Ithy - Your CPL/ME/IR Journey at Bartolini Air: A Week-by-Week Flight Plan

Welcome to an exciting and intensive phase of your pilot training! Starting your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), Multi-Engine Piston (MEP), and Instrument Rating (IR) course at Bartolini Air in Łódź, Poland, on April 8th, 2025, marks a significant step towards your professional flying career. Bartolini Air is renowned as a major EASA-approved training organization in Central Europe, known for its modern fleet and structured programs.

Key Highlights of Your Training

Estimated Duration: Expect your CPL/ME/IR training to take approximately 8 to 12 weeks (2 to 3 months), assuming full-time attendance and favourable conditions.
Structured Approach: Training begins with a crucial preparatory course, followed by MEP rating, integrated CPL/IR flight and simulator training, and concluding with skill tests.
Modern Training Environment: You'll be training on modern aircraft, including Tecnam models equipped with EFIS (glass cockpits), at Łódź Władysław Reymont Airport (EPLL), preparing you for contemporary airline cockpits.

Estimated Total Duration

Based on typical modular course structures at Bartolini Air and student experiences, the combined CPL/ME/IR package is most commonly completed within 2 to 3 months (approximately 8-12 weeks). While highly optimized scenarios might see completion in slightly less time, this timeframe accounts for the comprehensive nature of the training, potential weather delays, scheduling factors, and ensuring proficiency before the skill tests. Starting on April 8th, 2025, a realistic completion window would be sometime between early June and early July 2025.

Anticipated Week-by-Week Training Progression

Here’s a plausible breakdown of how your training might unfold week by week. Please note that the exact schedule is dynamic and subject to adjustments by the school based on weather, aircraft availability, instructor scheduling, and your individual progress.

Phase 1: Foundation and Multi-Engine Introduction (Weeks 1-3)

Week 1 (Starting April 8th, 2025): Orientation & IR/CPL Prep Course

Your first week will be dedicated to essential groundwork. You'll complete administrative procedures and begin the mandatory IR/CPL PREP COURSE. This is described as a 2-to-4-day intensive program tailored by Bartolini Air instructors. Its focus is highly practical: bridging ATPL theoretical knowledge with real-world application of regulations, VFR/IFR procedures, performance-based navigation (PBN), and multi-engine operations. This course is designed to align your understanding with airline operational standards and prepare you effectively for the practical flight training phases ahead. Expect intensive classroom sessions and potentially initial familiarization with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and checklists.

Week 2: Multi-Engine Piston (MEP(L)) Training Begins

Following the prep course, you'll likely transition directly into the practical Multi-Engine Piston (MEP(L)) rating training. Bartolini Air often integrates this early as the multi-engine aircraft (like the Tecnam P2006T) is used for subsequent CPL and IR skill tests. This module typically involves around 6 hours of flight training in the multi-engine aircraft. A significant portion (approx. 3.5 hours) is dedicated to mastering engine failure procedures and asymmetric flight handling, alongside normal multi-engine operations. You may also start introductory simulator sessions focusing on multi-engine scenarios.

Bartolini Air operates a modern fleet, including the Tecnam P2006T, used for Multi-Engine training.

Week 3: MEP(L) Completion & CPL/IR Introduction

This week should see the completion of your MEP(L) flight training and potentially the MEP skill test, or preparations for combining it with the CPL test later. You will begin the theoretical briefings and simulator sessions for the integrated Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL(A)) and Instrument Rating (IR(A)) components. Initial simulator exercises on the FNPT II device will focus on fundamental instrument flying skills, procedures, and navigation under IFR (Instrument Flight Rules).

Phase 2: Core CPL and IR Skill Development (Weeks 4-8)

Weeks 4-5: Integrated CPL/IR Flight & Simulator Training

This period marks the core of your practical training. You will be flying regularly, accumulating hours towards the CPL and IR requirements (typically around 35-40 flight hours combined, plus extensive simulator time). Flight missions will involve:

CPL Manoeuvres: Practicing precision flying, steep turns, emergency procedures, and navigation required for commercial operations.
IFR Procedures: Flying instrument departures (SIDs), arrivals (STARs), holdings, and various types of instrument approaches (ILS, VOR, RNAV/PBN) under simulated or actual instrument conditions.
Cross-Country Flights: Conducting navigation exercises under both VFR and IFR, potentially flying to other airports in Poland.
Simulator Sessions: Complementing flight training with complex scenario-based exercises in the FNPT II simulator, covering advanced navigation, emergency handling, and decision-making under IFR.

Expect intensive days combining pre-flight briefings, flight sessions (often 1-2 hours each), simulator slots, and post-flight debriefings. Consistent self-study and preparation are crucial during this phase.

The Tecnam P2006T is a key aircraft for your multi-engine and instrument rating training.

Weeks 6-8: Advanced Training & Skill Test Preparation

As you accumulate hours and proficiency, the focus shifts towards refining advanced skills and preparing for the final skill tests. Training will intensify on complex IFR procedures, managing emergencies and system failures (often simulated by instructors), and ensuring consistent performance to EASA standards. You might undertake longer cross-country flights under IFR and practice managing workload in demanding situations. Mock skill tests with instructors will help identify areas needing improvement and build confidence for the final examinations.

