Skip to main content

Flight training, Commercial Pilot (ATPL)

Commercial pilot training

comprises of

  • theoretical and practical training at an approved flight school that is authorised to train students to commercial pilot

  • international theoretical exams at the Icelandic Transport Agency

Theoretical training

is conducted according to a syllabus containing 14 subjects. There are 13 test subjects at the Icelandic Transport Authority:

  • 010 - Air law (LAW)

  • 021 - Airframe/systems/power plant (ASP)

  • 022 - Instrumentation (INST)

  • 031 - Mass and balance (M&B)

  • 032 - Performance (PERF)

  • 033 - Flight planning and monitoring (FPM)

  • 040 - Human performance (HUM)

  • 050 - Meteorology (MET)

  • 061 - General navigation (GEN NAV)

  • 062 - Radio navigation (R NAV)

  • 070 - Operational procedures (OPS)

  • 081 Principles of flight (POF)

  • 090 - Communications (COM)

Subjects not for an exam at the Icelandic Transport Authority, but must pass the final assessment at a flight school before the student has the first attempt at his last exam subject at the ICETRA exams.

  • 100 – Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA)

Exams must be completed with a minimum score of 75 percent in each subject.

Students have

  • 12 months to complete the first examination at the Icelandic Transportation Authority in each subject after completion at the flight school.

  • 18 months to complete all exams at the Icelandic Transport Authority after taking the first exam at ICETRA.

  • After graduation from theoretical exams, students have 36 months to complete the practical part of the training at a flights school and pass a skill test for the issue of a commercial pilot licence with an instrument rating (CPL/IR).

  • The maximum number of test sessions per subject is 4 and the maximum number of sessions is 6.

Those who do not meet any of the above conditions must undergo retraining at a flight school and repeat the theoretical exams at ICETRA.

Practical training

Information on flight time requirements, as well as other conditions of practical training, for the issue of CPL and ATPL licences can be found in regulation (EU) 1178/2011, issued by EASA.

Practical examination

On completion of theoretical and practical training, students must pass a practical skill test with an examiner for the issue of a CPL (MEP and an IR usually taken at the same time). The theoretical exams at ICETRA must be completed before a student is permitted to take the skill test.

CPL

In order to apply for a CPL license, the applicant must, among other things, meet the following conditions:

  • Be a holder of a PPL (in case of modular training).

  • Have reached the age of 18.

  • Hold a valid first class EASA, Part-MED health certificate.

  • Demonstrate language proficiency in English (ICAO Level 4 minimum).

  • Have completed a CPL theoretical programme and passed theoretical examinations at the Icelandic Transport Authority within 36 months.

  • Have completed practical commercial pilot training and passed a skill test.

EASA Part-FCL CPL:

CPL: Commercial Pilot Licence ATPL: Airline Transport Pilot Licence

The graduation of an ATPL shall be valid for 7 years for the issue of an ATPL licence, counting from the date on which the IR was last issued. Flight time requirements, as well as other conditions, are cited for the issuance of ATPL licences above.

Rules and regulations

Information on flight time requirements, as well as other conditions of practical training, for the issue of CPL and ATPL licences can be found in regulation (EU) 1178/2011, issued by EASA.