Military Helicopter pilot conversions to CPL MEIR (ATPL) (Aeroplane)
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Details on gaining a CPL (H), IR (H) or ATPL (H) can be found here.
Difference between a CPL MEIR and a ATPL are explained here.
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We have set out below what we believe is the easiest and most cost effective route. Due to Brexit and the UK leaving EASA, these credits are only available for UK CAA licences. The CAA's CAP2254 and CAP2254SA defines the available military credits.
PPL - You require a PPL before starting the ATPL (A) theory exams. You can use the EFT course towards the PPL as per CAP2254SA, dated March 2025. A service flying club will be able to help you with this. All fairly simple and should only take a few days.
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Details of service flying clubs with reduced flying rates can be found here.
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CAA Class 1 Medical - For a CPL (ATPL) you need a CLASS 1 medical. Initial medical must be done by a CAA approved centre and there can be a long wait. CAA Medical Centres
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Exams - Now it's time to start ATPL ground school. 13 exams in various subjects. You have 18 months from the first sitting to the last sitting to complete the exams. You have 6 sittings in total and can take any 1 exam up to 4 times before having to start again. We recommend Bristol Ground School and Path2Pilot who you can use a ELCAS credit with. They supply the books, exam materials and online material. As a military helicopter pilot you are required to complete the course, along with the exams. The best way is to use their courseware, crammer sessions and 14000 actual questions. Break this down into 3 or 4 exam sittings and it's easily manageable. BGS run a mix of online self-study and crammer sessions. Path2Pilot are a good option for pilots based in Scotland and want to attend their crammer sessions near Edinburgh.
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ATPLQ is the most accurate question bank for ATPL theory exams and UKFlying have secured a discount for military personnel. More details on this page: ATPL THEORY
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Flight Radio Telephony Operators Licence (FRTOL) - Practical test credited and theory is covered in the ATPL theory exams. No extra courses required.
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English Language Proficiency - Make sure the examiner on either your CPL or IR test ticks the box to state that you are ICAO LEVEL 6, which means a native English speaker. If you don't get this signed, then it can delay your licence whilst you find a language school to approve your LEVEL 6.
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Once you've passed the ATPL theory exams you need a Multi-Engine Piston rating (MEP), a CPL rating and an Instrument Rating (IR). You also need a APS MCC / MCC and A-UPRT certificate if you're going onto multi-pilot commercial aviation.
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Details of ATOs (schools) that offer military Rotary conversion courses are detailed here with costs: ATOs
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Military Rotary pilot to CPL+IR (A) - UKFlying have secured 30hrs (SERP grad) / 100hrs QMP(H) hours credit towards the CPL and we have managed to get all Firefly and Tutor hours recognised after the issue of a PPL. You are credited 30hrs if you have completed SERP and 100hrs if you are a QMP(H) towards the CPL(A) 200hr requirement. You will need 150hrs on aeroplanes (incl 70hrs PIC on aeroplanes for the MEP course which isn't covered by the credits above) and PPL (A) all before starting a MEP CPL course. You will require 200hrs total, including 100hrs PIC, before the licence is issued. You must also have completed a 300nm x-country route with 2 stops, night rating, 20hrs PIC x-country etc. You can use your EFT course to gain your PPL (A) using CAP2254 military credits. Military flying clubs are the cheapest way to hours build with both Boscombe and Benson offering aircraft for £130 per airborne flight hour. Here is a link to the CAA Modular CPL regulation: Modular CPL
* Previously the 30/100hr credit was for PIC hours but has been changed in CAP2254 to non-PIC hours. ​
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Military helicopter Unrestricted GREEN IRT - If you hold a current Unrestricted GREEN IRT then you are able to reduce the 45hr IR course down to 10hrs. This is a credit that UKFlying secured for rotary pilots in the latest amendment of CAP2254. This is a big saving on time and money.
Guidance from the CAA on hours building using military aircraft can be found here.
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UKFlying is a free to use service for military pilots. We'll ensure that you get the right course based on your military experience at the lowest price. You'll be linked to a Dropbox account with all of the pre-course reading material, including exam guides, DA-42 tech and examiners favourite test questions! This will make the conversion process much easier and reduces the time you need to be away from work. ​​Once you have secured a course at any ATO, let us know and we'll send the relevant link.
