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Flying PC-12 and keeping ATPL current

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2025 8:51 am
by StrayPilot
I have an ATPL (all piston) and considering accepting a PC-12 captain position to build some turbine time. Is it necessary to keep group 1 current while actively flying? Or is there any issues with flying for a couple of years within Group 3 and doing a group 1 IPC later when it's necessary to exercise ATPL privileges?

Basically does one "lose" ATPL privileges as such by flying an airplane like the PC-12?

Re: Flying PC-12 and keeping ATPL current

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2025 9:03 am
by digits_
StrayPilot wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2025 8:51 am I have an ATPL (all piston) and considering accepting a PC-12 captain position to build some turbine time. Is it necessary to keep group 1 current while actively flying? Or is there any issues with flying for a couple of years within Group 3 and doing a group 1 IPC later when it's necessary to exercise ATPL privileges?

Basically does one "lose" ATPL privileges as such by flying an airplane like the PC-12?
No you don't. You just can't fly IFR on a twin engine airplane when you're not current/recent. An IFR PPC/typerating course on a multi engine airplane will make your group 1 current again.

Re: Flying PC-12 and keeping ATPL current

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2025 9:24 am
by StrayPilot
digits_ wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2025 9:03 am
StrayPilot wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2025 8:51 am I have an ATPL (all piston) and considering accepting a PC-12 captain position to build some turbine time. Is it necessary to keep group 1 current while actively flying? Or is there any issues with flying for a couple of years within Group 3 and doing a group 1 IPC later when it's necessary to exercise ATPL privileges?

Basically does one "lose" ATPL privileges as such by flying an airplane like the PC-12?
No you don't. You just can't fly IFR on a twin engine airplane when you're not current/recent. An IFR PPC/typerating course on a multi engine airplane will make your group 1 current again.
Thanks! That's what I thought. And then I searched avcanada and this thread from 2004 confused me to oblivion.

viewtopic.php?t=904

Re: Flying PC-12 and keeping ATPL current

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2025 9:31 am
by digits_
StrayPilot wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2025 9:24 am
digits_ wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2025 9:03 am
StrayPilot wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2025 8:51 am I have an ATPL (all piston) and considering accepting a PC-12 captain position to build some turbine time. Is it necessary to keep group 1 current while actively flying? Or is there any issues with flying for a couple of years within Group 3 and doing a group 1 IPC later when it's necessary to exercise ATPL privileges?

Basically does one "lose" ATPL privileges as such by flying an airplane like the PC-12?
No you don't. You just can't fly IFR on a twin engine airplane when you're not current/recent. An IFR PPC/typerating course on a multi engine airplane will make your group 1 current again.
Thanks! That's what I thought. And then I searched avcanada and this thread from 2004 confused me to oblivion.

viewtopic.php?t=904
It's probably a semantic discussion. If you only do an IPC for a group 3, obviously you can't exercise your ATPL privileges on a twin engine airplane. But you don't lose your license, and it's as simple as a flight test on a group 1 aircraft/sim to 'get it back' (make it current again).

Re: Flying PC-12 and keeping ATPL current

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2025 2:32 pm
by StrayPilot
digits_ wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2025 9:31 am
StrayPilot wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2025 9:24 am
digits_ wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2025 9:03 am

No you don't. You just can't fly IFR on a twin engine airplane when you're not current/recent. An IFR PPC/typerating course on a multi engine airplane will make your group 1 current again.
Thanks! That's what I thought. And then I searched avcanada and this thread from 2004 confused me to oblivion.

viewtopic.php?t=904
It's probably a semantic discussion. If you only do an IPC for a group 3, obviously you can't exercise your ATPL privileges on a twin engine airplane. But you don't lose your license, and it's as simple as a flight test on a group 1 aircraft/sim to 'get it back' (make it current again).
Perfect, thanks for your responses!

Re: Flying PC-12 and keeping ATPL current

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 5:56 pm
by Prodriver
Hey is this update today correct? Was told by a examiner in BC.

TC may reissue a sticker for your Pilot booklet that downgrades your license to a CPL, as you can't hold a ATPL without a Group 1 IFR. Has anyone successfully had their ATPL reissued(New Sticker) after this process? Asking for a friend! This may happen if we do a group 3 IPC (on our single to maintain IFR 2 yr currency).

Re: Flying PC-12 and keeping ATPL current

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 7:06 pm
by digits_
Prodriver wrote: Thu Jul 10, 2025 5:56 pm Hey is this update today correct? Was told by a examiner in BC.

TC may reissue a sticker for your Pilot booklet that downgrades your license to a CPL, as you can't hold a ATPL without a Group 1 IFR. Has anyone successfully had their ATPL reissued(New Sticker) after this process? Asking for a friend! This may happen if we do a group 3 IPC (on our single to maintain IFR 2 yr currency).
Why would they reissue a sticker? They don't do that for IPCs.

My IFR 'lapsed' for over a year before i needed the privileges again. My ATPL never got downgraded to a CPL.

Re: Flying PC-12 and keeping ATPL current

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 9:00 pm
by angry inch
I flew S/E VFR for 11 years & my ATPL was never downgraded... It hurt my brain a little to get recurrent with a new type rating though!