Multi-crew pilot licence

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A multi-crew pilot licence (MPL) is a pilot licence that permits an aircraft pilot to act as co-pilot of a multi-crew aircraft.

Contents

History

The MPL is specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It was created in 2006 to provide an alternative means for ab-initio students to become commercial air transport (airline) pilots. [1] Requirements were first included in the 10th edition of Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Personnel Licensing), published in November 2006. [2]

The MPL is based on competency-based approach to training professional pilots. [3] Previous training syllabi were task-based and hours-based. Calls in the 1990s for review of pilot training led to ICAO convening a Flight Crew Licensing and Training Panel (FCLTP) in 2001. This led to the MPL concept, which aims to take advantage of modern flight simulators and instructional systems design (ISD), and to provide training more appropriate to the highly automated environment of the modern flight deck. [4] : 17 

Captain Dieter Harms, who was chairman of the management board of Lufthansa Flight Training and who has been dubbed the "father of the MPL", [5] has stated the MPL programme was not introduced to deal with a pilot shortage, [6] and was not introduced to reduce training costs. [7]

According to IATA, as of March 2021, there had been 4,018 MPL graduates worldwide, of which 1,358 trained with Lufthansa and its subsidiaries. [8]

Implementation

In EASA states, the MPL is only issued for fixed-wing aeroplanes. [9] : Subpart E  [10]

MPLs are not issued by the United States or Canada. ALPA, a trade union, opposes implementation of the MPL in the United States. [11] Foreign pilots with an MPL may fly into the United States as co-pilot on a non-US registered aircraft, but they cannot operate a US-registered aircraft for a US carrier. However, foreign MPL students can attend US flight schools for flight training. [4] : 18 

Requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a Class 1 medical certificate, and have completed the theoretical training for an airline transport pilot licence (ATPL). [12] : 2–21 

Training must include at least 240 flying hours, including training in a flight simulator. [12] : 2–23  The majority of flight training may be in a full-motion flight simulator, with 40 hours and 12 take-offs and landings total required in an actual airplane before flying passengers (per JAR-FCL 1.120 and 1.125(b)). 750 hours of classroom theoretical knowledge instruction is required.

The licence is typically achieved in approximately 16–18 months total time from no flight experience to flying for an airline.

Privileges

The MPL training course includes a type rating for a specific jet aircraft. For this reason it can lower the total cost of training. However, MPL holders are tied to a specific airline until they reach 1,500 flight hours and are able to gain an ATPL. [13]

MPL holders are only qualified to fly as co-pilot in a multi-crew aircraft. They are not able to fly solo without additional training.

Criticism

The course is completed in one continuous course with an Approved Training Organisations (ATO) that has an agreement with the airline. [10] A risk of this is that if the airline goes bankrupt or withdraws its job offer, the licence cannot be used and further training must be undertaken. In 2008, nine cadets who had completed the course with Sterling Airlines were immediately made redundant. [14] In 2014, Monarch Airlines terminated the training of six MPL cadets, however, the cadets were able to transfer their training to Easyjet. [15] [16] In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Easyjet terminated offers of employment to cadets midway through the course. [17]

Until 2016, EASA MPL training was not complete until the completion of line training with a specific airline. This was not an ICAO requirement. On 6 April 2016, this restriction was removed. [18]

The European Cockpit Association (ECA) criticised the MPL in 2013, for over-reliance on simulator training. [19] According to ECA, the MPL course has "less flying time in the aircraft, very limited solo flight time, and less exposure to the real environment." The ECA noted that, as of 2013, no MPL trainee had yet graduated to captain, and there was limited data on the performance of MPL pilots. [20]

By contrast, Rickard Wickander and Nicklas Dahlström of Lund University School of Aviation state that as of 2014 there is "no indication that the MPL should have any significant shortcomings in comparison with traditional airline pilot training... it should be difficult even for opponents of the MPL to ignore the increasingly large amount of positive feedback from host airlines that is now available." [21]

According to ECA, authorities and Approved Training Organisation (ATOs) "lack understanding of the competency based concept". [20] Wickander & Dahlström also question whether "there really is any MPL training provider who actually fully runs their training according to the CBT [competency based training] approach. Although there are many training provides who have this as their explicitly stated ambition the conclusion of this study is that there probably is not any who fully lives up to it." [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aircraft pilot</span> Person controlling an aircraft in flight

