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UK Civil Aviation Regulations

These are published by the CAA on our UK Regulations pages. EU Regulations and EASA Access Guides published by EASA no longer apply in the UK. Our website and publications are being reviewed to update all references. Any references to EU law and EASA Access guides should be disregarded and where applicable the equivalent UK versions referred to instead.



To qualify for a single-engine turbine (SET) aeroplane class rating, you must complete an appropriate training course at an approved training organisation (ATO).

You must have a valid and appropriate class or type rating in order to do any flying other than flight instruction, skill tests or proficiency checks for the renewal of type or class ratings.

Ratings privileges

If you hold a type or class rating, you can act as pilot on the class or type of aircraft specified in the rating.

Training and testing

Theoretical knowledge examinations and crediting

Theoretical knowledge examinations must be taken at an ATO or DTO approved to conduct such training and assessment.

For single-engine aircraft, the theoretical knowledge examination shall be conducted verbally by the examiner during the skill test to determine whether or not a satisfactory level of knowledge has been achieved.

Theoretical knowledge examination crediting

An applicant who already holds a type rating for an aircraft type, with the privilege for either single-pilot or multi-pilot operations, shall be considered to have already fulfilled the theoretical requirements when applying to add the privilege for the other form of operation on the same aircraft type.

Such an applicant shall complete additional flight training for the other form of operation at an ATO or DTO.

Close Theoretical knowledge examinations and crediting

Flying

Completion of approved course with a suitably authorised ATO.

Skill test

At the end of your training course, you will need to pass a skill test with a suitably qualified examiner, in the relevant aircraft class or type, to demonstrate that you can competently carry out the procedures and manoeuvres that you have been taught, while acting as pilot in command (PIC).

You must pass the skill test within 6 months of starting your training course. You must also apply for the issue of the rating within 6 months of the completion date of your skill test.

Close Flying

Credits available

Third country licence holder

The terms for of ATPL, CPL and the transfer of any 3rd country non-EU Ratings or Certificates to the equivalent Part-FCL Ratings or Certificates were previously set out in Article 8 of the EASA Aircrew Regulation. Further guidance is now available in CAP 1939.

A current and valid class or type rating contained in a licence issued by a third country may be inserted in a Part-FCL licence provided that the applicant: [this means that you must be in current flying practice on your ICAO 3rd country licence]

  • complies with the experience requirements and the prerequisites for the issue of the applicable type or class rating in accordance with Part-FCL; [you must meet the same prerequisites and requirements as detailed in the Part-FCL regulations for the rating issue]

  • passes the relevant skill test for the issue of the applicable type or class rating in accordance with Part-FCL; [ the skill test must be completed with a Part FCL examiner suitably authorised for the rating]

  • is in current flying practice with a current and valid ICAO licence and validating medical certificate; [ student pilot licences and temporary certificates are not acceptable- evidence of currency is required]

for aeroplane class ratings,, 100 hours of flight experience as a pilot in that class;

If you have flown less than 100 hours on type but are still in current flying practise, you may be eligible for a reduced course of training under the terms of Article 8 of the Aircrew Regulation.

The credit given to the applicant will be determined by the UK CAA on the basis of a recommendation from an Approved Training Organisation prior to the course. The applicant should attend an ATO. If on the basis of assessment by the ATO the course is to be reduced, , the Head of Training may make a written recommendation for a further reduction, and to the ATO's Licensing Standards Inspector who will give the recommendation consideration. Non-UK CAA Approved ATOs should submit Article 8 reduced course requests to fclweb@caa.co.uk.

You will have to ensure that the examiner holds the appropriate qualifications and comply with the requirements of FCL.1015, relating to the examiner briefing where the competent authority for the applicant is different than that of the examiner.

For UK examiners, please refer to Information Notice IN 2016/004 and non UK examiners please refer to Information Notice IN 2016/003.

The simulator to be used must have a Part-FCL approval as well.

Close Third country licence holder

UK military flight crew

The Military Accreditation Scheme sets out the credits for UK Military Flight Crew, so the scheme is only open to serving Members of HM UK Forces or people discharged from HM UK Forces.  

The scheme is only open to people who can provide proof of UK Military service.

Close UK military flight crew

Revalidation and renewal

SET class ratings are valid for 2 years, counted from the end of the calendar month in which you completed your skill test.

Renewal and alternative means of compliance

If your rating expires, you will need to take refresher training as determined by an ATO and pass a proficiency check with a suitably qualified examiner.

Refresher training

(a) Paragraph (b)(1) of FCL.740 determines that if a class or type rating has lapsed, the applicant shall take refresher training at an ATO. The objective of the training is to reach the level of proficiency necessary to safely operate the relevant type or class of aircraft.

The amount of refresher training needed should be determined on a case-by-case basis by the ATO taking into account the following factors:

  • the experience of the applicant;
  • the amount of time elapsed since the privileges of the rating were last used;
  • the complexity of the aircraft;
  • whether the applicant has a current rating on another aircraft type or class;
    and
  • where considered necessary, the performance of the applicant during a proficiency check for the rating in an FSTD or an aircraft of the relevant type or class.

It should be expected that the amount of training needed to reach the desired level of competence will increase with the time elapsed since the privileges of the rating were last used.

Once the ATO has determined the needs of the applicant, it should develop an individual training programme based on the ATO's approved course for the rating, focusing on the aspects where the applicant has shown the greatest needs.

