Multi-crew Pilot License (MPL) & MPL Course

What is a Multi-crew Pilot License (MPL)?

The MPL is a license that was introduced back in 2006, by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),  along with the new MPL course. The MPL Course is an airline-oriented flight training course that aims to introduce a new path into becoming a certified pilot ready to enter the airline workforce.

The MPL is an airline and type (i.e. aircraft) specific license that has its advantages and disadvantages. You can think of an MPL as a Frozen ATPL license that allows you to fly on one specific aircraft and one specific airline until you are eligible to upgrade the license into an ATPL.

After obtaining your ATPL there is no difference between your (you being a previous MPL holder) ATPL and the ATPL of someone who previously had a CPL.

In this article I will go in details about 

1. How to earn an MPL;
2. MPL Course Structure;
3. The advantages and disadvantages of an MPL;
4. Conclusion. 

I strongly suggest you go through the following articles before you continue reading as they will give you the background knowledge required to understand the "transitional" route to earning your pilot's license. Understanding how Integrated and Modular training (i.e. the traditional route) will allow you to compare it with the MPL course and eventually take an educated decision on what route you'd prefer to pursue. You can find the links below:

• Pilot's Licenses
• How to Earn your Pilot's License

How to Earn an MPL

The only route to earning an MPL is through an MPL course. But you need to understand one thing about MPL courses first.

MPL courses are airline specific. Usually, to get into an MPL course, you would have to be "tagged" or "sponsored" by an airline. This is because during the course you will be trained on airline specific Standard Operating Procedures. And, after completing the course, you will initially only be allowed to fly for that specific airline (more on that later in this article).

Affiliation to an airline does not necessarily mean that they will financially sponsor your course. Nowadays airlines tend to put you through an assessment of their own before deeming you fit for their course. Passing the assessment does not mean your job is guaranteed either. You still have to maintain your performance during the course and, with some airlines, even pass another assessment after the course to get the job.

I don't mean to be pessimistic here, all I'm trying to point out is getting into an MPL course through an airline is just the beginning of the journey.

On the other hand, getting into an MPL course with an airline affiliation does give you a clear path into the right hand seat of an airliner.

MPL Course Structure

Theory Training & Examination

Just like conventional training syllabi, the MPL program’s training begins with Ground School. The MPL Program adopted the conventional Air Transport Pilot’s License’s (ATPL) theoretical knowledge subjects, and competency is still measured through multiple choice examinations. But unlike the conventional ATPL theoretical knowledge subjects, some MPL subjects (i.e. Aircraft General Knowledge) have been modified to incorporate type specific details and concepts. 

Flight Training

Flight Training is different from one training organization to another, but in general flight training is divided into the following phases:

Core Flying Phase: During this phase cadets go through basic flight training on a single engine aircraft. Conventional flight training maneuvers are learnt during this stage, and the cadets get to fly solo. This teaches the cadets basic handling abilities and gives them the much-required confidence to progress during their training.

Basic Flying Phase: At this phase more complex aircraft exercises and instrument flying are introduced, along with Multi-Crew Co-operation (MCC). This phase allows the cadets to further experience flying and it introduces them to MCC environment.

Intermediate Flying Phase: At this phase the cadets move into a type specific simulator. The flight simulator training device used in Phase 3 (Intermediate) must represent a specific turbine-powered multi-engine aeroplane type that requires two-pilot operation. The device must be certified to a standard equivalent to "Level B", which means that it has to be capable of simulating full daylight operations while providing each pilot with a continuous cockpit-wide minimum collimated view through 180 degrees horizontally and 40 degrees vertically. (ICAO Journal, 2007). MCC abilities are further enhanced, and airline specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are introduced.

Advanced Flying Phase: Further training on the type specific simulator & consolidation is experienced during this phase. The simulator used in Phase 4 (Advanced), the final phase of the training program, must be fully equivalent to a Level D or Level C flight simulator training device. (ICAO Journal, 2007) The cadet is expected to pass a skills test at the end of this phase. 

Base Training: a cadet has to then complete Base Training which comprises of  6-12 take offs and landings (depending on the regulator) on the aircraft (actual flight and not in the simulator).

Initial Operating Experience (IOE): at this stage the cadet needs to fly with an airline to complete 1500 hours on the aircraft type. 

Advantages of an MPL Course

1. Integrated Multi-Crew Co-operation (MCC) 

The development of MCC flying was a safety milestone for the world of aviation. When it comes to a synergetic Multi-Pilot (MP) cockpit the following rule always applies: 1+1= >2.

Today, MP crew is a requirement when flying for an airline. Thus, good MCC training is essential for the safe conduct of a flight. 

The problem with conventional training, when it comes to MCC, is that – from day one – cadets are taught to fly under Single Pilot (SP) operations. A cadet completes their training (approx. 200-250 flying hours) while flying under SP rules. The cadet then attends a short MCC course to qualify to fly a MP airplane. This does not allow enough time for a cadet to become accustomed to a MP cockpit.

If you ask anyone who has instructed, they will tell you that unlearning old habits or techniques is a very difficult task, and that is where the MPL shines. The integration of MCC from early stages of a cadets’ training allows them to wire their brains to the MCC environment. It teaches the cadets to always consider that there is more than one pilot in the cockpit and that the second pilot is a valuable resource. In other words, replying on the other crew member becomes instinctive to the cadet pilot from early on in their training.