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WARNING - The civil aviation industry is fragile with companies opening and closing on a frequent basis. Protect your investment by using a credit card where possible, only pay the minimum deposit until you start the course, or use a ELC to secure a course slot.
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Other routes to CPL MEIR
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CPL IR(H) or (ATPL(H)) to CPL (A): You need a CPL IR / ATPL (H), pass 5 ATPL (A) theory exams, have 169hrs total fixed wing (as a QSP(H) you are credited 100hrs) before starting the CPL, MEP, IR course. Approx price £18750 - £23,500. Exact prices on request, use the contact form below. ​
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RW pilot but completed BFJT: If you completed BFJT and gained your wings on the Tucano (or equivalent) then you are credited the CPL course. This massively reduces the course length and cost. Contact UKFlying for more information.
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RW Pilot but also a EFT / UAS QFI: UKFlying have succeeded on getting recognition for QFIs from a rotary back ground in the newly published CAP2254. If you have an IRT, then you are credited the CPL and IR courses and are only required to pass the tests, but in SE aircraft. Once you have a CPL and SE IR, you can complete a 5hr course converting this to a MEIR. Use the contact form below for more information.
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Our final warning: The information for helicopter conversions to CPL IR (A) is complex and not understood by the majority of the training schools. It has only been through speaking to the schools and checking their facts with the CAA that we have been able to provide the advice above. If a school offers you reduced training make sure that if your licence isn't approved by the CAA that the school is liable for the extra training required and not you, as more training and tests will be very expensive.
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Other Courses
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Airline Pilots Standard Multi-Crew Co-operation Course (APS MCC) / (MCC) - Required before starting your first multi-pilot type ratings (airline, business jets, etc). The course is a mix of ground school and simulator time, learning how to operate large aircraft as a crew. We recommend choosing a provider with modern A320 or B737 simulators as this will assist with airline assessment and make the training more realistic. We work with multiple operators in this area, many who provide a discount for military personnel via UKFlying. If you fly a military Multi-pilot aircraft then you are credited the MCC course, but may require the APS MCC to apply to certain airlines.
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Which course do you require?
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MCC is 2-weeks long, APS MCC is normally 3-weeks long and both are best completed in a B737 or A320 sim. The APS MCC has an extra 20hrs of sim training over the MCC, and is therefore more expensive.
One of the reasons for the APS is due to many cadets failing initial Type Ratings due to a lack of familiarity with Multi-Pilot (MP) operations. The extra week of training on the APS helps with this, but it passes the training cost onto the student.
Regulations state you only need a MCC and we haven’t heard of any military pilots struggle with a Type Rating, but a few major airlines have stated that an APS MCC is required to apply.
Only the MCC is credited for military ME and Rotary MP types, no APS credit.
Depending on what job you want to go to, you will have to choose between the courses, or pick a company that can upgrade your MCC to an APS if later required. Contact UKFlying if you want to discuss your options.
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UKFlying recommended APS MCC companies:
Elite Pilot Academy (formally Jet Masterclass) use a modern B737-800 sim at Gatwick airport. Industry leading training with excellent feedback from previous military personnel. APS MCC £7194, MCC £4194. Discounts available via UKFlying.
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Advanced - Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (A-UPRT) - There is a requirement to complete an Advanced UPRT-Aeroplane course before starting an initial multi-crew type rating (Airlines, business jets). There is currently no military rotary waiver against this requirement despite years of trying.
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UKFlying recommends Ultimate High as the best option for military pilots. The instructors are either ex-CFS military or airline pilots with significant aerobatic experience. Their course is ELCAS approved, can be completed in a single day from Goodwood and uses Slingsby Firefly T67 and Extra 300 aircraft, which are great fun! They also offer a discount via UKFlying for UK military personnel. More details here.
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Once you've completed a Type Rating (TR) course for an airline you will get a frozen ATPL, which will unfreeze once you have 1500hrs total with 500hrs on multi-pilot aircraft.
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After spending the time and money on all of the items above you want to make sure you get a job as quickly as possible. You will need to create a professional CV and you need to be prepared for the airline or job selection process. It really is worth spending a few extra pounds getting this right as you might only get one shot with a major UK airline.
We strongly recommend you get in touch with Andrew at flightdeckwingman who is ex-Navy and now works for BA. Further details on flightdeckwingman can be found here, He offers a military discount via UKFlying, get in contact for more details.
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If you want more details, quotes or advice on any of the courses or companies above, then please use the contact form below.
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