Theoretical knowledge instruction should be included as necessary; such as for type-specific system failures in complex aircraft. The performance of the applicant should be reviewed during the training and additional instruction provided where necessary to reach the standard required for the proficiency check.

After successful completion of the training, the ATO should provide a training completion certificate to the applicant, describing the training provided. The training completion certificate should be presented to the Examiner prior to the
Proficiency check.

Following the successful renewal of the rating the completion certificate and examiner report form should be submitted to the competent authority, together with the relevant application form if the examiner cannot sign the certificate of revalidation in Section XII of the UK-issued licence.

Note: Licence holders, ATOs and examiners are reminded that examiners are only authorised to sign the certificate of validation in Section XII (page 5 onwards) of a UK-issued licence when the rating is still shown on page 4 (Section XII) of the licence.

If the rating is no longer printed on page 4 (Section XII) of the licence, but appears in the section “ratings previously held by holder”, the rating is no longer included in the licence and cannot be reinstated by an examiner.

In those circumstances application for renewal of the rating must be made to the CAA so that the rating may be made valid by being included in the licence again.

Close Renewal and alternative means of compliance

Revalidation

For revalidation of single engine turbo-prop class ratings applicants shall pass a proficiency check on the relevant class in accordance with Appendix 9 to Part-FCL with an examiner, within the 3 months preceding the expiry date of the rating.

Close Revalidation

How to apply

Initial issue

There are two ways to apply for a single engine turbine rating; using e-Licensing or using our online Avoka form.

e-Licensing

If you choose to apply using e-Licensing, you will need to upload supporting documents as part of the application.

Applicants will be asked for different supporting documentation depending on the selections they have made during the application. The table below lists the evidence you may be asked for and what you should upload in that section.

Name in e-Licensing Document required
Identification Document A certified copy of your ID
Class Rating Skill Test

Examiner report form SRG1157

Examiner's licence, medical, examiner certificate if non-UK

ATO approval if non-UK

Class Rating Course Certificate

Course completion certificate

Class Rating update rating(s) A certified copy of your licence

Please note that you cannot use e-Licensing to submit your application if you are using credits from a Third Country Licence. In this instance, you would need to submit the online form instead.

Online application

You may choose to submit your application using our online form SRG3108

If you choose this method, you will need to upload the following supporting evidence:

  • Examiners report form SRG1157
  • A copy of your Examiner's licence, medical and Authorisation (only if you used a non-UK examiner for the skill test)
  • A copy of the EASA ATO Approval Certificate (if the course was completed with a non-UK ATO)
  • A certified copy of your licence
Close Initial issue

Revalidation

If your licence has been signed up in the field, there is no need to make an application. However, you must ensure that your examiner emails the paperwork to licenceapplications@caa.co.uk, so this can be stored on your file.

If you have an e-Licensing account, you will need to update the expiry date of your rating so that the information in your portal matches your licence. Please refer to our e-Licensing guidance for more information.

If your examiner has not endorsed your licence, you will need to submit online application form SRG3108 for us to reissue your licence. You will need to upload the following as supporting evidence during the application:

  • Examiners report form SRG1157
  • A copy of your Examiner's licence, medical and authorisation (only if you used a non-UK examiner for the proficiency check)
  • A certified copy of your licence
Close Revalidation

Renewal

If your licence has been signed up in the field, there is no need to make an application. However, you must ensure that your examiner emails the paperwork to licenceapplications@caa.co.uk, so this can be stored on your file.

If you have an e-Licensing account, you will need to update the expiry date of your rating so that the information in your portal matches your licence. Please refer to our e-Licensing guidance for more information.

If your licence was not endorsed by your examiner, or the rating is on the back of your licence, you need to submit an application to the CAA.

There are two ways to apply for a renewal; using e-Licensing or using our online Avoka form.

e-Licensing

To renew your rating, click on the 'i' next to your rating and then click on 'Apply to Reinstate Rating'.

The table below lists the evidence you may be asked for as part of your application and what you should upload in that section.

Name in e-Licensing Document required
Identification Document A certified copy of your ID
Class Rating Skill Test Reinstate Examiner report form SRG1157
  • Examiner's licence, medical, examiner certificate if non-UK
  • ATO approval if non-UK

Class Rating Reinstate Course Certificate Reinstate

Course completion certificate

Class Rating Reinstate Update Ratings

A certified copy of your licence

Online application

You can submit your application using our online form SRG3108

If you choose this method, you will need to upload the following supporting evidence:

  • Examiner report form SRG1157
  • A copy of your Examiner's licence, medical and Authorisation (only if you used a non-UK examiner for the proficiency check)
  • A copy of the EASA ATO Approval Certificate (if the course was completed with a non-UK ATO)
  • Certificate of Course Completion or form SRG1107
  • A certified copy of your licence
Close Renewal

During the current Covid-19 pandemic, we ask that all paperwork is sent to us electronically.

Guidance on documentation

For questions relating to paperwork, such as how to obtain certified copies of documents, please refer to guidance on documentation.

Contact us

If you have any questions please contact our licensing team:

Emailfclweb@caa.co.uk (preferred)
Phone 0330 022 1972 (Mon - Fri 08:30 - 16:30)

Related Information

Schools and training

Please ensure that your training provider is approved to conduct the training that you are undertaking.

We strongly recommend you check that your instructor and examiner hold the relevant privileges to conduct the training and any flight test, examination or assessment of competence that is being carried out.

How to find a UK examiner or UK approved school

EASA ratings list and flight simulators

Close Schools and training