Can I do PPL/CPL/IR THEN the ATPL Theory?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: South East of the North West corner
Can I do PPL/CPL/IR THEN the ATPL Theory?
Hello and Happy New Year to All,
I did a search for an an answer to the above question but was unable to find an answer.
I was wondering if it would be possible to do all the licenses before doing the ATPL, for instance, if I did my PPL. CPL and IR in say spain and then returned to the UK to do ATPL exams, would I then be given a fATPL by the CAA? Many thanks to anyone that can answer this question,
AS787
I did a search for an an answer to the above question but was unable to find an answer.
I was wondering if it would be possible to do all the licenses before doing the ATPL, for instance, if I did my PPL. CPL and IR in say spain and then returned to the UK to do ATPL exams, would I then be given a fATPL by the CAA? Many thanks to anyone that can answer this question,
AS787
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: South East of the North West corner
DPT,
Thanks for the reply and impressively quick as well! so to ask a similar question, is it possible to do ATPL ground school at the same time as the CPL?
AS787
Thanks for the reply and impressively quick as well! so to ask a similar question, is it possible to do ATPL ground school at the same time as the CPL?
AS787
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Just over there
In order to sit ATPL theory exams you must have at minimum a PPL. Also the ATPL study must be completed in conjunction with a recognised flight training organisation. You can complete CPL training alongside CPL exams but these differ from the ATPL exams.
If in doubt search the forums, there are loads of similar threads with invaluble information. Hope that helps.
DPT
If in doubt search the forums, there are loads of similar threads with invaluble information. Hope that helps.
DPT
Thread Starter
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From: South East of the North West corner
An again DPT many thanks for replying. What i simply wanted to do was get all my flight training before I did my theory. I assumed I could complete the PPL, CPL then IR before doing my ATPL theory exams, but looks like I'll have to do it the standard, PPL ATPL Theory, CPL then IR way.
AS787
AS787
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From: Bournemouth
Approved Integrated Courses run from zero straight into ATPL theory with out student ever sniffing a cockpit, so I am assuming your comment that you need a PPL to start the theory is probably not true.
Though having said that I do believe most classroom based FTO's require a PPL to start the course, I am not sure if this is the FTO or CAA/JAA requirement .
Though having said that I do believe most classroom based FTO's require a PPL to start the course, I am not sure if this is the FTO or CAA/JAA requirement .
Hovering AND talking

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From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
As far as I am aware for fixed wing (certainly the case for helicopter training), you cannot commence a commercial flying course until you have passed the appropriate theory; either CPL or ATPL theory.
There is no ATPL flying course. An ATPL is granted upon completion of required experience and hours.
Cheers
Whirls
There is no ATPL flying course. An ATPL is granted upon completion of required experience and hours.
Cheers
Whirls
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From: On the move
Correct integerated works in stages anyway so by the time you get to your ATPL you would have done PPL and many hours of the CPL/IR . You would need to pass the ATPL theory to do any of the check rides .
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From: Just over there
Approved Integrated Courses run from zero straight into ATPL theory with out student ever sniffing a cockpit, so I am assuming your comment that you need a PPL to start the theory is probably not true.
I was wondering if it would be possible to do all the licenses before doing the ATPL, for instance, if I did my PPL. CPL and IR in say spain and then returned to the UK to do ATPL exams, would I then be given a fATPL by the CAA? Many thanks to anyone that can answer this question,
Actually my coment IS true as the poster of this thread wasnt asking about integerated which is the only way you can do exams before flying.
DPT
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From: Tokyo, Japan
You DEFINETELY do NOT require a PPL to sit the theory exams.
PPL is not required for ATPL theory exam in integrated.
You can do PPL/CPL/IR without doing the ATPL theory, but taking instead the PPL theory, IR theory, CPL theory exams separetely for the respective courses.
The ATPL theory is not something I would run away from, but it is a possibility.
I was wondering if it would be possible to do all the licenses before doing the ATPL, for instance, if I did my PPL. CPL and IR in say spain and then returned to the UK to do ATPL exams, would I then be given a fATPL by the CAA? Many thanks to anyone that can answer this question
YES you can do that.
Last edited by Nichibei Aviation; 7th January 2008 at 18:00.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: South East of the North West corner
Gentlemen/ Ladies, many thanks for your responses.
Whirlygig, the reason I was looking at doing things this way as I wanted to do all my flying exams to ensure continuity, and then do my theory exams alongside pleasure flying to keepy my experience up. It would be a quicker way to get all my licenses as well, and therefore I was willing to do both the cpl and ATPL exams.
AS787
Whirlygig, the reason I was looking at doing things this way as I wanted to do all my flying exams to ensure continuity, and then do my theory exams alongside pleasure flying to keepy my experience up. It would be a quicker way to get all my licenses as well, and therefore I was willing to do both the cpl and ATPL exams.
AS787
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: FL410
Proof if proof be needed
I think this thread proves one thing and one thing only and that is that if you want to find out the answer to an important question, ask the organ grinder, not the monkey. Not to suggest any of the posters are monkeys, its just a saying, before anyone has a thrombo....
CAA Flightcrew Licensing queries can be addressed by visiting:
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=137
or if the answer isn't there, phone +44 (0) 1293 573 700
CAA Flightcrew Licensing queries can be addressed by visiting:
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=137
or if the answer isn't there, phone +44 (0) 1293 573 700
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: in the fuselage of a DHC-7 in a junkyard
Quite simply, nope..
You can take a PPL, then a CPL/IR and then sit the ATPL written.
However, since the ATPL theory can replace the whole CPL/IR theory, this would be a waste of time and money but not a waste of experience. This is why everybody jumps from PPL to ATPL written.
In my opinion sitting the ATPL theory with a CPL/IR in your hands will give you a great advantage.
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From: Just over there
F
ing hell......!!!!!! im sure some people just want an argument here.. Seychelles said
The straightforward answer surely is no or loads of people would do it that way.
DPT
ing hell......!!!!!! im sure some people just want an argument here.. Seychelles said
What i simply wanted to do was get all my flight training before I did my theory.
DPT
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: UK
It doesn't matter what the regulations say, it's what the organisation's FTO manual says, as these are always more stringent. E.g. You can techincally start your CPL without the ATPL/CPL exams, but I would bet most FTO manuals state the student must have passed the exams.





