What Next?
 

So, this has probably been touched on many, many times, but I keep getting slightly conflicting information.

I have a PPL, 47 hours, but so far, that's it. I want to get my (f)ATPL - want to fly for an airline, so want to get to the stage where the ONLY extra thing I need to do is a type rating - as soon (but also as cheaply) as possible.

Can someone please explain to me the exact process I need to go through, in terms of which licenses and ratings I need, in what order, and what the hours requirements are to a) be eligible to start that license/rating, and b) how many hours are required to do that license/rating?

I will then use this to give me an accurate (assuming minimal hours) cost, and to find out whether it's worth me buying a share in an aircraft, or even going all out and buying something like an Evans VP-1.

Any help and words of wisdom greatly appreciated.

After PPL, atpl theory exams-hour building-se ir-mep-me ir and then cpl is the way the most follow. Its the cheapest way. Of course you can change when you do your written exams and hour building. But finishing hour building before starting the IR would be the most cost effective way since you'll be getting lower rates per hour.

Please check the regulation for the requirements to start the relevant course. But if Im not mistaken you should have 50 hour PIC for Se-IR, 70 PIC for mep and 200 total time with 100 PIC for CPL. There are other requirements but I just wrote down necessary flight hours as much as I remember. I might be wrong.

So, I could start my ATPL distance learning, and whilst I do that, do some hour building. Once I reach 50 hours PIC SEP, take all my ATPL exams... Then, do my SEP/IR (approx 50 hours in total). Then do my a further 20 hours SEP to be eligible to start the MEP, which is another 6 hours or so? Then, do my MEP IR (hours variable, so not sure how long this would take), and then do my CPL SE(?) It sounds really confusing, or is this just me?

Sorry

What conflicting information have you heard?

Have you looked here...

https://www.caa.co.uk/Commercial-ind...---aeroplanes/

you don't need a SE-IR, that's what Integrated programmes typically include, but there's no real need for it for a modular student, you can go straight to ME-IR

the order is -
1) PPL
2) ATPL theory - Hour building - Night Rating (can be done simultaneously, no real order here)
3) once you have 150-170 hours Total time (and some 50-100 PIC time, depending on school requirements), you can begin your CPL/ME/IR training. Some schools start off with MEP, ME-IR followed by CPL.. others do it the other way around, really depends on school
4) Once you have CPL/ME/IR, do your MCC (+JOC optional)

Tobster
You are right in that this topic has been regurgitated many times before.

You have had some good replies that point you in the right direction and I would only say that if you use the 'Search' function you will learn not only how to proceed but also some of the pitfalls and obstacles that you may come across on the way.

Good luck with your research!

HWB