
CPL or CPL/IR(A)
CPL(A) = EASA Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplanes)
CPL/IR(A) = EASA Commercial Pilot Licence & Instrument Rating (Aeroplanes)
Summary
Licence for the level of experience required to operate single pilot on single or multi-engine aeroplanes in commercial air transport. With an Instrument Rating you may also fly in cloud and controlled airspace.

Privileges
- Privileges of a PPL(A) & Night Qualification
- On any aeroplane [specified on the licence] as…
- PIC/Copilot in operations other than commercial air transport
- PIC in commercial air transport for a single pilot aeroplane
- Copilot in commercial air transport & with an IR(A)
- PIC/Copilot in controlled airspace under IFR
You must be
- Aged 18
- EASA Part-MED Class 1 Medical
Integrated Training Requirements
Complete an approved Integrated or Modular course of training, one of…
- CPL(A) Integrated Course
- CPL/IR(A) Integrated Course
- ATPL(A) Integrated Course
- CPL(A) Modular Course (see modular training)
- IR(A) Modular Course (see modular training)
CPL(A) Integrated Course
Aim | To train pilots to the level of proficiency for a CPL(A). |
Initial Requirements | None or some credit for a PPL |
Total Flight Time | ≥ 150 hours |
Dual Instruction | ≥ 80 hours |
PIC | ≥ 70 hours |
Night | ≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation |
Instrument Instruction | ≥ 10 hours |
Complex Type | ≥ 5 hours |
Ground Exams |
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Flight Tests | CPL(A) Skill Test in SE or ME aeroplane |
CPL/IR(A) Integrated Course
Aim | To train pilots to the level of proficiency necessary to operate single-pilot SE or ME aeroplanes in commercial air transport & obtain the CPL/IR(A) |
Initial Requirements | None or some credit for a PPL |
Total Flight Time | ≥ 180 hours |
Dual Instruction | ≥ 80 hours |
PIC | ≥ 70 hours |
Night | ≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation |
Instrument Instruction | ≥ 100 hours |
Complex Type | ≥ 5 hours |
Ground Exams |
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Flight Tests |
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ATPL(A) Integrated Course
Completion of this course gives you a CPL/IR(A) with ATPL theory, called a Frozen ATPL (fATPL). See ATPL(A) Integrated Training for further details.
Modular Training Requirements
Complete an approved Integrated or Modular course of training, one of…
- CPL(A) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
- CPL/IR(A) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
- ATPL(A) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
- CPL(A) Modular Course, after a PPL(A)
- IR(A) Modular Course
PPL(A)
This is not a professional licence, but the first step on the modular route towards a CPL(A). However it is possible to be a Flight Instructor with only a PPL(A), under certain conditions. For further details about the PPL(A) see the Private Pilot page.
Initial Requirements |
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Total Flight Time | ≥ 45 hours |
Dual Instruction | ≥ 25 hours |
Solo | ≥ 10 hours |
Ground Exams | 9 multiple choice exams |
Flight Tests | PPL(H) Skill Test |
CPL(A) Modular Course
Aim | To train PPL(A) holders to the level of proficiency necessary for the issue of a CPL(A). |
Initial Requirements | PPL(A) & ≥ 150 hours |
Total Flight Time | ≥ 200 hours including initial requirements |
Dual Instruction | ≥ 25 hours with credit for an IR |
PIC | ≥ 100 hours |
Night | ≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation |
Instrument Instruction | ≥ 10 hours with credit for an IR |
Complex Type | ≥ 5 hours instruction & ≥ 6 hours ME |
Ground Exams | For CPL(A) only
or if aiming for ATPL(A)
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Flight Tests | CPL(A) Skill Test on SE or ME aeroplane |
IR(A) Modular Course
Aim | To train pilots to the level of proficiency necessary to operate aeroplanes under IFR & IMC. |
Initial Requirements | CPL(A) or a PPL(A) with Night Rating |
Total Flight Time | ≥ 200 hours including initial requirements |
Dual Instruction | ≥ 50/55 hours SE/ME with credit for CPL |
Ground Exams |
(or 1 additional to CPL exams) |
Flight Tests | IR(A) Skill Test on SE or ME aeroplane |
Development
- A minimum number of take-off/landings are required in a 90 day period to keep the CPL(A) current. An IR(A) is valid for a year and requires a revalidation test annually.
- Class/Type Rating – to fly other aircraft types.
- Flying Instructor (FI) Rating.
- Instrument Rating (IR) for CPL(A) only – to fly as PIC/Copilot under IFR, i.e in cloud or in controlled airspace. See modular training IR(A).
ATPL(A)
ATPL(A) = EASA Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Aeroplanes)
Summary
Licence for the level of experience required to operate single pilot on single or multi-engine aeroplanes in commercial air transport and as captain or co-pilot on multi-crew multi-engine aeroplanes (eg A320, B737) in commercial air transport.

