Airline transport pilot licence | Traficom
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Transport and Communications Agency

Airline transport pilot licence

An airline transport pilot licence (ATPL) gives its holder the right to act as pilot-in-command on multi-pilot aircraft in commercial air transport by either aeroplane (A) or helicopter (H). This means that pilots-in-command on commercial air transport hold an ATPL.

You cannot apply for an airline transport pilot licence solely on the basis of training. You are also required to have experience of multi-pilot aeroplanes and more total flight experience. The ATPL is usually applied for by the airline in whose service the commercial pilot licence (CPL) holder has gained a sufficient number of flying hours to meet the requirements.

How to obtain an airline transport pilot licence

  • Step 1

    Age requirement

    To apply for an ATPL, you must be at least 21 years of age.

  • Step 2

    Licence requirements

    You must hold one of the following licences:

  • Step 3

    Training

    The training consists of theoretical knowledge instruction.

    You are also required to have sufficient flight experience.

  • Step 4

    Medical certificate

    You are required to have a medical certificate.

    Medical examinations by aeromedical examiners
  • Step 5

    Theoretical knowledge examinations arranged by Traficom

    You may participate in theoretical knowledge examinations after completing the theoretical knowledge instruction.

    Read more about theoretical knowledge examinations
  • Step 6

    Flight experience

    To apply for an ATPL(A), you must have completed the required training and have sufficient flight experience. For more information on the minimum requirements for an ATPL, please see Subpart F in Annex I to the Aircrew Regulation or the forms for reporting experience.

  • Step 7

    Designation of a flight examiner

    Traficom designates an examiner for the ATPL skill test. You can apply for designation by proposing a suitable examiner at the latest 14 days before the planned skill test. Proposals must be submitted by an electronic form.

    Read more about flight examiners for skill tests
    Apply a designation of flight examiner
  • Step 8

    Skill test

    You can take the skill test once you have successfully completed the theoretical knowledge instruction and Traficom’s theoretical knowledge examinations and have sufficient experience to apply for an ATPL.

  • Step 9

    Apply for the licence

    Apply for an ATPL licence

The license is renewed every time an is made to add or change ratings or privileges to the license. The airline transport pilot license can also be rewritten, for example, in cases where the back page of the license is full, due to a change of name of the license holder or to replace a lost license. 

When rewriting the license, the following is required:

  • Class 1 of the medical qualification certificate must be valid
  • The license must have at least one valid class or type rating
  • At least one language proficiency must be valid 

Please note that expired ratings, authorizations and privileges are not printed on the issued license.

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