JAA ATPL Ground Course FAQs
 Do I need
to convert the JAA License to an Indian ATP License
Yes, any license issued by a contracting state needs to be converted to
an Indian License. The requirements remain the same as the CPL.
Examinations in the Composite paper and
Air Regulation. The Composite paper covers the subjects of Air
Navigation, Radio Aids & Instruments and Aviation Meteorology. This
should not pose a serious challenge, especially after clearing the Air
Navigation, Radio Aids
& Instruments in the JAA ATPL syllabus. The regulations paper is
almost
the same as the CPL regulations;
which you'd have cleared.
For more information see the Examination for
Issue/Extension for Flight Crew License/Rating - Procedure thereof. click here
Is the frozen ATPL a license that will be issued to me?
No, the frozen ATPL is not a license, but it is a term used worldwide
and quite recognized by the industry. This indicates that except for
the flying experience, you have all the other requirements to hold a
full JAA ATPL.
If it is not a license, then what does it indicate?
Quite straightaway, it indicates to the airline employer, that you
are
career minded pilot and that you posses the academic skills to
eventually take over in command. Most importantly, it indicates to him
that with the required flying experience; something you will gain on
the job, you will
automatically qualify for a full JAA ATPL
Why should an airline employer prefer a pilot with a
frozen ATP over a pilot without one?
A CPL holder with some ME experience, can only be employed to work as a
First Officer/Co-Pilot. To get his command, he needs to get an ATPL.
This, he would have to do on the job, sometime during his employment in
the company. If such a pilot takes time to clear his ATPL exams, then
he
continues to remains in the company as a First Officer. On the other
hand, by employing a pilot with a frozen ATPL, the company will be
employing a pilot who is academically
qualified to fly in command from the first day; even though he
will fly, in the interim period, as a co-pilot. The employer also knows
that the more he scheduled to fly, the faster he would get his full JAA
ATPL.
Today, this is the standard practice or a defacto qualification for an
airline job in the U.K. and the European Union.
Is the JAA License acceptable in other countries?
A full JAA ATPL with type qualification is recognized by several
international carriers, and a frozen ATPL is just a point in your
aviation carrier before you would get there.
How long are these examinations valid for before I can get to
complete
my flying
experience?
These examinations are valid for 7 years. So hopefully in that time,
you will gain some employment to be able to accomplish these
requirements.
What is the maximum time allowed to complete the distance
learning
course?
The maximum time permitted from the first examination is 18 months. If
you do not complete all the 14 examinations within 14 months, you will
have to repeat these examinations again.
Do I have to attend the JAA ATPL ground training classes?
Yes, the attendance of the ground training is mandatory. You will not
be allowed to appear for the examination unless you have the
documentation that certifies that you have attended these classes and
completed the ground course. This is a JAA requirement.
Can I do my ground training privately with any other training
institution?
No, these classes will be conducted by a JAA certified instructor.
Instructors for this course in Mumbai will fly down from the UK/USA to
conduct these courses.
What are the other flying requirements for converting my ICAO
license
to a JAA license?
You need to convert you CPL and IR to a JAA CPL/IR. This must be done
in UK airspace. Briefly, this involves the following:
a) UK Class 1 Medical conducted at Gatwick Airport
b) UK R/T License
c) MEPCR - Multi-engine Piston Class Rating. This is a check ride
conducted in the UK for the ICAO ME experience that you hold
d) MEPIR - Multi-engine piston Instrument Rating. Approx 15 hours of IR
flying in UK airspace and an IR check ride.
At the end of this exercise, you would hold a JAA CPL.
Can I do this at any flying school in the UK?
No, flying schools need to be certified to conduct this training for
foreign
pilots. In other words, these schools have to be immigration approved;
just like in the U.S>
Do I need a special UK visa to do this flying training?
No, as long as you hold a valid visa for entry into the UK
 How long should this flying training take?
Under normal circumstances, this should take 6 to 8 weeks at the most.
Are these JAA ATPL examination difficult?
When compared to the FAA written examinations, they are far more
difficult. Let's put it this way, these are the toughest license
examinations to clear. The rules and conditions make it even more
difficult. This is for the serious minded professional pilots and that
is why it is respected all over the
world. However, our distance learning program has a very high
passing rate in Europe and the UK - approx 90 %.
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