Support aircraft captains and commanders during flights.
Apprentices train to operate aircraft safely alongside a Commander, covering all stages of flight from pre-flight planning through to post-flight procedures. The programme leads to either a frozen Air Transport Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) or a Multi-Crew Pilot Licence, followed by aircraft type conversion training and supervised line training. Key responsibilities include monitoring flight systems, managing radio communications, applying standard operating procedures, and taking full command authority if the Commander becomes incapacitated.
On any given flight, a first officer rotates between the pilot handling and pilot monitoring roles. When monitoring, they manage radio communications with air traffic control, cross-check instruments, and call out deviations from procedure. When handling, they physically fly the aircraft under the Commander's oversight. Outside the cockpit, they contribute to pre-flight briefings, fuel calculations, weather assessment, and post-flight debriefs. During line training, a supervising examiner assesses performance against airline standard operating procedures.
Completing this apprenticeship qualifies someone to work as a first officer on commercial, freight, or charter aircraft. Most completers enter scheduled airline operations or cargo carriers, though opportunities exist in business aviation and regional aviation. Progression typically follows accumulated flight hours: once captaincy minimums are met, usually several thousand hours, first officers can apply for a Commander or Captain position. Military aviation pathways also exist, though the route differs from the civilian licence structure covered here.
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On completion, apprentices qualify to work as a First Officer on commercial, passenger, or freight aircraft. With a frozen Air Transport Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) or Multi-Crew Pilot Licence in place, alongside type rating and line training, they are ready to operate as co-pilot on scheduled or charter flights, carrying out pilot handling and pilot monitoring duties, managing radio communications, and taking command if the aircraft commander becomes incapacitated.
The immediate goal after completion is accumulating flight hours towards an unfrozen ATPL, which is the gateway to command. At the 3-5 year mark, many First Officers progress to Captain on narrowbody aircraft such as single-aisle jets. Longer term, experienced Captains can move into widebody and long-haul operations, progress to Check Captain or Training Captain roles, or move into flight operations management, standards, and safety functions within an airline.
The primary employers are commercial airlines operating scheduled passenger routes, regional carriers, charter operators, and air freight companies. Military aviation follows separate pathways, but the licence structure has civilian crossover. Business aviation operators and helicopter companies recruit qualified pilots at various stages. Roles exist across the UK and internationally, with major bases around large commercial airports. Both large network carriers and smaller regional operators hire at First Officer level.
Throughout the programme, the apprentice trains and builds flight experience alongside employment, gaining the licence qualifications required before assessment begins. A readiness check, commonly called the gateway, confirms the apprentice has met all pre-conditions, including holding the required pilot licence and completing type conversion and supervised line training, before they move to final assessment. That final assessment confirms the apprentice can perform safely and competently as a first officer in real operational conditions. Assessment models for many standards are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
Progress in this standard depends on accumulating structured flight experience and regulatory milestones as you go, not at the last moment. Keeping thorough records of logged hours, training events, and supervised line operations from the start makes gateway preparation far more straightforward. Work closely with your employer and training provider to track where you are against each requirement. Because the licensing pathway is a formal pre-condition for final assessment, delays in any stage of flight training have a direct knock-on effect on overall completion, so staying on schedule matters throughout.
Providers delivering this standard must hold appropriate approval from the Civil Aviation Authority and be integrated with an approved training organisation capable of issuing frozen ATPL or MCPL qualifications. On FATP profiles, look for achievement rates above 65%, though given the small cohort sizes typical for aviation training, even one or two non-completions can shift that figure significantly. Employer satisfaction scores carry particular weight here: airlines and charter operators need to trust that graduates arrive type-rating-ready. Look for providers who can point to learners currently working in commercial or multi-crew operations.
Be cautious of providers with vague or evasive answers about their CAA-approved training organisation partnerships, or those who cannot confirm which aircraft types learners train on before type conversion. High learner numbers relative to instructor capacity is a concern in any flying training context. If a provider cannot explain clearly how the frozen ATPL or MCPL pathway connects to the end-point assessment, that suggests weak programme oversight. Opaque information about simulator hours, aircraft access, or the line training phase should prompt direct follow-up before committing.
Applicants typically need strong A-level results or equivalent qualifications, often including maths and physics. You must meet the medical standards required for a Class 1 Medical Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Authority, as this is a legal requirement for commercial flight crew. Employers set their own entry criteria, so check individual provider requirements carefully. English and maths at GCSE grade 4 or above are usually expected if not already held at a higher level.
The typical duration is around 24 months, though the exact timeline depends on training progress and flight hours accumulation. You remain employed throughout, combining ground school, simulator sessions, and actual flight training with your employer. Assessment readiness, known as gateway, depends on demonstrating the required competence rather than simply completing a fixed period of time. Check the current apprenticeship standard on gov.uk for the latest duration and off-the-job training requirements, as these are subject to revision.
Before reaching end-point assessment, apprentices must obtain either a frozen Air Transport Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) or a Multi-Crew Pilot Licence, complete Aircraft Type Conversion Training, and pass supervised Line Training. The gateway stage confirms readiness for final assessment, where the apprentice must demonstrate full occupational competence. Assessment models across many standards are being updated under current reforms, so refer to the apprenticeship standard on gov.uk for the current confirmed assessment approach.
The funding band for this standard is £27,000, which is the maximum government contribution toward training costs. Larger employers with an apprenticeship levy account draw training costs directly from that fund. Smaller employers co-invest with the government, typically contributing 5 percent of training costs with the government covering the remainder. Employers taking on apprentices aged 16 to 18 may pay nothing at all, depending on the size of the organisation. Additional costs such as licensing fees may fall outside the funding band.
Day-to-day duties include pre-flight checks, reviewing weather, fuel requirements, and flight plans alongside the commander. During flight, the first officer alternates between pilot handling, physically flying the aircraft, and pilot monitoring, managing radio communications and cross-checking the other pilot's actions. If the commander becomes incapacitated, the first officer takes full command. Ensuring passenger and crew safety at every stage of the flight is a constant responsibility, whether operating commercial passenger routes, freight services, or other aviation contexts.
Completion leads directly to employment as a qualified first officer on commercial or freight operations. With accumulated flight hours and experience, first officers progress toward a full Air Transport Pilot Licence and ultimately the rank of commander or captain. Some move into specialist roles such as check captain, flight examiner, or training captain. Others pursue careers in aviation management or operations. The specific path depends on the employer, the type of operation, and hours built up during and after the apprenticeship.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 410.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.