We were delighted to welcome four more students to the industry's best Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) theory course this week! 

All of our refresher classes are conducted in Dublin and are scheduled 2-3 weeks in advance of the published IAA exam sittings every two months. We believe in limiting class sizes to ensure the optimum learning environment, providing support to students throughout their ATPL training journey, and delivering the highest standard of theoretical knowledge instruction. However, what really differentiates us from most other ATO’s is our instructional team - our ATPL instructors are truly passionate about what they do - each one is chosen for their subject matter expertise and practical industry experience which adds real value to the student experience by bringing the subject to life - meet our team and see for yourself!

As a result of the regulatory uncertainty which has been created by the increased possibility of a so-called “Hard Brexit”, we are receiving a significant number of queries from concerned students enrolled in UK ATO’s and/or completing ATPL exams under the UK CAA who are now considering completing their EASA ATPL exams through the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

Below are the responses to some of the most frequently asked questions which we are receiving.

Will my ATPL exams be valid following the UK’s departure from the EU at 11pm on 31st October 2019?

With regards to ATPL exam validity for the purposes of issuing an EASA licence, the European Commission has stated that ATPL examinations completed in the UK that "if all the theory exams have been completed before the withdrawal date and if the change to another ATO located in the EU is done before the withdrawal date, the students will retain the credit for those theory exams performed in the UK for the normal duration of 3 years and may thus complete their training in another EU Member State".

While negotiations are ongoing regarding the UK’s future status in EASA, the UK CAA’s website (https://www.caa.co.uk/our-work/about-us/eu-exit) states that, if a hard Brexit were to occur, “UK issued licences and approvals (issued when the UK was an EASA member)…will no longer be recognised by EASA for use on EASA Member State-registered aircraft”. Furthermore, EASA (https://ec.europa.eu/transport/sites/transport/files/legislation/brexit-notice-to-stakeholders-aviation-safety.pdf) has stated that “Certificates issued before the withdrawal date by the competent authorities of the United Kingdom on the basis of the provisions of the Basic Regulation and its implementing rules will no longer be valid as of the withdrawal date in the EU”.

Do I have to transfer my UK Private Pilot Licence (PPL) to an EASA member state in order to allow me to sit my ATPL exams in an EASA member state?

No. The only requirement to commence EASA ATPL Training is to hold an ICAO PPL. Since the UK CAA will continue to be a member of ICAO, there is no requirement to transfer your PPL to an EASA member state. Once you complete the ATPL’s with the IAA you will hold the EASA ATPL Theoretical Knowledge credit. Thereafter, you can use this credit to complete your EASA CPL/IR practical flight training in any EASA member state.

Can I transfer examination passes and training already completed from the UK CAA to another member state or to another EASA ATO such as the IAA? 

Unfortunately, this is not currently possible. Students can either transfer to an EASA ATO and commence ATPL training and examinations again or complete 14 ATPL exams through the UK CAA and hope that there is some form of recognition of your examination passes following the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU).

What do I need to do in order to transfer and complete my examinations through the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA)?

Enroll with an Irish registered EASA ATO. Providing you meet the pre-entry criteria, you can commence training immediately. If you were to choose us for your training, we will need the attached form completed (together with a copy of your PPL / Photographic ID) in order to get you setup immediately on our learning management system. Please also feel free to e-mail us at [email protected] to discuss your training needs. Our application form can be completed electronically and e-mailed directly to us. 

The normal cost of our distance learning course is €2700 (£2400), we are now offering a 10% discounts to students who may be affected by "Brexit". This offer is only valid until October 31st 2019.

We also offer a phased payment scheme. Included in this price is:

• Access to our Subject Matter Experts (SME)
• Access to ASG administrative support throughout your training
• 12 months’ access to the ‘Padpilot' Online Computer Learning Management System providing a learning structure and objectives for each subject.
• 12 months’ access to the ATP Online Question Bank at a reduced rate
• School examinations in preparation for the sitting of each ATPL examination
• 661 hours of lessons including 10 days’ of bespoke classroom lectures in preparation for your examinations

When are the revision dates for 2019?

At ASG, our revision modules are conducted every two months in time for the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) examination schedule. You can plan the dates for your modules in advance and if the plan changes (depending on your progress) you can easily switch on to a later revision period. 

IAA Examination fees are currently €100 per subject and are payable directly to the IAA. Your exam applications are processed and approved by ASG and forwarded to the IAA on your behalf for your chosen examination sitting. ​

August

• 6th - 9th August (4 days) (Principles of Flight; Meteorology; Human Performance & Limitations; Mass & Balance; Performance)
• 10th - 12th August (3 days) (Radio Navigation; Instrumentation; Flight Planning & Monitoring; Communications)
• 3rd - 5th August (3 days) (Navigation General; Air Law; Operational Procedures; Aircraft General Knowledge)

October

• 8th - 11th October (4 days) (Principles of Flight; Meteorology; Human Performance & Limitations; Mass & Balance; Performance)
• 5th - 7th October (3 days) (Radio Navigation; Instrumentation; Flight Planning & Monitoring; Communications)
• 2nd - 4th October (3 days) (Navigation General; Air Law; Operational Procedures; Aircraft General Knowledge)

November/December

• 25th - 28th November (4 days) (Principles of Flight; Meteorology; Human Performance & Limitations; Mass & Balance; Performance)
• 1st - 3rd December (3 days) (Radio Navigation; Instrumentation; Flight Planning & Monitoring; Communications)
• 5th - 7th December (3 days) (Navigation General; Air Law; Operational Procedures; Aircraft General Knowledge)

If you are studying for your ATPL's at another ATO and would like to attend one of our revision modules, please contact us at [email protected] to see if we can accommodate you. Our own students take priority and availability is based entirely on us maintaining our optimum student/instructor ratio. ​

​Once again, ASG were delighted to provide Air Traffic Management support for the Bray Air Display which took place on 28th and 29th of July 2019. We're already looking forward until next year!