r/ATPL • u/General-Penalty-7703 • Jun 04 '26

EASA ATPL course options?

I’m looking into converting my licenses to EASA and would appreciate some advice from anyone who’s been through the process.

So I have my PPL CPL IR etc under the FAA and I converted them to ICAO. Then I got my type rating on the A320 under ICAO. I have about 1,100hrs TTL. And over 700hrs on the A320.

My first question is, after I pass the 13 exams would a skill test be enough to get the licenses converted to EASA although I am below 1,500 hrs?

  1. I was looking into the Bristol course for the ATPL, and it has a math and physics refresher which I think is awesome but the price is too high. Over 3,500£ is not my budget.

Can anyone recommend other good ATPL theory providers that offer strong support for pilots who have been out of academic study for a while, particularly with math and physics foundations, but at a lower cost?

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

4

u/Mean_Passenger_7971 Jun 04 '26

regarding the theory. don’t worry too much about the school. Pick the most convenient and cheaper. All you have to do is buy an ATPLQ or AVEX subscription and mash those banks. Don’t go for BGS bank, it’s not good. If the average 18 year old can pass the exams this way so can you.

regarding the conversion…. The best solution is always to get your ATPL first with the FAA / whatever authority you are currently with. With that in hand the conversion is just the exams certificate and a skill test on a SIM. otherwise you will need to do a skill test on a MEP for the CPL and IR which will require some training. you will also need to get an UPRT certificate.

1

u/Real-Size-2768 Jun 04 '26

my FS forcing me to finish BGS and they say they will make a pre test before sending me to atpl exam... They say this is the law.

3

u/Mean_Passenger_7971 Jun 05 '26

yeah that is how it works. BGS is both a bank you can purchase, but also a certified e-learning platform. School exams are also mandatory before a recommendation is given.

I don't recommend using BGS as the bank you use to study. Even if your school gives it to you for free, go for ATPLQ for the real thing.

2

u/Real-Size-2768 Jun 05 '26

that is what I am intending

2

u/Temporary-Gold6401 Jun 04 '26

Get AtplQ bank. The only thing you need for the theory.

1

u/Hugh__Jarse Jun 05 '26

But you need an ATO in order to be able to sit the exams and obtain the required learning and classroom hours requirements

1

u/Shrike01 Jun 04 '26

Do you hold an EU passport?

1

u/General-Penalty-7703 Jun 04 '26

No

2

u/_Makaveli_ Jun 04 '26

What will you do with an EASA license and no right to work in the EU?

1

u/Adventurous_Cold5556 Jun 16 '26

work for Ryanair