Thinking of doing a CPL, advice please?!

[speedbird7879]

Hi everyone

I've been thinking about going into charter flying as ATPLs are far too expensive now, and I believe you only need a CPL for it?! CPLs are a lot cheaper and more realistic for me to get into flying. Can someone please clearly explain the difference between a CPL and an ATPL, and would I be able to fly for a charter company with just a CPL? I know I can look up this stuff but everywhere seems to give different and convoluted answers!! What do I need to do to get a CPL? Is modular any good/cheaper?!

Thanks for your help

[rudestuff]

Originally Posted by speedbird7879

ATPLs are far too expensive now ~ CPLs are a lot cheaper ~ Can someone please clearly explain the difference between a CPL and an ATPL, and would I be able to fly for a charter company with just a CPL? ~ What do I need to do to get a CPL? Is modular any good/cheaper?!

Wow. So much you don't understand... If you are going to ask a question, don't start by making sweeping incorrect statements! You cannot just go to flight school and get an ATPL - the ONLY way into commercial aviation is with a CPL. You'll also need an IR. Everyone who graduates flight school, modular or integrated, graduates with a CPL. Thats the qualification you need to be Captain on a single pilot airplane or co-pilot on a multi pilot airplane. Only after working for an airline for a couple of years can you upgrade to an ATPL - the cost of which will be paid by your employer. When training, 99% of people skip the CPL exams and go straight to the ATPL exams and then use them to get their CPL (ATPL theory is also a requirement to fly for an airline) You CAN take the CPL exams if you really want to, but trust me the ATPL exams will be easier.

To answer your specific question, you're unlikely to get into charter flying fresh out of flight school, you'll need a lot more hours, especially multi engine time.

In summary: You have to pay for a CPL. ATPL training is free. The cheapest way into commercial air transport is to get a CPL with ATPL theory and join an airline. Getting a CPL and flying charters will cost you a LOT more.



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[VariablePitchP]

Originally Posted by speedbird7879

Hi everyone

I've been thinking about going into charter flying as ATPLs are far too expensive now, and I believe you only need a CPL for it?! CPLs are a lot cheaper and more realistic for me to get into flying. Can someone please clearly explain the difference between a CPL and an ATPL, and would I be able to fly for a charter company with just a CPL? I know I can look up this stuff but everywhere seems to give different and convoluted answers!! What do I need to do to get a CPL? Is modular any good/cheaper?!

Thanks for your help

Your question is more or less answered by Rudestuff, but to start in reverse, yes modular training is good and cheaper. Your saving by doing a modular course vs an integrated course will dwarf any and every saving made by carving out just the CPL aspects of the training, which as said is minimal yet you massively limit your future opportunities.

You talk about charter flying, is that your preference because of your thought that’s it’s cheaper (it isn’t I’m afraid, as discussed), or because you actually want to do charter flying in particular. If so, why? The charter/corporate market in Europe does exist but not to the same extent that it seems to in the US, where it is a tried and tested first job owing to the more restrictive airline pilot hours requirements. In the UK in particular you’re limited because the big fractionals want EASA licenses.

It’s very copy and paste and lacks originality but the method I’d advise for you is

• Apply to BA/TUI/Any other sponsored scheme. They take the financial risk, you pop out RHS shorthaul jet. Get 500 hours and then you’re in a good spot to apply to any of the more interesting jobs that you want to as you are then easier to train. Google ‘ZFT requirement qualified pilot’ or similar for more info
• Failing that, and in all likelihood you won’t get these first time round as they’re very competitive, then if you have the funds ready or a decent job that can fund it on the go, get a modular ‘frozen ATPL’, again Google for exact explanation. You can then carpet bomb applications. You’ll likely end up on an ATR, 737, A320 etc etc. Again, 500 hours plus and you’re a free agent other than airline training bonds, bonds being another thing to google!

There are opportunities out there but given this is hopefully a full career for you it’s only fair to expect you to put some serious time in researching. Sticking to websites of training schools will invariably result in one sided advertising as they want your money. They’re not ‘schools’, they’re businesses.

[speedbird7879]

Originally Posted by rudestuff

Wow. So much you don't understand... If you are going to ask a question, don't start by making sweeping incorrect statements! You cannot just go to flight school and get an ATPL - the ONLY way into commercial aviation is with a CPL. You'll also need an IR. Everyone who graduates flight school, modular or integrated, graduates with a CPL. Thats the qualification you need to be Captain on a single pilot airplane or co-pilot on a multi pilot airplane. Only after working for an airline for a couple of years can you upgrade to an ATPL - the cost of which will be paid by your employer. When training, 99% of people skip the CPL exams and go straight to the ATPL exams and then use them to get their CPL (ATPL theory is also a requirement to fly for an airline) You CAN take the CPL exams if you really want to, but trust me the ATPL exams will be easier.

To answer your specific question, you're unlikely to get into charter flying fresh out of flight school, you'll need a lot more hours, especially multi engine time.

In summary: You have to pay for a CPL. ATPL training is free. The cheapest way into commercial air transport is to get a CPL with ATPL theory and join an airline. Getting a CPL and flying charters will cost you a LOT more.

Thanks for your help! Yes I did think that would be the case, just needed more clarification on the license types and what they allow.

[speedbird7879]

Originally Posted by VariablePitchP

Your question is more or less answered by Rudestuff, but to start in reverse, yes modular training is good and cheaper. Your saving by doing a modular course vs an integrated course will dwarf any and every saving made by carving out just the CPL aspects of the training, which as said is minimal yet you massively limit your future opportunities.

You talk about charter flying, is that your preference because of your thought that’s it’s cheaper (it isn’t I’m afraid, as discussed), or because you actually want to do charter flying in particular. If so, why? The charter/corporate market in Europe does exist but not to the same extent that it seems to in the US, where it is a tried and tested first job owing to the more restrictive airline pilot hours requirements. In the UK in particular you’re limited because the big fractionals want EASA licenses.

It’s very copy and paste and lacks originality but the method I’d advise for you is

• Apply to BA/TUI/Any other sponsored scheme. They take the financial risk, you pop out RHS shorthaul jet. Get 500 hours and then you’re in a good spot to apply to any of the more interesting jobs that you want to as you are then easier to train. Google ‘ZFT requirement qualified pilot’ or similar for more info
• Failing that, and in all likelihood you won’t get these first time round as they’re very competitive, then if you have the funds ready or a decent job that can fund it on the go, get a modular ‘frozen ATPL’, again Google for exact explanation. You can then carpet bomb applications. You’ll likely end up on an ATR, 737, A320 etc etc. Again, 500 hours plus and you’re a free agent other than airline training bonds, bonds being another thing to google!

There are opportunities out there but given this is hopefully a full career for you it’s only fair to expect you to put some serious time in researching. Sticking to websites of training schools will invariably result in one sided advertising as they want your money. They’re not ‘schools’, they’re businesses.

Thanks for your reply. The charter side was just an idea I wasn't fully committed to it.