From PPL to Airline Pilot: Your Complete EASA Training Pathway Explained
- 7 days ago
- 10 min read
Holding your EASA Private Pilot Licence (PPL) is a monumental achievement. It represents countless hours of study, dedication, and passion. But for many pilots, the PPL is not the final destination. It is the first, most crucial step on the runway to a professional career in the flight deck of an airliner. It is the foundation upon which every future qualification is built. If you are standing at this exciting threshold, looking towards the horizon and wondering what comes next, this guide is for you.
The journey from a private pilot to a commercial airline pilot in Europe is a structured and demanding process. There are two main training routes recognised by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA): the Integrated pathway and the Modular pathway.
An Integrated course is a full-time, continuous programme, often completed in 18 to 24 months at a single flight school. It is an intensive, all-in-one path that takes you from zero experience to being airline-ready.
The Modular route, however, offers a more flexible, step-by-step approach. It allows you to complete your training in individual stages, or modules, often at different schools and at a pace that suits your personal and financial circumstances. Both pathways lead to the exact same qualification: a Commercial Pilot Licence with the theoretical credit for an Airline Transport Pilot Licence, commonly known as a 'Frozen' ATPL.
This guide will focus exclusively on the EASA Modular pilot training pathway. We will act as your mentor, breaking down this complex journey into a clear, sequential roadmap. We will explain each licence and rating you need to acquire, what it involves, and how it fits into the overall PPL to ATPL pathway, empowering you to take control of your career progression.
The EASA Modular Pathway: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Flight Deck
The modular journey is a sequence of qualifications, each building upon the last. It is designed to equip you with progressively more advanced skills, knowledge, and experience. Here is the complete breakdown of your PPL to ATPL pathway.
Step 1: The Foundation – Your EASA Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
This is the module you have already completed or are currently working towards. The EASA PPL(A) is the non-negotiable starting point for any professional flying career. It grants you the privilege to act as Pilot in Command (PIC) of a single-engine aeroplane in good weather conditions, known as Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), for non-commercial purposes.
To achieve this, you demonstrated proficiency in several key areas:
Minimum Requirements: You must be at least 17 years old to be issued the licence and hold a valid Class 2 Medical Certificate.
Theoretical Knowledge: You passed nine theoretical exams covering a broad range of essential topics. These are Air Law, Human Performance, Meteorology, Communications, Principles of Flight, Operational Procedures, Flight Performance and Planning, Aircraft General Knowledge, and Navigation.
Flight Training: You completed a minimum of 45 hours of flight instruction. This training included at least 25 hours of dual instruction with a flight instructor and at least ten hours of supervised solo flight time. A key part of your solo flying was a qualifying cross-country flight of at least 270 km (150 NM), which included full-stop landings at two aerodromes different from your departure point.
While the PPL is a recreational licence, the standards of knowledge and airmanship you develop here are fundamental. A comprehensive understanding of these nine subjects is critical for success in the later, more demanding stages of professional training. A strong foundation built during your PPL studies with a reliable partner makes the challenging ATPL theory stage far more manageable.
Step 2: The Experience – Strategic Hour Building
After earning your PPL, the next phase is not another course, but a period of gaining practical experience. This is known as hour building. Its purpose is to build your total flight time and, most importantly, your experience as Pilot in Command (PIC) to meet the prerequisites for the Commercial Pilot Licence course.
As PIC, you are the sole manipulator of the controls and are ultimately responsible for the safety of the flight. This is a crucial distinction from flying with an instructor. PIC time develops your decision-making skills, confidence, and command authority.
The key milestones you are working towards are:
150 Hours Total Flight Time: This is the minimum total time required before you can begin the practical flight training for the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).
100 Hours as Pilot in Command (PIC): Before you can take your final CPL skills test, you must have logged at least 100 hours as PIC.
Since you likely finished your PPL course with around 45 to 55 hours, this phase involves flying approximately 100 additional hours. This is your opportunity to explore, fly to new airfields, and truly master the aircraft.
The Night Rating (NR)
An essential qualification to obtain during your hour building is the Night Rating. This rating extends the privileges of your PPL to allow you to fly at night in VMC. It is a prerequisite for the CPL if you wish to exercise commercial privileges at night, and it is a mandatory requirement for the issue of an Instrument Rating.
