Airline Transport Pilots Licence Theory Course (ATPL)

Full Time ATPL Theory 2025 Start Dates:

• Module 1: Thursday 2nd Jan – Friday 28th of February – IAA exams: 3rd – 5th of March.
• Module 2: Monday 10th March – Friday 25th of April – IAA exams: 28th April – 1st of May. FULLY BOOKED
• Module 3: Tuesday 6th May – Friday 21st of June – IAA exams: 23rd – 26th of June. FULLY BOOKED
• Module 1: Monday 30th June – Friday 22nd of August – IAA exams: 25th – 28th of August. FULLY BOOKED
• Module 2: Monday 1st September – Friday 17th of October – IAA Exams: 20th – 23rd of October
• Monule 3: Tuesday 28th October – Friday 12th of December – IAA Exams: 15th – 17th of December.

Part-Time Distance Learning students can begin the ATPL theory course at anytime provided they have an ICAO or EASA PPL.

• Minimum age: 17 ½ years of age.
• Must hold a valid EU (Part-MED) issued Class 1 Medical.
• Must hold a valid EASA or ICAO PPL.

The ATPLs are a set of 13 subjects and exams which are required for the issue of an Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence. You have two options to complete this module, either full time or by distance learning. The full time course is 650 hours of classroom based training conducted over a six month period at the academy. The distance learning course requires 65 hours of class room study and can be completed in six to eighteen months. The full time course is split into three bi-monthly modules culminating in a set of exams at the end of each module.

• All course material is delivered digitally .
• All examinations are taken electronically can be sat at either AFTA’s examination centre in Cork or the Irish Aviation Authority centre in Dublin after each module. All examinations are set by the Irish Aviation Authority.

 Module 1 (9 Weeks)

• Meteorology
• Performance
• Flight Planning
• Mass & Balance
• Human Performance

Module 2 (8 Weeks)

• Principles of Flight
• General Navigation
• Radio Navigation
• Communications

 Module 3 (8 Weeks)

• Aircraft General Knowledge
• Instrumentation
• Operational Procedures
• Air Law

If you are working full-time and cannot commit to studying full-time then the ATPL theory distance learning is the best option for you. As a distance learning student you can start at any time as long as you hold an ICAO PPL.

All content is delivered digitally using e-books from our partner PadPilot. Our experienced instructors will be also be available to explain any content or answer any questions you may have. During the course you will need to complete a minimum of 650 hours of study to complete the course. With distance learning you must also attend 65 hours in a classroom. Before sitting the official IAA exams you will have the opportunity to sit the practice exams at no extra cost. These exams usually take place a week or 2 before the official exams.

The ATPL distance learning can be completed within a minimum of 6 months or maximum of 18 months. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you are interested in learning more about the ATPL distance learning.