The privileges of SFEs for aeroplanes or powered-lift aircraft are to conduct in an FFS, or for the assessments in point (5) on the applicable FSTD:
(a)(1) skill tests and proficiency checks for the issue, revalidation or renewal of type ratings for aeroplanes or powered-lift aircraft, as applicable
(a)(2) proficiency checks for the revalidation or renewal of IRs if combined with the revalidation or renewal of a type rating, provided that they have passed a proficiency check for the aircraft type including the instrument rating within the last year
(a)(3) skill tests for ATPL(A) issue
(a)(4) skill tests for MPL issue, provided that they have complied with the requirements laid down in point FCL.925
(a)(5) assessments of competence for the issue, revalidation or renewal of an SFI certificate in the relevant aircraft category, provided that they have completed at least 3 years as an SFE(A) and have undergone specific training for the assessment of competence in accordance with point FCL.1015 (b).
The privileges of an SFEs for helicopter are to conduct in an FFS, or for the assessments in point (4) on the applicable FSTD:
(b)(1) skill tests and proficiency checks for the issue, revalidation and renewal of type ratings;
(b)(2) proficiency checks for the revalidation and renewal of IRs if those checks are combined with the revalidation or renewal of a type rating, provided that the SFEs have passed a proficiency check for the aircraft type including the instrument rating within the last year preceding the proficiency check;
(b)(3) skill tests for ATPL(H) issue
(b)(4) assessments of competence for the issue, revalidation or renewal of an SFI(H) certificate, provided that they have completed at least 3 years as an SFE(H) and have undergone specific training for the assessment of competence in accordance with point FCL.1015 (b).
Please note, there are specific requirements to be met which allows the examiner to carry out the above individual privileges.
How do I apply?
You can apply for the initial issue of SFE privileges by submitting application form SRG3102.
You can apply for the revalidation, renewal or variation of SFE privileges by submitting application form SRG3104A.
How much does it cost?
The fees for SFE privileges as per our current Scheme of Charges are as follows:
- SFE SP including IR privileges conducted by a CAA Inspector - £2204
- SFE SP without IR privileges conducted by a CAA Inspector- £1488
- SFE SP including IR privileges conducted by a Senior Examiner - £603
- SFE SP without IR privileges conducted by a Senior Examiner- £435
- SFE MP including IR privileges conducted by a CAA Inspector - £2204
- SFE MP without IR privileges conducted by a CAA Inspector - £1849
- SFE MP including IR privileges conducted by a Senior Examiner - £603
- SFE MP without IR privileges conducted by a Senior Examiner - £545
- Addition of type without an AoC - £199
- Addition of type including an AoC - Fee varies
- Addition of FCL.1005.SFE (a)(4), (a)(5) or (b)(4) privileges - £60
Please note, an Examiner Assessment of Competence (EAoC) conducted by a Senior Examiner must be approved by the UK CAA before taking place.
The above fees are stated in the CAA Scheme of Charges.
Please also refer to Secure courier service for guidance on courier charges.
What do I need to send with my application?
- A copy of your UK Part-FCL Licence (if held)
- A copy of your UK Part-FCL Licensing Certificate (if held)
- Examiner Standardisation or Examiner Refresher Seminar Course Completion Certificate (CCC) issued by the ATO (submit once received)
- If applying for a variation, evidence of the necessary additional training required
For further information please refer to Guidance on documentation
What else do I need to know?
The UK Regulations provides guidance and the requirements for the issue, renewal, revalidation and variation of SFE privileges. Please refer to the following sections –
- Subpart K – Examiners
- Section 1 – Common Requirements
- Section 6 – Specific requirements for Synthetic Flight Examiners (SFE)
Standards Document 24(A) - Policy and Guidance for Single Pilot High Performance Aircraft and Multi Pilot Aircraft Examiners
Flight Examiners Handbook (H) - Policy and Guidance for Helicopter Examiners
Additional supporting evidence required for FCL.1005.SFE (a)(5)/(b)(4) privileges
Please include the following confirmation/evidence with your application to proceed with this request:
- What additional training has been completed to conduct TRI or SFI Assessments of Competences (AoC)? The head of training of the ATO should certify training completion and suitability to conduct SFI AoC’s.
- What specific experience do you hold relative to the role, e.g. TRI Tutoring?
- If you have attended a course for these specific privileges, please include the CCC issued by the ATO
Additional supporting evidence required for FCL.1005.SFE (a)(4) privileges
Please include the following evidence with your application to proceed with this request:
-
A CCC to confirm you have completed an approved MPL Instructor course
Schools and training
Please ensure that your training provider is approved to conduct the specific course that you are undertaking.
We strongly recommend you check that your instructor/examiner holds the relevant privileges to conduct the training and any flight test, examination or assessment of competence that is being carried out.
For further guidance please refer to Finding a UK Flight School or UK approved Examiner.
How long will it take for my application to be processed?
We are currently working within the published service level of 10 working days for all application types. Where an application is pended, the working days to process the application will be counted from the date of receipt of the requested additional information.
For SFE privileges the applications are processed in stages to allow for a suitable EAoC date, therefore each stage is processed within 10 working days.
For a small number of applications, a licensing officer may require additional guidance which requires a referral to be made to a technical officer. The technical officer will review the case within 5 working days, however if further advice is needed this will be reviewed at a bi-weekly complex case review session. In such cases therefore the application will take longer to process than our standard turnaround times.
If your application is urgent, you can request that we expedite it. However, we will only expedite applications in extreme circumstances. All other applications will be processed in strict date order.
Expedite requests must be submitted in writing to customerservices@caa.co.uk and must be submitted by your ATO or employer. We will not accept any expedite requests over the phone or directly from an applicant.
For further guidance please refer to our processing of applications.
What happens next?
When your application arrives with the CAA, it will undergo a desk-based assessment from a Flight Crew Licensing Officer or Assistant.
Once your application has been successfully assessed, your details will then be passed over to our Resource Scheduling team or our Helicopter Inspectors to arrange a suitable date/time for your EAoC. If a Senior Examiner is requested and approved, the ATO or Senior Examiner will receive confirmation via email.
You will be required to attend a UK approved SFE Examiner Standardisation Course (issue) or Examiner Refresher Seminar (revalidation/renewal). On successful completion of the course, please submit a copy of the CCC to the UK CAA to support your application
On successful completion of your EAoC, the CAA Inspector or Senior Examiner authorised by the UK CAA are required to submit the TS10 report (SRG1845).
For issues or renewals, the CAA Inspector or Senior Examiner may provide you with a SRG1100A temporary licensing certificate. SRG1100A will be valid for 8 weeks from the date of your EAoC to allow you to exercise the examiner privileges until you receive your PART-FCL Licensing Certificate.
Before SFE privileges can be issued, we will require evidence that all the above requirements have been met.
We will contact you via email if we have any queries regarding your application and may keep your application pending while the additional requirements are met. Please note that applications will only be pended for 30 days before cancellation, where no response is received.
How long is it valid for?
An SFE certificate is issued with a validity of 3 years.
Revalidations can be completed within the last 12 months preceding the expiry date. Therefore, the new expiry date of a further 3 years will be calculated from the current expiry date of the SFE certificate when completed within the revalidation period.