This privilege allows you to make aerobatic flights provided that you have a current and valid UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued Pilots Licence for aeroplanes, Touring Motor Gliders (TMG) or sailplanes.
You must hold this rating on your licence in order to exercise the privileges.
How do I apply?
To apply for the aerobatic onto a UK Part-FCL licence, please use online application form Application for Issue and Renewal of Additional Ratings in Accordance with Part-FCL (Aerobatics, Towing, Mountain and Flight Test ratings) (SRG 2157).
If you hold a UK National/JAR licence and need to convert to a UK Part-FCL licence at the same time as applying for the aerobatic rating, please apply using online application form Application for UK Part-FCL Conversion from an Existing UK Flight Crew Licence (SRG1104).
How much does it cost?
If you need to convert your UK or JAR licence to a UK Part-FCL licence, there will be an additional charge on top of the rating fee.
Additional costs, such as the charge for using our secure courier service, are payable at the same time as the fee for your application. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) accepts different methods of payment.
What do I need to send with my application?
You will need to upload the following supporting documents as part of the application:
- A copy of your UK licence including certificate of revalidation pages/logbook pages showing the rating endorsements.
If you are applying on the basis of the UK conversion route as detailed in the Flight Crew Licensing: Mandatory Requirements, Policy and Guidance (CAP804), we require a copy of the relevant pages from your logbook showing aerobatic experience of having completed:
- An AOPA/BAeA aerobatic course
- A BGA aerobatic course
- Aerobatic training with the UK military forces (other than the British Army)
- UK Display Authorisation
- Experience gained at a BAeA sanctioned event
If you are not applying on the basis of the UK conversion route and have completed a full course of aerobatic training, we require the Aerobatic/ Sailplane Towing/ Banner Towing/ Mountain/ Flight Test Rating Course Completion Certificate (CAA5020).
What else do I need to know?
It is mandatory to hold the aerobatic rating on your licence in order to complete aerobatic flights.
Holders of a UK National or UK issued JAR-FCL pilot’s licence who exercised aerobatic privileges before 8 April 2018 using these licences, but do not have the aerobatic rating endorsed on their licence, can apply to have the rating added to their UK licence without completing an initial training course.
There are many different conversion routes available and are detailed in the UK conversion report contained in (CAP 804) (reference only) and listed on this page.
How long will it take for my application to be processed?
We are currently working within the published service levels of 10 working days for all application types.
We have a system in place on the processing of applications and we will contact you if we have any queries regarding your application.
The aerobatic rating is non-expiring (it has a lifetime validity).
Provide page feedback
Please enter your comments below, or use our usual service contacts if a specific matter requires an answer.
Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.