Hey guys,

 

This is just purely out of interest, but I have been trying to understand the distinctions and provisions of a CPL licence, versus a ATPL (or fATPL if it's pre-career hours).

 

For the purpose of this, I'm talking about a CPL licence with "all the baggage" eg IR, Night, MEL, etc.

 

So if I'm right, a CPL holder (with appropriate endorsements) could fly an 'air taxi service' let's say a Cessna 206, that is operated commercially, eg for money.

 

A CPL holder could also fly a DHC6 Twin Otter that was again used as part of a charter operation..... is that right? ......... But they would need a ATPL licence to fly the same DHC6 aircraft but for an 'airline' (such as Loganair, who operate the Scottish Island flights for FlyBE).... is that right?

 

So what about the Biz Jets? ..........Could a pilot flying a Citation V for a private charter business jet service be flying on a CPL licence? 

 

At first I thought this was solely based on aircraft type, size, weight, etc, but then I learned that this is not really the case - eg.... You could legally fly a 747-400 on a PPL, as long as you had the required endorsements, a type rating (because it's a jet, weighing more than 12,500lbs), and it was not for commercial reward.

 

What I've driving at here is, what is the distinction between a CPL and ATPL.....   yes, I know obviously that a CPL holder couldn't fly a A320 for BA, but I'm trying to discover the exact 'boundary' if you like, between the maximum you can do with a CPL, and the point you would need an ATPL licence.

 

To summarize my question;   What can an ATPL holder do, that a CPL holder cannot?   ....... Is the answer literally just "fly for an airline" (regardless of the aircraft), and if so, how is an 'airline' truly defined, versus say an air charter company?

 

Look forward to some info on this, from those in the know!

 

:smile:

I believe you cannot get command at aircraft in public transport without ATPL, but there are some weight limitations (not pilot weight, aircraft weight ) too I think. I hate that part of aviation, too much laws non related to actual flying.

A CPL can fly an A320 for BA, but only as the SIC, not the PIC. 

 

fATPL = CPL and having passed your ATPL theory.

ATPL =CPL and having passed ATPL Theory and having the required hours to unfreeze it.

 

Basically, you need an ATPL to command large commercial aircraft for money, a CPL covers you for smaller aircraft, and as a SIC in any aircraft AFAIK.

 

Regards,

Ró.

Ah, that makes a lot more sense.   Thanks gents!

To answer your other question, an airline is a company that hold the appropriate air operator certificate. They conduct their operations under either FAR* part 121 (scheduled flights) or part 135 (air-taxi/charter, non-scheduled). You can look up those regs on faa.gov for more information.

 

*Or equivalent, if not in the US.

To answer your other question, an airline is a company that hold the appropriate air operator certificate. They conduct their operations under either FAR* part 121 (scheduled flights) or part 135 (air-taxi/charter, non-scheduled). You can look up those regs on faa.gov for more information.

 

*Or equivalent, if not in the US.

 

Yeah I'm in Europe so JAA and EASA, but thanks.

 

Actually this flight school's website (along with Ronan's explanation) made it all much clearer to me.     I can see how the different packages that they offer, co-ordinate to form the 'modular' route to fATPL.

 

http://flyingtime.co.uk/en/Flying_Time_Aviation_Pilot_Flight_Training_School?gclid=CJGO9dDd_LgCFRMctAodm3IAsA

 

So fATPL (in Europe) =

 

• Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL),
• Multi Engine Piston Rating (MEP),
• Multi Engine Instrument Rating (ME IR),
• Multi Crew Cooperation (MCC) courses
• Passes in all 14 Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) theoretical exams.

 

....so it's pretty hard to see why any pilot would stop at the CPL licence, and not go on to do the ATPL exams.

he only difference in the UK between the privileges of an ATPL and CPL is that a CPL holder may not:

 

fly such an aeroplane on a flight for the purpose of commercial air transport or
public transport unless it is certificated for single pilot operation;

 

 

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/3015/schedule/7/made

Ah cool, that link answer pretty much every question I had!   ......... thanks Gerry.