Single Engine Piston (SEP) rating
SEP eligibility requirements, training, skill tests, validity and application processes.
This class rating allows you to pilot a Single Engine Aeroplane.
The CAA has published a short instructor guide to address the 1-hour refresher training flight for the revalidation of single-engine class ratings by experience.
Pre-Requisites
You must have:
- a current and valid licence issued by the UK CAA;
- completed a training course at an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) or at a Declared Training Organisation (DTO), the theoretical knowledge examination shall be conducted verbally by the examiner during the skill test to determine whether or not a satisfactory level of knowledge has been achieved;
- passed a skill test in accordance with Appendix 9 to Part-FCL to demonstrate the skill required for the safe operation of this class of aeroplane (ensure that your examiner has met the designation of examiner for skills test for initial issue of Licences, ratings and certificates and Briefing of Non UK examiners requirements, as detailed in information notice IN 2015/050 and IN 2014/110 if applicable);
- a current and valid language proficiency level acceptable to the UK CAA.
Your medical records must be held by the UK CAA and you must hold a current and valid PART-MED medical certificate that is appropriate to the level of your licence or have made a Pilot Medical Declaration (PMD).
Conversions
Note that if you are the holder of an existing UK issued JAR Flight Crew licence which has not already been converted to a UK Part-FCL licence, then the conversion process will take place when you apply for this rating. This will require you to send us additional information.
See our information about licence conversions for more details.
Once all of the requirements above have been met, complete and submit online form SRG3108.
You will need to upload the following supporting evidence:
- Examiner report form SRG1157
- Course Completion Certificate or form SRG1107
- 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 your examiner has not endorsed your licence, you will need to submit online form SRG3108.
You will need to upload the following supporting evidence:
- Examiner report form SRG1157
- A certified copy of your licence
A licence cannot be endorsed by a non-UK Examiner/Instructor for revalidation by test.
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 form SRG1157 to licenceapplications@caa.co.uk, so this can be stored on your file.
A licence cannot be endorsed by a non-UK Examiner/Instructor for revalidation by experience.
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 completed form SRG1157 or if revalidated by an instructor that holds FCL.945 privileges, they can email completed form SRG1107, instead of SRG1157 to licenceapplications@caa.co.uk, so this can be stored on your file.
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 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 using online form SRG3108.
You will need to upload the following supporting evidence:
Prior to the flight, the instructor will review your recent flying experience and discuss your pre-flight planning, including consideration of weather conditions and relevant NOTAMs. There may also be a discussion including PIC responsibilities, decision-making and required regulatory knowledge.
During the flight, you will be expected to demonstrate recognition of and recovery from stall situations, as well as appropriate actions in response to simulated partial engine power loss. The exercise may also include practice forced landings, engine failure after take-off scenarios, and dead-reckoning navigation exercises to assess planning and navigational proficiency.
As the flight will provide at least one hour of instructional time, the instructor can also cover additional subjects relevant to your individual experience, identified areas for development, and specific training requirements.
That could include:
- General handling: climbs, descents, turns, accurate aircraft control, trimming and lookout.
- Slow flight and stall awareness: slow flight, stall recognition and stall recovery.
- Emergency handling: practice forced landings, precautionary landing considerations, simulated engine failures and other relevant emergencies such as partial power loss, failure of the autopilot and electric trim (if applicable) carbon monoxide events and inadvertent entry into IMC.
- Navigation: visual navigation, moving map device use (with suitable evidence of dead reckoning ability without reference to moving maps), situational awareness and diversion planning.
- Circuits and landings: standard joins, touch-and-goes, circuit emergencies and go-arounds.
You can also ask to cover any other aspects of your flying that you either want advice on or to practice.
Following the flight, the instructor will conduct a debrief and record the training, as appropriate, in your logbook. If considered necessary, the instructor may recommend further training.
If the instructor considers that the revalidation requirements are met, they will also revalidate the applicable class rating(s) by endorsing the Certificate of Revalidation in your licence with the new validity period.
For questions relating to paperwork, such as how to obtain certified copies of documents, refer to guidance on documentation.
See our licence fees and costs section.
Note that additional fees will apply if your licence needs to be converted as part of this application. The conversion process will also require ratings on a PART FCL licence to be checked for validity.
See the Scheme of charges (Personnel Licensing).
An additional fee applies if you want your documents to be returned by secure courier. More information about our secure courier service.
Associated Rules, Regulations and Forms
- Online application form
- Type/class Course Completion Certificate (pdf) (if applicable)
- Scheme of charges (Personnel Licensing)
- CAA Refund Policy
- Code of Practice
- Appeals guidance
- UK Regulations | UK Civil Aviation Authority
- Information Notice IN 2016/003
- Information Notice IN 2016/004
Processing time (On receipt of all required information)
We endeavour to process licence applications within 10 working days.
Incomplete applications are not subject to the 10 working day turnaround until all application requirements are met.
A desk based assessment from a Flight Crew Licensing Officer or Assistant. Following an acceptable assessment your licence will be processed signed and despatched. We will contact you if we have any queries regarding your application and may keep your application pending whilst the additional requirements are met.
Validity period
The rating is valid for 2 years from the date when you pass the SEP skills test.
Contact us
Email: fclweb@caa.co.uk
Phone 0330 022 1972 (Mon - Fri 08:30 - 16:30)
Licensing Department
Civil Aviation Authority
Aviation House
Beehive Ring Road
Crawley
West Sussex
RH6 0YR