How do PPL, CPL, and ATPL compare?

In this guide, we will look at the differences between a PPL, CPL and ATPL and see how they compare to each other

Aviation licences come in many different forms. Some are designed for the average enthusiast who wants to pursue their passion for flying recreationally, while others are geared towards individuals who want to make a career in aviation and reach the very top!

If you are looking to fly aircraft, then you will need to decide on the type of pilot that you want to be. Since all pilot licences are not equal, you will need to make sure that you commit to the right licence before you enrol in a flight school.

In this guide, we will look at the differences between a PPL, CPL and ATPL and see how they compare to each other.

PPL vs CPL vs ATPL – The Grand Showdown

Let’s break down each type of licence individually:

PPL (Private Pilot Licence)

A private licence is hugely popular amongst hobbyists, because it is geared towards enthusiasts who want to achieve their dream of flying in the United Kingdom.

A PPL is a general aviation licence, which means it is the de facto choice for private pilots who only want to fly for fun instead of using their skills to earn compensation. This is a major factor between a PPL and a commercial licence, like the CPL. CPL pilots can fly larger aircraft that carry cargo and people.

PPL pilots typically operate light aircraft, a type of aircraft that is designed for training and leisure purposes. If you think a PPL is self-limiting, then think again. PPL pilots can travel across the world, given they have the appropriate ratings that allow them to fly internationally.

So, why do people go with a PPL? Well, with a PPL, you can continue training and take on various certifications like an Instrument Rating or a Night Rating to expand your capabilities as a pilot.

You can even choose to upgrade to a CPL later if you wish to do so. This modularity makes it a highly versatile license that can be used to gain flight experience without the worry of building an aviation career.

PPL Requirements:

To be eligible for a PPL, pilots must have:

• Minimum age: 17
• Total flight time: ~40–50 hours
• Ground school + theory exams.
• Class 2 medical

Once pilots obtain their PPL licence, they will be eligible to fly light aircraft, typically single-engine aircraft, unless they have a multi-engine rating (MER). They can also carry passengers not for hire or reward but just for casual flying. Furthermore, they can only fly during the day under Visual Flight Rules or VFR, which are a set of rules that dictate the ideal weather conditions for flight.

CPL (Commercial Pilot Licence)

The entry-level licence to commercial flying is the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). This licence allows a pilot to fly a light aircraft with a single engine in return for monetary compensation. CPL pilots can build an aviation career and even further their training to become an Airline Transport Pilot, or ATPL.

CPL is highly diversified and revered around the world. The CPL is even necessary for people who want to teach or become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). A CPL allows pilots to apply for commercial jobs as well, which include emergency services such as with the police or as air ambulance operators, crop dusting and more.

CPL pilot training is more in-depth than PPL training, and these pilots can fly larger aircraft during various flying scenarios, such as after dark or conditions of reduced visibility. The reason for this is that CPL pilot training includes various certifications, such as the Night Rating, as well as Instrument Ratings.

CPL Requirements:

CPL pilots must have:

• Minimum age: 18
• Total flight time: ~200 hours
• More advanced ground school + exams
• Class 1 medical
• Pass the CPL skills test.

CPL training is not only more in-depth but also expensive than regular PPL training. These pilots are also heavily scrutinised and need to obtain a class 1 medical certificate, which covers an in-depth health profile of the pilot.

Even though a CPL is more demanding than a regular PPL, the benefits of a CPL are immense. Not only do pilots get paid to fly, but they can fly larger and more complex aircraft as well. Furthermore, they can fly as co-pilots in large airliners and work their way up to becoming captains of their aircraft!

ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence)

An ATPL is the highest-level certification in aviation. It is superior to even a CPL and allows pilots to operate as a captain or a co-pilot on aircraft used for commercial air transport.

Obtaining an ATPL requires pilots to go through two important licence phases. The first phase allows you to obtain a “frozen” ATPL which simply means that the pilot has completed their theory exams for the ATPL programme and have obtained a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), a Multi-Engine Rating (ME), an Instrument Rating (IR) and a Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) – but they have yet to log in 1500 flight hours. A frozen ATPL enables pilots to work as a first officer or co-pilot where an aircraft that is already operated under a captain.

For an unfrozen or full ATPL, pilots will need to log at least 1500 total flight hours, including specific conditions such as Pilot-In-Command or PIC time. An unfrozen ATPL enables pilots to be eligible to be a captain of a commercial aircraft.

ATPL Requirements:

ATPL has strict requirements; here are some of the most basic ones:

• Minimum age: 21
• Total flight time: ~1500 hours (may vary by region)
• Pass the full ATPL theory (14 exams in EASA/UK, fewer in FAA)
• Class 1 medical
• Flight experience in multi-engine and multi-crew aircraft

An ATPL is the final goal for many CPL pilots because there is no higher certification after it. ATPL pilots act as pilot-in-command in airline operations and fly large, complex, and multi-crew aircraft globally and have immense opportunities for top-tier aviation jobs.

Here is a summarised comparison of each licence:

*Modular training involves a pay-as-you-go model where you can progress from a PPL to a CPL to an ATPL. Integrated training involves both practical and theoretical training and starts from zero and finishes with pilots obtaining a frozen ATPL, hence the higher cost.

