Converting an ICAO Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) to a UK CAA or EASA licence depends on several factors. Primarily, where your original licence was issued, your nationality/residency, and where you intend to work or fly.
Let’s break it down clearly for both cases:
Converting an ICAO CPL/ATPL to a UK CAA licence
After Brexit, the UK CAA operates separately from EASA, so conversion to a UK licence is a standalone process.
Basic Requirements:
- Hold a valid ICAO CPL or ATPL (from a non-UK, non-EASA state).
- Hold a valid Class 1 Medical Certificate issued by a UK CAA-approved Aeromedical Examiner (AME).
- Demonstrate English language proficiency (minimum ICAO Level 4).
- Pass UK theoretical knowledge exams (13 ATPL subjects).
- Pass UK flight skill tests appropriate to the licence sought (CPL/ATPL).
- Meet experience requirements (flight hours, multi-crew time, instrument rating, etc.).
Conversion Path Summary:
ICAO ATPL → UK ATPL (A)
- Apply to the CAA for validation or conversion.
- Obtain a UK CAA Class 1 medical.
- Complete the ATPL theoretical exams (13 subjects). You won’t need to attend an approved course provided you hold a valid multi-pilot type rating recognised by the UK CAA.
- Complete an ATPL skills test with a UK examiner.
ICAO CPL/IR → UK CPL/IR
- Pass the 13 UK CAA theoretical exams, whilst completing a UK CAA approved ATPL theory course with an Approved Training Organisation (ATO).
- Undertake CPL/IR flight training as needed at an Approved Training Organisation (ATO). Generally, for a CPL conversion, around 8 hours of flight training are required before taking the CPL skill test, and 15 hours minimum for the IR before taking the skill test.
- Pass the UK CPL skills test and IR skills test.
Converting an ICAO CPL/ATPL to an EASA licence
Each EASA member state (e.g., Ireland, France, Germany) has its own aviation authority, but the EASA standards are harmonised.
Basic Requirements:
- Meet the experience requirements (similar to ICAO Annex 1).
- Hold a valid ICAO CPL or ATPL licence.
- Pass the 13 EASA ATPL theory exams.
- Hold a valid EASA Class 1 Medical Certificate.
- Pass a skill test for the licence and ratings sought.
Conversion Path Summary:
ICAO ATPL → EASA ATPL (A)
- Obtain an EASA Class 1 medical.
- Pass the 13 EASA ATPL(A) theory exams. You won’t need to attend an approved course provided you hold a valid multi-pilot type rating recognised by EASA.
- Pass the ATPL skill test in an EASA-approved simulator/aircraft.
ICAO CPL/IR → EASA CPL/IR
- Obtain an EASA Class 1 medical
- Pass 13 EASA ATPL theoretical exams, whilst completing an EASA approved ATPL theory course with an Approved Training Organisation (ATO).
- Complete a CPL course at an EASA ATO (as required). Generally, for a CPL conversion, around 8 hours of flight training are required before taking the CPL skill test, and 15 hours minimum for the IR before taking the skill test.
- Pass the EASA CPL and IR skill test.
Find out more about ICAO Licence Conversions
