What are the CPL and ATPL requirements in Uganda?

From private to professional

The Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) are the professional licences in the Ugandan system. The CPL is usually the first professional step. The ATPL is the highest pilot licence and is the one typically held by airline captains.

Both are issued by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority under the Civil Aviation (Personnel Licensing) Regulations, 2022 (S.I. 89 of 2022), as amended by S.I. 2024 No. 105. The CPL sits in regulations 69 to 78 and the ATPL in regulations 85 to 92. UCAA’s application guidance is in advisory circular CAA-AC-PEL001, section 6.

CPL and ATPL compared

Requirement	CPL	ATPL	Source
Regulations	69 to 78	85 to 92	CAA-AC-PEL001 §6.1
Minimum age	18	21	CAA-AC-PEL001 §6.4.2
Medical	Class 1	Class 1	CAA-AC-PEL001 §6.4.2
Instrument rating	Required for type ratings on aircraft of 2,300 kg and above; check your case with UCAA	Valid instrument rating required	CAA-AC-PEL001 §6.4.2, §7.1.10
Theory subjects	Nine, 70% each	Nine, 70% each	CAA-AC-PEL018 §3.8
Window to pass all subjects	Three months from first sitting	One year from first sitting	CAA-AC-PEL018 §3.9
English proficiency	Level 4 or above	Level 4 or above	CAA-AC-PEL025 §2.4
Flight experience	Regulations 71 to 76	Regulations 87 to 92	Confirm with UCAA

Eligibility in detail

According to UCAA guidance (CAA-AC-PEL001, §6.4.2), an applicant should:

• meet the minimum age: 18 for the CPL, 21 for the ATPL;
• hold a Class 1 medical certificate issued by a designated medical examiner;
• have passed the knowledge test for the licence you are applying for;
• have passed the practical (skill) test for the category, class and type rating you are applying for, conducted by a UCAA-authorised examiner;
• have the minimum flight experience required by the regulations;
• have been checked for English language proficiency under regulation 25;
• pass the technical type rating examination and a flight check-out on the aircraft type sought; and
• for the ATPL, hold a valid instrument rating.

The guidance also notes that UCAA issues a CPL or ATPL only when it carries an aircraft type rating endorsement, as pilot in command or co-pilot (CAA-AC-PEL001, §7.1.2). In practice, plan your type rating as part of your licence, not as an afterthought.

The Class 1 medical

Both professional licences require a Class 1 medical certificate. If a professional career is your goal, consider sitting the Class 1 examination before you invest in training, so that you know early whether you meet the standard. Read more in our medical certificate guide.

Theory examinations

The nine knowledge subjects are the same titles at PPL, CPL and ATPL level: Air Law, Aircraft General Knowledge, Flight Performance and Planning, Human Performance, Meteorology, Navigation, Operational Procedures, Principles of Flight, and Radio Telephony (CAA-AC-PEL018, §3.8.2). You need at least 70% in every subject (CAA-AC-PEL018, §3.8.1). Confirm the syllabus for your licence level with the PEL Office.

The time allowed to complete the set differs. CPL candidates should pass all subjects within three months of their first sitting. ATPL candidates have one year (CAA-AC-PEL018, §3.9). Exam booking, rules and appeals are covered in UCAA pilot theory exams.

The instrument rating

The instrument rating is a rating added to a licence rather than a separate licence. UCAA lists it among the qualifications that require a knowledge test (CAA-AC-PEL018, §3.2.1), and it is mandatory for the ATPL. We do not publish a UCAA instrument rating subject list until it has been verified against the official text; confirm the current syllabus with the PEL Office. You can review typical instrument-flying topics on our instrument rating practice page.

Flight experience

Minimum flight experience for the CPL is set out in regulations 71 to 76, and for the ATPL in regulations 87 to 92. We have not verified the hour figures against the current official text, so we do not publish them. Ask the UCAA Personnel Licensing Office or your ATO for the current requirements before you budget.

Renewal and recency

To renew a CPL or ATPL, UCAA guidance asks for a Class 1 medical and, in the six months before you apply, six hours flown as pilot in command or co-pilot, including six take-offs and landings, supported by certified logbook pages (CAA-AC-PEL001, §6.7.2). A lapsed licence brings additional requirements that depend on how long it has expired (CAA-AC-PEL001, §6.8); check them with UCAA.

Common mistakes

• Leaving the Class 1 medical too late. Find out early whether you meet the standard.
• Underestimating the ATPL theory load. One year sounds long, but nine subjects at professional depth need a structured plan.
• Forgetting the instrument rating. No valid instrument rating, no ATPL.
• Ignoring the type rating. UCAA guidance expects your professional licence to carry a type rating endorsement.
• Using unverified hour figures. Confirm flight experience with UCAA, not forums.

What Ariguma can help with

Ariguma Aviation Consultants runs the Pilot Exams practice platform, including CPL and ATPL practice courses with explanations, timed mock exams and a study mode. The material is independent study support; it is not an official UCAA examination and is not endorsed by UCAA. We also provide training guidance through our aviation training and certifications service.