EASA Licences and ratings

Answer

Instructor certificate in EASA means the authorisation of a pilot to provide specific instruction towards issue, revalidation or renewal of the licences and ratings. Instructor certificates may contain the limitations or further explanation of the privileges of an instructor - e.g. FI(A) limited to PPL only or TRI privileges for particular aircraft type.

Nine instructor categories are recognised by Part-FCL:

• FI certificate: aeroplane (FI(A)), helicopter (FI(H)), airship (FI(As)), sailplane (FI(S)) and balloon (FI(B));
• TRI certificate: aeroplane (TRI(A)), helicopter (TRI(H)), powered-lift aircraft (TRI(PL));
• CRI certificate: aeroplane (CRI(A));
• IRI certificate: aeroplane (IRI(A)), helicopter (IRI(H)) and airship (IRI(As));
• SFI certificate: aeroplane (SFI(A)), helicopter (SFI(H)) and poweredlift aircraft (SFI(PL));
• MCCI certificate: aeroplanes (MCCI(A)), helicopters (MCCI(H)), powered-lift aircraft(MCCI(PL)) and airships (MCCI(As));
• STI certificate: aeroplane (STI(A)) and helicopter (STI(H));
• MI certificate: (MI);
• FTI certificate: (FTI).

For categories (1) to (4) and for (8) and (9) the applicant needs to hold a pilot licence. For categories (5) to (7) no licence is needed, only an instructor certificate.

A person may hold more than one instructor certificate.

By holding FI certificate various privileges of another certificates may be included into one licence endorsement such as CRI, IRI or MI.

Answer

To issue any flight crew licence under EASA theoretical knowledge testing is required. ATPL theory is the highest theoretical knowledge under EASA. Syllabi of tested knowledge covers the learning objectives and subjects for issue of:

• LAPL(A)
• PPL(A)
• CPL(A)
• IR(A)
• ATPL(A)

The common practice of future professional pilots is to obtain the PPL(A) and attend specific theoretical knowledge so-called ATPL-650 course. Once attended, the comprehensive testing is required at one of the EASA authotrities. The testing sessions covering following subjects:

• air law;
• aircraft general knowledge — airframe/systems/power plant;
• aircraft general knowledge — instrumentation;
• mass and balance;
• performance;
• flight planning and monitoring;
• human performance;
• meteorology;
• general navigation;
• radio navigation;
• operational procedures;
• principles of flight; and
• communications.;

As mentioned, by attending those exams the credit for issue of instrument rating, Commercial Pilot Licnence and Airline Transport Pilot Licence is granted.

So there is no need to attend additional theoretical testing. The ATPL theory credit stays valid for 7 years since the last expiry date of the Instrument Rating. So it is automatically revalidated with revalidation of any instrument rating endorsed in the licence (class or type-related instrument rating).

Even the transition from Frozen ATPL (holder of CPL licence) to full ATPL does not require additional theory testing provided the theoretical ATPL credit is still valid.

Answer

Frozen ATPL is a common name established in early 2000s  when a new licensing standards were introduced by Joing Aviation Authorities.

By holding so-called Frozen ATPL it means that the holder is basically qualified as an airline pilot, however without meeting minimum required flight time experience.

Frozen ATPL holder holds the following qualifications, licences and ratings:

• Holder of Commercial Pilot Licence - CPL(A)
  • holder of instrument rating for multi-engine aeroplanes
  • holder of EASA ATPL(A) theoretical knowledge credit
  • holder of Multi-Crew Cooperation training course
  • holder of Language proficiency 4 or higher

To turn the Frozen ATPL(A) - means to turn your CPL(A) licence into full ATPL(A) licence requires to gain the additional experience which can only be done in multi-pilot environment and to pass the ATPL skill test in multi-pilot aeroplane.

Minimum experience for ATPL(A) to be issued is 1500 hours of total flight time distribute as follows:

• 500 hours in multi-pilot operations on aeroplanes;
• 500 hours as PIC under supervision; or
  • 250 hours as PIC; or
  • 250 hours, including at least 70 hours as PIC, and the remaining as PIC under supervision;
• 200 hours of cross-country flight time of which at least 100 hours shall be as PIC or as PIC under supervision;
• 75 hours of instrument time of which not more than 30 hours may be instrument ground time; and
• 100 hours of night flight as PIC or co-pilot.

Of the 1500 hours of flight time, up to 100 hours of flight time may have been completed in an FFS and FNPT. Of these 100 hours, only a maximum of 25 hours may be completed in an FNPT.

Answer

ATPL in aviation stands for Airline Transport Pilot Licence. 

The ATPL abbreviation always comes with an aircraft category designator at the end.

• ATPL(A) stands for Aeroplanes
• ATPL(H) stands for Helicopters

It is internationally accepted abbreviation of the Airline Transport Pilot Licence, which is the highest rank of the flight crew licence. It gives the holder the privileges to exercise flights for renumeration and act as an airline captain.