Privileges
- Privileges of PPL(A), CPL(A) & IR(A).
- Act as PIC/Copilot of aeroplanes engaged in commercial air transport.
- However privileges are restricted to that of a CPL/IR(A), co-pilot only on multi-crew commercial air transport, until meeting the requirements to unfreeze (see development).
You must be
- Aged 21, although may achieve CPL/IR(A) earlier
- EASA Part-MED Class 1 Medical
Integrated Training Requirements
Complete an approved Integrated or Modular course of training, one of…
- ATPL(A) Integrated
- ATPL(A) Modular Theoretical Knowledge (see modular training)
Note that completion of a course results in a Frozen ATPL(A) (fATPL) which is essentially a CPL/IR(A) with ATPL theory.
ATPL(A) Integrated Course
Aim | To train pilots to the level of proficiency necessary to operate as co-pilot on multi-pilot multi-engine aeroplanes in commercial air transport & obtain the CPL/IR(A). |
Initial Requirements | None or some credit for a PPL |
Total Flight Time | ≥ 195 hours |
Dual Instruction | ≥ 95 hours |
PIC | ≥ 70 hours |
Night | ≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation |
Instrument (all) | ≥ 115 hours |
Complex Type | ≥ 5 hours |
Ground Exams |
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Multi-Crew Co-operation | Complete an Approved Multi-Crew Co-operation Course.
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Modular Training Requirements
Complete an approved Integrated or Modular course of training, one of…
- ATPL(A) Integrated (see integrated training)
- ATPL(A) Modular Theoretical Knowledge
Note that completion of a course results in a Frozen ATPL(A) (fATPL) which is essentially an CPL/IR(A) with ATPL theory.
ATPL(A) Modular Theoretical Knowledge
Aim | This module covers the ATPL theory exams. |
Initial Requirements | PPL(A) minimum – however you will need a CPL(A) and IR(A) eventually and these reduce the theoretical knowledge instruction required. For more information look at the CPL(A) & IR(A) Modular Training. |
Ground Exams |
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Multi-Crew Co-operation | If you are a CPL/IR(A) holder and want to obtain an initial type rating on a multi-pilot aircraft then you must complete an Approved Multi-Crew Co-operation Course.
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Development
- A minimum number of take-off/landings are required in a 90 day period to keep the fATPL(A) or ATPL(A) current An IR(A) is valid for a year and requires a revalidation test annually.
- Class/Type Rating – to fly other aircraft types, eg A320, B737.
- Flying Instructor (FI) Rating.
- “Unfreezing” the fATPL(A) to go from CPL/IR(A) to ATPL(A) privileges. This means you may act as PIC of any aeroplane [specified on the licence] engaged in commercial air transport. You require:
Total Flight Time | ≥ 1500 hours |
Multi-Pilot Operations | ≥ 500 hours |
PIC or PICUS | ≥ 250 hours or ≥ 500 hours |
Cross Country | ≥ 200 hours |
Instrument | ≥ 75 hours |
Night | ≥ 100 hours |
MPL(A)
MPL(A) = EASA Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (Aeroplanes)
Summary
Licence to operate as copilot on multi-crew multi-engine turbine aeroplane (eg A320, B737) in commercial air transport. The course is run in conjunction with a sponsoring airline.

Privileges
- Act as Copilot of any aeroplane [specified on the licence] which is required to be operated with a Copilot
- Exercise the privileges at night
- Exercise the privileges of an Instrument Rating in an aeroplane required to be operated with a Copilot
You must be
- Aged 18
- EASA Part-MED Class 1 Medical
Integrated Training Requirements
Complete an approved MPL(A) Integrated course of training.
Aim | To train pilots to the level of proficiency required to operate as co-pilot of a multi-engine multi-pilot turbine-powered air transport aeroplane under VFR & IFR and to obtain an MPL. |
Initial Requirements | None, only ab initios may be admitted |
Training Requirements |
Flight Time ≥ 240 hours in aeroplanes and simulators. Four Phases:-
Multi-crew Co-operation is incorporated into the course. Standards are equivalent to an ATPL(A). |
Ground Exams |
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Flight Tests | MPL Skill Test in Phase 4 |
Modular Training Requirements
Modular training is not available for the MPL(A).
Development
- A minimum number of take-off/landings are required in a 90 day period to keep the MPL(A) current. An IR(A) is valid for a year and requires a revalidation test annually.
- Class/Type Rating – to fly other aircraft types, eg multi-engine, A320, B737.
- An MPL(A) holder may achieve a…
- PPL(A) provided meet PPL requirements.
- ATPL(A) for multi-pilot operations when meet ATPL “unfreezing” requirements (see ATPL(A) Development)
- CPL(A) provided…
PIC ≥ 70 hours inc cross country CPL Modular Instruction ≥ 20 hours inc complex type Flight Test CPL(A) Skill Test - IR(A) for single pilot operations provided training & single pilot IR(A) Skill Test.
- ATPL(A) for single pilot operations if obtain CPL(A), IR(A) in ME aeroplanes and meet ATPL “unfreezing” requirements.
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