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UK ATPL(A): the hours, and when you'll have them

1,500 hours of flight time in aeroplanes, including 500 multi-pilot operations, 250 pic, 200 cross-country, 75 instrument time, 100 night and as pic or co-pilot. From UK Part-FCL, FCL.510.A(b), read from the rule text on 19 September 2026.

The minimums

RequirementHours
Flight time in aeroplanesUp to 100 of it in an FFS or FNPT, no more than 25 in an FNPT.1,500
Multi-pilot operations500
PICOr 500 as PIC under supervision, or 250 with at least 70 as PIC and the rest under supervision.250
Cross-countryAt least 100 of it as PIC or PIC under supervision.200
Instrument timeNo more than 30 of it instrument ground time.75
Night, as PIC or co-pilot100

Also required: You also need a CPL(A) and a multi-engine IR (or an MPL), MCC training, and the experience complete before the skill test.

Plan it

Your totals and your monthly rate for each. Nothing leaves this page.

RequirementNeedYou haveA monthWhen
Flight time in aeroplanes1,500—
Multi-pilot operations500—
PIC250—
Cross-country200—
Instrument time75—
Night, as PIC or co-pilot100—

Fill in what you have to see what's left.

Let your logbook fill this in

AvLog Plus has this goal built in, and twelve more across six authorities. Its Goals tab reads every flight you log, works out your pace from your last twelve months, and moves the date as you fly — with the pace a target date needs and the requirement holding you back. A$29 once, every edition.

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Common questions

How many hours do you need for the UK ATPL(A)?+

1,500 hours of flight time in aeroplanes, including 500 multi-pilot operations, 250 pic, 200 cross-country, 75 instrument time, 100 night and as pic or co-pilot. That is the headline from UK Part-FCL, FCL.510.A(b); the rule adds conditions — flight time in aeroplanes: Up to 100 of it in an FFS or FNPT, no more than 25 in an FNPT. pic: Or 500 as PIC under supervision, or 250 with at least 70 as PIC and the rest under supervision. cross-country: At least 100 of it as PIC or PIC under supervision. instrument time: No more than 30 of it instrument ground time.

What else does the UK ATPL(A) need besides hours?+

You also need a CPL(A) and a multi-engine IR (or an MPL), MCC training, and the experience complete before the skill test.

Where do these numbers come from?+

They were read from UK Part-FCL, FCL.510.A(b) itself on 19 September 2026. Rules change, and your authority decides what it accepts — check the rule before you rely on a number here.

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