The privileges of the holder of a ATPL are, within the appropriate aircraft category, to:

• exercise all the privileges of the holder of an LAPL, a PPL and a CPL;
• act as PIC of aircraft engaged in commercial air transport

It is not possible to obtain the ATPL licence right away, since it requires additional experience to turn the CPL licence into ATPL.

For Aeroplanes category, following minimum flight time requirement is 1500 hours out of which folowing appies:

• 500 hours in multi-pilot operations on aeroplanes;
• 500 hours as PIC under supervision; or
  • 250 hours as PIC; or
  • 250 hours, including at least 70 hours as PIC, and the remaining as PIC under supervision;
• 200 hours of cross-country flight time of which at least 100 hours shall be as PIC or as PIC under supervision;
• 75 hours of instrument time of which not more than 30 hours may be instrument ground time; and
• 100 hours of night flight as PIC or co-pilot.

Of the 1500 hours of flight time, up to 100 hours of flight time may have been completed in an FFS and FNPT. Of these 100 hours, only a maximum of 25 hours may be completed in an FNPT.

To turn the CPL into ATPL the applicant has to obtain the multi-pilot typeraing and be a holder of EASA Multi-Engine Instrument Rating and MCC.

Meeting all the pre-requisites for issue of ATPL without having the minimum flight time requirements is called Frozen ATPL. However the holder of Frozen ATPL is in fact a holder of a Commercial Pilot Licence.

Answer

LAPL in aviation stands for Light Aircraft Pilot Licence. 

The LAPL abbreviation always comes with an aircraft category designator at the end.

• LAPL(A) stands for Aeroplanes
• LAPL(H) stands for Helicopters

It is EASA established pilot licence. The privileges of the holder of an LAPL are to act without remuneration as pilot in command in non-commercial operations on the appropriate aircraft category (aeroplanes or helicopters). LAPL is however not recognised by ICAO member states and the privileges could only be exercised in EASA airspace and in EASA aircraft. 

It is not possible to convert nor to validate the licence in USA under FAA for example.

Answer

CPL in aviation stands for Commercial Pilot Licence. 

The CPL abbreviation always comes with an aircraft category designator at the end.

• CPL(A) stands for Aeroplanes
• CPL(H) stands for Helicopters

It is internationally accepted abbreviation of the commercial pilot licence giving the holder the privileges to exercise flights for renumeration. 

The privileges of the holder of a CPL are, within the appropriate aircraft category, to:

• exercise all the privileges of the holder of an LAPL and a PPL;
• act as PIC or co-pilot of any aircraft engaged in operations other than commercial air transport (e.g. flight instructor);
• act as PIC in commercial air transport of any single-pilot aircraft such as Cessna 525
• act as co-pilot in commercial air transport in multi-pilot aircraft such as Boeing 737

To make it simple - by holding the CPL you are a professional pilot, and you can get renumeration for your pilot services. However your privileges do not allow you to become a captain on multi-pilot aeroplane such as Boeing 737, nevertheless you can become a Captain on Cessna 525 even in commercial air transport.

Answer

PPL in aviation stands for Private Pilot Licence. 

The PPL abbreviation always comes with an aircraft category designator at the end.

• PPL(A) stands for Aeroplanes
• PPL(H) stands for Helicopters
• PPL(As) stands for Airships

It is internationally accepted abbreviation of the non-commercial pilot licence giving the holder the privileges to exercise non-commercial flights. In majority of the countries it is the very first step for a man to become a pilot. However under EASA the LAPL - Light Aircraft Pilot Licence was established, which is a lower licence than PPL. LAPL is however not recognised by ICAO member states and the privileges could only be exercised in EASA airspace and in EASA aircraft.

Answer

EASA Type Rating is a rating endorsed in the EASA pilot's flight crew licence. 

Holders of a pilot licence shall act as pilots of an aircraft only if they have a valid and appropriate class rating or type rating. 

All EASA recognised type ratings are published by the EASA in Type Ratings and Licence endorsement lists.

In this case the type rating is usually established for a single-pilot high performance complex aircraft or for multi-pilot aeroplane. Aircraft types with similar handling characteristics and design constituting into one single type rating endorsement. However the type rating endorsement may cover multiple types of the similar aircraft, which are called variants.

A good example is Boeing 737. The licence designator for Boeing 737 family is B737 300-900. It means for flying on Boeing 737-300/400/500/600/700/800/900 and MAX a pilot needs to have the common B737 300-900 endorsed in his flight crew licence. In this case the Boeing 737-300 or Boeing 737-800 is a variant of the Boeing 737 typerating.

Same applies for an Airbus 32Family. Common licence endorsement of A320 allows a pilot to fly on the following variants of Airbus 320 Family:

• Airbus 318
• Airbus 319
• Airbus 320
• Airbus 321

Answer

EASA Class Rating is a rating endorsed in the EASA pilot's flight crew licence. 

