How many hours a year do you need to keep a CPL?
 

How many hours a year do you need to keep a CPL if you were to fly only for fun and without an IR?

What happens if after 7 years you don't have the 500 multi hours required by the JAA for the ATPL? What happens to you?

Exactly the same as for a PPL.It is the aircraft rating that determines the number of hours. For a SEP Class rating you only need to do a test once every two years.

Not quite sure where the 7 years comes from. If you have taken ATPL level exams, you have 36 months in which to obtain a CPL and an IR, if you do not, then you will have to take them again.

The only 7 year reference is if you have a CPL/IR, then the longest you can go without renewing the IR is 7 years if you wish to retain your ATPL credit.

Thanks noggin for answering my posts! I thought after you gained your CPL/IR and hence frozen ATPL you have 7 years in which to un-freeze the ATPL and out of 1500 hours required to do so, 500 hours must be in a multi crew environment. This is what I thought anyway!

Do you need a test or does 12hrs plus flight with instructor suffice?

12 hrs plus and a check ride with FI or..

You can just do a check ride with a PPL(FE)
like a GFT You dont need the hours
Although it would be unwise to go down
this route.