A Commercial Pilot Licence and the theory course you complete are different parts of your training journey. This video introduces why your longer-term goals matter when deciding between CPL and ATPL theory.
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Read the transcript
What is the UK CPL?
The CPL has a place for people who want to be career instructors, or who know they don't want to become a captain on a large aeroplane such as a 737. For that later goal, you need an ATPL.
CPL theory involves a slightly reduced set of exams, but much of the process is similar. That's why we often recommend ATPL theory, with a CPL/IR issued at the relevant stage.
There are two separate things: the theory you study—CPL or ATPL theory—and the licence you are issued, such as a Commercial Pilot Licence or Airline Transport Pilot Licence.
If you do CPL theory and later decide you want an ATPL, you will need to complete further examinations towards that upgrade. If there's a chance you want to become a captain on a 737 or 777, the route most people consider is ATPL theory.
On a modular route, you do your PPL theory and obtain a Private Pilot Licence, then study ATPL theory. That theory covers the commercial pilot theory requirement. Why can't you go straight to holding an ATPL? There are experience requirements, including 1,500 hours, which you haven't yet gained. So you may hold a CPL even though you have completed ATPL theory.
Later, once you have the required experience, you progress towards the ATPL. As I put it in the video, “without doing any additional tests”.
The knowledge gap between the two theory syllabuses isn't huge within the UK syllabus, which is why we often recommend going straight for ATPL theory. If you want ATPL, CPL, IR or PPL theory, the link is below.
