Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

REQUIRED READING: DCA's Abridged Guide on How To Become A Pilot

1. How long is the Commercial Pilot Licence with Instrument Rating course and does the same integrate the Frozen Airline Transport Pilot Licence course?
   The course duration, inclusive of all ground and flying training, shall be not less than twelve (12) months, exclusive of holidays to meet the continuity requirement of an effective flight training and academic program for CPL (Single Engine) and overall, it shall not be less than fourteen (14) months, exclusive of holidays for the course as a whole. This approximates to eighteen (18) months.

   The Commercial Pilot Licence with Instrument Rating course syllabus seamlessly integrates the Frozen Airline Transport Pilot Licence course (ATPL) course syllabus in that the cadet pilot who undergoes this course to its completion and secures his/her Commercial Pilot Licence with Instrument Rating is equipped to undertake the UKCAA Frozen ATPL exam papers which, if passed, leads to a further Frozen Airline Transport Pilot Licence which is a required licence for a cadet pilot in his/her induction into a major airline’s narrow body fleet.
   
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2. What are the pre requisites for admission into the CPL/IR course?
   Malaysian Student - SPM with 5 credits inclusive of English, Mathematics and a Science subject.
   Foreign Student - GCE “O” level or equivalent with passes in similar subjects.
   
   Age - Not less than 17 years old when commencing said course and age not less than 18 years old upon the issuance of a Commercial Pilot Licence.
   
   Kindly click on this link for a copy of DCA's latest (as of Monday, January 15, 2007) AIC 07 2005 Requirements for Professional Pilot which inter alia details the requirements for securing as well as maintaining a valid Commercial Pilot's Licence and/or an Airlines Transport Pilot's Licence.
   
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3. Is it essential for me to do the ATPL (Airlines Transport Pilot Licence) course?
   Most countries require a pilot with an ATPL to fly the airlines and some countries require only a CPL/IR initially.
   
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4. What is the licence requirement to join any Airline? Is there any relevant, independent and alternative web resource available where I can read up on how to go about becoming an airlines pilot?
   You require a minimum of a Commercial Pilot Licence with Instrument Rating (CPL/IR) and in almost all cases a minimum of an Airlines Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).
   
   There are plenty of excellent web resources with respect to how to go about charting a career for yourself as an airlines pilot. You can try this local and independent simplified guide for starters. If you are interested in aviation in general, be sure to visit this educational site as well.
   
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5. Is my Malaysian CPL/IR licence recognised by other countries?
   Most countries operating under the UKCAA Ruling will accept a Malaysian licence. If you wish to convert the Malaysian Licence to a foreign licence, you are advised to check with the Aviation Authorities in that country for their particular requirements.
   
   Malaysia is an ICAO signatory. Hence all other countries who are ICAO signatories, will honour your licence (subject to their local additional requirements to be met by you).
   
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6. Do you conduct part time courses?
   We only do so for the Frozen ATPL course subject to our discretion. All other courses are on a full time basis.
   
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7. How many hours of flying do I have to do prior to the issuance of a CPL/IR licence?
   To qualify for the CPL/IR licence issued by DCA, a cadet pilot will require 200 hours of flying which consists of a minimum of 165 hours on a Single Engine Aircraft and 35 hours on the Multi Engine Aircraft. The flying training includes General Handling, Instrument Flying, Navigation and Night Flying, as per the UKCAA CAP 54 requirements.
   
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8. What type of aircraft do I fly for training?
   The Academy currently operates the Piper Fleet as well as the temporarily leased Eagle Fleet of aircraft for training. Cadet pilots fly the Piper Warrior/Cadet (PA28-161) and Eagle aircraft during the Single Engine Phase and the Piper Seneca III (PA34-220T) for the Multi Engine Phase and Instrument Rating.
   
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9. How is the training scheduled?
   For the PPL course, we generally have daily flying as well as daily ground classes.
   
