How do I get an airline transport pilot certificate
Airline transport pilot requirements
Airline transport pilot certification training program
What is a Commercial Pilot License? Privileges, Requirements, and Eligibility
What is a commercial pilot license?
‘“I was lucky, I only just passed my ATPL Test”.
If those were your words after only just passing your Airline Transport Pilot License Test (ATPL), then you have not prepared enough for the test, you are not really interested in your work, and you are not being a professional pilot. A career in aviation takes dedication and hard work.
The thing we call “Luck” should be professionalism and attention to detail, it is your awareness of everything that is going on around you, it is how well you understand your airplane and your own limitations. “Luck” is the total of your abilities as a pilot or better still, an “Aviator”.
Now, from your previous flight training, and pilot experience, you should know that flying requires a continuous series of decisions. SO! If you are at your best, you should be able to plan effectively and safely handle most of the situations that occur during a flight.
The Airline Transport Pilot Licence or Commercial Pilot Licence
- Your avionics
- Your instrumentation
- Charts
- Air Traffic control
- Your co-pilot
All of these are components requiring you to process more information, you must consider the instructions and suggestions of others during every flight, whether you are the Pilot in Command, or flying as the First Officer.
Transitioning from a private pilot or recreational pilot to a commercial pilot or airline pilot, you will now be flying faster, bigger, and more complex aircraft, and much of the time you will be required to fly these aircraft under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and sometimes stressful conditions.
“”Always be professional and prepared.”
How should you prepare for your ATPL flight examination?
Human Element Insets:
Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM):
- Misunderstanding of charts,
- Failure to understand ATC Clearances,
- Inability to use the avionics equipment (eg, EFIS) or an incorrect/insufficient flight plan
- Pilot Error, (Could also be the result of poor ergonomics or integration of people and the equipment they use)
- Lack of coordination among crew members.
Crew Resource Management (CRM)
Why CRM?
The Decision-Making Process
- Keep all communication with ATC or communication with other aircraft pilot’s professionals specifically under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions.
- A flight in an IFR environment requires you to rely on resources beyond those used in flight and is the most important part of your ATPL studies and Test.
- Effective workload management directly impacts safety by ensuring that you are prepared for the busy segments of your flight through proper use of quiet times.
Situational Awareness (SA)
2. Then the main heading:
3. The main Map with the areas covered being Blocked and Noted with map number (5.1 or 5.2).
4. Changes:
The above is just an example of where to start with a chart (Map) 5. Know all the symbols annotated on the charts, for example:
(You can download “Meteorological Aviation Codes” AIC 43.1 (02-08-15) from the SACAA Website for all necessary information.
- Initial Approach Segment/Fix (IAF),
- Intermediate Approach Segment/Fix (IF),
- Final Approach Fix (FAF),
- Final Approach Point (FAP),
- Missed Approach Point (MAP),
- Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA),
- Touchdown Zone Elevation (TDZE),
- Height Above Airport (HAA),
- Threshold Crossing Height (TCH),
- Visual Descent Point (VDP),
- Decision Height (DH),
- Decision Altitude (DA),
- Minimum Descent Altitude (Height) MDA(H),
- Airport Reference Point (ARP)
Preparing for The Approach
Preparing for the Approach during your IFR planning, you should examine the Approach charts for your destination to review procedures and the symbology.
PLAN EARLY! Do NOT leave briefing and planning too late thereby getting yourself and your crew in a panic state.
During the approach to your destination, the type of approach to expect will be provided by the controller OR could be broadcast on the ATIS frequency. The purpose of the ATIS information is to help you plan your arrival actions, however, IT IS NOT an ATC Clearance or commitment and could be subject to change.
The Sequence of Approach Chart Review
- Procedure Title,
- Communication Frequencies,
- Primary Navaid Frequency,
- Inbound Course, (FAF or FP, GS intercept altitudes)
- DA(H) or MDA(H),
- Airport Elevation,
- Touchdown Zone Elevation,
- Missed Approach Instructions,
- Any special Notes/Procedures.
Beware of Approaches with COURSE REVERSALS!
There could be several situations that require executing a “Circling Approach” Beware!
- Each aircraft category has a published Circling Approach Limitation.
- The circling approach is confined to a defined “Protected Area”, the size of which is published in the AIP or on the Approach Chart. SO! If you remain within this protected area, you are assured of obstacle clearance at the MDA during circling maneuvers.
Approach categories are based on 1.3 times the stall speed in the landing configuration. Vs1.3.
Visual Approach Requests
Study hard and prepare yourself well for your test, be professional, and dress smartly for your test. Make a good impression before you even enter the briefing room and make sure of your exam times not to be late. Punctuality is key to professionalism.
Good Luck!
Looking to obtain your ATPL?
Simuflight is one of the leading advanced flight schools within South Africa focusing on licensing from the Commercial Pilot License (CPL) onwards, beyond the recreational pilot certificate and Private Pilot License (PPL). Our expertise lies in training towards a commercial pilot certificate and license using our state-of-the-art flight simulators that are built in-house.
Have a query or question on what we have to offer?
Contact us today for more information or a quote regarding the flight training courses we offer.
Tel: +27 11 314 0152
Email: info@simuflight.co.za
Or follow this link:
https://www.simuflight.co.za/pilot-training/licencing/atpl-upgrade/
The Simulator Approval Process
The Simulator Approval Process