What is a Frozen ATPL and what should you do to unfreeze it?

Obtaining a professional pilot’s licence is a major career goal for any aspiring pilot. However, it is not an easy task, and it requires rigorous training and a lot of patience.

There are broadly four types of pilot licences. A Private Pilots Licence (PPL) permits the holder to operate a light aircraft, and carry passengers as long as the flight is not for ‘hire or reward’. A Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL) is required to allow the licence holder to fly for hire or reward. To fly as a captain on a large multi-crew aircraft, you will need an Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL). However, in addition to training, a pilot needs to log at least 1500 hours flight time before obtaining an ATPL. Therefore a CPL is the highest licence available on completion of flight training.

There is an alternative to a CPL. The Multi-Pilot Licence (MPL) is a restricted licence which permits the holder to act as co-pilot on a specific airline’s multi-crew aircraft only. The theory element is the same as the ATPL.

To obtain any of these licences, a pilot must complete both theoretical and practical training. Logic would suggest that to get a PPL a pilot would do the PPL theory training and exams, to get a CPL a pilot would do the CPL theory training and exams, and to obtain an ATPL a pilot would do the ATPL theory training and exams. However, there is nothing to stop a pilot who does not yet have the 1500 hours flight time for issue of an ATPL doing ATPL theory training and exams instead of CPL theory, and so ‘skipping’ the CPL theory stage. In fact, to operate even as a co-pilot on large multi-pilot aircraft, the pilot must hold a CPL (or MLP) and must have already passed the ATPL theory exams. For this reason, it is usual to do ATPL theoretical knowledge training and exams on a CPL course (and this is why the MPL theory is the same as the ATPL).

So, what is a Frozen ATPL?

Well, the real answer is there is no such licence. What people mean when they refer to a frozen ATPL (or fATPL) is a CPL licence with ATPL theory. An MPL is similar.

ATPL theoretical training

Before entering CPL or ATPL exams the candidate must have completed an approved theory training course. The theoretical part of the ATPL training includes 13 subjects, covering topics such as air law, flight planning, aircraft performance, and human factors. The subjects can be studied on an MPL, integrated or modular course. MPL and integrated courses are full-time training programs where all the subjects are taught in a structured manner. The modular route, on the other hand, allows the student to study at their own pace and schedule.

ATPL Exams

After completing the theoretical part of the training, the pilot must pass all 13 ATPL exams with a minimum score of 75% in each subject. The exams are computer-based tests conducted by national aviation authorities. The exams can be challenging, and it is essential to prepare thoroughly. Learn more about the difficulty ranking of all ATPL subjects in this article.

How to upgrade to an ATPL

To upgrade a CPL or MPL to an ATPL, the pilot must meet the experience requirements and pass an ATPL skills test. There is no further training course. As, in both cases, the pilot has already met the theory requirements there are no further theory exams. This is what people mean when they refer to ‘unfreezing’ a ‘frozen ATPL. Just log the hours, pass the flight test and pay the licence fee!

ATPL flight requirements

The flight requirements include 1500 hours of flight time, which can be obtained through various means. The most common way is to work as a co-pilot in a commercial airline, which allows the pilot to gain the required flight hours and experience.