   For the Integrated CPL/IR with Frozen ATPL courses, we generally have 2 months of ground school followed by alternate flying and ground training. The ground school will generally finish in about 8 months leaving the last 6 months and more for flight training only.
   
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10. Does every country have a Civil Aviation Department?
    Normally, all countries have their own Aviation Authority to regulate the Aviation Activities in their own country.
    
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11. On Completion of the course, do I get a British UKCAA licence or a Malaysian licence?
    On successful completion of the course, the cadet pilot gets the appropriate licence from DCA, Malaysia, which is honoured by all ICAO signatory countries (since Malaysia is also an ICAO signatory).
    
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12. Am I guaranteed a job upon completion of the CPL/IR course from the Academy?
    The Academy does not guarantee a job upon completion of your course. Securing a pilot’s job will depend on the individuals and the requirements by the Airlines, et cetera. However, most of our privately trained pilots, if not all, are now serving with the major airlines.
    
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13. Where can I do my medical for a Malaysian Licence?
    The aircrew medical can only be carried out by those medical examiners so designated and authorised by the Department of Civil Aviation, Malaysia. The following are the DCA authorised designated medical examiners.
    
    For further details, you may also click on this link for a copy of their AIC 09 2004 Aviation Medical Requirements and List of Designated Aviation Medical Examiners which inter alia details what health examinations are actually carried out by their designated medical examiners. Prospective cadet pilots are nevertheless advised to contact DCA directly for the most up-todate list of such authorised medical practitioners.
    
    Designated Medical Examiners in Peninsular and East Malaysia Who Are Authorised to Conduct Both Initial and Renewal Medical Examinations as of Monday, January 15, 2007

14. Is my flying done at the Academy recognised? Is there an official online FAQ by the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation with respect to pilot licences?
    Yes, the flying hours are recognised provided they are certified by DCA or an authorised examiner which is the case for all flying done at MFA.
    
    You may find a wealth of information at the official website of the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation. For a direct link to their official online FAQ with respect to pilot licences, kindly click on this direct link.
    
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15. Is my flying done abroad in Australia recognised by DCA Malaysia?
    It is recognised if proven with a valid licence and log book with hours certified as correct for examination/scrutiny by DCA Malaysia.
    
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16. How many hours can I get a credit for if I am a
    a.) Malaysian PPL holder?
    b.) Foreign Country PPL holder?
    
    Generally for PPL holders, 30 to 42 hours are credited for the Single Engine Aircraft and the ground examinations for Radio Telephony and Practical are exempted. Written approval from the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation will however still be required.
    
    If you are pursuing your PPL with the Academy and wish to continue your training to CPL/IR, then in such cases, the full 48 hours of flying for PPL can be credited.
    
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17. I hold a CPL from Australia/FAA, what do I have to do to obtain a Malaysian CPL?
    A CPL holder of a foreign licence, who wishes to convert his licence to a Malaysian Licence, is required to approach the Department of Civil Aviation, Malaysia on the requirements for conversion. A student may be required to sit for all the ground examinations (17 papers) with the exception of Radio Telephony/Practical and to fly a minimum of 35 to 155 hours of flying in order to convert their licence to a Malaysian licence.
    
    Kindly click on this link for a copy of DCA's latest (as of Monday, January 15, 2007) Terms for the Validation of a Non-Malaysian Pilot's Licence from an ICAO Contracting State.
    
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18. Do you conduct ATPL courses? If so, what is the duration of the course?
    The Academy conducts ATPL courses for pilots holding CPL/IR. We offer two types of courses; the first being a full time 6 weeks regular course and the other being a distant learning course consisting of an  online correspondence course and 2 weeks of contact classes at the Academy.
    
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19. What are the theory subjects covered for the CPL/IR course?
    There are 860 hours lectures for the CPL/IR ground theory, which are comprised of DCA Technical and UKCAA subjects. The CPL/IR course is inclusive of ground lectures required to prepare a cadet pilot for a frozen ATPL.
    
