Single pilot type rating for aeroplanes

Before starting flight training, an applicant for a first class or type rating for a single-pilot aeroplane classified as a high performance aeroplane must:

• have at least 200 hours of total flying experience, of which 70 hours as PIC on aeroplanes;
  and
• hold a certificate of satisfactory completion of a course for additional theoretical knowledge undertaken at an ATO;
  
  or
  
  
• have passed the ATPL(A) theoretical knowledge examinations in accordance with Part-FCL;
  or
• hold, in addition to a licence issued in accordance with Part-FCL, an ATPL(A) or CPL(A)/IR with theoretical knowledge credit for ATPL(A), issued in accordance with Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention;
  in addition, pilots seeking the privilege to operate the aeroplane in multi-pilot operations must have completed the Part FCL ATPL theoretical examinations.

The applicant for a class or type rating must pass a theoretical knowledge examination organised by the ATO to demonstrate the level of theoretical knowledge required for the safe operation of the applicable aircraft class or type.

For single-pilot multi-engine aircraft, the theoretical knowledge examination must be written and the number of multiple-choice questions shall depend on the complexity of the aircraft.

For single-pilot aeroplanes that are classified as high performance aeroplanes, the examination shall be written and comprise at least 100 multiple-choice questions distributed appropriately across the subjects of the syllabus. Please refer to AMC1 FCL.725(a) for full syllabus of this training.

An applicant for a helicopter type rating must complete a training course at an suitably approved ATO. The type rating training course need to include the mandatory training elements for the relevant type as defined in the operational suitability data established in accordance with Part-21 skill test.

An applicant for a class or type rating shall pass a skill test in accordance with Appendix 9 to Part-FCL to demonstrate the skill required for the safe operation of the applicable class or type of aeroplane.

The applicant shall pass the skill test within a period of 6 months after commencement of the type rating training course and within a period of 6 months preceding the application for the issue of
the rating.

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

The 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.

To revalidate the rating you must pass a proficiency check with an examiner. The proficiency check must take place within the 3 months immediately before the rating's expiry date.

Please contact your nearest Approved Training Organisation for more details.

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:

• complies with the experience requirements and the prerequisites for the issue of the applicable type or class rating in accordance with Part-FCL;
  
  
• passes the relevant skill test for the issue of the applicable type or class rating in accordance with Part-FCL;
  
  
• is in current flying practice with a current and valid ICAO licence and validating medical certificate;

for aeroplane type ratings, 500 hours of flight experience as a pilot in that type;

If you have flown less than 500 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.

Application

We will need to verify your licensing details with your other authority. Therefore, you must include form SRG2142 and a copy of your ICAO licence, medical and logbook with your application.

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.

Pilots holding a flight test rating issued in accordance with FCL.820 who were

• involved in development, certification or production flight tests for an aircraft type,
  and
• have completed either 50 hours of total flight time or 10 hours of flight time as PIC on test flights in that type,

shall be entitled to apply for the issue of the relevant type rating, provided that they comply with the experience requirements and the prerequisites for the issue of that type rating, as established in this Subpart for the relevant aircraft category.

There are two ways to apply for a single pilot type rating; using e-Licensing or using our online 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.

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 our online form instead.

Online application

You may choose to submit your application using our online form SRG 3108.

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

• Examiners report form SRG2199
• A copy of your Examiner's licence, medical and authorisation (only if you used a non-UK examiner for the skills test)
• A copy of the simulator approval certificate (only if you used a non-UK simulator for the skills test)
• Course completion certificate or SRG1107
• A copy of the EASA ATO Approval Certificate (if the course was completed with a non-UK ATO)
• Evidence of Take offs and landings (unless ZFTT course completed)
• Form SRG1112 (only if take-offs and landings were conducted with a different ATO)
• A certified copy of your licence

UK military pilots need to additionally submit completed form SRG2133 

Pilots applying on the basis of holding the type rating on a Third Country ICAO licence will also need to submit the following paperwork: 

• Third country verification application SRG2142
• Original or certified copy of valid ICAO licence and medical 
• Evidence of currency on type (certified logbooks pages) 

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 SRG2199
• 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 Simulator approval certificate (only if you used a non-UK simulator for the proficiency check)
• A certified copy of your licence

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.

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 SRG2199
• 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 Simulator approval certificate (only if you used a non-UK simulator 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

• UK Regulations
• UK ANO

• Licence fees and costs

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

• UK ATOs are listed in Standards Document 31
• List of Declared Training Organisations
• UK examiners

EASA ratings list and flight simulators

• ratings
• flight simulators ( FSTD)