What is a “Frozen” ATPL
In order to be able to work as commercial pilots, all the students are to obtain an ATPL. This license entails flying training and exams in different subjects, either at a flying school or independently. Once the theoretical part is completed, it is appropriate to think of the license as being “frozen”. To be issued Uh flight operating certificate, also known as ATPL, one requires minimum of 1500 of flight hours and passing mark above 75% in all the ATPL subjects. In the case of a student, a student’s license is said to be frozen or idle when the student passed all theoretical examinations but has not reached the 1500 hours of flight time required.
How to activate a frozen ATPL?
In order to receive an ATPL from the UK CAA or the EASA, you must log 1500 hours of flight experience, which includes the following:
- 500 hours of multi-pilot flight experience in transport or commuter aircraft
- 250 hours spent flying as the Pilot in Command (PIC) (or, with supervision, 100 and 180 PIC hours)
- 200 hours of cross-country flying, 100 of which were spent as pilot in command
- 100 hours of nighttime flying as a copilot or pilot in command
- 75 hours of instrument flying time
Conclusion
In summary, a “frozen” ATPL is a license where all the theoretical exams are successfully completed (above 75%). However, the flight hours requisite for it to be operational has not been satisfied.