An aircraft pilot or aviator is a person who controls the flight of an aircraft by operating its directional flight controls. Some other aircrew members, such as navigators or flight engineers, are also considered aviators because they are involved in operating the aircraft's navigation and engine systems. Other aircrew members, such as drone operators, flight attendants, mechanics and ground crew, are not classified as aviators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flight simulator</span> Technology used for training aircrew

A flight simulator is a device that artificially re-creates aircraft flight and the environment in which it flies, for pilot training, design, or other purposes. It includes replicating the equations that govern how aircraft fly, how they react to applications of flight controls, the effects of other aircraft systems, and how the aircraft reacts to external factors such as air density, turbulence, wind shear, cloud, precipitation, etc. Flight simulation is used for a variety of reasons, including flight training, the design and development of the aircraft itself, and research into aircraft characteristics and control handling qualities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commercial aviation</span> Transport system providing air transport for hire

Commercial aviation is the part of civil aviation that involves operating aircraft for remuneration or hire, as opposed to private aviation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Private pilot licence</span> Type of pilot license

A private pilot licence (PPL) or private pilot certificate is a type of pilot licence that allows the holder to act as pilot in command of an aircraft privately. The basic licence requirements are determined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), but implementation varies from country to country. According to ICAO, an applicant must be at least 17 years old, demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skill, and hold at least a Class 3 medical certificate. Different PPLs are available for different categories of aircraft, such as aeroplane, helicopter, airship, etc., and are not interchangeable, although experience from a PPL in one category may be credited towards the issue of another.

The airline transport pilot license (ATPL), or in the United States of America, an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate, is the highest level of aircraft pilot certificate.

A commercial pilot licence (CPL) is a type of pilot licence that permits the holder to act as a pilot of an aircraft and be paid for their work.

Pilot licensing or certification refers to permits for operating aircraft. Flight crew licences are issued by the civil aviation authority of each country, which must establish that the holder has met minimum knowledge and experience before issuing licences. The licence, along with the required class or type rating, allows a pilot to fly aircraft registered in the licence issuing state.

Pilot licensing in the United Kingdom is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singapore Flying College</span> Flight school in Singapore

The Singapore Flying College is a CAAS approved flight school based in Singapore. Established in 1988 under the Singapore Airlines Group, it is the training school for cadet pilots with Singapore Airlines, Scoot and Singapore Airlines Cargo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pilot in command</span> Flight crew role

The pilot in command (PIC) of an aircraft is the person aboard an aircraft who is ultimately responsible for its operation and safety during flight. This would be the captain in a typical two- or three-pilot aircrew, or "pilot" if there is only one certificated and qualified pilot at the controls of an aircraft. The PIC must be legally certificated to operate the aircraft for the specific flight and flight conditions, but need not be actually manipulating the controls at any given moment. The PIC is the person legally in charge of the aircraft and its flight safety and operation, and would normally be the primary person liable for an infraction of any flight rule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type rating</span> Certification of an airplane pilot to fly a certain type of aircraft

A type rating is an authorization entered on or associated with a pilot license and forming part thereof, stating the pilot's privileges or limitations pertaining to certain aircraft type. Such qualification requires additional training beyond the scope of the initial license and aircraft class training.

Medical certifications for aircraft pilots are specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). ICAO sets standards and recommended practices (SARPS), which are specified in Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CAE Oxford</span> Ab initio flight training network

CAE Oxford, part of CAE Inc., is an ab initio flight training network. It provides integrated aviation training and resourcing services. Professional airline pilots have been trained at the Oxford Aviation Academy (OAA) flight school since 1961.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sabena Flight Academy</span>

CAE Oxford Aviation Academy Brussels - Sabena Flight Academy is an aviation training organisation created in 1953, and located in Steenokkerzeel (Belgium). The school is now part of CAE Global Academy. The training is performed in Brussels, in Mesa at CAE Oxford Aviation Academy Phoenix . Sabena Flight Academy is one of the oldest airline transport pilot schools in Europe.

The International Association of Aviation Personnel Schools is a worldwide association of pilot schools. The organization was created on 25 October 1995, and was later renamed in 2009 to also include aviation schools not located in Europe.