The EASA Night Rating course is a short and enjoyable module, typically consisting of:
Theoretical Instruction: A classroom session covering the unique physiological and operational aspects of night flying.
Flight Training: At least five hours of flight training at night. This must include at least four hours of dual instruction, featuring a cross-country flight, and one hour of solo flying, which involves five full take-offs and landings.
Completing your Night Rating early in the hour-building phase is a strategic move. It not only adds a valuable skill but also allows you to continue building hours after sunset, maximising your flying opportunities.
Step 3: The Knowledge – Conquering the ATPL Theory Exams
This is arguably the most academically challenging phase of your entire journey. The Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) theory course covers the 13 subjects required to fly large, multi-crew transport aircraft. The depth and breadth of knowledge required are substantial, building significantly on the foundations you laid during your PPL.
For modular students, this stage is almost always completed via a distance learning course. This provides the flexibility to study from home and continue hour building in your spare time. A typical distance learning ATPL course involves a minimum of 650 hours of study, combining self-study with a smaller portion of virtual or in-person classroom instruction to consolidate your learning.
The 13 subjects you must master are:
Air Law
Aircraft General Knowledge: Airframe, Systems, Powerplant
Aircraft General Knowledge: Instrumentation
Mass & Balance
Performance
Flight Planning & Monitoring
Human Performance & Limitations
Meteorology
General Navigation
Radio Navigation
Operational Procedures
Principles of Flight
VFR & IFR Communications
Once you begin your official exams with a national aviation authority, you have a period of 18 months to successfully pass all 13 subjects. You are also limited to a certain number of attempts for each exam. This stage requires immense discipline and dedication.
Success in ATPL theory is directly linked to the quality of your initial PPL ground school. The principles of Meteorology, Navigation, and Principles of Flight you learn for your PPL are not just for one exam; they are the essential language you will build upon throughout your entire career. Mastering them now with structured courses gives you an undeniable advantage when facing the complexities of ATPL theory.
Step 4: The Skill – Earning Your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
With your ATPL theory exams passed and the required flight hours in your logbook, you are now eligible to begin the practical training for your EASA Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). The CPL is the qualification that allows you to be paid to fly. It elevates your flying skills from a private standard to a professional one, demanding a higher level of precision, airmanship, and operational knowledge.
The prerequisites for starting the CPL course are:
Be at least 18 years old.
Hold a valid EASA Class 1 Medical Certificate (a higher standard than the Class 2 required for the PPL).
Have passed all 13 ATPL theory exams.
Have logged at least 150 hours of total flight time.
The CPL flight course itself is relatively short. It consists of 25 hours of dual flight instruction if you do not yet hold an Instrument Rating. However, most modular students obtain their Instrument Rating first, which credits them with ten hours, reducing the CPL course to just 15 hours.
During this training, you will refine your general handling to much tighter tolerances and learn advanced manoeuvres. A portion of the training must be completed in a 'complex' aircraft. This is defined as an aeroplane with a variable pitch propellor, retractable landing gear, and seating for more than four people. Upon successful completion of a skills test with an examiner, you will be issued your EASA CPL.
Step 5: The Complexity – The Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR)
This is the qualification that truly opens the door to an airline career. While the CPL allows you to be paid, the Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR) allows you to fly multi-engine aircraft in poor weather and low visibility without reference to the ground, known as flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). This is how all commercial airliners operate.
The MEIR is a combination of two separate qualifications: the Multi-Engine Piston (MEP) rating and the Instrument Rating (IR).
Multi-Engine Piston (MEP) Rating: This is a class rating that qualifies you to fly aircraft with more than one engine. The course is short, involving around six hours of flight training and seven hours of theory. It focuses on handling the aircraft in normal operations and, critically, in the event of an engine failure.
Instrument Rating (IR): This is an advanced rating that requires extensive training. The full course consists of at least 55 hours of instrument flight instruction. To make this training more efficient and cost-effective, a large portion of it can be completed in an advanced flight simulator (an FNPT II). A common structure is 40 hours of simulator training followed by 15 hours of flying in the actual multi-engine aircraft.
This heavy reliance on simulators is not a compromise on quality; it is a superior training method. Simulators allow instructors to safely and repeatedly drill complex procedures and emergency scenarios, such as an engine failure during take-off, in a way that would be too high-risk to practice extensively in a real aircraft. This phase is the pinnacle of your practical training, equipping you with the most critical skills that airlines demand.
