MPL offers an alternative pilot licensing standard that airlines around the world increasingly prefer, as it prepares cadets for the role of co-pilot in commercial multi-crew operations
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TOBY MELVILLE
India’s pilot community has pushed back against efforts by the airline industry to establish the ‘Multi-Crew Pilot Licence’ (MPL) as the standard training pathway for commercial airline pilots in India. The development comes as aviation regulator has started a process to assess the feasibility of adopting MPL.
Notably, MPL offers an alternative pilot licensing standard that airlines around the world increasingly prefer, as it prepares cadets for the role of co-pilot in commercial multi-crew operations.
committee set up
Speaking to businessline, sources said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has set up a high-level committee to assess the feasibility of the MPL model.
On technical level, the MPL replaces traditional solo flying hours with simulator-based instruction. While some airlines see this as a more efficient and industry-aligned model, many pilots argue the Indian aviation ecosystem is ill-equipped to support such a transition.
Interestingly, this is the third time the DGCA is reviewing MPL, having rejected the model twice before.
On the other hand, airline industry official cite the growing need for trained pilots, projected at nearly 2,000 annually by 2030, as prompting the regulator to revisit the proposal.
Countries such as the UK, Australia, and Singapore have already implemented the MPL. In contrast, the US, Canada, and several other jurisdictions continue to follow the traditional Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) model.
Meanwhile, airline official point out that MPL is better aligned with the demands of modern aviation, where teamwork, decision-making and real-time coordination matter more than solo flying hours.
“Unlike CPL model, which requires 200 hours of flying a small aircraft, MPL integrates airline-specific procedures and scenarios from the beginning and replaces solo flying with simulator-based and multi-crew training,” said the official.
However, veteran captains warn that the MPL model, if implemented without proper safeguards, could flood the system with inadequately trained co-pilots.
“MPL will have very little benefit for India, if any at all,” said a senior pilot. “The cost advantage is negligible, and there are too few flight simulators in the country to support proper implementation.”
impediments
They also cite a lack of simulator capacity and standardised oversight mechanisms as serious impediments.
“MPL might work in countries with advanced infrastructure,” said the senior captain. The DGCA has directed the committee to review regulatory gaps, benchmark global best practices, and consult with flight training organisations, airlines, and pilot bodies. The findings are expected within three months.
“If the MPL is accepted then the present existing FTOs (Flying Training Organisations) will slowly die out,” said another senior airline pilot. “The MPL has been opposed by both IFALPA (International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations) and ALPA (Air Line Pilots Association) due to low flying skills and overdependence on the use of modern aircraft ‘automatics’.”
Published on August 4, 2025