Holders of a pilot licence shall act as pilots of an aircraft only if they have a valid and appropriate class rating or type rating. FCL.700 describes the circumstances in which a class rating is required and GM1 FCL.700 describes tables for the classification of class rating aircraft.  When it comes to the single pilot non-complex aeroplanes, the types of the aircraft constituting into the class rating. 

In accordance with GM1 FCL.700 following class ratings are recognised:

Class ratings (aeroplane): single-pilot and SEP (land or sea)

When it comes to the single pilot non-complex aeroplanes, the types of the aircraft constituting into the class rating. For all single-engine aeroplanes with landing gear the class rating designator is SEP(land) and for ski is SEP(sea).

So for flying Cessna 172 you need to be a holder of SEP(land) class rating. From the licencing point of view another type - such as Cessna 152 or Diamond DA20 Katana is so-called a variant of SEP(land) class rating. Transition between the variants of SEP(land) requires additional knowledge or additional training. Transitioning to the SEP(sea) class rating requires a whole-new ab-initio class rating training.

Class ratings (aeroplane): single pilot SEP TMG (land)

All single-engine and single-pilot aircraft do not fit into the SEP(land) class rating constituting into Touring Motor-Glider class rating. 

Class ratings (aeroplane): single pilot MEP (land or sea)

For all multi-engine aeroplanes with landing gear the class rating designator is MEP(land) and for ski is MEP(sea).

So for flying Diamond DA42 you need to be a holder of MEP(land) class rating. From the licencing point of view another type - such as Piper PA34 Seneca or Diamond DA62 is so-called a variant of MEP(land) class rating mandating a pilot to attend so-called differences training when transitioning to another variant of MEP(land) class rating. However transitioning to the MEP(sea) class rating requires a whole-new ab-initio class rating training.

 

Additional class rating lists and endorsement lists are published by the EASA in Type Ratings and Licence endorsement lists.

Whenever (D) is indicated in one of the lists mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c), it indicates that differences training in accordance with FCL.710 is required.

Class rating ‘SET’ for single pilot (SP) single-engine (SE) turbo-prop aircraft

The class rating ‘SET’ for SP SE turbo-prop aircraft is established. All aircraft within the class rating SET are listed individually. Aircraft are added to the class rating SET following EASA classification. Aircraft which had previously been designated as ‘SET’ by the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) under the provisions of JAR-FCL 1 are retained in the class rating ‘SET’ without further assessment.

Answer

EASA Instructor Certificate is valid for 36 months. This includes all certificates such as FI, CRI, IRI, MI, TRI, SFI.

If you however are a holder of FI(A) and you add a CRI privileges, it will be all included in your FI(A) certificate. So instead two different instructor certificates, you will have to watch only one expiry date.

Same applies for TRI or SFI certificates. Should you are a TRI for various types - e.g. TRI CL65 and TRI C525 all your type rating instructor privileges will be merged into the TRI certificate expiry date.

To revalidate the instructor certificate for next 36 months holder needs to usually attend the assessment of competence with an EASA examiner with particular privileges.

• single pilot aeroplanes instructor certificates such as FI, CRI or IRI could be revalidated by so-called Flight Instructor Examiner
• single-pilot high performance and multi pilot instructor certificates such as SFI or TRI could be revalidated by so-called Type Rating Examiner or Synthetic Flight Examiner with respective privileges

Answer

EASA Class ratings are valid 12 or 24 months.

To break this down:

• all EASA single-engine single pilot class ratings such as SEP(land) or TMG are valid for 24 months
• all EASA multi-engine single pilot class ratings such as MEP(land) are valid for 12 months

The class-related instrument rating might be stand-alone for single-engine class ratings due to fact the Instrument Rating is only valid for 12 months.

To revalidate the multi-engine class rating for next 12 months holder needs to attend the LPC with EASA CRE. Once the period of validity is lapsed holder needs to attend refresher training and renewal LPC with EASA Class Rating Examiner.

To revalidate the single-engine class rating there are 2 options:

• either to attend LPC with an EASA CRE within last 3 months preceding the expiry date,
• or to revalidate single-engine class rating by experience

Answer

 All EASA type ratings are valid 12 months. In most cases the type-related instrument rating is having the same validity period like the type rating itself. To revalidate your type rating for next 12 months holder needs to attend the LPC with EASA TRE. Once the period of validity is lapsed holder needs to attend refresher training and renewal LPC with examiner.

Answer

All flight crew pilot licences are valid permanently. Thus there is no expiry date for the validity of the licence itself. However the validity of your EASA pilot licence is conditioned by having valid other ratings, certificates and qualifications endorsed in the licence. Generally speaking the licence itself only describes the operation under which you can exercise the privileges of endorsed ratings - e.g. privately only (LAPL and PPL) or commercially (CPL and ATPL).

To keep your pilot licence valid you must be a holder of valid medical certificate corresponding to the licence you hold (e.g. Class 1 or Class 2).

So by holding an EASA pilot licence, there is no need to revalidate nor to renew the validity of the flight crew licence. However you have to keep valid your class ratings, instrument rating or type rating to exercise its privileges.