ATPL Theory - Is ATPL Hard?

If you want to learn about what it takes to become an ATPL pilot, then you are at the right place. Keep reading to learn more about ATPL theory, the difficulty level of ATPL training, the various steps, processes and modules involved for this prestigious certification.

In the world of aviation, being an ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence) pilot means that you have reached the highest level of aircraft pilot certification and are fit to fly as a pilot-in-command or captain of an airliner or large commercial aircraft.

There is no sugar-coating the fact that being an ATPL pilot requires considerable training, focus, determination and hard work. A captain is regarded as one of the most important people on an aircraft. They not only have to make important decisions during emergencies, but are also responsible for precious lives and valuable cargo while in the air.

If you want to learn about what it takes to become an ATPL pilot, then you are at the right place. Keep reading to learn more about ATPL theory, the difficulty level of ATPL training, the various steps, processes and modules involved for this prestigious certification.

This is Your Captain Speaking!

An ATPL allows pilots to operate as a captain or a co-pilot on aircraft used for commercial air transport. When you travel by air, you will have likely heard or even seen the captain of your aircraft. These pilots are incredibly well-trained and go through an extensive regimen that enables them to safely conduct flights.

When pilots enrol on the ATPL programme, they will have to cover 14 exams that go over technical, operational and regulatory topics. These are often completed before or during flight training and are mandatory to obtain an ATPL licence.

The ATPL is issued by national aviation authorities such as:

• EASA ATPL (Europe)
• CAA ATPL (UK)
• FAA ATPL (USA)

There are two main stages of ATPL:

1. ATPL (Frozen)

A “frozen” ATPL simply means that the pilot has completed their theory exams and has obtained a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), a Multi-Engine Rating (ME), an Instrument Rating (IR) and a Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC).

A frozen ATPL enables pilots to work as a first officer or co-pilot where an aircraft that is already operated under a captain.

2. ATPL (Unfrozen/Full)

The only thing standing between a frozen and “full” ATPL is flight hours. Flight hours are necessary because they enable the pilot to gain considerable experience by flying in various scenarios. 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.

What Can You Do With an ATPL?

 A valid ATPL enables pilots to fly for airliners where they can carry passengers and/or cargo. It also allows them to act as captain on jets like Airbus A320, Boeing 737 and more. ATPL pilots can perform international and domestic flights and earn a handsome salary (with plenty of benefits!) as a professional pilot.

Requirements For an ATPL

 Here are the typical requirements for an ATPL as per the CAA and EASA:

• Pilots must be of a minimum age of 21 years.
• They must hold a valid Class 1 Medical
• Pilots must pass all 14 ATPL theory exams.
• They must complete their CPL + ME + IR + MCC certifications.
• And log 1500 flight hours to get their licence fully unfrozen.

IS ATPL THEORY HARD?

 The short answer is yes.

ATPL training is very hard, but it is not impossible. In fact, many passionate pilots take it on as an achievable challenge that helps them fully realise their potential in aviation.

ATPL training requires dedication, time management and, of course, solid study techniques. The bulk of the difficulty in ATPL training comes from four things:

• The volume of information from the 14 in-depth subjects during theory training
• The breadth and depth of technical knowledge required by every ATPL pilot.
• The question bank variability is highly diverse and challenging.
• And a pass mark of 75% per subject

ATPL pilots may agree that enrolling on an ATPL programme is like doing a university-level diploma – only harder! However, ATPL training, like any other training programme, is highly achievable, and its strict standards not only help shape the future of aviation but also enable us to train highly capable pilots.

ATPL THEORY

ATPL training begins with ground school training.

In fact, you can start ATPL theory even without flight experience, which is highly common in integrated courses. You can also go for modular training after your PPL, as it may offer an edge since you will already have some flying hours and will be accustomed to training and exam preparation.

ATPL training shares some subjects from PPL and CPL training, but ATPL pilots go all-in and need to study these subjects in detail.

Here are the 14 core subjects that you can expect during any typical ATPL theory training:

1. Air Law
2. Aircraft General Knowledge
3. Instrumentation
4. Flight Planning and Monitoring
5. Performance
6. Mass and Balance
7. Meteorology
8. General Navigation
9. Radio Navigation
10. Operational Procedures
11. Human Performance and Limitations
12. Principles of Flight
13. Communications (IFR and VFR)

Each subject is tested by multiple-choice exams, so pilots will need to develop not only a strong understanding of every subject but also the right techniques to apply during the exams. We’ll take a look at the study techniques in a minute. Let’s first go over the process and steps to complete ATPL theory.

The Process and Steps to Complete ATPL Theory

There are multiple ways to attempt ATPL theory; the best way, as mentioned above, is to go with the module route.

