test of the IR(A) as a single pilot.
(EASA NPA 2008-17b)


FCL.325.A CPL(A) Specific
conditions for MPL holders
Before exercising the privileges of a CPL(A), the holder of an MPL shall have completed in aeroplanes:
(a) 70 hours flight time:
(1) as pilot-in-command;
or
(2) made up of at least 10 hours as pilot-in-command and the additional flight time as pilot-in-command under supervision (PICUS).
Of these 70 hours, 20 shall be of VFR cross country flight time as pilot-in-command, or cross country flight time made up of at least 10 hours as pilotincommand and 10 hours as PICUS. This shall include a VFR crosscountry flight of at least 540 km (300 NM) in the course of which full-stop landings at two different aerodromes shall be flown as pilot-in-command;
(b) the elements of the CPL(A) modular course as specified in paragraphs 11(a) and 12 of Appendix 3.D; and
(c) the CPL(A) skill test, in accordance with FCL.320.
(EASA NPA 2008-17b)