Step 6: The Qualification – Achieving the 'Frozen' ATPL (fATPL)
Upon successful completion of your CPL skills test and your MEIR skills test, you will hold all the necessary components for your professional licence. The combination of these three elements:
A valid EASA CPL.
A valid EASA Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR).
A certificate confirming you have passed all 13 ATPL theory exams.
...is commonly referred to as a 'Frozen' ATPL (fATPL).
It is important to understand that 'Frozen ATPL' is an industry term, not an official licence issued by EASA. It signifies that you have met all the training requirements and are now eligible to be hired by an airline as a First Officer.
Your ATPL will remain 'frozen' until you meet the flight experience requirements for a full, unrestricted EASA ATPL. This experience is gained while working for an airline. To 'unfreeze' your ATPL, you must accumulate a total of 1,500 flight hours, which must include:
500 hours in multi-pilot operations.
200 hours of cross-country flight time.
100 hours of night flying.
75 hours of instrument time.
Once these requirements are met, you can apply to your national aviation authority for the issue of a full ATPL, the highest level of pilot licence.
Understanding the required time and financial commitment is essential for planning your modular training pathway. One of the primary advantages of this route is the ability to progress at your own pace and pay for each module as you go, but it is still vital to have a realistic overview of the entire process.
How Long Does EASA Modular Pilot Training Take?
The flexibility of the modular route means the total duration can vary significantly based on your personal circumstances. A dedicated, full-time student can complete the entire pathway from the end of PPL to a 'Frozen' ATPL in approximately 18 to 24 months. For those balancing training with work or other commitments, the timeline can extend to 36 months or longer.
The table below provides a realistic breakdown of the time required for each major stage, assuming a dedicated, full-time pace.
Note: ATPL Theory and Hour Building can often be completed concurrently to improve efficiency.
Training Stage (Post-PPL) | Estimated Duration (Full-Time) |
ATPL Theory (Distance Learning) | 6 to 12 months |
Hour Building (to 150 hours) | 6 to 12 months |
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) | 1 to 2 months |
Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR) | 2 to 4 months |
Total Estimated Time | 18 to 24 months |
What Does EASA Modular Pilot Training Cost?
The modular route is significantly more cost-effective than an integrated programme. While costs vary between countries, flight schools, and aircraft types, you can expect the total investment for your training after the PPL to be in the range of €50,000 to €75,000.
This is a substantial sum, but because it is spread across different modules over time, it is often a more manageable financial undertaking. The table below offers an estimated cost breakdown for each module.
Training Stage (Post-PPL) | Estimated Cost Range (€) |
ATPL Theory (Distance Learning) | €2,500 to €6,500 |
Hour Building (~100 hours) | €15,000 to €20,000 |
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) | €5,000 to €8,500 |
Multi-Engine Piston (MEP) Rating | €3,500 to €8,000 |
Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR) | €14,000 to €18,000 |
Total Estimated Cost | €40,000 to €61,000+ |
Note: These figures are estimates and do not include additional costs such as exam fees, licence application fees, medical certificates, or travel and living expenses. Always obtain a detailed quote from your chosen training organisations.
Conclusion: Your Professional Aviation Career Starts Here
The journey from holding a Private Pilot Licence to securing a position as a First Officer is a marathon, not a sprint. The EASA modular pilot training pathway is a challenging, multi-stage process that demands unwavering commitment, discipline, and a significant investment of time and resources. However, as this guide has shown, it is a clear and well-defined path. By breaking the journey down into manageable modules, from hour building and ATPL theory to the CPL and MEIR, the ultimate goal becomes achievable.
Every airline captain in the world started where you are now: with a passion for flight and a Private Pilot Licence. The journey ahead requires dedication, but it is a clear and well-trodden path. The most crucial element for success is building on a foundation of excellent theoretical knowledge. The concepts you master for your PPL are the bedrock of your entire professional career. A deep and intuitive understanding of these principles will make every subsequent stage of learning more effective and will ultimately make you a safer, more competent professional pilot.
Start your professional journey with confidence. Explore Easy EASA’s comprehensive online PPL ground school courses today and give your career the take-off it deserves.
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