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20. What are the examinations I am required to appear for a CPL/IR licence?
    The Examinations are classified under two Examination Paper Group headings: Group 1 (Navigation) and Group 2 (Aircraft):
    
    :: The Navigation group papers (Group 1) comprises the following :

    • Flight Planning

    • Navigation

    • Instruments

    • Radio Aids

    • Meteorology Theory

    • Meteorology Practical
      
      The Navigation Associated Papers are :
      Aviation Law, Flight Rules & Procedures, Paper 1 and 2

    :: The Aircraft Technical Papers (Group 2) comprises the following :

    • Principle of Flight

    • Flying Controls

    • Engines

    • Electrics

    • Airframe System
      
      The Aircraft Technical Associated Papers are :
      - Aircraft Performance ‘A'
      - Load & Balance
      - Aircraft (Type)
      - Human Performance & Limitations
      - Radio Telephony

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21. What is the passing mark for the examinations?
    The passing marks are:
      a)  CPL ground subjects (DCA and UKCAA) - 75%.
      b)  ATPL UKCAA - 75%
      c)  PPL ground subjects - 70% except for RT (75%)
    
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22. Do I have to appear for all subjects for a CPL/IR simultaneously?
    A cadet pilot will be required to pass all relevant papers for each Group and its Associated Papers. Groups 1 & 2 may be taken separately, but for the first sitting of Group 1 Navigation Papers, all relevant papers in the Group must be taken on the first attempt. A cadet pilot who fails in any of the papers in the “Navigation” Group I papers will be required to sit for and pass all the papers in that group within a period of one year from the date of registration for the first sitting with a maximum resit of 4 attempts.
    
    A cadet pilot will be required to wait for a minimum of one month before registering to retake any failed papers in that group. If the cadet pilot failed to pass all the papers within a period of one year the cadet pilot will then be deemed to have failed that cycle of attempts and will be required to retake all papers in that Group A. A time bar may be imposed before a new cycle of attempt may commence.
    
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23. Who is the Examining Authority for the Malaysian CPL?
    The Examining Authority is as follows :
    
    Flight Crew Licensing
    Department of Civil Aviation, Malaysia
    Level 2, Block Podium B, Lot 4G4, Precinct 4
    Federal Government Administrative Centre
    62570 Putrajaya, Malaysia
    Telephone: 603 8871 4000
    Facsimile: 603 8871 4334
    
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24. What are the different Flight Tests for a CPL and CPL/IR?
    The CPL flight tests is carried out on the Single Engine aircraft whereas the IR is carried out on the Twin Engine Aircraft.

    :: For CPL (Single Engine) the following flight tests are carried out by a DCA Authorized Examiner :

    • Night Flying

    • Navigation

    • Instrument Flying

    • General Flying

    :: For the CPL/IR (Twin Engine) the following flight tests are carried out by a DCA Authorized Examiner :

    • Multi Engine Endorsement

    • Instrument Rating

    • General Flying & Instrument Flying

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25. What is the profile of a test?
    Applicants for a professional pilot’s licence will be required to pass a General Flight Test (GFT) conducted by a DCA Flight Examiner or Authorised Examiner. The GFT must be carried out in an aircraft. A flight simulator would not be acceptable. The test comprises an assessment of the applicant’s preparation for flight and pre take-off procedures and three flight sections as follows :
    
    Section 1: Cross-Country Flight
    Section 2: Basic Aircraft Handling
    Section 3: Instrument Flying
    
    The detailed content of the test may be obtained from DCA Flight Crew Licensing Office.
    
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26. Can I get a job with Malaysia Airlines or with AirAsia with a CPL/IR? Is there an official online guide by Malaysia Airlines or by AirAsia on their respective sponsored cadet pilot training programs?
    Securing a pilot job with either Malaysia Airlines or with AirAsia will depend on whether there are vacancies in the airline. The cadet pilot has to meet their requirements and has to go through their selection process, et cetera, before being selected.
    
