ATPL theory- how long does it take?
Dancing with the devil, going with the flow... it's all a game to me.
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,689
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From: England
Sounds a good idea Sally. I was talking to someone at the Gatbash (sorry - name escapes me!) who is distance learning with OATS and he said they don't put you in touch with other students.
VFE.
VFE.
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9
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From: ireland
How long did it take!!!!!!!!!
I am about to embark on my flight instructor course,i have a JAR cpl (a) 250 hrs.and will be renewing my multi i.r. in the near future.I am curious to know how long it took pilots who are now flyin for airlines be it on turbo props or jets,pax or cargo to get from my stage to that elusive first job,flying for an airline.I realise the industry is poor at the moment,but it seems to be showing signs of recovery and i am just interested to hear from people that made it and how they did it.Is there any tips that they could offer now looking back on things they did to get to where they are now
Why do it if it's not fun?
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 12
From: Bournemouth
How long did your CPL take?
As so often happens, I am getting different stories from different people regarding the length of time that a CPL should take. I have my own ideas, but I'd like some confirmation. This is particularly important, since I will need to make sure I book an appropriate amount of time off work.
So, for those of you who did your CPL in Florida, South Africa or anywhere else where the weather is reasonably reliable:
For those of you who did your CPL in the UK, could you please alter the first question to take any weather problems into account? (E.g. "It took me 5 weeks, but because of weather problems I was only able to fly for 16 days in that period")
All replies greatly appreciated - your answers could well have an impact on how I do my CPL. If you'd rather keep these personal details private, then I don't mind a PM or e-mail.
Thanks!
FFF
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So, for those of you who did your CPL in Florida, South Africa or anywhere else where the weather is reasonably reliable:
- How many days did your CPL take?
- How many hours did your CPL take?
- Was it a single- or multi-engine CPL?
- What school were you at?
- Did this meet your expectations?
For those of you who did your CPL in the UK, could you please alter the first question to take any weather problems into account? (E.g. "It took me 5 weeks, but because of weather problems I was only able to fly for 16 days in that period")
All replies greatly appreciated - your answers could well have an impact on how I do my CPL. If you'd rather keep these personal details private, then I don't mind a PM or e-mail.
Thanks!
FFF
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
From: UK
CPL took 75 days from scratch (including time off), 97 hours all single engine. School was OAT at their FWB in Arizona (as was).
Could have been done quicker, but combination of bungling by OAT and US partner, and some knock on from 9/11 delayed it by about 3-4 weeks I reckon. Other than that, yep, pretty happy.
Could have been done quicker, but combination of bungling by OAT and US partner, and some knock on from 9/11 delayed it by about 3-4 weeks I reckon. Other than that, yep, pretty happy.
Joined: Dec 1998
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 6
From: Escapee from Ultima Thule
How far towards the CPL are you already? Do you only need to do whatever the minimum CPL training component is or do you need to build time too?
BTW, what is the min. JAR CPL trg. course to bridge from PPL to CPL, presuming no min. experience limitations?
BTW, what is the min. JAR CPL trg. course to bridge from PPL to CPL, presuming no min. experience limitations?
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Near two motorways and two airports
FFF,
I am sure you are refering to the JAR modular CPL.
I managed to complete my course in Florida in about 18 days. This included about 3 non flying days and completing a MEP class rating at the same time. You can easily fly two 1- 1.5 hour sorties a day without being too worn out. So it would be possible to complete within a fortnight, I'd allow a little longer as a fudge factor - in case aircraft go tech or the weather has the odd day or you have a hangover!
People have completed in the UK within 9 days but then others who have taken over 3 months - but then you know how unpredictable the UK weather is!
EFT were a good bunch and I have happily recommended them to friends, if you want to know more get in touch!
Good luck
I am sure you are refering to the JAR modular CPL.
I managed to complete my course in Florida in about 18 days. This included about 3 non flying days and completing a MEP class rating at the same time. You can easily fly two 1- 1.5 hour sorties a day without being too worn out. So it would be possible to complete within a fortnight, I'd allow a little longer as a fudge factor - in case aircraft go tech or the weather has the odd day or you have a hangover!
People have completed in the UK within 9 days but then others who have taken over 3 months - but then you know how unpredictable the UK weather is!
EFT were a good bunch and I have happily recommended them to friends, if you want to know more get in touch!
Good luck
Why do it if it's not fun?
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 12
From: Bournemouth
Doudou/Tinstaafl,
Swinging is completely correct - I am after the time for the JAR modular CPL course, given that I have a PPL/Night, and assuming that all the pre-course requirements have already been met. (The minimums are 25 hours for single-engine, and 28 hours for multi-engine.)
