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UK Civil Aviation Authority

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Validating an ICAO licence for limited duration specific tasks

Guidance on the process for validating an ICAO licence.

Holders of an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) licence who wish to be paid for short term commercial activities as outlined on this page need to apply:

  • demonstration flights
  • ferry flights
  • test flights
  • instruction flights for initial entry into service, including initial line flying training

Application for the Validation (or Extension of Validation) of a Flight Crew Licence Issued by an ICAO Contracting State for Commercial Activities under UK (EU) Regulation 2020/723 Application form (SRG2134) may be submitted by email to pilotvalidation@caa.co.uk with supporting documentation listed on this page.

  • Application Fee: £438

Additional costs

Generally a validation is sent by email. But if you would also like a hard copy to be sent to you, a charge for using our secure courier service is payable at the same time as the fee for your application. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) accepts different methods of payment. 

You will need to include the following information with your application:

  • Proof of your ID (this can be a certified copy of your valid passport/full UK photographic driving licence, or a close up photo of you holding your ID in which your face and ID are clearly visible).
  • Copies of your logbook pages, showing that you are currently flying the rating for the aircraft type/class for which the validation is being applied for.
  • A copy of your ICAO licence, showing the rating for which, you are applying for the validation is current and valid and ICAO medical. If your licence does not have certificate of revalidation pages, please include copies of your logbook pages, including stickers where applicable to show that the rating is valid, such as the flight review confirmation.
  • You will also need to apply for a Verification of a third country ICAO licence  
  • Information relating to the aircraft type and the registrations.

For demonstration flights, test flights and instructional flights we will also require:

  • Evidence of employment directly or indirectly by the aircraft manufacturer, company that is selling the aircraft or aviation authority.
  • Evidence from the airline or company you will be providing this for or to.

For Ferry Flights:

  • Evidence that the pilot is employed by the company that is ferrying the aircraft(s). Or a letter from the aircraft owner providing their confirmation they are happy for the pilot to undertake the ferry flight.

Information from the company of the reasons for the ferry flight, including dates of the flights and the from where and to where the aircraft will be ferried.

To apply you must hold:

  • A current and valid ICAO licence and medical.
  • Any class or type ratings you intend to fly with this validation must also be current and valid.
  • There must be documented evidence of the requirement for the validation and evidence from the companies, airlines, involved.

One of the following must be met:

  • The aircraft you intend to fly is registered in the UK
    or
  • The operator’s Principal Place of Business is in the UK
    or
    The aircraft is based/maintained in the UK

We are currently working within the published service levels of 10 working days for all application types.

When the assessment has been completed and the requirements have been met, the validation will be sent by email.

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 certificate is valid for a maximum of one year.