2. Integrated Type and Base training 

As previously mentioned, the MPL is an airline-centric approach to flight training. The integration of type and base training into the MPL program not only further markets the course as an airline-centric approach, but also promotes more proficient (on the specific aircraft type) newly graduated cadets and at the same time is a very time and cost effective process. The benefits of this integration are as follows:

1. It allows the cadet to get accustomed to the aircraft type early on during their training. And thus allows the cadet to develop confidence in the skills on the aircraft type. 
2. Integrating the hours needed for a type rating with the hour needed to issue the MPL allows for a reduced amount of total hours when compared to the conventional training route. This further reduces the cost and time efficiency of the course.

3. Integrated Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT) 

"Loss of control in flight (LOC-I) was found to be the leading cause of fatalities in commercial aviation between 2001 and 2011" (Brooks, Ransbury and Stowell, 2014). Air France 447, Qantas flight 72, Adam Air 574, and Pinnacle Airlines Flight 3701 are only a few examples of LOC-I that could have been prevented by proper UPRT. "Reducing the number of LOC-I accidents is now a priority of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)." (Brooks, Ransbury and Stowell, 2014). 

Integrating UPRT into the, relatively, newly designed MPL course is only proof of ICAO’s commitment to the previous statement. UPRT is integrated into the Core Flying Phase during the MCC course; it is done in this manner to allow upset prevention and recovery to become one of the building blocks of a cadet’s flying skills.

Recently, regulators such as EASA have mandated the UPRT for CPL holders intending to begin a type rating. Regardless of that, an integrated UPRT during an MCC course still holds the upper hand. UPRT for a CPL holder is generally completed on single engine piston aircraft. This does teach the CPL holder valuable skills. Yet, those skills will be identical on a heavy jet / turboprop aircraft.

Disadvantages of an MPL Course

1. Airline dependency for IOE 

One drawback with the MPL program is the restriction to operate for a specific airline until a cadet obtains their ATPL.

This issue, as always, depends on the regulator. "The ICAO PANS-TRG suggests the involvement of an airline while EASA regulation requires the involvement of an airline and restricts the MPL license to that particular airline until the initial operating experience (IOE) is completed" (Harms, 2013)

"Under EASA regulations, if a cadet fails during the IOE, the complete MPL course is considered failed, and the now still restricted license becomes useless for the cadet and may ultimately be withdrawn by the authority" (IATA, 2011). 

"In non-EASA cases the same potential problem could arise at the end of the MPL Advanced phase if no airline shows any interest in the IOE" (Wikander and Dahlström, 2016). Meaning that if a student pilot begins an MPL course and is unable to find an airline willing to offer IOE the student pilot would be unable to use their license to find any other job. In contrast, if a CPL holder is unable to get a job with an airline, they could still use their CPL to find an alternative flying job.

2. No Single Pilot (SP) Privileges 

Almost every flying job outside the airline industry (and private jet jobs) requires SP privileges. The restriction on such privilege cuts down the cadets employment chances especially if they were not able to secure a job in the airline industry. 

Some Flight Training Organizations (FTOs) & aviation authorities addressed this issue by integrating the Private Pilot License (PPL) syllabus into the core flying phase. This way a cadet would earn a PPL with SP privileges. Other FTOs & authorities do not favor this approach. Instead this approach is viewed as a departure from the main objective of the MULTI-CREW pilot license.

3. Limited Exposure to Live Air Traffic Control (ATC) 

The MPL course is predominantly Simulator focused with little exposure to live ATC during the Core Flying Phase. This poor exposure to live ATC could be classified as a latent threat, especially for non-native English speaker. 

Both ICAO and EASA understand the critical nature of the problem and are trying to tackle the issue. "EASA have implemented more stringent regulation by requiring the provision of an ATC environment in Phase 3 and 4" (EASA Part FCL, Appendix 5, 14, p.107-108, 2008).

Conclusion

Just like anything else in this world, an MPL course has it's advantages and disadvantages and the one's that I've mentioned in this article are only a few points. I strongly suggest you make your due diligence before investing your time and money into any aviation training. Always consider what is best for your individual situation. And what ever your decision is give it 110% of your effort.

If you have any other questions drop me a Direct Message directly through my Instagram page: @fi.notes

References:

• ICAO Journal. (2007). 3rd ed. [ebook] ICAO. Available at: http://www.icao.int/publications/journalsreports/2007/6203_en.pdf [Accessed 10 Apr. 2016].
• Wikander, R. and Dahlström, D. (2016). The Multi Crew Pilot Licence - Revolution, Evolution or not even a Solution?. 1st ed. [ebook] Available at: http://www.tfhs.lu.se/fileadmin/tfhs/doc/The_MultiCrew_Pilot_License.pdf [Accessed 5 Apr. 2016].
• Brooks, R., Ransbury, P. and Stowell, R. (2014). Enhancement to the ICAO Manual on Upset Recovery. [online] APS. Available at: http://apstraining.com/addressing-on-aeroplane-upset-preventionrecovery-training/ [Accessed 5 Apr. 2016].
• Iata.org. (2016). IATA - Multi-Crew Pilot License Training. [online] Available at: http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/ops-infra/itqi/Pages/mpl.aspx [Accessed 10 Apr. 2016].