Thanks for the replies - and also for the replies I've had by PM. So far, they are agreeing with what I had expected. Please keep them coming though.
Witchdoctor - 97 hours?
FFF
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Swinging is completely correct - I am after the time for the JAR modular CPL course, given that I have a PPL/Night, and assuming that all the pre-course requirements have already been met. (The minimums are 25 hours for single-engine, and 28 hours for multi-engine.)
Thanks for the replies - and also for the replies I've had by PM. So far, they are agreeing with what I had expected. Please keep them coming though.
Witchdoctor - 97 hours?
FFF
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 1
From: England
It took me a year, and that was the old 15 hour one and it took 15 hours. I did it at weekends and what with weather, waterlogged airfield (Redhill) etc etc and seven cancelled tests due to weather it took about a year start to finish. I planned to do it in 4 weekends but it didn't quite work out that way.
But I did it, I'm glad I did it, and no need to take time off.
Everyone advised against doing it part time but it can be done.
But I did it, I'm glad I did it, and no need to take time off.
Everyone advised against doing it part time but it can be done.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,804
Likes: 1
7 Days
15 hour mod CPL
Multi
Leeds flying School
Great 1 week of VFR flying wx in about 3 months Jan- March Viz was constantly under 10k. After completing the IR it was abit of a anti climax Hardest bit was the nav because the viz was kack and remembering all the pax briefings. From what i have seen the SEP version of the CPL is harder. There is alot less scope for cockups in PFL's and glide approaches etc. After just spending 55hrs doing the IR doing 3 circuits in a twin was much more preferable.
MJ
15 hour mod CPL
Multi
Leeds flying School
Great 1 week of VFR flying wx in about 3 months Jan- March Viz was constantly under 10k. After completing the IR it was abit of a anti climax Hardest bit was the nav because the viz was kack and remembering all the pax briefings. From what i have seen the SEP version of the CPL is harder. There is alot less scope for cockups in PFL's and glide approaches etc. After just spending 55hrs doing the IR doing 3 circuits in a twin was much more preferable.
MJ
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 5
From: UK
27 hrs 30 min incl GFT and 4 hrs 30 night. Flying over 17 days with 3 days off. School EFT at Fort Pierce, Fla. Quite happy. Reliance on one complex single engine aircraft was bit of a factor since it developed oil leak halfway through otherwise fine.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Middle East
Hello All
Before you started the CPL course how many hours had you flown , what i really want to know is what sort of level should your flying skills be before actually starting the course.
How long did you IR take ??????
Howski
Before you started the CPL course how many hours had you flown , what i really want to know is what sort of level should your flying skills be before actually starting the course.
How long did you IR take ??????
Howski
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: CWL
I did the CAA route, in the UK at Aeros in Glos.
15 hours but the wx was terrible, took five weeks
IR was the old approved upgrade, 80 hours, 10 weeks.
I seem to remember the minimum hours you needed was 100 P1
15 hours but the wx was terrible, took five weeks
IR was the old approved upgrade, 80 hours, 10 weeks.
I seem to remember the minimum hours you needed was 100 P1
Why do it if it's not fun?
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 12
From: Bournemouth
Many thanks for all your replies.
Judging from the replies on this thread, and from many of the schools, it doesn't seem at all unreasonable for me to expect to be able to complete the CPL training in 3 weeks, given good weather.
I have to commend the school in Texas (I'm sure you can figure out which, there aren't too many of them) who insisted that I should allow 4 weeks for the CPL, and that although it may be possible to do it in 3, to rely on getting it done in this time wasn't sensible. I don't know why they think it takes longer than any other school I've spoken to - maybe they have less aircraft/instructor availability? - but I would much rather hear it straight from them than have them tell me to come along, we'll get you a CPL in 3 weeks, then find when I get there that I can't fly as many hours each week as I need to - so thank you. A pity, though, because they would have been one of my first choices otherwise.
FFF
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Judging from the replies on this thread, and from many of the schools, it doesn't seem at all unreasonable for me to expect to be able to complete the CPL training in 3 weeks, given good weather.
I have to commend the school in Texas (I'm sure you can figure out which, there aren't too many of them) who insisted that I should allow 4 weeks for the CPL, and that although it may be possible to do it in 3, to rely on getting it done in this time wasn't sensible. I don't know why they think it takes longer than any other school I've spoken to - maybe they have less aircraft/instructor availability? - but I would much rather hear it straight from them than have them tell me to come along, we'll get you a CPL in 3 weeks, then find when I get there that I can't fly as many hours each week as I need to - so thank you. A pity, though, because they would have been one of my first choices otherwise.
FFF
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