What are the various pilot license types?

There are various pilot license categories based upon the complexity of aircraft and their purpose. Students who are preparing for their pilot training must choose one category and specialize in that. Training institute offers various license courses such as Light Aircraft Pilot License (LAPL), Private Pilot License (PPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL), Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) and Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL).

In this article, we will discuss all the above-mentioned license types with their purpose, requirement, scope, and training costs.

LIGHT AIRCRAFT PILOT LICENSE (LAPL)

The light aircraft pilot license allows pilots to fly ultralight aircraft including Motor Glider, Gyrocopter, Balloon, and any other light aircraft having a maximum weight of 2000kgs. LAPL holders are permitted to carry no more than 3 passengers after flying 10 hours as a pilot in command (PIC).

REQUIREMENT FOR LAPL

1. Candidates must have completed 17 years of age
2. Class 2 Medical requirement must be fulfilled
3. Minimum education is +2 in any field
4. English speaking must be good

TRAINING SYLLABUS

1. 100 Hours Theory is conducted
2. Trainees must operate 6 hours solo flight
3. Trainee pilot must fly 3 hours cross country flight with a minimum distance of 80 nautical miles
4. 15 hours of Dual flight time is conducted

LAPL TRAINING COST

The cost of LAPL is not that expensive compared to other licenses because it deals with small aircraft only. Students are required to pay almost US$7000 for the whole course.

SCOPE OF LAPL PILOTS

In the context of Nepal, Ultralight pilots are in demand because tourists’ arrival is high and Pokhara City, one of the vibrant tourist destinations after Kathmandu features recreational aerial activity such as ultralight, glider, gyrocopter and balloon flights.

Balloon flight has recently been introduced in Nepal and vacancies for balloon pilots are opening. Besides, Gyrocopter service is also available here creating job opportunities.

PRIVATE PILOT LICENSE (PPL)

The Private Pilot License (PPL) allows pilots to fly private aircraft either for private airliner companies or private aircraft owners. This PPL is compulsory for Commercial Pilot License (CPL) as students first obtain PPL and then begin their CPL training. It is like a foundation for other pilot training courses or an airline pilot career.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PPL

1. Candidates must have completed 17 years of age
2. Class 2 Medical requirement must be fulfilled
3. Minimum education is +2 in any field
4. English speaking must be good

TRAINING SYLLABUS

1. Students must go through 100 hours theory
2. Perform 19 hours of solo flight
3. Trainee pilot must conduct cross country flight of maximum distance of 150 nautical miles
4. Perform 45 hours of flights instruction for carrying passengers
5. Must perform 3 takeoffs and landings in the period of 90 days for validation of license
6. Must perform check ride before flight in a newer country

PPL TRAINING COST

The cost of PPL training ranges from US$10,000 to US$30,000 depending upon the countries. The total cost of CPL training covers PPL training costs also.

SCOPE OF PPL PILOTS

The vacancies for PPL pilots are in good demand in foreign countries but not in Nepal. There are no privately flying airlines in Nepal and also no provision for owning private aircraft.

COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENSE (CPL)

CPL is the most popular license type chosen by the majority of candidates for their piloting career as it enables them to fly the commercial passenger aircraft.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CPL

1. Required minimum age is 18 years completion
2. Class 1 Medical Requirement must be fulfilled
3. Minimum educational degree required is +2 with Physics and Maths (in case of Nepal)
4. English Speaking must be proficient

TRAINING SYLLABUS

1. Theory part covers a total of 350 hours
2. Total flight time covered is 150 hours
3. Trainee pilots must perform 50 hours flight as a Pilot in Command (PIC)
4. Multi-Engine Instrument Rating is conducted
5. Instrumental Meteorological Conditions (IMC) flight operation is practiced
6. Trainee pilots are trained for great piloting skill, accuracy, and situational awareness

CPL TRAINING COST

The cost of CPL training is quite expensive compared to LAPL and PPL as it covers other license types including Student Pilot License (SPL) and PPL. The training cost depends upon the countries because of the accommodation and expensiveness of goods. The Philippines and South Africa offer CPL at a reasonable rate starting from US$40,000 whereas the USA offers the same course starting from US$70,000. In the context of Europe, the cost is pretty high starting from £80,000.

SCOPE OF CPL PILOTS

The demand for CPL pilot is too high as compared to other license types. The majority of airlines in the world are commercial airlines conducting a huge number of passenger flights daily due to which the requirement for pilots with CPL is significantly higher.

Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)

The ATPL is a license required for a pilot to become Captain or PIC of an aircraft weighing a minimum of 5700 kgs. It is the highest level of the aircraft pilot certification which requires significant flight hours and experiences.

After acquiring CPL, pilots will work for the airline company and gather some flight hours and experiences. After completing 1500 flight hours with at least 500 hours in multi-crew flight, pilots are allowed to apply for ATPL.

This license requires adequate flight hours so, fresh pilots cannot instantly get it but while undergoing CPL, trainee pilots can cover the theory parts of ATPL which will give them a certification called frozen ATPL which means the only theory is covered and to unfreeze it, required flight hours and flying experience must be achieved.

MULTI-CREW PILOT LICENSE (MPL)

The MPL introduced in 2006 by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) allows a fresh pilot to directly enter into the commercial jet aircraft as a first officer. The MPL program is a Zero to Hero program and is conducted in coordination with the airline with extensive training based upon the aircraft type. The main benefit of MPL training is the job is assured by the coordinating airline.

REQUIREMENTS OF MPL

1. Required minimum age is 18 years
2. Class 1 Medical requirement must be fulfilled
3. Minimum education degree required is +2
4. English speaking must be proficient

TRAINING SYLLABUS

1. Training is based upon the type of aircraft, for instance, Airbus A320
2. Extensive simulator training is carried out
3. Anyone can be a first officer in approximately 18 months
4. Focuses on multi-crew human factor training
5. Training is conducted in multi-crew operation
6. Visual and instrument flight training

MPL TRAINING COST

The MPL training cost is too expensive as it exceeds US$100,000. The cost becomes high as there is a job guarantee and the fresh pilot can achieve a higher position in a short period of time.

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