Going from PPL to ATPL

Let’s discuss a scenario where a pilot who isn’t sure about their journey in aviation joins a flight school looking to become a PPL but wants to keep their path open to a CPL or even an ATPL.

In this case, you will have to join a great and comprehensive flight school like Sherburn Aero Club that offers all types of training under one roof. The benefit of this is that even after you get your PPL, you can use the club services to enjoy flights and even gain flight hours while you train for your CPL and eventually your ATPL, all within the same school.

This means that you will have the same great instructors and since you will be familiar with the environment of the school, you are likely to progress quickly than if you opt for different schools.

The first step to obtaining a PPL is to undergo training with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). The total hours of flight time that must be logged before applying for a PPL are 45 hours.

Out of these 45 hours, 10 hours must be of solo flight, in order to prove that the pilot is fit to take command of an aircraft without becoming a threat to the safety of themselves or others.

The rest of the flight hours can be via dual instruction with a CFI. Five hours out of the 10 of solo flight time must be dedicated to cross-country flights totalling at least 270km.

As mentioned above, PPL pilots require a Class 2 medical certificate. All pilots must go through strict medical examinations in order to make sure they are physically and mentally fit to fly.

PPL students must also clear nine theoretical exams, which cover subjects such as meteorology, navigation, air law, and principles of flight. The applicant must score at least 75% in each of these exams in order to be eligible for the PPL.

HOW TO UPGRADE PPL TO CPL

If you pick the modular approach, then you will likely progress from a PPL to a CPL and then an ATPL.

The good news is that if you have already started with a PPL, then you have completed 1/3^rd of the process. PPL holders can upgrade their licence to a CPL by adding to the training – it's as easy as picking up where you left off!

Keep in mind that flight hours are cumulative, which means that you can fly using your PPL and add up the flight hours and carry them forward to your CPL training.

Of course, a CPL requires more flight hours, so you will need to keep logging more hours and work on your ground school training and obtain a higher-class medical certificate to be fully eligible for a CPL.

Training on top of your PPL

As mentioned above, the total flight time required when applying for the CPL is 200 hours. This is a big jump from the 45 hours required by the PPL, and so you must undergo additional training and flying in order to become eligible for the CPL.

Out of the 200 hours, 100 must be dedicated to solo flight, while the other half can be completed through dual instruction with a Certified Flight Instructor. In addition to this, a solo flight totalling at least 300 nautical miles is necessary.

Advanced medical certificate

 If you want to be eligible for a CPL, you will need to obtain a Class 1 medical certificate. The requirements for this certification are noticeably stricter, with the medical check-up being far more thorough than that required for the Class 2 medical certificate.

A licensed medical examiner, who is also present at comprehensive schools such as Sherburn Aero Club, will conduct your tests, with the doctor signing off on your medical certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Theoretical exams

Passing exams is mandatory for obtaining a CPL. Every applicant must pass their exams with a minimum of 75%.

These exams cover a series of subjects such as Air Law, Aircraft general knowledge - airframe/systems/powerplant, Aircraft general knowledge - instrumentation, Mass and Balance, Performance, Flight planning and monitoring, Human performance, Meteorology, General navigation, Radio navigation, Operational procedures, Principles of flight, and Visual flight rules (VFR) communications.

CPL to ATPL – THE FINAL STRETCH

The final stretch of your journey will be to focus on converting your CPL to a Frozen ATPL. A CPL already covers most of the requirements of an ATPL, so if you get a great head start, then you are likely going to cover the base requirements for a Frozen ATPL.

As mentioned above, to obtain a full or unfrozen ATPL, you will need to log at least 1500 flight hours. Once you have a frozen ATPL in hand, you will have completed most of the requirements of the programme and can now focus on what most pilots like to call the “fun part” of training.

Practical training and logging flight hours are the only way to quickly obtain an unfrozen ATPL. This means that you can enjoy your flights and know that each flight hour will bring you closer to your dream of becoming a captain of an airliner.

WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB

Sherburn Aero Club, which has been operational since 1964, is the ideal place for most of your training and flying needs.

If you wish to begin your career in aviation or wish to take to the skies as a hobby, Sherburn’s flight training school offers private and commercial licences, along with pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward.

It is one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country.

With a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse, we cater to brand-new flyers who have just started their journey to the skies, as well as seasoned flyers who have been operating aircraft for decades.

Sherburn also offers a dedicated day-long Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) course for those wishing to get the certification, running on the first Sunday of every month.

For those who wish to experience the thrill of a flight for fun or to help fuel their aviation dreams, Sherburn offers experience flights for the newbie, as well as the veteran.

The flight experience option is also available for people who wish to take to the skies for special occasions, even if they aren’t into aviation in the long run.

In addition to that, if you are looking for a hangarage for your aircraft, need servicing or repairs, want to buy a new aircraft or aviation equipment, or are just looking to enjoy and watch the aircraft, Sherburn Aero Club is the place to be.

Call us on 01977 682 674​​​, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on the Private Pilot Licence in the UK, its requirements, as well as the training facilities and airfield available at Sherburn.

Photo by Trent Erwin on Unsplash