Single engine piston rating for helicopters

Theoretical knowledge examination

The applicant for a helicopter 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 helicopter type.

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

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 of helicopter.

Please refer to AMC1 FCL.725(a) for more details

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 this Part to demonstrate the skill required for the safe operation of the applicable class or type of helicopter.

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.

AMC2 FCL.725(a) Requirements for the issue of class and type ratings

Training course

Flight instruction for type ratings: helicopters

The amount of flight instruction depends on:

• complexity of the helicopter type, handling characteristics, level of technology;
• category of helicopter (SEP or SE turbine helicopter, ME turbine and MP helicopter);
• previous experience of the applicant;
• the availability of FSTDs.
  (b) FSTDs

The level of qualification and the complexity of the type will determine the amount of practical training that may be accomplished in FSTDs, including completion of the skill test. Before undertaking the skill test, a student
should demonstrate competency in the skill test items during the practical training.

(c) Initial issue

The flight instruction (excluding skill test) should comprise:

Additional types

The flight instruction (excluding skill test) should comprise:

Holders of an IR(H) wishing to extend the IR(H) to further types should have additionally 2 hours flight training on type by sole reference to instruments according to IFR which may be conducted in an FFS C/D or FTD 2/3. Holders of an SE IR(H) wishing to extend the IR privileges to an ME IR(H) for the first time should complete at least 5 hours training.

An applicant who already holds a type rating for a helicopter type, with the privilege of 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 form of operation on the same helicopter type.

Further training at an ATO may be required before completion of Skill test on type. The ATO will need to complete a Course Completion certificate.

The Multi-Crew Cooperation Helicopter course (MCC) should be completed within 6 months at an ATO.

Unless the MCC course has been combined with a multi-pilot type rating course, on completion of the MCC training you will receive a certificate of completion.

MCC Credits An applicant having completed MCC training for any other category of aircraft shall be exempted from the theoretical knowledge requirements for MCC/IR or MCC/VFR (as applicable).

The practical training would still apply. An applicant for MCC/IR training who has completed MCC/VFR training shall be exempted from the theoretical knowledge requirement and shall complete 5 hours of practical MCC/IR training.

Please refer to Part-FCL.735.H for more information.

When revalidating or renewing an IR(H), the licence holder must hold the relevant valid class or type rating, unless revalidating or renewing the privileges of the class or type rating at the same time as renewing the IR.

For revalidation of type ratings for helicopters, you must:

1. pass a proficiency check in accordance with Appendix 9 to Part-FCL in the relevant type of helicopter or an FSTD representing that type within the 3 months immediately preceding the expiry date of the rating;
   
   and
   
   
2. complete at least 2 hours as a pilot of the relevant helicopter type within the validity period of the rating. The duration of the proficiency check may be counted towards the 2 hours. (FCL.740.H refers)
   
   

Revalidation Credits

If a type rating has expired you must:

• (1) take refresher training at an ATO or DTO, when necessary to reach the level of proficiency necessary to safely operate the relevant type of helicopter;
  and
• (2) pass a proficiency check in accordance with Appendix 9 to Part-FCL

The requirements for refresher training at an ATO or DTO are detailed in Part-FCL and in FCL.740(b)(1).

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 are set out in Article 3 of EU 2020/723 of the EASA Aircrew Regulation.

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:

a) complies with the experience requirements and the prerequisites for the issue of the applicable type or class rating in accordance with Part-FCL;

b) passes the relevant skill test for the issue of the applicable type or class rating in accordance with Part-FCL;

c) is in current flying practice with a current and valid ICAO licence and validating medical certificate;
and additionally:

• for single-engine helicopters with a maximum certificated take-off mass of up to 3 175 kg, 100 hours of flight experience as a pilot in that type;
  
  

If you have flown less than 100 hours on type as detailed above but are still in current flying practise, you may be eligible for a reduced course of training under the terms of Article 3 of EU 2020/723 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 3 of EU 2020/723 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 submit an online form SRG2142 and include a copy of your ICAO licence, medical and logbook with your application.

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 engine piston 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.

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 an 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 SRG2138
• 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 EASA simulator approval certificate (only if the Simulator used is not approved by the UK CAA)
• Course Completion Certificate or form SRG1107
• A copy of the EASA ATO Approval Certificate (if the course was completed with a non-UK ATO)
• Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) course completion certificate (if it is your first Multi-Pilot test)
• 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 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 SRG2138
• 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

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 SRG 3180

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

• Examiner report form SRG2138
• 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 simulator approval certificate (only if the Simulator used is not approved by the UK CAA)
• 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)