Definition of total time (EASA)

[Flo121142]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if there is any official definition of total time in the EASA rules. More specifically, can time in gliders be logged as total time? And how is the situation concerning time in FNPT/FFS? As far as I know, it does not count, but I want to see the official definition, if there is any. Until now I did not suceed in finding it - the only thing I found is that gliding does not count for the 1500h required for the ATPL (it says "in aeroplanes"). Maybe someone can help me out with the definition?

[kenparry]

Try referring to the UK CAA publication CAP 804, which you can download here;
CAP 804: Flight Crew Licensing | Publications | About the CAA

This is not an EASA publication, but UK official guidance on EASA licensing.

Refer to:
Section 1 General Information, for definitions;
Section 4, EASA FCL 035 for crediting of flight time.

These should answer your questions.

In brief, flight time is only countable if in a powered aeroplane for the purposes of an ATPL. No time in synthetic training devices, whether full flight simulator or lesser machines, is countable. NB: see post 4 below for a correction to this.

Good luck!

[OhNoCB]

I can't check at the minute due to posting from a glorified calculator but is synthetic time not allowed towards the ATPL requirements? In the back of my mind it is something like 100 hours of FFS/FNPT time can be counted towards the 1500tt but only 25 in a FNPT I think?

[kenparry]

OhnoCB:

Thank you, I stand corrected. Buried deep in FCL Part L Appendix 3 is this defintion of the flying syllabus for the EASA ATPL:

The flying training, not including type rating training, shall comprise a total of at least 195 hours, to include all progress tests, of which up to 55 hours for the entire course may be instrument ground time. Within the total of 195 hours, applicants shall complete at least:
(a) 95 hours of dual instruction, of which up to 55 hours may be instrument ground time;
(b) 70 hours as PIC, including VFR flight and instrument flight time as student pilotin-command (SPIC). The instrument flight time as SPIC shall only be counted as PIC flight time up to a maximum of 20 hours;
(c) 50 hours of cross-country flight as PIC, including a VFR cross-country flight of at
least 540 km (300 NM), in the course of which full stop landings at two aerodromes
different from the aerodrome of departure shall be made;
(d) 5 hours flight time shall be completed at night, comprising 3 hours of dual
instruction, which will include at least 1 hour of cross-country navigation and 5 solo take-offs and 5 solo full stop landings; and
(e) 115 hours of instrument time comprising, at least:
(1) 20 hours as SPIC;
(2) 15 hours MCC, for which an FFS or FNPT II may be used;
(3) 50 hours of instrument flight instruction, of which up to:
(i) 25 hours may be instrument ground time in a FNPT I, or
(ii) 40 hours may be instrument ground time in a FNPT II, FTD 2 or FFS, of
which up to 10 hours may be conducted in an FNPT I.
An applicant holding a course completion certificate for the Basic Instrument
Flight Module shall be credited with up to 10 hours towards the required instrument
instruction time. Hours done in a BITD shall not be credited.
(f) 5 hours to be carried out in an aeroplane certificated for the carriage of at least 4
persons that has a variable pitch propeller and retractable landing gear.

So, for the OP; yes, you can count some synthetic time towards the licence requirement.

[Tinstaafl]

From the amount of those hours I think you'll find they apply to gaining a CPL, not an ATPL. ATPL requires 1500 hours, with various sub-divisions.

[OhNoCB]

kenparry,

I found the bit I was thinking about in CAP804:

FCL.510.A ATPL(A) – Prerequisites, experience and crediting
.........
Of the 1500 hours of flight time, up to 100 hours of flight time may have been
completed in an FFS and FNPT. Of these 100 hours, only a maximum of 25 hours
may be completed in an FNPT.