Military ME pilot to CPL MEIR or ATPL
​
Difference between a CPL MEIR and an ATPL are explained here.
​
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.
​
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
​
​
ATPL Theory Exams - 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 you can take any 1 exam up to 4 times before having to start again. QMP(A)s who hold or have held an Operational Category and Unrestricted Military Green IRT are credited Gen Nav, Met and the comms exams bring the total down to 10 exams.
​
QMP(A) - Service and ex-Service personnel of the UKAF who have been awarded a UKAF pilot’s flying badge (‘wings’) on aeroplanes or Service and ex-Service personnel of the UKAF who are QFIs on UAS, EFT or BFJT/BFT are termed Qualified Military Pilots (Aeroplanes) (QMP(A)s).
More details on ATPLQ, PadPilot and Bristol Ground School, along with discounted military subscriptions can be found on this page: ATPL THEORY
​
​
Flight Radio Telephony Operators Licence (FRTOL) - Practical test credited and theory is covered in the ATPL theory exams. No extra courses required.
​
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.
​​
​
Once you've passed the ATPL theory exams you need a Multi-Engine Piston rating (MEP), a CPL skills test 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.
​
Details of ATOs (schools) that offer military Multi-engine conversion courses are detailed here with costs: ATOs
​
​​​​​​​​​​
Blackbushe Aviation also offer a single-engine CPL and IR for £5130, plus 2 CAA exam fees. You can use this option if you don't plan to fly an airliner or business jet. This is a cheap option for military Red Air or instructional posts where you only require a CPL and IR. They use PA-28 and DA-40 aircraft.
​
This is a backwards step from your FL type but a mandated hoop that must be jumped through. The balance here is to do the minimal training but still pass the tests first time. You are credited all of the course but still need to pass the tests. If you fly a FL type (Voyager, P8, E7, Phenom etc) that has a civilian equivalent and you have access to a CAA TRE (examiner) then you might be able to skip the CPL MEIR and open your licence on your FL type, providing you've met the ATPL issue requirements. More details on this route in the military questions pages.
​
​​​​​​
ATPL or CPL - To get the ATPL you need the hours and to have a rating on a civilian multi-pilot type. If for example you fly the C17 then you will get a CPL MEIR (frozen ATPL) until you get a civilian type rating, which will convert it to an ATPL. You need 500hrs on a ME multi-pilot aircraft to gain the credit against a MCC course. For a full ATPL you need 1500hrs total, 500hrs ME multi-pilot, MCC or waiver and a type rating.
​
​
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.
​
​
Which course do you require?
​
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.
​
​
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.
​
​
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). The only credits against the A-UPRT course are for P8, E7 and Voyager A330 pilots, who have 500hrs on type. Hopefully more credits will follow from the CAA soon.
​
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.
​
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.
​
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.
​