    There is indeed an official online guide by Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia respectively which provides some detailed information on its sponsored cadet pilot training program. Here is a direct link to the one from Malaysia Airlines and here is a direct link to the one from AirAsia.
    
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27. Can I get a job with Singapore Airlines?
    Yes, if you show that you have done the full CPL/IR with a Frozen ATPL in an integrated fashion and have passed all subjects in 2 attempts maximum and have cleared the interview et cetera with Singapore Airlines. Your Malaysian DCA licence CPL/IR with Frozen ATPL is recognised by Singapore CAAS as per their AIC.
    
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28. What are the requirements to clear the frozen ATPL?
    When an applicant elects to take and subsequently passes the examination for the ATPL before acquiring sufficient flying experience to qualify for the licence, he/she will normally be exempted from having to re-take them for the issue of the licence for a period of 5 years from the date of achieving a full pass in the examination, provided he has obtained and had continuously held throughout the period, a valid CPL.
    
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29. What are the requirements to obtain a Full ATPL (Licence)? Flying and Ground School.
    The minimum flying experience required for grant of an ATPL is 1500 hours as pilot of flying machines which shall meet the requirements as specified below. Each of these requirements must be met in full but, except where stated otherwise, hours may be credit, where appropriate towards the requirement.
          

    • 250 hours pilot-in-command PIC of aeroplanes

    • 50 hours cross-country or overseas flying as PIC on

    • A further 150 hours cross-country or overseas flying as PIC or P1 U/S, or as co-pilot counted at half rate

    • 100 hours night flying in aeroplanes as PIC or P1 U/S or as co-pilot

    • 75 hours flying as pilot by sole reference to instruments

    :: To pass the ATPL Navigation group papers (Group 1) as follows

    • 250 hours pilot-in-command PIC of aeroplanes

    • Flight Planning

    • Navigation

    • Instruments

    • Radio Aids

    • Meteorology Theory

    • Meteorology Practical

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30. How long is the CPL/IR or ATPL valid?
    Aircrew Licences are issued once forever. They are valid up to an age of 60 years as long as the pilot remains medically fit and does the minimum required hours of flying each year.
    
    The validity period of a Professional Pilot’s Licence is based upon the medical examination which has been assessed as “fit” by the Designated Medical Examiner. The period of the medical validity is 6 months, in the case of a holder of a CPL/ATPL who is under 40 years of age on the date of his medical examination. The holder of Professional Pilot’s Licence who is 40 years and below will be valid for 12 months.
    
    Pilots are required to keep their licence current with a flight test every 6 months and the Certificate of Test endorsed in the flying licence.
    
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31. Do you conduct a CPL/IR course without the Frozen ATPL syllabus?
    We no longer do so as DCA Malaysia has mandated the seamless integration of the Frozen ATPL course syllabus into the CPL/IR course syllabus.
    
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32. Is the ATPL course in Malaysia recognised by Singapore CAAS?
    The ATPL course is not connected with such recognition but since CAAS recognises the standards of MFA due to the UKCAA ground school course, CAAS generally has no objection for a student to do the ATPL course in MFA and appear for the ATPL examinations laid out by CAAS.
    
    In fact, even Singapore based Jetstar Airways which is governed under CAAS have sent their cadet pilots to MFA for our Frozen ATPL course.
    
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33. If I do not meet the entry requirement for CPL/IR, is there any other alternative for me?
    An applicant, whether ab initio or requiring an abridged course will not be accepted for training on an approved Commercial Pilot Licence course unless he has passed a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or its equivalent with credits in five subjects including the English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject. An applicant who possesses other equivalent educational qualifications or a foreign professional licences should seek advice from the DCA to determine whether their qualifications can be accepted by them for this purpose.
    
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