Multi-crew cooperation (MCC) is a training course that allows aircraft pilots to fly multi-crew aircraft. It is a requirement before a pilot may undertake a multi-crew aircraft type rating. It is also required for the issuance of an airline transport pilot license (ATPL) or a multi-crew pilot license (MPL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pilot logbook</span>

A pilot logbook is a record of a pilot's flying hours. It contains every flight a pilot has flown, including flight time, number of landings, and types of instrument approaches made. Pilots also log simulator time, as it counts towards training.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Cockpit Association</span>

The European Cockpit Association (ECA) is a trade union that represents European pilots. It has pursued the improvement of aviation policies to the benefit of its members, and has frequently spoken out in length on topics such as the impact of flight-time limitations on its members, the erosion of aviation safety culture, and the necessity of regulating the emerging subsector of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) is a combination of theoretical and practical training given to aircraft pilots to enable the pilot to prevent, recognise and recover from unusual attitudes and unexpected situations.

Aviation in the European Union and the European Free Trade Association is regulated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). EASA specifies common standards for the licensing of aircraft pilots. EASA does not issue licences, rather licences are issued by member states. However, because the same standards are used, EASA licences are recognised by all member states.

References

  1. ↑ "Multi-crew Pilot Licence Symposium". www.icao.int. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  2. ↑ "Section K – Multi-crew pilot licence" (PDF). www.caa.co.uk. UK Civil Aviation Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  3. ↑ Kearns, Suzanne; Mavin, Timothy; Hodge, Steven (2015). Competency-Based Education in Aviation: Exploring Alternate Training Pathways. Ashgate Publishing Limited. ISBN   978-1-4724-3856-0 . Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  4. 1 2 Broach, Dana; Schroeder, David; Gildea, Kevin (13 February 2019). "Best Practices in Pilot Selection" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved 12 May 2023.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ↑ Learmount, David (12 March 2015). Analysis: That pilot shortage – will it prove to be another mirage? . Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  6. ↑ Schroeder, Chris; Harms, Dieter (May 2007). "MPL represents a state-of-the-art ab initio airline pilot training programme" (PDF). ICAO Journal. 62 (3): 15. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  7. ↑ Harms, Dieter. "Frequent asked questions on multi-crew pilot licence (MPL)" (PDF). IATA. p. 4. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  8. ↑ "Spreadsheet - IATA Global MPL Course Tracker". IATA.org. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  9. ↑ "EASA Part-FCL" (PDF). Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  10. 1 2 "Multi pilot licence for aeroplanes". www.caa.co.uk. Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  11. ↑ "Multi-Crew Pilot License - ALPA". clearedtodream.org. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  12. 1 2 Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation: Personnel Licensing (PDF) (Fourteenth ed.). International Civil Aviation Organization. July 2022. ISBN   978-92-9265-732-1 . Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  13. ↑ "MPL and ATPL Programs: What are the differences?". Aviation Voice. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  14. ↑ Morrison, Murdo (24 March 2017). "Analysis: True believers and sceptics - a decade of MPL". Flight Global. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  15. ↑ Learmount, David (22 October 2014). "MPL students bust transfer myth". Flight Global. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  16. ↑ "The Multi-crew Pilot Licence (MPL) at CTC Aviation". www.aviation-training-guide.com. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  17. ↑ Harding, Nick (19 October 2020). "Trainee pilots left facing huge bills as Easyjet terminates offers". UK Aviation News. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  18. ↑ Wikander, Rickard; Dahlström, Nicklas (May 2016). "Multi-crew Pilot License, Part II: The MPL Data - Capturing the Experience" (PDF). Lund University School of Aviation: 173. Retrieved 12 May 2023.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  19. ↑ Learmount, David (15 January 2014). "European Cockpit Association slams multicrew pilot licence". Flight Global. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  20. 1 2 "ECA Position Paper on Multi-Crew Pilot License". www.eurocockpit.be. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  21. 1 2 Wikander, Rickard; Dahlström, Nicklas (2014). "The Multi Crew Pilot Licence - Revolution, Evolution or not even a Solution?" (PDF). Lund University School of Aviation. Retrieved 12 May 2023.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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