In the modular route, you begin with a Private Pilot Licence. Some schools, like Sherburn Aero Club, allow you to start theory before completing the PPL test so that you can continue your ground training without delay.

A PPL pilot can enrol in ATPL ground school and have multiple options. For example, they can opt for full-time training, which requires about 3-6 months, part-time, or distance learning that takes about 6 to 12 months.

It is important to note that ATPL training is expensive, and the more time you take to complete your preparation, the more it will cost you. Prices vary, but as a rough guide, you should keep these figures in mind:

• Modular course: €2,000–€4,000 for theory alone
• Integrated course: €70,000–€100,000 total (theory + flight training)

When you enrol on a flight school, your training will begin with classroom sessions, online modules and several mock exams. ATPL students will go through extensive information for each subject and will have to give their 101% during ground school if they want to obtain their licence at the earliest.

After training, ATPL students will go through 14 exams that are typically split over 3 sittings. You will have 18 months to finish all the exams from your first attempt, with a maximum of 6 sittings and 4 attempts per subject.

Once you are finished with the exams, you will ideally continue flight training. Flight training occurs concurrently with ground school, where ATPL students will work towards their CPL, IR, MCC and type rating specific to various aircraft.

If this sounds like a lot to you, then you are right – and it is supposed to be tough! The entire point of ATPL is for pilots to prove their worth and achieve their highest potential so that they can safely operate commercial aircraft.

Please keep in mind that ATPL, despite being challenging, is highly structured, and thousands of ATPL students pass each year. The key here is to stay motivated and approach the programme methodically!

How to Create a Study Plan for ATPL Pilot Exams

If you want to get the most out of your ATPL training, then you will have to use smart study strategies and techniques that can help you achieve your goals. Here are some tips on how to build the right study plan for ATPL training:

Focus on the Exam Structure

The exam structure is the key to success. ATPL students must first familiarise themselves with a typical exam structure for ATPL exams by attempting mock exams and accessing study banks.

As mentioned above, the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) programme includes 14 challenging exams covering advanced aviation topics. All these exams are regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and follow EASA-style multiple-choice questions.

Achievable Timelines

ATPL students must embrace the SMART technique for attempting ATPL training. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. The key is to look for specific areas where you lack and then set measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound goals that can help you prepare for the exams.

Time is of the essence! Since ATPL training bears considerable costs, students will have to adopt a versatile mindset where they can juggle various subjects in a day and figure out their weaknesses for each subject.

In general, ATPL theory exam training can be completed within 3-6 months of rigorous training, while students who take up part-time training can take up to a year of dedicated study. Keep in mind that you will also need to factor in your work hours, family time, social activities, and practice hours.

The best advice for candidates is to come up with a solution that doesn’t overwhelm them and lead to burnout.

Study Materials

Knowledge from any reliable source will get you closer to your goal! Use the various resources you have at your disposal to get ahead. We recommend starting with CAA-vetted books or material from recommended sources like your flight school. Candidates are also encouraged to check out online question banks to prepare themselves for these exams. Online tests such as the Aviation Exam, BGS online, or ATPLGS are great starting points for candidates who want to test their theoretical knowledge.

If you don’t want to overwhelm yourself, then stick with the study materials provided by your flight school, which should suffice most students. Additionally, we highly encourage candidates to talk to their instructors for tips and form study groups with other candidates so that they can remain motivated.

Robust Scheduling

ATPL training requires students to give it their all! To do this, you will need to create a strong study schedule. Check out the example schedule below to get an idea of how you can ace your preparation:

You will likely need to study multiple subjects at a time if you wish to complete your training in a reasonable timeline. However, we recommend that students take on no more than 2-3 subjects at a time to avoid burnout.

For the best results, we suggest that students allocate at least one full day for revision per week and take mock exams regularly to test their knowledge and get a better understanding of their preparation.

Study Groups

ATPL training isn’t lonely! You can pair up with other students and form strong study groups. We recommend going with highly motivated individuals who can help you keep up your pace and help you when you lag on any subject.

Study groups are excellent for people who want to turn their ATPL training into an enjoyable but serious activity. You can learn tips from other students and also gain insight into how they overcome their weaknesses in various subjects.

Exam Bookings

The best way to avoid rushing through preparation is to book your exams in a way that is suitable for your schedule and convenience.

UK CAA exams are taken at CAA-approved test centres. You can find the nearest exam centre and book your exams according to your schedule. We recommend that candidates book exams at least a month in advance to secure a slot and avoid booking multiple difficult exams on the same day.

WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB

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.

Sherburn Aero Club, which has been operational since 1964, is the ideal place for most of your training and flying needs. 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 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 own 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 at 01977 682 674​​​, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on Pilot Licences, training requirements, licensing procedures, as well as experience flights and pilot training at Sherburn.

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