EASA Modular Route Description

I frequently refer to the EASA route for getting a first airline job, so I decided to create a separate post about it with brief description of each step.

Basically airlines in Europe require a commercial pilot license with multi-engine instrument rating and ATPL theoretical exams passed plus some additional certificates like UPRT and MCC.

And here are some more detailed description.

• PPL – Private Pilot License, essential step, usually in a small single-engine airplane, 45 hours;
• Night VFR rating – 5 hours of night training, no checkride;
• ATPL Ground school – usually it makes sense to take it and pass ATPL theory exams;
• Time building – 50 PIC XC hours, it is a requirement for getting an Instrument Rating;
• SEP IFR – Single-Engine Instrument Rating, usually in a small single-engine airplane or a simulator, 40 hours; prior to the checkride either IR or ATPL theory exams must be passed!
• MEP – Multi-Engine Rating, usually in a small twin, 6 hours;
• MEP IFR – Instrument Rating for flying a multi-engine airplane, 5 hours;
• UPRT – Upset Prevention and Recovery Training, basically unusual attitudes recovery, 2-3 hours in an aerobatic airplane;
• CPL – Commercial Pilot License, by that time you need 200 flight hours including 15 hours dual training specifically for the commercial license; prior to the checkride time either CPL or ATPL theory exams must be passed!
• MCC – Multi-Crew Cooperation training;
• (from here you can really start looking for a job)
• Type rating – sometimes airline can sponsor it, but sometimes the candidates obtain it by ourselves.

After obtaining the PPL it’s a good idea to start studying for ATPL theory. Passed ATPL exams basically cover both IR and CPL, so it usually makes sense to pass ATPL theory instead of IR, then CPL, and then ATPL.

This is the most common and usually the least expensive route (especially taking into account the experience), but not the only one. For example, I’ve chosen a different way and got some training in the US, but I wanted both FAA and EASA licenses.

Let the dreams come true 🙂