Visualizing Training Intensity

The focus of your training will shift over the weeks. Initially emphasizing groundwork and specific ratings, it transitions into intensive flight skill development before culminating in test preparation. The radar chart below illustrates the relative intensity or focus on different aspects of the course during its early, middle, and late stages.

This chart visually represents how the emphasis shifts from foundational theory and initial multi-engine exposure (Early Phase) to intensive practical flight training covering both CPL and IR aspects (Mid Phase), and finally consolidating skills and focusing heavily on test preparation (Late Phase).

Course Structure Overview

The CPL/ME/IR modular course follows a structured progression. The mindmap below outlines the key stages and components involved in your training at Bartolini Air.

mindmap root["CPL/ME/IR Modular Training (Bartolini Air)"] id1["Phase 1: Foundations"] id1a["Admin & Orientation"] id1b["IR/CPL PREP COURSE (Mandatory)"] id1b1["Theory Application"] id1b2["Procedures (VFR/IFR)"] id1b3["PBN Concepts"] id1c["MEP(L) Rating Training (Approx. 6 hrs flight)"] id1c1["Normal Operations"] id1c2["Asymmetric Flight"] id1c3["Engine Failure Drills"] id2["Phase 2: Core Skills"] id2a["Integrated CPL(A) & IR(A) Training"] id2a1["Flight Training (Approx. 35-40 hrs aircraft)"] id2a1a["CPL Manoeuvres"] id2a1b["IFR Procedures & Navigation"] id2a1c["Cross-Country Flights"] id2a2["Simulator Training (FNPT II)"] id2a2a["Instrument Procedures"] id2a2b["Emergency Scenarios"] id2a2c["Decision Making"] id3["Phase 3: Assessment"] id3a["Skill Test Preparation"] id3a1["Mock Tests"] id3a2["Performance Refinement"] id3b["EASA Skill Tests"] id3b1["MEP(L) Test"] id3b2["CPL(A) Test"] id3b3["IR(A) Test"] id3b4["(Often Combined)"] id4["Supporting Elements"] id4a["Modern Fleet (Tecnam)"] id4b["EFIS/Glass Cockpit"] id4c["Training at Lodz Airport (EPLL)"] id4d["Experienced Instructors"]

This mindmap illustrates the journey from initial preparation through core flight and simulator training for both CPL and IR qualifications, culminating in the final EASA skill tests. Supporting elements like the modern fleet and training environment are also highlighted.

Phase 3: Final Assessment (Weeks 9-12)

Weeks 9-10: Final Preparation & Skill Tests

This period is dedicated to the final push towards your skill tests. You'll undertake intensive revision, practice flights focusing on test profiles, and final proficiency checks. The official EASA skill tests for CPL(A), MEP(L), and IR(A) will be scheduled. Bartolini Air often facilitates combining parts of these tests (e.g., MEP rating check during the CPL skill test) into single flights where permissible, which can be more efficient. The tests are conducted by an EASA-approved examiner and typically involve demonstrating proficiency in all required manoeuvres, navigation, instrument procedures, and emergency handling according to strict standards.

Weeks 11-12 (Contingency):

These weeks serve as a buffer. If weather conditions, aircraft maintenance, scheduling conflicts, or the need for additional training sessions cause delays, your course might extend into this period. Most students aiming for full-time completion finish within the 8-10 week timeframe, but having this contingency allows for unforeseen circumstances without undue pressure.

Training Modules Summary

The CPL/ME/IR modular package is composed of distinct training elements. The table below summarizes the key components and their typical focus, although exact hours can vary based on the approved training syllabus and individual needs.

Training Module	Primary Focus	Typical Activities	Aircraft/Simulator
IR/CPL PREP COURSE	Bridging Theory & Practice	Classroom instruction, procedural review	Ground School
MEP(L) Rating	Multi-Engine Operations & Emergencies	Approx. 6 hrs flight training	Tecnam P2006T
CPL(A) Training	Commercial Flight Standards & Manoeuvres	Flight training (precision flying, nav), briefings	Single/Multi-Engine Aircraft
IR(A) Training	Instrument Flight Rules Operations	Flight training (approaches, holdings), extensive simulator training	Single/Multi-Engine Aircraft, FNPT II Simulator
Simulator Training (FNPT II)	IFR Procedures, Emergencies, Complex Scenarios	Approx. 40 hrs simulator time integrated throughout CPL/IR	FNPT II Simulator
Skill Tests	Demonstrating Proficiency to EASA Standards	Practical flight examinations with EASA examiner	Multi-Engine Aircraft (Tecnam P2006T)

A Glimpse into Bartolini Air

To give you a better sense of the training environment, the following video provides an overview of Bartolini Air, showcasing their facilities and fleet. While the video is from 2015, it offers a general impression of the school's operations and the types of aircraft you might encounter. Bartolini Air has continued to modernize its fleet and facilities since then, notably adding more Tecnam aircraft.

This video highlights the different training stages offered, including CPL and ME/IR, and features some of the aircraft types used. Remember that the current fleet includes highly modern Tecnam aircraft with glass cockpits, ensuring your training aligns with current industry standards.

Your CPL/ME/IR Journey at Bartolini Air: A Week-by-Week Flight Plan

Embarking on your commercial pilot training in Łódź? Here’s what to expect from April 8th, 2025 onwards.